When it comes to K-dramas, there's nothing we love more than a heart-fluttering rom-com that stars a dashing male lead and a headstrong, fashionable leading lady. To our delight, Queen of Tears is finally streaming on Netflix!
What Is the K-Drama "Queen of Tears" About?
Queen of Tears, which reportedly cost a whopping estimate of P1.7 billion to produce, tells the story of Baek Hyun-Woo (Kim Soo Hyun) and Hong Hae-In (Kim Ji Won), a couple navigating a challenging period in their marriage.
Hyun-Woo, a successful lawyer from a small village, is married to Hae-In, the privileged daughter of a wealthy family that owns Queens Group. Despite their different backgrounds, they fell in love during their time as interns at Hae-In's family company. However, three years since "the wedding of the century," they feel increasingly disconnected from each other. Their bond is put to the test by a crisis that also offers them a chance to rediscover their love. Queen of Tears explores themes of love, ambition, and the complexities of marriage.
READ: IU Was Supposed to Play Kim Ji Won's Role in "Queen of Tears"
Suffice it to say, the pilot episode of Queen of Tears was more than enough to get us hooked, especially with the main couple making us swoon with every scene. But while Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won's chemistry is undeniably off the charts, did you know that the role of the female lead was originally offered to someone else?
Fun fact: K-pop idol and K-drama star Lee Ji Eun, more famously known as IU, was the first actress that the producers had eyed to play the character of feisty heiress Hong Hae-In.
It was in April 2023 when reports first circulated that IU was going to star in a new drama by screenwriter Park Ji Eun, who also created My Love from the Star, The Producers, The Legend of the Blue Sea, and Crash Landing on You. Shortly after, 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."
The news disappointed many fans, especially those rooting for IU and Kim Soo Hyun's on-screen reunion. Had IU accepted the role, it would've been the fourth time that the two worked together in a K-drama, following Dream High in 2011, The Producers in 2015, and Hotel Del Luna in 2019 where Soo Hyun made a much-awaited cameo for the finale episode.
All's well that ends well, though! Ultimately, Kim Ji Won was fated to play the role of Hong Hae-In, the beautiful yet icy chaebol heiress married to Kim Soo Hyun's Baek Hyun-Woo, a modest yet sharp-witted lawyer.
We're still hoping for that IU and Kim Soo Hyun on-screen reunion in the future, but right now, we can't wait to see how Hyun-Woo and Hae-In's love story will unfold in Queen of Tears!
Queen of Tears is now streaming on Netflix
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!
