Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama Queen of Tears, which became the most phenomenal Korean drama of 2024 and shattered every possible record along the way. This emotional powerhouse proves that sometimes the greatest love stories are about falling in love with the same person all over again.
The series aired on tvN from March 9 to April 28, 2024, spanning 16 episodes with approximately 80 minutes each, every Saturday and Sunday at 21:20 KST. Available for streaming on Netflix in selected regions, this romantic comedy-drama written by Park Ji-eun and starring Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won explores the complex dynamics of a married couple facing their most challenging crisis. The story follows the nuances of a marriage between a chaebol heiress and her small-town lawyer husband as they navigate through what seems like an insurmountable divide, only to discover that true love can bloom again in the most unexpected ways.
Works as the legal director
Baek Hyun-woo works as the legal director for conglomerate Queens Group and is the most successful person to have come from his hometown village of Yongdu-ri, making him the pride of that community. He is married to Hong Hae-in, the daughter of the family that owns and operates Queens Group, known as the “Arrogant Queen” at Queens Department Store. What begins as a love story between two people from different worlds transforms into a tale of marital crisis, misunderstandings, and the gradual erosion of communication. The plot masterfully weaves together themes of class differences, family expectations, and the challenge of maintaining love when life becomes overwhelmingly complicated.
Hong Hae-in: The Ice Queen with a Melting Heart
Kim Ji-won delivers a tour-de-force performance as Hong Hae-in, the queen of department stores who appears cold and untouchable on the surface but harbors deep vulnerabilities beneath her polished exterior. Her character arc is one of the most compelling aspects of the series, as we witness her transformation from a seemingly arrogant heiress to a woman fighting for her marriage and her life. Kim Ji-won masterfully balances Hae-in’s professional competence with her personal struggles, creating a character who is both formidable and deeply human. Her chemistry with Kim Soo-hyun creates some of the most emotionally charged moments in recent K-drama history.
Baek Hyun-woo: The Devoted Husband at Breaking Point
Kim Soo-hyun brings remarkable depth to Hyun-woo, a man caught between his love for his wife and his growing frustration with their deteriorating relationship. His portrayal of a husband who has reached his emotional limit while still caring deeply for his spouse is both heartbreaking and authentic. The character’s journey from considering divorce to rediscovering his love for Hae-in showcases Kim Soo-hyun’s exceptional range as an actor. His performance captures the complexity of a man who must decide whether to fight for his marriage or let it go, making every emotional beat feel genuine and earned.
When Love Conquers All
The series reaches its emotional crescendo when external forces threaten to destroy not just their marriage, but their entire world. The final episodes brilliantly bring together all the narrative threads, forcing both characters to confront their deepest fears and make choices that will determine their future together. The climax successfully balances the personal stakes of their relationship with larger family and business conflicts, creating a resolution that feels both satisfying and emotionally cathartic. The way the series handles their reconciliation avoids easy answers while still delivering the romantic payoff viewers have been hoping for.
Supporting Characters: A Rich Tapestry of Relationships
The series features an exceptional supporting cast including Park Sung-hoon and Kwak Dong-yeon, who add layers of complexity to the central narrative. The Queens Group family dynamics and the contrast between Hae-in’s privileged world and Hyun-woo’s humble origins are beautifully developed through these supporting characters. Each relationship serves to illuminate different aspects of the main couple’s struggles, creating a rich tapestry of human connections that enhance the overall storytelling experience.
Success on Netflix
Queen of Tears achieved unprecedented success, becoming the most-watched Korean television series of all time on Netflix with 682.6 million hours viewed in total according to Netflix’s biannual Engagement Report. The series became the highest-rated tvN series, surpassing Crash Landing on You, and was crowned the most popular K-drama of 2024. The show’s success on Netflix demonstrates the global appetite for sophisticated romantic dramas that tackle mature themes about marriage, family, and personal growth. The series also won multiple awards, becoming the first Korean television series to win at both the Asian Academy Creative Awards and Asian Television Awards in the same year.
If you love stories about second chances, complex marriages, and the power of love to overcome seemingly impossible odds, Queen of Tears is the perfect series to binge on Netflix. It’s a masterclass in romantic storytelling that will leave you believing in the miracle of love renewed.
Queen of Tears transforms a failing marriage into a miraculous love story, proving that sometimes the greatest romance is learning to fall in love with the same person twice.
Series Details:
Number of Episodes: 16
Platform: Netflix
Rating: 8.2/10 (IMDb)
Genre: Romantic Comedy, Drama, Family
Protagonists: Kim Soo-hyun (Baek Hyun-woo), Kim Ji-won (Hong Hae-in)
Antagonist: Class differences, family expectations, and communication breakdown