Queen of Tears

2024 South Korean television series From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Queen of Tears

Queen of Tears (Korean: 눈물의 여왕) is a 2024 South Korean romantic comedy television series written by Park Ji-eun, co-directed by Jang Young-woo [ko] and Kim Hee-won, and starring Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Ji-won, Park Sung-hoon, Kwak Dong-yeon, and Lee Joo-bin. The series explores the nuances of a married couple going through a difficult time together. It aired on tvN from March 9, to April 28, 2024, every Saturday and Sunday at 21:20 (KST). It is also available for streaming on TVING in South Korea, and on Netflix in selected regions.

Quick Facts Hangul, Hanja ...
Queen of Tears
Thumb
Promotional poster
Hangul
눈물의 여왕
Hanja
눈물의 女王
Revised RomanizationNunmul-ui yeowang
McCune–ReischauerNunmulŭi yŏwang
GenreRomantic comedy[1]
Developed byCJ ENM
Written byPark Ji-eun
Directed by
Starring
Music byNam Hye-seung
Opening theme"In a Beautiful Way" (Opening Title ver.)
by Kim Kyung-hee
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes16 + 2 special
Production
Executive producers
  • Lee Hye-young (CP)[2]
  • Park Joo-yeon[3]
  • Kang Hee-wook[3]
Producers
  • Kim Je-hyun[3]
  • Yoo Sang-won[3]
  • Jang Jin-wook[3]
  • Jang Young-woo[3]
  • Kim Tae-hun[2]
  • Heo Do-yun[2]
  • Jo Su-yeong[2]
Production locations
  • South Korea
  • Germany
Cinematography
  • Kang Yoon-soon[3]
  • Wang Ho-sang[3]
  • Park Se-hee[3]
  • Kim Ji-hoon[3]
EditorYoo Hyun-hye[3]
Running time80~90 minutes
Production companies
Budget56 billion
Original release
NetworktvN
ReleaseMarch 9 (2024-03-09) 
April 28, 2024 (2024-04-28)
Close

According to Nielsen Korea, the series recorded a nationwide TV rating of 24.850% for its final episode and became the highest-rated tvN series, surpassing Crash Landing on You. In Netflix's biannual Engagement Report released in September 2024, Queen of Tears was the most-watched Korean television series of all time on Netflix, with 682.6 million hours viewed in total. Queen of Tears became the first Korean television series to win at both the Asian Academy Creative Awards and Asian Television Awards in the same year,[4] receiving the Best Direction at the former and the Best Scriptwriting at the latter. The series also won the Best Drama award at the Korea Drama Awards and the Seoul International Drama Awards.

Plot

The story revolves around Hong Hae-in – a third-generation chaebol heiress of the Queens Group – and Baek Hyun-woo, the son of farmers from Yongdu-ri. With the couple on the verge of divorce after three years of marriage, Hae-in was diagnosed with brain cancer one day, forcing them to confront their deep-seated issues and regain love towards each other. When Hae-in's health condition deteriorates, Hyun-woo is forced to confront his own selfishness and the mistakes he has made. Yoon Eun-sung, Hae-in's childhood friend who harbors a long-held love for her, comes to offer his support and care to Hae-in. As Hae-in fights her illness, the couple is forced to confront their past mistakes and understand their personality differences.

Cast and characters

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Queen of Tears' main cast at the press conference on March 7, 2024.

Main

Hae-in's husband and the legal director of Queens Group. Born in the rural area of Yongdu-ri, he is a lawyer who graduated from Seoul National University.
  • Kim Ji-won as Hong Hae-in[5]
    • Hwang Ji-ah [ko] as teen Hong Hae-in[6]
    • Min Seo-hyung as child Hong Hae-in[8]
Hyun-woo's wife and the CEO of Queens Department Store. She is a third-generation chaebol heiress and granddaughter of the Queens family.
Hae-in's university acquaintance. He is a former Wall Street analyst and M&A expert who returns to South Korea as a famous investor.
Hae-in's younger brother and the CEO of Queens Mart.
Soo-cheol's wife.

Supporting

Hae-in's family

Hae-in's grandfather and the chairman of Queens Group.
Man-dae's live-in girlfriend.
Hae-in's father and the vice-chairman of Queens Group.
Hae-in's mother.
Hae-in's aunt.
  • Goo Shi-woo as Hong Geon-u[11]
Soo-cheol and Da-hye's son.
  • Park Yoon-hee [ko] as Hong Beom-seok[12]
Hae-in's uncle and the former CEO of Queens Distribution.
  • Ko Dong-ha as Hong Su-wan[13]
Hae-in's late elder brother.

Hyun-woo's family

Hyun-woo's father and the head of Yongdu-ri.
Hyun-woo's mother.
  • Kim Do-hyun [ko] as Baek Hyun-tae[10]
Hyun-woo's elder brother who runs a boxing gym.
Hyun-woo's elder sister who runs a beauty salon.
  • Kim Dong-ha as Baek Ho-yeol[14]
Hyun-tae's son.

Yongdu-ri

A selfless person similar to Oh Eun-young.
  • Park Jung-pyo as Chun-sik[15]
Kang-mi's husband and Du-gwan's right-hand man.
  • Shim Woo-sung as Park Seok-hoon[15]
President of Yongdu-ri Youth Association and Du-gwan's rival.
Chun-sik's wife and a regular customer at Mi-seon's beauty salon.
  • Lee Soo-ji [ko] as Bang-sil[15]
Hyun-woo's childhood friend from church and a regular customer at Mi-seon's beauty salon.
  • Lee Ji-hye as Hyun-jung[15]
A regular customer at Mi-seon's beauty salon.
  • Kim Do-jin as a boxing student[9]

Others

A private secretary who is in charge of the Queens family's affairs.
Hae-in's secretary.
  • Moon Tae-yu [ko] as Kim Yang-ki[18]
A respected divorce lawyer. He is Hyun-woo's university friend and reliable supporter.
  • Jeong Ji-hwan [ko] as Kim Min-gyu[19]
Hyun-woo's secretary.

Extended

Hae-in's doctor.
  • Shim Hye-rim as Kim Min-ji[21]
An employee at the Queens Department Store's cosmetics section.
  • Kwak Jin-seok [ko] as Pyeon Seong-uk[22]
CEO of a real estate agency.

Special appearances

Hyun-woo's psychiatrist.
CEO of Royal Department Store.
A German doctor.
Hyun-tae's wife.
Owner of Hong Gil-dong Detective Agency.
  • Jo Se-ho as private investigator Hong's right-hand man[30]
  • Nam Chang-hee as private investigator Hong's left-hand man[30]

Production

Summarize
Perspective

Development

Screenwriter Park Ji-eun started preparing her new project entitled Queen of Tears about two years after finishing Crash Landing on You (2019–2020), which starred Hyun Bin and Son Ye-jin. Lee Eung-bok, who has directed hit dramas like Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016–2017), Descendants of the Sun (2016), Mr. Sunshine (2018), and Sweet Home (2020–present), was reportedly in talks to join the team at that time.[31]

Studio Dragon confirmed that the production of Queen of Tears would start in the first half of 2023, and the series was expected to be released in the second half of 2023. It is co-directed by Jang Young-woo [ko], who worked on Crash Landing on You (2019–2020) and Bulgasal: Immortal Souls (2021–2022), and Kim Hee-won, who worked on Vincenzo (2021) and Little Women (2022).[32] Aside from Studio Dragon, the series is also co-produced by Culture Depot and Showrunners.[33]

The first script reading was conducted on March 30, 2023, near Sangam-dong, Mapo District, Seoul.[34]

Initially estimated at over 40 billion,[35] the total budget of the series was ₩56 billion, costing ₩3.5 billion per episode.[36]

Casting

In April 2022, Park Ji-eun proposed the female lead role in her new project to Lee Ji-eun, but the offer was declined.[31] Kim Soo-hyun received a proposal for the male lead role the next day.[37]

The appearances of Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won were officially confirmed in December 2022.[38][39][40] This is the third collaboration between Park and Kim Soo-hyun, after My Love from the Star (2013–2014) and The Producers (2015).[41]

Park Sung-hoon, Kwak Dong-yeon, and Lee Joo-bin were cast in February and April 2023, respectively.[42][43][44]

Filming

Principal photography took place between April and December 2023,[45][46] across various cities in South Korea and Germany.[47][48]

Original soundtrack

Summarize
Perspective

The soundtrack of the series, led by music director Nam Hye-seung and featuring artists BSS, 10cm, Heize, Crush, Hong Isaac, Kim Na-young, Paul Kim, Choi Yu-ree, So Su-bin [ko], and Dori, was revealed on March 6, 2024.[49] Zerobaseone's Kim Tae-rae also participated in the soundtrack,[50] while the series' lead actor, Kim Soo-hyun, lent his voice for the first time in 10 years.[51]

Album

Quick Facts Soundtrack album by Various artists, Released ...
Queen of Tears (Original Television Soundtrack) Special
Soundtrack album by
Various artists
ReleasedApril 30, 2024 (2024-04-30)
Length121:21
LanguageKorean
Label
Singles from Queen of Tears
  1. "The Reasons of My Smiles"
    Released: March 9, 2024
  2. "Tell Me It's Not a Dream"
    Released: March 16, 2024
  3. "Hold Me Back"
    Released: March 17, 2024
  4. "Love You With All My Heart"
    Released: March 24, 2024
  5. "Fallin'"
    Released: March 30, 2024
  6. "Can't Get Over You"
    Released: April 6, 2024
  7. "From Bottom of My Heart"
    Released: April 7, 2024
  8. "Last Chance"
    Released: April 13, 2024
  9. "Promise"
    Released: April 14, 2024
  10. "Heart Flutter"
    Released: April 21, 2024
  11. "More Than Enough"
    Released: April 27, 2024
  12. "Way Home"
    Released: April 29, 2024
Close

Queen of Tears' soundtrack album was released on April 30, 2024; it contains all of the singles and background tracks from the series.[52]

Tracklist

More information No., Title ...
CD 1
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."In a Beautiful Way" (Opening Title ver.)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
Kim Kyung-hee0:56
2."The Reason of My Smiles" (자꾸만 웃게 돼)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
BSS3:33
3."Tell Me It's Not a Dream" (고장난걸까)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
10cm3:55
4."Hold Me Back" (멈춰줘)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
Heize3:52
5."Love You With All My Heart" (미안해 미워해 사랑해)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
Crush4:04
6."Fallin'"
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
Hong Isaac4:16
7."Can't Get Over You" (좋아해요)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
Paul Kim4:05
8."From Bottom of My Heart" (일기)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
Kim Na-young3:58
9."Last Chance"
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
So Soo-bin [ko]4:08
10."Promise"
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
Choi Yu-ree3:56
11."Heart Flutter" (떨림)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
Dori3:40
12."More Than Enough" (더 바랄게 없죠)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
Kim Tae-rae (Zerobaseone)4:13
13."Way Home" (청혼)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
Kim Soo-hyun3:39
14."In a Beautiful Way" (Full ver.)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
Kim Kyung-hee3:17
Total length:51:32
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More information No., Title ...
CD 2
No.TitleMusicLength
1."Timing Game" (눈치게임)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Sang-hee
1:34
2."Love, Love, Love"
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Cheon Jung-hoon
1:24
3."It Is What It Is" (인생은 그런것)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Cho Mi-ra
1:04
4."Reconciliation" (화해)Lee So-young2:22
5."If I Really Love You" (진짜 사랑한다면)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Sang-hee
1:46
6."Looking for HaeIn" (해인을 찾아서)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Sang-hee
1:18
7."Hated You Back Then" (그땐 널 미워했어)
  • Kim Yong-eun
  • Jeong Su-wan
2:44
8."Indelible Love" (사랑은 숨길 수 없는 것)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Go Eun-jeong
1:58
9."Hong's Family"
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Cheon Jung-hoon
2:04
10."Mulberry Romance" (오디 로맨스)Lee So-young0:46
11."Under the Name of Family" (가족이라는 이름)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Sang-hee
1:24
12."Still, I" (아직도 나는)Cho Han-na1:32
13."Spy Team"
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Cheon Jung-hoon
2:10
14."On a Warm Day" (어느 따뜻했던 날에)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Sang-hee
1:37
15."The Most Precious Thing" (나에게 가장 소중한 것)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Sang-hee
2:45
16."BumJa in Love" (범자는 사랑을 먹고)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Sang-hee
1:03
17."Talking About"
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Cho Mi-ra
0:56
18."The Only Reason" (유일한 이유)Kim Yong-eun2:27
19."Mo SeulHee" (모슬희)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Cheon Jung-hoon
1:28
20."Sorry and Thank You" (고맙고 미안해)Lee So-young3:50
21."Grace" (그레이스)Park Sang-hee2:03
22."Getting Worse" (갈수록 태산)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Cho Mi-ra
0:50
23."Our Way of Love" (우리가 사랑한 방식)Kim Yong-eun3:55
24."The Shadow of Yoon EunSeong" (윤은성의 그림자)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Cheon Jung-hoon
1:38
25."A Sad Truth" (슬픈 진실)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Sang-hee
1:57
26."Guess I Got a Crush" (좋아하나봐)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Sang-hee
1:04
27."Tiki-taka" (티키타카)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Go Eun-jeong
1:45
28."The Only One" (힘든순간, 단 한사람)Lee So-young1:29
29."Requiem"Cheon Jung-hoon1:09
30."An Endless Obsession" (끝없는 집착)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Sang-hee
3:30
31."If We Can Be Together" (함께 할 수 있다면)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Sang-hee
3:20
32."Their Own Waltz" (그들만의 왈츠)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Cho Mi-ra
1:01
33."HyunWoo's Manual" (백현우 설명서)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Sang-hee
1:54
34."Involuntarily" (나도 모르게)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Go Eun-jeong
0:30
35."With All My Heart" (간절한 마음으로)Cho Han-na0:53
36."The Things I Like" (내가 좋아하는 것들)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Cho Mi-ra
1:14
37."Please Come Again" (또 오세요)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Sang-hee
1:00
38."Yongdu-ri Hair Salon" (용두리 미용실)Go Eun-jeong1:08
39."Smoke"Cheon Jung-hoon2:01
40."The Sea" (그날의 바다)Park Sang-hee1:16
Total length:69:49
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Chart performance

More information Chart (2024), Peak position ...
Chart performance for Queen of Tears OST
Chart (2024) Peak
position
South Korean Albums (Circle)[53] 9
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Singles

Singles included on the album were released from March 9 to April 27, 2024.[54] A special single from the series, "Way Home" (Korean: 청혼; lit. Marriage Proposal), sung by Kim Soo-hyun, was released on April 29, 2024.[55]

More information No., Title ...
Released on March 9, 2024
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."The Reason of My Smiles" (자꾸만 웃게 돼)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
BSS3:33
2."The Reason of My Smiles" (자꾸만 웃게 돼; Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
 3:33
Total length:7:06
Close
More information No., Title ...
Released on March 16, 2024
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Tell Me It's Not a Dream" (고장난걸까)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
10cm3:55
2."Tell Me It's Not a Dream" (Eng ver.)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
10cm3:55
3."Tell Me It's Not a Dream" (고장난걸까; Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
 3:55
Total length:11:45
Close
More information No., Title ...
Released on March 17, 2024
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Hold Me Back" (멈춰줘)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
Heize3:52
2."Hold Me Back" (멈춰줘; Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
 3:52
Total length:7:44
Close
More information No., Title ...
Released on March 24, 2024
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Love You With All My Heart" (미안해 미워해 사랑해)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
Crush4:04
2."Love You With All My Heart" (미안해 미워해 사랑해; Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
 4:04
Total length:8:08
Close
More information No., Title ...
Released on March 30, 2024
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Fallin'"
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
Hong Isaac4:16
2."Fallin'" (Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
 4:16
Total length:8:32
Close
More information No., Title ...
Released on April 6, 2024
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Can't Get Over You" (좋아해요)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
Paul Kim4:05
2."Can't Get Over You" (좋아해요; Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
 4:05
Total length:8:10
Close
More information No., Title ...
Released on April 7, 2024
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."From Bottom of My Heart" (일기)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
Kim Na-young3:58
2."From Bottom of My Heart" (일기; Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
 3:58
Total length:7:56
Close
More information No., Title ...
Released on April 13, 2024
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Last Chance"
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
So Soo-bin [ko]4:08
2."Last Chance" (Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
 4:08
Total length:8:16
Close
More information No., Title ...
Released on April 14, 2024
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Promise"
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
Choi Yu-ree3:56
2."Promise" (Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
 3:56
Total length:7:52
Close
More information No., Title ...
Released on April 21, 2024
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Heart Flutter" (떨림)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
Dori3:40
2."Heart Flutter" (떨림; Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
 3:40
Total length:7:20
Close
More information No., Title ...
Released on April 27, 2024
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."More Than Enough" (더 바랄게 없죠)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
Kim Tae-rae (Zerobaseone)4:13
2."More Than Enough" (더 바랄게 없죠; Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Park Jin-ho
 4:13
Total length:8:26
Close
More information No., Title ...
Released on April 29, 2024
No.TitleLyricsMusicArtistLength
1."Way Home" (청혼)
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
Kim Soo-hyun3:39
2."Way Home" (청혼; Inst.) 
  • Nam Hye-seung
  • Kim Kyung-hee
 3:39
Total length:7:18
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Original soundtrack (Part 1–Special)

Part 1

Part 2

Part 3

Part 4

Part 5

Part 6

Part 7

Part 8

Part 9

Part 10

Part 11

Special track

Chart performance

More information Title, Year ...
List of singles, showing year released, with selected chart positions and notes
Title Year Peak chart positions Notes
KOR
Circle

[56]
KOR
Songs

[57]
US
World

[58]
WW
[59]
"The Reason of My Smiles" (BSS) 2024 93 Part 1
"Tell Me It's Not a Dream" (10cm) 100 Part 2
"Hold Me Back" (Heize) 46 Part 3
"Love You With All My Heart" (Crush) 684184 Part 4
"Fallin'" (Hong Isaac) 97 Part 5
"Can't Get Over You" (Paul Kim) 51 Part 6
"From Bottom of My Heart" (Kim Na-young) 102 Part 7
"Last Chance" (So Soo-bin [ko]) 114 Part 8
"Promise" (Choi Yu-ree) 115 Part 9
"Heart Flutter" (Dori) 159 Part 10
"More Than Enough" (Kim Tae-rae) [A] Part 11
"Way Home" (Kim Soo-hyun) 73 Special
"—" denotes a recording that did not chart or was not released in that region.
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Release

Queen of Tears was originally part of tvN's 2023 drama lineup and was scheduled for broadcast in December 2023. However, it was moved to the first half of 2024, due to the changes in the network's Saturday–Sunday lineup.[61][62][33] According to a Metro Seoul article, the series was rescheduled to air in March 2024.[63] tvN confirmed the news after releasing its 2024 drama lineup.[64][65] The series premiered on March 9, 2024, at 21:20 (KST). It is also available for streaming on TVING and Netflix.[66]

Reception

Summarize
Perspective

Critical response

On the review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes, 100% of 6 critics' reviews are positive, with an average rating of 8.2/10.[67]

Forbes wrote that "many K-dramas end with 'happily ever after', but Queen of Tears starts that way", adding that the series "not only has a solid cast, but boasts a talented screenwriter and two directors with a track record of drama success".[68] Tanu I. Raj of NME gave the series 4 out of 5 stars and described it as "a whirlwind office romance", which is "buoyant and decidedly comic".[69] Geoffrey Bunting of Time described the first six episodes of the series as a "bucks convention, sending up familiar tropes of the genre for a truly unexpected viewing experience".[70] Pierce Conran of South China Morning Post gave a score of 4/5, and wrote that "through 16 episodes threaded between tales of family woes, illness and corporate intrigue" and "Baek Hyun-woo and Hong Hae-in captured each other's hearts, as well as those of the audience at home".[71] Joly Herman of Common Sense Media wrote that "courtesan restraint is definitely not on display in this production, which features dynasty infighting in a current setting with hints of past Korean dramas".[72] Kate Sánchez of But Why Tho? gave a score of 9/10, and stated that "sometimes unwieldy but always entertaining" and "already leading the pack for best drama of the year".[73]

Viewership

According to Nielsen Korea, the series recorded a nationwide TV rating of 24.850% for its final episode and became the highest-rated tvN series, surpassing Crash Landing on You.[74]

Queen of Tears ranked third in Netflix's Global Top 10 TV (Non-English) category two days after its release and received a strong response from twelve countries, with 5.4 million hours watched by 2.6 million viewers in its first week.[68] It remained on the chart as No. 2 for its second and third week, respectively.[75][76] On its fourth week, the series topped the chart with 41.4 million hours watched by 4.9 million viewers,[77] and remained on the chart for the next 10 consecutive weeks.[78] Queen of Tears amassed a total of 373.2 million hours during its broadcast run from March 9 to April 28.[79]

According to Netflix's biannual Engagement Report released in September 2024, Queen of Tears was the most-watched Korean drama of all time on Netflix, with 682.6 million hours viewed in total.[80] In addition, it logged 29 million views in total, becoming the 14th most-watched show overall on Netflix as of September 2024 and also ranked third as the most-watched global non-English language series during the first half of 2024.[81][82][83]

More information Season, Episode number ...
SeasonEpisode numberAverage
12345678910111213141516
11.5192.0642.3843.1262.8263.5613.2764.0444.1304.7414.5105.2275.2175.4665.1896.3993.980
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Queen of Tears: South Korea viewers per episode (millions)
Source: Audience measurement performed nationwide by Nielsen Korea.[84]
More information Ep., Original broadcast date ...
Average TV viewership ratings
Ep. Original broadcast date Average audience share
(Nielsen Korea)[84]
Nationwide Seoul
1 March 9, 2024 5.853% (1st) 6.495% (1st)
2 March 10, 2024 8.660% (1st) 9.822% (1st)
3 March 16, 2024 9.594% (1st) 11.125% (1st)
4 March 17, 2024 12.985% (1st) 13.857% (1st)
5 March 23, 2024 10.964% (1st) 12.197% (1st)
6 March 24, 2024 14.068% (1st) 15.225% (1st)
7 March 30, 2024 12.833% (1st) 14.048% (1st)
8 March 31, 2024 16.143% (1st) 17.886% (1st)
9 April 6, 2024 15.570% (1st) 17.236% (1st)
10 April 7, 2024 18.952% (1st) 20.926% (1st)
11 April 13, 2024 16.767% (1st) 18.509% (1st)
12 April 14, 2024 20.732% (1st) 23.242% (1st)
13 April 20, 2024 20.179% (1st) 22.257% (1st)
14 April 21, 2024 21.625% (1st) 23.925% (1st)
15 April 27, 2024 21.056% (1st) 23.920% (1st)
16 April 28, 2024 24.850% (1st) 28.381% (1st)
Average 15.671% 17.441%
Special May 4, 2024 5.027% (1st) 5.586% (1st)
May 5, 2024 3.896% (1st) 4.070% (1st)
  • In the table above, the blue numbers represent the lowest ratings and the red numbers represent the highest ratings.
  • This series aired on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS, SBS, MBC and EBS).
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Accolades

Awards and nominations

More information Award ceremony, Year ...
Name of the award ceremony, year presented, category, nominee of the award, and the result of the nomination
Award ceremony Year Category Nominee / Work Result Ref.
APAN Star Awards 2024 Best Supporting Actor Jeon Bae-soo Won [85]
Best Supporting Actress Kim Jung-nan Won
Best Young Actor Lee Joo-won Won
Best Couple Award Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won Nominated [86][87]
Best Drama Queen of Tears Nominated
Best OST "The Reasons of My Smile" (BSS) Nominated
"More Than Enough" (Kim Tae-rae (Zerobaseone)) Nominated
Best Screenwriter Park Ji-eun Nominated
Best Supporting Actor Kwak Dong-yeon Nominated
Best Young Actor Moon Seong-hyun Nominated
Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Lee Mi-sook Nominated
Popularity Star Award, Actor Kim Soo-hyun Nominated
Popularity Star Award, Actress Kim Ji-won Nominated
Top Excellence Award, Actor in a Miniseries Kim Soo-hyun Nominated
Top Excellence Award, Actress in a Miniseries Kim Ji-won Nominated
Asian Academy Creative Awards 2024 Best Direction (Grand Final) Jang Young-woo and Kim Hee-won Won [88][89]
Best Direction (National – Korea) Won [90]
Best Screenplay (National – Korea) Park Ji-eun Won
Best Screenplay (Grand Final) Nominated [91]
Asian Pop Music Awards 2024 Best OST (Overseas) "The Reasons of My Smile" (BSS) Nominated [92]
Asian Television Awards 2024 Best Scriptwriting (Grand Final) Park Ji-eun Won [4][93]
Best Scriptwriting (National – Korea) Won [94]
Baeksang Arts Awards 2024 Best Actor (Television) Kim Soo-hyun Nominated [95]
Brand of the Year Awards 2024 Actors of the Year (Drama) Won [96]
Actress of the Year (Drama) Kim Ji-won Won
Actors of the Year (Vietnam) Kim Soo-hyun Won
Actress of the Year (Vietnam) Kim Ji-won Won
Drama of the Year (Vietnam) Queen of Tears Won
CJ ENM's 30th Anniversary Visionary Selections 2025 Drama Category Won [97]
Consumer Rights Day KCA Culture & Entertainment Awards 2024 Best Drama Won [98]
Daejeon Special Film Festival 2024 Best Supporting Actress Yoon Bo-mi Won [99]
Filmarks Awards 2024 Excellence Award (Streaming Drama) Queen of Tears Won [100]
Grand Prize (Streaming Drama) Nominated [101]
Financial News New Trend Awards 2024 New Trend Icon Award (Public's Choice) – Film and Drama Category Kim Ji-won Won [102]
Fundex Awards 2024 Best Actress – TV Drama Won [103]
Best TV Drama Queen of Tears Won
Grand Prize (Daesang) Won
Best Actor – TV Drama Kim Soo-hyun Nominated [104]
Global TV Demand Awards 2025 Most In-Demand Asian Original Series Queen of Tears Nominated [105]
Golden Disc Awards 2025 Best OST "Love You With All My Heart" (Crush) Won [106]
Korea Drama Awards 2024 Best Couple Award Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won Won [107]
Best Drama Queen of Tears Won
Best OST Award "More Than Enough" (Kim Tae-rae (Zerobaseone)) Won
Global Star Award Kim Soo-hyun Won
Hot Star Award (Female) Kim Ji-won Won
Best Newcomer Award Lee Joo-bin Nominated [108]
Best Supporting Actor Park Sung-hoon Nominated [109]
Kwak Dong-yeon Nominated
Best Supporting Actress Kim Jung-nan Nominated [110]
Jang Yoon-ju Nominated
Global Star Award Kim Ji-won Nominated [108]
Grand Prize (Daesang) Kim Soo-hyun Nominated [111]
Kim Ji-won Nominated
Hot Star Award (Male) Kim Soo-hyun Nominated [108]
K-World Dream Awards 2024 Best OST "Love You With All My Heart" (Crush) Won [112]
Korea First Brand Awards 2025 Best Actor (Vietnam) Kim Soo-hyun Won [113]
Best Actress (Vietnam) Kim Ji-won Won
Korea Grand Music Awards 2024 Best OST "Love You With All My Heart" (Crush) Nominated [114]
"The Reasons of My Smile" (BSS) Nominated
MAMA Awards 2024 Best OST "Love You With All My Heart" (Crush) Won [115]
Melon Music Awards 2024 Best OST Nominated [116]
Newsis Hallyu Expo 2024 Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Award Kim Soo-hyun for Queen of Tears Won [117]
Seoul International Drama Awards 2024 Outstanding Korean Drama Queen of Tears Won [118]
Outstanding Korean Drama OST "The Reasons of My Smile" (BSS) Won
Asia Star Popularity Award, Actor Kim Soo-hyun Nominated [119]
Asia Star Popularity Award, Actress Kim Ji-won Nominated
TAG Awards Chicago 2025 Best Series Queen of Tears Won [120]
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Listicles

More information Publisher, Year ...
Name of publisher, year listed, name of listicle, and placement
Publisher Year Listicle Placement Ref.
Cine21 2025 Best Content of 2024 2nd place [121]
Collider 2024 The 10 Most Romantic TV Shows of 2024 6th place [122]
NME The 10 Best K-Dramas of 2024 – so far Included [123]
The 10 Best Korean Dramas of 2024 1st place [124]
Screen Rant 20 Best K-Dramas of 2024 1st place [125]
South China Morning Post The 15 best K-dramas of 2024 14th place [126]
Tatler Asia 8 Best K-Drama Releases of 2024 1st place [127]
Teen Vogue 13 Best K-Dramas of 2024 Included [128]
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Remake

In October 2024, CJ ENM announced that Queen of Tears would have a Turkish remake, in collaboration with O3 Medya and Dass Yapim.[129] It is set to premiere at a later date.[130]

Notes

  1. "More Than Enough" did not enter the Circle Digital Chart, but it peaked at number 60 on the Circle Download Chart.[60]

References

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