Netflix's Queen of Tears is inarguably one of the best K-dramas of 2024, with every episode taking its viewers on a rollercoaster ride of emotions. As we brace ourselves for its upcoming finale this weekend, fans have naturally grown attached to the cast and the characters they portray.
Below, we list down some fun facts related to the beloved series top-billed by Hallyu heavyweights Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won. From jaw-dropping production costs to real-life inspirations, from unexpected casting choices to other delightful surprises, brush up on your Queen of Tears knowledge before the curtains officially draw to a close!
1. "Queen of Tears" is estimated to have cost P1.7 billion to produce.
Queen of Tears, which is helmed by the production company Studio Dragon, is Kim Soo Hyun's comeback drama since starring in One Ordinary Day in 2021. Naturally, everyone was expecting only the best. Kim Hyeon Yong, a researcher at Hyundai Motor Securities, noted that the drama is the production company’s “tentpole project” of the year. According to him, the production cost of Queen of Tears is estimated at 40 billion Korean won (P1.7 billion), making it one of the most expensive K-dramas to have been produced like Mr. Sunshine and Bulgasal: Immortal Souls. Read more here.
2. Netizens think "Queen of Tears" was inspired by the real-life story of a Samsung heiress.
With Queen of Tears revolving around married couple Hong Hae-in and Baek Hyun-woo, viewers couldn't help but speculate that the drama was inspired by the real-life story of a Samsung heiress who wedded an employee of her family’s company. Lee Boo Jin met her ex-husband Im Woo Jae in 1999, a then-employee of Samsung Group’s security service affiliate, while volunteering at a care facility for people with disabilities, where she worked as an entry-level employee. They had a highly-publicized marriage that led to a divorce, from the late ’90s until 2020. Read more here.
3. The Queens Group chairman's backstory in "Queen of Tears" might've been inspired by Henry Sy.
Speaking of true events, it's worth noting that Hong Man-dae (portrayed by actor Kim Kap Soo) has a "rags to riches" backstory that's intriguingly similar to the real-life story of late Chinese-Filipino tycoon Henry Sy. In episode 4, the Queens Group chairman revealed that he "used to sell newspapers and shine people's shoes in Myeong-dong," taking him 60 years of hard work to own "one of Korea's top department stores and mart franchises." This naturally reminds us of SM Group founder Henry Sy, who was the richest billionaire in the Philippines for 11 straight years until he died in 2019. Read more here.
4. IU was originally offered the role of Hong Hae-in.
Kim Ji Won was evidently the perfect choice for the role of Hong Hae-in, but did you know that IU was initially slated to portray the leading lady in Queen of Tears? Had she accepted, it would've marked the fourth time IU and Kim Soo Hyun appeared in the same drama. Shortly after it was reported that she got the offer, IU's agency EDAM Entertainment released a statement that said, "It's true she was offered a role in writer Park Ji Eun's new drama, but she respectfully turned down the offer." Read more here.
5. Jung Hae In sent a coffee truck to the set of "Queen of Tears" in support of Kim Soo Hyun.
Fun fact: Kim Soo Hyun and fellow K-drama leading man Jung Hae In are actually close friends IRL! In fact, the DP actor even surprised his golf buddy by sending a coffee truck to the set of Queen of Tears. Know more about their bromance here.
6. Jang Yoon Ju is a top model in South Korea.
Jang Yoon Ju's role in Queen of Tears as Kim Soo Hyun's older sister might feel like comic relief, but in reality, the 43-year-old actress is in fact one of South Korea's most sought-after models. She was even a host and resident judge in the reality-based modeling competition TV show Korea's Next Top Model. She has great style, too! Find out more about Jang Yoon Ju here.
7. Kim Ji Won lost significant weight for her role in "Queen of Tears."
In preparation for her leading role as a fashionable heiress in Queen of Tears, Kim Ji Won had a strict diet that led to significant weight loss. The K-drama actress even gave up her favorite food for an entire year and promised herself to eat it after the filming had wrapped up! Find out what it was here.
8. Park Sung Hoon's convincing acting in "Queen of Tears" had netizens leaving hate comments on his Instagram.
Park Sung Hoon is one talented actor, and his effective portrayal of Yoon Eun-sung often left viewers finding it difficult to differentiate the art from the artist. Case in point: After a particularly enraging performance in Episode 14, many netizens flocked to his Instagram account to leave hate comments for his character. LOL! Read about it here.
9. Kim Ji Won's "Eline" baseball cap in Episode 9 caused quite an uproar among netizens.
"No free promo for Celine," a netizen hilariously tweeted, reacting to Queen of Tears censoring the French fashion house's logo in a baseball cap worn by Kim Ji Won. The scene in particular resulted in a social media spectacle, with many users even theorizing that it was a counterfeit item. Read about it here.
10. Song Joong Ki reprised his role as Vincenzo for a cameo in "Queen of Tears."
Song Joong Ki's cameo was among the highly anticipated moments in the drama, and it certainly didn't disappoint with the actor reprising one of his most iconic on-screen roles. Mind you though, the fun didn't stop with Vincenzo—the show also referenced many of his previous K-dramas, including nods to his characters in Reborn Rich, Descendants of the Sun, and more. Read about it here.
Hey, Preview readers! Follow us on Facebook, Instagram, YouTube, Tiktok, and Twitter to stay up to speed on all things trendy and creative. We’ll curate the most stylish feed for you!
