“Queen of Tears” is a 2024 South Korean TV drama penned by Park Ji-eun, co-directed by Jang Young-woo and Kim Hee-won, and featuring Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won. The series revolves around a married couple facing a significant crisis. It was broadcasted on tvN from March 9 to April 28, 2024, airing every Saturday and Sunday at 21:20 (KST). Additionally, it is accessible for streaming on TVING in South Korea and on Netflix in certain regions.
The final episode of “Queen of Tears” garnered a nationwide rating of 24.850%, making it the highest-rated tvN series to date, surpassing “Crash Landing on You.” Furthermore, it achieved the status of the third highest-rated series in Korean cable television history in terms of viewership ratings and the second highest in terms of the number of viewers.
CHARACTERS
Main Characters:
- Kim Soo-hyun portrays Baek Hyun-woo, who serves as the legal director of Queens Group and is married to Hae-in. He originated from Yongdu-ri’s rural area and pursued a legal career after graduating from Seoul National University.
- Moon Seong-hyun depicts the teenage version of Baek Hyun-woo, while Choi Yi-an plays him as a child.
- Kim Ji-won stars as Hong Hae-in, Baek Hyun-woo’s wife, and the CEO of Queens Department Store. She belongs to the Queens family, being a third-generation chaebol heiress and the granddaughter of the family patriarch.
- Hwang Ji-ah portrays the teenage Hong Hae-in, and Min Seo-hyung plays her as a child.
- Park Sung-hoon takes on the role of Yoon Eun-sung, also known as David Yoon, an acquaintance from Hae-in’s university days. He is a renowned investor who returns to South Korea after gaining fame as a Wall Street analyst and M&A expert.
- Lee Joo-won portrays the young Yoon Eun-sung.
- Kwak Dong-yeon portrays Hong Soo-cheol, Hae-in’s younger brother, and the CEO of Queens Mart.
- Kim Joon-eui plays the character as a child.
- Lee Joo-bin appears as Cheon Da-hye, Soo-cheol’s elegant wife.
- Choi Na-rin plays the character as a child.
Supporting Characters:
Hae-in’s Family:
- Kim Kap-soo portrays Hong Man-dae, Hae-in’s grandfather, and the chairman of Queens Group.
- Lee Mi-sook appears as Moh Seul-hee, Man-dae’s live-in girlfriend.
- Jung Jin-young takes on the role of Hong Beom-jun, Hae-in’s father, and the vice-chairman of Queens Group.
- Na Young-hee plays Kim Seon-hwa, Hae-in’s mother.
- Kim Jung-nan appears as Hong Beom-ja, Hae-in’s blunt and fierce aunt.
- Goo Shi-woo portrays Hong Geon-u, Soo-cheol, and Da-hye’s son.
- Park Yoon-hee plays Hong Beom-seok, Hae-in’s uncle, and the former CEO of Queens Distribution.
- Ko Dong-ha appears as Hong Su-wan, Hae-in’s late elder brother.
Hyun-woo’s Family:
- Jeon Bae-soo plays Baek Du-gwan, Hyun-woo’s father, and the head of Yongdu-ri.
- Hwang Young-hee appears as Jeon Bong-ae, Hyun-woo’s mother.
- Kim Do-hyun takes on the role of Baek Hyun-tae, Hyun-woo’s elder brother, who manages a boxing gym.
- Jang Yoon-ju portrays Baek Mi-seon, Hyun-woo’s elder sister, who operates a beauty salon.
- Kim Dong-ha appears as Baek Ho-yeol, Hyun-tae’s son.
Yongdu-ri Residents:
- Kim Young-min portrays Yong-song, a selfless individual akin to Oh Eun-young.
- Park Jung-pyo appears as Chun-sik, Kang-mi’s husband, and Du-gwan’s political right-hand man.
- Shim Woo-sung plays Park Seok-hoon, the President of Yongdu-ri Youth Association and Du-gwan’s rival.
- Park Sung-yeon appears as Kang-mi, Chun-sik’s wife, and a regular customer at Mi-seon’s beauty salon.
- Lee Soo-ji plays Bang-sil, Hyun-woo’s childhood friend from church, and a regular customer at Mi-seon’s beauty salon.
- Lee Ji-hye appears as Hyun-jung, another regular customer at Mi-seon’s beauty salon.
- Kim Do-jin appears as a boxing student.
Others:
- Kim Joo-ryoung appears as Grace Ko or Ko Jeong-ja, a private secretary handling the affairs of the Queens family.
- Yoon Bo-mi portrays Na Chae-yeon, Hae-in’s secretary.
- Moon Tae-yu takes on the role of Kim Yang-ki, a respected divorce lawyer, Hyun-woo’s university friend, and reliable supporter.
- Jeong Ji-hwan plays Hyun-woo’s secretary.
- Kwak Jin-seok appears as Pyeon Seong-uk, the CEO of a real estate agency collaborating with Eun-sung.
- **Special Appearances:**
- Oh Jung-se appears as Lee Min-woo, Hyun-woo’s psychiatrist.
- Im Chul-soo appears as a private investigator hired by Beom-jun to tail Hyun-woo.
- Ko Kyu-pil appears as another private investigator hired by Beom-jun to track Hyun-woo.
- Heo Tae-hee makes a special appearance.
- Seo Ye-hwa appears as Kim Ye-na, the CEO of Royal Department Store.
- Sebastian Roché appears as Liam Braun, a German doctor with an intriguing relationship with Hyun-woo and Hae-in.
- Hallervorden appears as a Sanssouci Park guard.
- Song Joong-ki makes a special appearance as Vincenzo Cassano, a lawyer.
- Kim Shin-rok appears as Hyeon-suk, Hyun-tae’s wife.
- Hong Jin-kyung appears as private investigator Hong, the owner of Hong Gil-dong Detective Agency, hired by Beom-jun to follow Hae-in in Germany.
- Jo Se-ho appears as private investigator Hong’s right-hand man, and Nam Chang-hee appears as his left-hand man.
STORYLINE
“Queen of Tears” delves into the captivating narrative of the prosperous Queens family, whose outward appearance of wealth conceals a tangled web of familial discord and individual trials. At its core, the series revolves around Hae-in, the poised CEO of Queens Department Store, and her husband Hyun-woo, the legal director of Queens Group. Despite their apparent success, their marriage is fraught with tension, burdened by the weight of familial expectations and personal ambitions. As they navigate the complexities of their relationship, they grapple with inner turmoil and external pressures that threaten to undermine their carefully crafted facade.
Set against a backdrop of corporate competition and personal aspirations, the Queens family becomes entangled in a complex tapestry of deceit and treachery. Shifting power dynamics and burgeoning alliances reveal long-concealed secrets, laying bare deep-seated resentments and hidden motives. Hae-in finds herself ensnared in familial conflicts, torn between honoring her family’s legacy and pursuing her own fulfillment. Meanwhile, Hyun-woo contends with his own insecurities as he struggles to find his place within the family hierarchy.
Amidst the chaos, relationships are tested, and loyalties are questioned. Hae-in grapples with conflicting loyalties to her family and her spouse, while Hyun-woo confronts his past traumas and internal struggles. As tensions escalate and betrayals unfold, the Queens family must confront the repercussions of their actions and the complexities of human nature.
Through moments of sorrow and triumph, “Queen of Tears” delves into themes of love, sacrifice, and redemption. Characters are compelled to confront their deepest fears and desires, leading to moments of profound self-reflection and personal growth. Ultimately, the series offers a poignant portrayal of resilience and forgiveness as the Queens family navigates the intricacies of life, love, and ambition amidst adversity.
Exploring themes of familial dynamics, personal challenges, and the quest for happiness, “Queen of Tears” captivates audiences with its compelling characters, intricate plot twists, and emotional depth. As the Queens family grapples with the pressures of upholding their esteemed reputation, viewers are drawn into a world of intrigue, passion, and redemption, creating an unforgettable viewing experience.
