Queen of Tears (2024) – When Love Lost, Then Found Everything
Episodes: 16 + 2 specials
Aired: Mar 9–Apr 28, 2024 on tvN (also Netflix)
Main Cast: Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Ji-won, Park Sung-hoon, Kwak Dong-yeon, Lee Joo-bin
Writer: Park Ji-eun
Directors: Jang Young-woo & Kim Hee-won
💔 From Marriage Crisis to Rediscovered Love
*Queen of Tears* centers on a once‑fairytale romance turned loveless marriage. Baek Hyun‑woo (Kim Soo‑hyun), stuck in a controlling in‑law family, and Hong Hae‑in (Kim Ji‑won), a driven department store heiress, face a breakdown—until a terminal diagnosis brings them together again, finding their love unexpectedly redemptive.
📊 Record-Breaking Ratings & Global Reach
- Final episode hit 24.85% nationwide on tvN—the channel’s highest-ever drama rating.
- Became Netflix’s most-watched Korean drama of 2024, with over 680M hours streamed.
- Ranked as Google’s most searched K-drama globally in 2024.
🌟 A Love Story That Resonates—But Divides
Pros: Kim Soo‑hyun and Kim Ji‑won deliver powerful, emotional performances; strong visuals and a poignant soundtrack.
Cons: Story becomes overstuffed with clichés and plot twists late in the series; pacing dips in the back half.
⚠️ Viewer Reactions
- “Queen of Tears was overrated… a basic clichéd storyline.”
- “Last 3‑4 episodes were terrible… story kept being extended with absurd things.”
✅ Final Verdict
Rating: ★★★★☆ (4.2/5)
A heartfelt, visually lush romantic drama—especially compelling early on. But viewers seeking tight writing and consistent pacing may feel let down in the final stretch.
👀 Recommended For
- Fans of emotional, character-driven K-romances
- Viewers who enjoy stories about marriage, love, and redemption
- Those drawn by top-tier acting, music, and visuals