- Drama Title: Queen of Tears
- Also Known As: 눈물의 여왕, The Queen of Tears, Nunmului Yeowang
- Country: South Korea
- Director: Kim Hee Won, Jang Young Woo
- Cast: Kim Soo Hyun, Kim Ji Won, Park Sung Hoon, Kwak Dong Yeon, Lee Joo Nim
- Genres: Romance, Comedy, Drama
- Episodes: 16
- Date of Release: Mar 9, 2024
- Original Network: tvN
- Where to Watch: Netflix
Dear readers, this review is different from any other drama review I’ve ever made. This time I wrote a Korean drama or K-drama review. However, I wrote this because I really like this drama. Therefore, I put all my heart into this Queen of Tears drama review. I hope all of you can enjoy it. Happy reading!
Queen of Tears Synopsis
Hong Hae In and Baek Hyun Woo seemed to be the perfect happy couple. Hong Hae In is the heiress of the Hong family who owned the Queens Department Store. Meanwhile, Baek Hyun Woo is the pride of Yongduri village. He is smart and very handsome. In this reverse Cinderella story, people root for them.
But reality tells a different story. Hong Hae In and Baek Hyun Woo’s marriage has been crumbling for a long time. Baek Hyun Woo could no longer stand their unhappy life, so he decided to divorce Hong Hae In regardless of the consequences. However, when he almost told her, Hong Hae In said that she was dying and had only three months to live.
Suddenly, Baek Hyun Woo saw another way out of his unhappy marriage. He withdrew the idea of divorce and began to treat her better with an ulterior motive.
Through the crisis and the bitterness of life, Hong Hae In and Baek Hyun Woo found out that their love for each other never really disappeared. It was always there, waiting for them to rekindle the flame. Unfortunately, their time was running out.
Queen of Tears Drama Review
This is my first time reviewing a Korean drama. Some of my readers know I love C-dramas. I’ve been watching them for almost 8 years (last time I wrote Will Love in Spring drama review and Will Love in Spring ending explained). But I’ve been watching K-dramas long before I knew about C-dramas.
I still remember my first favorite K-drama, Goong or Princess Hours. This drama is hilarious and touching. I’ve watched it so many times. I also like Goblin and Descendant of the Sun. These are my go-to dramas when I’m in the mood for something different. Later, I started watching C-dramas and my watchlist was full of Yang Mi, Dilireba, Xu Kai, Zhao Lu Si, Yang Yang, and many more.
I still watch K-dramas sometimes, but only when I need a break from C-dramas. The last one I watched was It’s Okay to Not Be Okay circa 2022.
Queen of Tears has been a phenomenon since it was released in March. People were talking about this drama everywhere. I heard about it and was curious. I decided to watch it a few weeks ago. I thought I was a bit late, but some people still talk about it, so I guess I wasn’t THAT late. 😉
This drama shook me to the core. Literally. I was shaking with laughter and crying. Queen of Tears is full of comedic scenes amid its touching romance. I forgot how creative Korean screenwriters were when they mix tragedy with comedy.
The actors made the story funny. I knew Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won were good actors, but I didn’t think they could be this funny. Especially Kim Soo Hyun, who plays the goofy Baek Hyun Woo.
My favorite scene is when Hong Hae In and Baek Hyun Woo spy on each other at work and wonder why the other looks so good. They don’t realize they’re admiring each other. Then they’re surprised when they realize what they were thinking.
This drama kept me on the edge. It has 16 episodes and every time I watch, I feel my heart was about to burst. The roller coaster ride was so real that I had to pause to adjust to the overwhelming emotion.
Although I was having a good time watching this drama, there was something that seemed unfit for me which was the duration.
Queen of Tears’s duration is longer than average Cdrama. Every episode lasted for 1.5 hours. Many Kdramas I used to watch were an hour long. That was already too long for me. Cdrama fits me perfectly because a 45-minute episode is enough for my attention span.
This drama taught me many things. From Baek Hyun Woo and Hong Hae In, we learned the importance of open communication. And it takes two to tango in marriage. Baek Hyun Woo and Hong Hae In learned that love needs constant effort. You can’t expect love to grow without work. A constant attentiveness and romance would make it work again.
And for the Hongs, I would quote Young Sung’s words, “Typhoon can be helpful in life.” sometimes you need a good beating to appreciate what you have in life.
The Wardrobes
When we talk about expensive K-dramas, we should mention the wardrobe. Especially when it comes to chaebol (Korean conglomerate family) themes dramas. In Queen of Tears, every costume was well thought out, especially Hong He In’s outfits. I could not tell the brands for every outfit, but there were lots of articles online about Kim Ji Won’s outfits and I was baffled when I read them.
I couldn’t pick a favorite because they were all so good. Some stood out to me, like Hong He In’s bold Alexander McQueen suit in episode 2 and her Chanel pearl necklace, which reminded me of Andrea Sach’s necklace in The Devil Wears Prada. Queen of Tears avoided brand displays because it would be complicated matters in real life.
So, instead of wearing Celine hat, Hong Hae In is wearing Eline hat. And I was laughing so hard when Baek Hyun Woo was browsing about Hong Hae In’s illness in Geegle, instead of Google. If you have keen eyes, you’ll see many more of this kind of scene in the drama. Happy hunting! 😁😁
The Cameos
I have to mention one more thing besides the outfits: the phenomenal cameo of Song Joong Ki! As you all know, Song Joong Ki used to act as a lawyer/mafia consigliere in Vincenzo drama. This time, the tough and ruthless Vincenzo Cassano appeared as Hong Hae In’s divorce lawyer. It was an obvious overkill, but it was so good! Like digging a hole for planting roses in the front yard using a bulldozer. 🤣
Song Joong Ki’s presence brought many memories for many viewers. People were instantly reminded of his dramas by the way Kim Yang Gi introduced Vincenzo to the oblivious Baek Hyun Woo. He told Baek Hyun Woo that Vincenzo is the youngest heir of a conglomerate family (Reborn Rich), a former soldier stationed abroad (Descendant of the Sun), someone who came from a spaceship (Space Sweepers), a werewolf (A Werewolf Boy), and a mafia’s consigliere (Vincenzo).
The drama also gave us a scene that showed how ruthless Song Joong Ki was as a mafia. You’ll love this riveting scene in episode 8! The director also gives us a very detailed blood trace in Vincenzo’s suitcase, making everything that Kim Yang Gi said to Baek Hyun Woo seem real.
Those scared faces of Baek Hyun Woo and Kim Yang Gi when they notice the blood are priceless. Plus, Vincenzo’s arrogant attitude is top-notch. Song Joong Ki absolutely killed it, showing us that he never loses the Vincenzo in him. Queen of Tears was not the first drama where he acted alongside Kim Ji Won. They used to act together in 2016’s high-rating drama, Descendant of the Sun.
The Cinematography
Queen of Tears is all about the story and the acting. But wait, there’s more. The cinematography also plays a big role in delivering the story. I love how the directors use so many different color tones for this drama. The flashbacks and touching scenes are enhanced by the use of yellow undertones to ignite the warmth in our hearts. And the villain’s scenes are given a dark undertone, which really adds to their nature.
The directors also used lots of close-range shots to show us the actors’ expressions up close. It gives us a clear understanding of how they felt at the moment. The lighting is impeccable. And I love how the directors use so many different techniques and angles to shoot a scene. It really makes you feel like you can see everything in every possible way.
The film also made use of AI technology in several scenes. For instance, the scene of Hong Hae In’s hallucinations when she finds herself standing in a snowy forest. I also have to praise the car scenes. The production team used LED screens instead of green screens, and I have to say, this is WAAYY better than the car scenes in most Cdramas.
The Casts and Crews
From the very first episode, I was blown away by the sheer talent on display from Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won. This swoon-worthy duo has an explosive on-screen chemistry. They were absolutely perfect for each other, and I couldn’t imagine this drama with anyone else in the cast. Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won are shining so brightly that people tend to forget that they were not the only leads of this drama.
There were also Park Sung Hoon as the villain Yoon Eun Seong, Lee Joo Bin as Cheon Da Hye, and Kwak Dong Yeon as Hong Soo Cheol, Hong Hao In’s younger brother and Cheon Da Hye’s husband. Unfortunately, all of them could not compare to Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won in terms of popularity.
Kim Soo Hyun’s drunk-crying scene is hilarious! It makes me laugh and annoyed at the same time. And then he started to sing! My goodness, that was awful… 🤣🤣
Meanwhile, I always remembered Kim Ji Won eating with an angry face during the dinner at Yongduri Village after the Hongs’ downfall. Hong Hae In looked so fierce when she yelled at Hong Soo Cheol for refusing to drink water from the kettle. Kim Ji Won did a very good job in this drama. I was both touched and intimidated by Hong Hae In. 😎
Apart from Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won, I was impressed by Hong Beom Ja’s character. Every time she appeared on my screen, I felt like I got a jolt of energy just from looking at her. The actress who played her is the incredible Kim Jung Nan. This lady has an amazing knack for choosing dramas. I read her impressive long list of filmography, and I recognized many high-rated dramas, including Crash Landing on You, Tale of the Nine-Tailed, SKY Castle, and Mouse.
My least favorite character in this drama is Hong Hae In’s mother, Kim Seon Hwa. She is played by senior actress Na Young Hee. She has acted in many dramas like Crash Landing on You, The Legend of Blue Sea, and My Love from the Star. Considering that I almost always hate her antagonist character, you could see how good Na Young Hee’s acting skills are.
Park Ji Eun, the screenwriter, is known to be one of the top screenwriters in the Kdrama industry. She is the one behind My Love from the Star, The Legend of Blue Sea, and Crash Landing on You. All of these dramas are highly acclaimed worldwide. And just like Queen of Tears. I laughed a lot when I watched them.
The directors Jang Young Woo and Kim Hee Won are also top directors in the industry. Jang Young Woo was the one behind I Need Romance S2 and S3, Entourage (a remake of Mark Wahlberg’s Entourage), as well as Bulgasal: Immortal Souls. Meanwhile, Kim Hee Woon was the one behind the famous Vincenzo, Little Woman (an adaptation of Louisa May Alcott’s Little Women) and Soundtrack #1 and #2.
The Story
Queen of Tears is all about the epic love story of Baek Hyun Woo and Hong Hae In. It’s a reverse Cinderella tale where a handsome man from a humble family catches the eye of the cold CEO lady from a conglomerate family.
Their love goes through many challenges from an evil third party, to bankruptcy, and terminal illness. But through it all, Baek Hyun Woo and Hong Hae In find the love they thought they’d lost.
Hong Hae In and Baek Hyun Woo’s relationship began when she was an intern at the department store. They tied the knot and lived happily ever after for a while. However, after they lost their baby, Hong Hae In and Baek Hyun Woo became estranged.
After Hong Hae In was diagnosed with a brain tumour and Baek Hyun Woo decided to treat her kindly, their relationship improved. The awkward interaction between them seemed like they were in the first stages of a relationship again.
Hong Hae In and Baek Hyun Woo had long forgotten about their love, so they didn’t recognize jealousy or love. For me, this was the most interesting part to watch because it was so funny.
I was blown away by how cry-baby Baek Hyun Woo was. His tear ducts seemed to leak because he easily cried in so many scenes. His eyes would instantly turn red and teary whenever he was with Hong Hae In.
In this drama, Baek Hyun Woo’s heart is as soft as tofu while Hong Hae In’s heart is as hard as a nut. So it was not surprising that Hong Hae In is the one who promised to give him a happy life while Baek Hyun Woo is the one who protested because the unhappy marriage made him cry a lot.
But although he is a cry-baby, Baek Hyun Woo still knows how to protect his loved ones. He truly makes my heart flutter! 🥰🥰
The Hong family showed the dark side of a wealthy family, and it had the same vibe as a palace-themed C-drama! For instance, Hong Man Dae had a mistress (they call her his girlfriend) living in the house. They lived under the same roof with his children and grandchildren, which was similar to an emperor’s harem situation.
Things got worse because the mistress, Moh Seul Hee, was the white lotus type who would do anything to monopolize Hong Man Dae’s affection.
Next was the biased love from a parent. Hong Hae In’s father valued her higher than Hong Soo Cheol because she was more capable than her brother. Meanwhile, Hong Hae In’s mother only loved her youngest son and hated her daughter, which led to a thrilling power struggle.
Kim Seon Hwa supported Hong Soo Cheol to be the heir of the Queen, and she would do anything to help him defeat Hong Hae In, despite the fact that Hong Soo Cheol could not defeat Hong Hae In in terms of intelligence and business instinct.
Well, he couldn’t beat her in terms of common sense too…😂
Meanwhile, the Baek family is the exact opposite. They’re so heartwarming that you can instantly feel the warmth (obviously this came from the yellow undertone). They live a normal life where the parents would scold the children and often smack their heads (Hey… we’re Asian. That’s what we do in daily life 😝).
Baek Hyun Woo has two siblings. Unlike him, Baek Hyun Tae and Baek Mi Sun looked like a blend of curiosity and mischief. They’re very different, which makes Baek Hyun Woo stand out even more. His handsomeness, talent, and intelligence could easily incite envy. However, the Baek siblings loved and supported each other. Baek Hyun Tae and Baek Mi Sun were very proud of their little brother.
The Baeks also do silly things daily, which adds to their charm. However, when the problems struck, they would immediately stick together and protect one another. The only person who seemed to have a good sense and good self-control was Baek Hyun Woo’s mother, Jeon Bong Ae.
I guess Baek Hyun Woo’s kindness, calmness, and good judgment all came from the mother. While his awkwardness and goofy nature obviously came from his father. This combination made him so unique and special.
Aside from Hong Hae In and Baek Hyun Woo’s story, we also got to see Hong Soo Cheol and Cheon Da Hye’s relationship as well as Hong Beom Ja’s messy love life. Hong Soo Cheol and Cheon Da Hye were my least favorite because I dislike their characters, but Hong Beom Ja’s love story was quite interesting. She is strong and energetic (she could beat her ex-husband with a small tree on his wedding day).
Hong Beom Ja needed a man who was strong in personality, but with a soft heart so he could understand her sensitive heart. Her three marriages went down the drain because none of her ex-husbands could understand her.
I didn’t have too many questions about this drama, many articles on the internet already talk about it. However, I do have some curiosity. In episode 7, Young Song revealed a fascinating insight to Baek Du Gwan (Baek Hyun Woo’s father) about overcoming hardships in life. He explained that there are three key steps to achieving this: the first is acknowledgment, which involves accurately assessing the current crisis.
The second is self-awareness, which helps us understand how bad the situation is and how much worse it could get. Finally, the third step is sorting it out, which is all about deciding what we’re willing to give up and what we’re not, and then taking action.
Young Song said that his words were based on Dr. Oh’s solution in Episode 53 with Nancy Lang. I’m really curious if this Dr. Oh and Nancy Lang thing is real. I’ve been searching the internet for it but I haven’t got the answer yet. If you have any news about it, please do tell me!
Besides the Hongs, the Baeks, the Moh, and the Yoon, the story is livened up by small characters like Grace Ko, who plays an important role in the family. I did not like her because she is an opportunist who like to float around between the good and the bad side. Baek Hyun Woo’s lawyer friends were so goofy that I am not sure whether I would let them handle my legal problems, if I had any. And also, the secretaries.
Secretary Na always seemed like a calm, efficient, and rational woman. But just like her boss, Secretary Na is a sharp-tongued person, witty, and very good at reading the atmosphere. She knows Hong Hae In better than anyone else. Secretary Na often gives Hong Hae In many lessons to deal with life and she softens Hong Hae In’s rough edges.
When Hong Hae In and Baek Hyun Woo’s marriage is on the verge of breaking down. Secretary Na would secretly work with Secretary Kim to avoid the head-on war between the couple. Sometimes the secretaries succeeded, but they often lost and had to bear the consequences. 😂😂
I loooooved Secretary Na’s personality. 😍
Secretary Na is kind and has a sincere heart. She always warns her colleagues about Hong Hae In’s current mood. She taught the new employee that the more upset Hong Hae In was, the fancier she dressed. And I love her point of view which said, “Natural disasters and Ms. Hong’s moodiness are two things humans can’t control”.
Did this line remind you of your boss? 😁😁
The other employees were also cute. They could text without looking at their phones, which was pretty impressive. They were really concerned about their bosses’ relationship, but they were also putting a lot of effort into keeping the office atmosphere harmonious amidst the heated war between Baek Hyun Woo and Hong Hae In. 😆
As a family, the Hongs and Baek Hyun Woo have to deal with the villains of this story, which are Moh Seul Hee and Yoon Eun Sung. They’re aiming for the Hong family’s power and money. They are professional villains who planned their moves for years and were not afraid of the long wait. This kind of villain is the worst. Their patience is their most scary trait.
The Hongs seek refuge at Yonduri Village, where the Baeks reside. During their stay, the Hongs learned how to live a humble life which tones down their arrogant nature. Each of them learned how to be a better version of themselves. I absolutely love how the fathers build a strong bond when they’re together.
Hong Beom Jun (Hong Hae In’s father) and Baek Du Gwan (Baek Hyun Woo’s father) currently have the same problems. Hong Beom Jun just lost his position as the vice chairman of Queens, while Baek Du Gwan also lost his position as the village head. The two of them talked about their feelings while drinking makgeolli and watching chaebol-themed dramas on TV. 🤩
The ending of this drama is a happy one, as good always wins against evil. However, it was a rough journey for our main leads and their family. You can read more detail about it, at Queen of Tears ending explained post.
The Characters
Hong Hae In (played by Kim Ji Won)
Hong Hae In is the second child in her family. Her eldest brother died in a boat accident, and it changed their family forever. Hong Hae In grew up by herself. She is independent, cold, straightforward, smart, and fearless. Her strong personality and sharp mouth make Hong Hae In feared by others. She has a strong sense of protection towards Baek Hyun Woo because she thinks he is a soft-hearted person.
Hong Hae In grew up with little love in a competitive family. She became cautious and saw things negatively. It didn’t mean she was a pessimist. Hong Hae In only didn’t believe in happiness and was always prepared for the worst.
Baek Hyun Woo (played by Kim Soo Hyun)
Baek Hyun Woo is every woman’s dream. He came from a humble background. But his intelligence and good looks got him to the top. He might open the door of opportunity in life by marrying Hong Hae In.
However, if he did not have the skill and was a mediocre man, Baek Hyun Woo would not be the legal director of Queens Department Store.
When he was working, Baek Hyun Woo was clearheaded, rational, sharp, and quick-witted. Sometimes he could be a cunning and vicious lawyer. But outside the work, Baek Hyun Woo is a soft-hearted man, lovable, kind, and caring. Sometimes he was awkward and goofy. And don’t forget that he is a crybaby who would cry while driving or in the car wash.
Yoon Eun Sung (played by Park Sung Hoon)
Yoon Eun Sung is a cruel, violent man with a smart and ambitious side. He grew up as an orphan and was adopted by a Korean couple at 12 years old. He received a good education in expensive schools. Later the couple died in a car accident, leaving him alone.
Yoon Eun Sung has adored Hong Hae In since they were young. Back then, he saved her from a dog attack, and as an act of gratitude, she helped tend his wounds. This might be the first kindness Yoon Eun Sungever ever received and it made him feel affection for her. When she was chased by the dog, Hong Hae In’s gold necklace fell.
Yoon Eun Sung picked up the necklace and worn it ever since. Hong Hae In and Yoon Eun Sung met again when they were in college. However, Hong Hae In never felt any affection for Yoon Eun Sung.
Cheon Da Hye (played by Lee Joo Bin)
Cheon Da Hye is a cunning woman who intentionally married Hong Soo Cheol for ulterior motives. She is five years older than her husband, but she hides it because he doesn’t like older women.
Cheon Da Hye is bold, confident, and manipulative. She is also good at pretending, ambitious, and smart. When she was with Hong Soo Cheol, she was an obedient, calm, and supportive wife. With her in-laws, Cheon Da Hye always showed a submissive and polite attitude.
Hong Soo Cheol (played by Kwak Ding Yeon)
Hong Soo Cheol is Hong Hae In’s younger brother. He’s not the brightest in the family. He’s also spoiled by his mother, Kim Seon Hwa. Hong Soo Cheol loves his small family. He thinks his wife Cheon Da Hye treats him best.
Hong See Cheol grew up with his mother’s excessive love and protection. This made Hong Soo Cheol miss so many things in life and grow up as an irresponsible and weak person. He was easily fooled because he lacked common sense. He was insecure because he didn’t accomplish much. However, his mother forced him to fight Hong Hae In and became the family heir.
Moh Seul Hee (played by Lee Mi Sook)
Moh Seul Hee has been Hong Man Dae’s girlfriend/mistress for 20+ years. She lived with the Hong family during that time. Moh Seul Hee is a savage, cunning, and ruthless woman. She is calculating and manipulative. Moh Seul Hee is the epitome of a white lotus character. She often provoked Hong Beom Ja and Kim Seon Hwa but pretended to be pitiful in front of Hong Man Dae.
Moh Seul Hee had another identity, Oh Sun Yeong, who died 30 years ago. However, it was hard to take her down because Moh Seul Hee is cautious.
A little trivia: if you pay attention to her appearance. During her time with Hong Man Dae, Mo Seul Hee is dressed in a low-key manner. Her eyeliner is thin, and her hair is less fluffy. But once she stepped out as a winner, the eyeliner was bolder, and she dressed grandly.
Hong Beom Ja (played by Kim Jung Nan)
Hong Beom Ja is known for her explosive temper. This feisty lady is Hong Hae In’s aunt and Hong Man Dae’s only daughter. She had been married three times and all of them ended in divorce. And usually, the ex-husband suffered the most. She is feisty, hot-tempered, impulsive, loud, but kind-hearted and whiny.
The Conclusion
Queen of Tears is too good for you to miss. It took me a long time to write this review not because it was a hard thing to do, but because I always ended up rewatching this Korean drama. If you give me three more days, I am sure I will remember all the scenes in this drama. 😁
I love Queen of Tears drama because the story is well-written and funny. Comedy is everywhere and I am sure you’ll get plenty of laughter once you decide to watch it. However, be prepared to cry as well. You’d cry as much as you laugh. You’d enjoy Queen of Tears more if you had a companion.
Invite your friends, siblings, parents, or in-laws for a binge-watching party. Prepare food and drinks. Use good-quality eye creams because you’ll need them. Do the binge-watching party on weekends. I am sure you don’t want to be late for school or work because you can’t stop watching how sweet Baek Hyun Woo and Hong Hae In are together.
Don’t forget to write your comment after you watch this Kdrama. I would love to hear from you. Thank you for stopping by, dear readers. Happy watching!
