Queen of Tears(2024): Falling Back in Love Again.

After watching two of Kim Ji-won’s series (Descendants of the Sun and Fight for My Way), I’ve been rightfully intrigued to explore more of her works. Yes, in the past, you’ve seen me reviewing endless Park Bo-gum dramas—or finding my way to Gong Yoo’s Coffee Prince—simply because I was enchanted by their talent and charm. This time, though, it’s the beautiful and brilliantly expressive Kim Ji-won who has stolen my heart.

Queen of Tears (2024) is one of those shows I’d probably have dismissed as a “typical K-drama” before watching—the kind that can single-handedly make you feel poor, ugly, and single. I didn’t check ratings, reviews, or even its immense popularity before pressing play. So if you ask me why, despite my somewhat skeptical first impression, I still watched it—the answer is simple: Kim Ji-won.

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The Cast

1. Kim Soo-hyun as Baek Hyun-woo
Kim Soo-hyun plays the husband—legal director of Queens Group and the picture of a self-made man. This was actually my first time watching him on screen, and honestly, he looks like a humble model with an unfairly perfect face. He previously starred in My Love from the Star (2013) as an alien stranded on Earth—yes, the iconic show that made him a household name.

2. Kim Ji-won as Hong Hae-in
Kim Ji-won portrays Hong Hae-in, the chaebol daughter and department-store CEO who marries a lawyer. She first caught my attention as the sassy army doctor Yoon Myeong-joo in Descendants of the Sun (2016), then completely won me over as the messy yet lovable Choi Ae-ra in Fight for My Way (2017). I’m currently watching her in My Liberation Notes (2022), where she shows an entirely different side of her acting range.

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The Detailed Plot (Spoilers, of course!)

The story begins three years into the marriage of Hae-in and Hyun-woo—a marriage that has clearly lost its spark. Hae-in is both stunning and ruthless, the third-generation chaebol and rightful CEO of Queens Department Store. She’s sharp, strategic, and always in control of her empire. Hyun-woo, on the other hand, is a brilliant Seoul National University graduate who grew up in a small village called Yongdu-ri. He’s kind and grounded, but at this point—completely exhausted by his wife’s icy demeanor and the suffocating world of the rich.

The two actually met at work—when Hae-in, disguising herself as an intern, caught Hyun-woo’s eye. He fell for her, proposed, and despite disapproval from both sides, they married. Hyun-woo moved into the Hong mansion, a place dripping with wealth but void of warmth. The three generations of Hongs live together, each bound more by obligation than affection.

At the top sits Hong Man-dae, Hae-in’s powerful grandfather, living with his long-term mistress, Mo Seul-hee. He’s cut off one of his children after a misunderstanding and maintains shaky ties with the rest. Hae-in’s mother, perpetually cold, favors her youngest child and seems to resent Hae-in’s strength and independence.

Hyun-woo’s own family, in contrast, is the polar opposite—loving, humble, and grounded. His parents run a small grocery store and orchard, embodying warmth and sincerity.

Frustrated and lonely, Hyun-woo decides to end his miserable marriage and file for divorce. But just when he’s ready to have “the talk,” he discovers Hae-in’s secret: she’s been diagnosed with a rare, terminal brain tumor. Her doctor gives her three months to live. Shocked and guilt-ridden, Hyun-woo abandons his divorce plans and decides to stay by her side for her remaining days.

The illness causes brain fog, memory loss, and emotional instability in Hae-in. Determined to face it quietly, she hides her condition from her family, confiding only in Hyun-woo—who she believes still loves her unconditionally. Slowly, the couple begins to reconnect. Hyun-woo’s buried tenderness resurfaces, and Hae-in too softens, allowing glimpses of her vulnerable heart. Whether it’s the tumor or long-suppressed love, the emotional walls between them start to crumble.

As their relationship begins to heal, the show reveals more about how they fell apart in the first place—miscommunication, pride, and neglect. Enter Yoon Eun-seong, Hae-in’s obsessive ex-boyfriend, who reappears as a major investor in Queens Group. His arrival stirs chaos both in the company and in Hae-in’s personal life. Eun-seong’s obsession borders on psychotic—he schemes, manipulates, and eventually exposes Hyun-woo’s old divorce plan just when the couple begins to rekindle their love.

Then comes the corporate downfall. Despite Hyun-woo’s warnings, Hae-in’s grandfather makes a fatal mistake, allowing his girlfriend, Mo Seul-hee, to seize control of the company. Turns out, Seul-hee is a con woman living under a fake identity for over 30 years—and Eun-seong is her secret son. The entire Hong family is thrown out of their mansion, their empire crumbling overnight.

Hyun-woo offers his humble family home in Yongdu-ri to shelter his in-laws. Though divorced, he continues to care for Hae-in, and fate keeps drawing them back together. Soon, we learn their connection runs deeper than they ever knew: Hyun-woo had once rescued Hae-in from a boating accident in childhood. They also met again as teenagers—he was her quiet admirer before she disappeared abroad. Their relationship feels almost destined, circling back through different lifetimes.

Haunted by guilt and love, Hyun-woo works tirelessly to help her recover and restore her family’s dignity. Hae-in’s parents, initially dismissive of their son-in-law, begin to see his integrity and devotion. Just as they rediscover each other, Hae-in is offered a risky surgery that could save her life—but might erase her memories. She refuses at first, not wanting to forget the man she fell back in love with. But after Hyun-woo’s insistence, she agrees.

Eun-seong seizes this as his chance. While Hyun-woo is framed for murder, Eun-seong convinces the amnesiac Hae-in that he’s her fiancé. He isolates her from everyone who might tell her otherwise. Yet, deep in her fading memories, Hae-in clings to one name—Hyun-woo. Bit by bit, she begins to recall fragments of truth, fighting her way back to him.

Eventually, Hyun-woo clears his name, the Hong family reclaims their legacy, and justice is served. The lovers reunite, stronger than before. The final scenes show them living a long, happy life together—proof that love, though battered, survives time, tragedy, and even memory loss.

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Side Plots

Apart from the emotional rollercoaster that is Hae-in and Hyun-woo’s story, there are several engaging subplots—family drama, sibling rivalries, and small moments of humor that give the story balance and heart. These side arcs keep the world alive and textured.

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My Final Verdict

I’m genuinely glad I decided to watch this show—even if it was just for Kim Ji-won. After seeing her as the carefree, loud-mouthed Choi Ae-ra in her orange T-shirts and messy ponytails, it was refreshing to see her here as the elegant, icy CEO draped in designer outfits and diamonds. She exudes authority and vulnerability all at once.

As for Kim Soo-hyun—this was my first time watching him, and wow, he’s really good. He has that rare ability to look both delicate and deeply expressive. Sure, the plot of Queen of Tears isn’t revolutionary, but the production quality is top-tier, the performances are stellar, and the chemistry between the leads feels natural and deeply felt. Even the supporting cast delivers beautifully.

Both Ji-won and Soo-hyun have several emotional breakdown scenes, and I think those truly showcase their acting prowess more than the happy moments. You end up rooting for their characters as if they were your close friends.

That said, Hyun-woo’s character borders on unrealistically perfect—he’s noble, patient, selfless, and apparently capable of saving not just his wife, but her entire empire too. I would’ve liked to see more of his flawed, frustrated side before the script restored him to saintly perfection.

And yes—the “childhood connection” trope feels familiar, a recurring theme in many K-dramas. Still, it doesn’t feel forced here. Their relationship evolves through various phases of life, making the connection feel earned rather than convenient.

All in all, Queen of Tears (2024) is an entertaining blend of romance, melodrama, and emotional healing. It’s the kind of show that makes you laugh, cry, and reflect on what it takes to truly love someone through chaos.

For me, it’s a solid 8.5/10—not flawless, but beautifully crafted and emotionally satisfying.

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