Queen of Tears (Review)
(눈물의 여왕; aired on tvN from March 9 to April 28, 2024; released internationally on Netflix; 16 episodes)
Queen of Tears was more than just a K-Drama, it was a phenomenon that captivated K-Drama fans across the globe. It’s definitely the most popular drama of 2024 so far, ranking first in tvN history, and third in Korean cable television in general. That’s an impressive feat, especially considering the high level of competition.
Superficially, Queen of Tears appears to be a typical romcom. However, the creators have attempted to subvert the usual tropes. This is a ‘Cinderella’ story with a twist: the Cinderella figure is a man, Baek Hyun-woo (played by Kim Soo-hyun), the son of a farmer. His love interest, Hong Hae-in (played by Kim Ji-won), is a wealthy heiress. Rather than focusing on their courtship, the romcom explores their life after marriage. Three years into their union, they find their marriage in crisis mode. Through the events of the series, they confront their issues and rekindle their love, reaffirming their commitment to each other.
Main leads, Kim Ji-won and Kim Soo-hyun, received significant praise for their performances, deservedly so. In addition, Kim Soo-hyun was nominated for a Baeksang Award for Best Actor. For Kim Soo-hyun, this was his first role following a 3-year hiatus since his last drama, Okay to Not Be Okay. Kim Ji-won starred in the highly praised 2022 drama My Liberation Notes, and in Arthdal Chronicles before that.
The central arc, devoted to the evolving relationship between Hae-in and Hyun-woo, stands out as the most dynamic element of the series. Both characters undergo significant changes, with Hae-in experiencing particularly substantial character development. Their tumultuous relationship faces numerous obstacles, captivating audiences every step of the way. Each week, my feed on X (Twitter) was abuzz with reactions to the latest episodes, a level of engagement unprecedented by other dramas.
Besides their romance arc, there are several other storylines in the series. An overarching arc focuses on a hostile takeover of the Queens conglomerate. Hae-in is a granddaughter of the chairman of the chaebol (played by Kim Kap-soo), while Hyun-woo is a director of a legal team. We get to know Hae-in’s family, including her brother Hong Soo-cheol, portrayed by Kwak Dong-yeon, who is also praised for the comic-relief character he plays, Cheon Da-hye (Lee Joo-bin), his wife, and their parents, played by Jung Jin-young and Na Young-hee. Kwak Dong-yeon and Lee Joo-bin are second leads, but they don’t really have much screen time. The show occasionally takes us to Hyun-woo’s hometown, where we meet his family and other town inhabitants.
Park Sung-hoon, recently seen in Glory, portrays Yoon Eun-sung, the main villain of the show. He is the former boyfriend of Hae-in, and a successful businessman who wants to take over the Queens conglomerate. He is also in unrequited love with Hae-in, bordering on obsession. His character becomes totally despicable throughout the series. Scenes with him can often be uncomfortable or annoying, as Eun-sung is doing everything to separate Hae-in and Hyun-woo. While a love triangle is always present in romcom K-Dramas, I can’t recall another instance where writers combined it with a villain arc, which is definitely a bold decision.
The writing on the show is very good, with most characters being well fleshed out and interesting, and the storyline always engaging. The screenwriter Park Ji Eun, one of the most acclaimed Korean screenwriters, is most recently responsible for another megahit, Crash Landing on You. She pulled out all the stops, infusing ‘Queen of Tears’ with all possible known tropes for romcoms, using all tricks up her sleeve. This sometimes makes the show predictable: if you imagine the worst possible outcome while watching, it’s likely to unfold just that way. Ultimately, this renders the series both exciting and, at times, somewhat terrifying.
The only gripe I have with the show is that it is too long. It spans 16 episodes, with some, such as the last four, running nearly 2 hours each. The series could have been trimmed to a standard 1-hour runtime per episode, or possibly even reduced to 12 episodes. Watching week after week, the length is not very bothersome. However, for those binge-watching, it may be challenging to get through the entire series.
Queen of Tears emerges as a remarkable series of 2024, showcasing the global influence of K-Dramas at present. It’s an essential viewing for K-Drama enthusiasts and comes highly recommended for all audiences
Queen of Tears on Wikipedia and MyDramaList
