The first episode of newly premiered tvN weekend drama Queen of Tears was good, I was intrigued, but episode 2 turned that soft positive reception to raging love and obsession in ways I could not have even anticipated. This is not just a love story, this is a story about love, hate, power, disparity, miscommunication, and above all else hope. The drama starring Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won from the screenwriter of Crash Landing on You and You From Another Star is back with a banger and wow is it yet another unexpected addiction of a story. The leads are married at the start of the drama but we see their married life has turned the love and affection into disconnect and disassociation, coupled with all the in-law husbands married into the chaebol family suffering from the power trip laid on them. But this is NOT a melodrama, it’s tragically funny with tons of colorful supporting characters and a really vivid world creation of Queens Group.
So episode 1 sets up that Kim Soo Hyun’s Baek Hyun Woo wants a divorce from his perfect rich wife Hong Hae In and then the rug is pulled out from under us when we/Hyun Woo learn that Hae In has a rare brain tumor and three months to live and that she actually really loves him in the way she knows how which is a really emotionally stunted way. Episode 2 turns the tables on the two and we suddenly venture into unknown territory with both of them, with an actual terminal illness but it may be the second chance they need and I cannot look away. This drama is amazing and it’s the acting of the two leads with so much subtle looks, gestures, moments that convey so much. I was expecting a good drama but the first two episodes are far denser, richer, and nuanced than imagined, I think we are in for a wild ride in the best of ways.
I have only watched episode 1 so far: liked the premise, KSH, the extended support/guest roles (so many known faces, feels like a family reunion). I didn’t like Kim Ji Won’s character because she’s so nasty we can’t see how and why those two ever married. But I am glad that as you say this is taken care of in ep.2. Now let’s hope this will be the one Kdrama that will not crash and burn by the end of its run.
lol yeah my opinion of KSH character changed a LOT in episode 2, like bro I get he wanted a divorce anyway but without getting into spoilers, some of his behaviour is despicable and I end up sympathising way more with KJW character.
1000000% agree with Ms.Koala.
I hope the rating will break into 10% or even 20%. It’s been awhile we watch something like this.
I hope ep 3 will as epic as ep 1 and 2. Especially the 2nd ep, i couldnt hold my laugh… it was tragically funny indeed.
I heard, Kim Soo Hyun got the highest pay in K industry. Well deserved!!!
Uh oh, missjb is going to come and give her professional criticism on the drama and the leads’ weak performances.
She will indeed. Twiddling my thumbs till she graces us with her presence.
She has the most… uh, interesting takes indeed. Didn’t she call Jisoo of Blackpink a good actress or something, while calling Kim Ji Won a weak actress lmao
Episode 1 100% was solid, like, WOW. THAT’S how to establish your world and draw people in within 60 minutes. Kim Soohyun and Kim Jiwon, oOoowweee!!! I really, really cannot see anybody else in these roles. Kim Soohyun, as always, goes full force in his performance. Talent!! I’m really hoping it stays in comedic territory with just enough drama to play with. I’m just over here taking cues from the music! Lol!!! When she dumped the news on him, but the music was plucky, it kept my emotions at bay. HAHAHAHAH. Thank goodness, because I am NOT in the mood for depressing. Lol
THIS SIR is how you do a modern drama! This drama is just so good! I haven’t been this entertained since his last drama It’s Okay Not To Be Okay in 2020. The execution is flawless so far. I hope they don’t lose steam with an unsatisfactory ending.
Yes so much. It’s been a long time since we’ve had such a good drama. For me, it’s OBS, but they’re few and far in between recently. This one just ticks all my boxes.
it has been awhile since a kdrama has drawn me in hook line and sinker by the 2nd episode. I love the premise, it is setting us up for laughter, poignant longing and potentially painful heartache and devastation. I’m totally up for the ride! And can I just say KJW looks absolutely luminous here and KSH shines in comedic moments as the beta male – his beer fuelled sobbing scenes had me in stitches!
Kim Jiwon’s entire look feels like the QoT styling team (hair, makeup, costume, even her nails), cinematographers, director, everyone really decided to show off her beauty in every single frame like jewellers show off a perfect diamond.
I wasn’t expecting this black comedy part. But both main actors were great in their role.
This is the only kdrama I am watching right now and I love it and our leads who are just so cute together. I think Hong Hae In is just misunderstood and just because it’s more of Hyun Woo’s POV is why she is painted as the “difficult” one. Maybe he is equally responsible for the state of their marriage. He is the one who wants to divorce her! It kinda reminds me of the movie Love Reset with Kang HaNeul and Jung SoMin just how inlove they are at the beginning and after marriage they were just fed up with each other’s flaws but in the end their love for each other outweighs the bad.
The grandfather’s Camilla and the sister-in-law are giving me villain vibes. Looking forward to next week to see Hyun woo “not jealous”. Hope more people tune in cos it’s good,funny and not overtly dramatic.
I am thoroughly impressed by the first two episodes. i was slowly falling out of love with kdramas but this drama really reminded me of why i loved kdrama in the first place. Both leads are excellent, with acting and expression truly conveying what they feel and think. The only minor peeve is that Kim Ji Won’s face is a bit too nice/soft and sympathetic to make you think Hong Hae In is truly a psycho Ice Queen – more like someone acting tough to protect a vulnerable center
that’s because Hong Haein actually is acting tough to protect her vulnerable side (Exhibit A: snapping at the husband to go with her ‘somewhere’ but won’t admit it’s to the hospital for a terminal illness diagnosis)
If you look at Park Jieun’s dramas for the last ten years that’s a common thread with her heroines, the best ones – Chun Songyi in YFAS, Cindy in Producers, Yoon Seri in CLOY and I guess also Tak Yejin in Producers – all have really forceful personalities but vulnerable inside, and the first three are rich/famous like Hong Haein. Looks like another classic PJE heroine to me!
💯
Hae In is definitely pretending to be tougher than she actually is. KJW does a fantastic job with micro expressions and it’s throughout both episodes. No one’s painting Hae In as “true psycho ice queen” – she’s totally not. We’ve seen her when she’s in love. We’ve also seen her be vulnerable and holding onto Hyun Woo in the dinner and elevator scenes. She’s a Cindy and a Song Yi. She’s no Moon Young, that’s for sure.
You know the drama is good from the first 5 minute. The intro, the ost. Chef kiss. I love how they make different pov in different episode. We could understand both perspectives
There were so many LOL moments throughout the premiere week. This brand of writing is so my cuppa tea. Hyun-woo’s the one mostly dishing it out; the drunk scene (LMAO), his fake sad face which he drags all the way to Hae-in’s room, the way he calls Eun-sung a bastard, his relationship with the absolutely crazy and hilarious Beom-ja. It’s all rather hysterical in the most entertaining way.
KSH’s just killing it. One moment he’s such a dork, the other a jerk (let’s be honest), then he’s so swing and then out of nowhere, he brings out the emotions. But tbh, this is a powerhouse cast in a jaggernaut of a drama. It’s been a long time since we’ve had this kind of prospect and I’m just so thrilled.
*swoon
Hyun-woo. Is. So. SWOON. So many moments but the last one he really pulled the guns out. Literally 😂
Both actors are great in their role . I already like them as actors but in this drama , i can see that with maturity they become even better . I’m hooked !And i know that i shouldn’t say this, but the fact that both don’t seem to get PS is a plus . KSH’s face shows that he is getting older(very well!) and his acting benefits from it . All the micro facial’s expression are a plus . As for KJW , she is beautiful but not in a way that overshadows her acting . A little smile and she is another person . Please drama’s God don’t let this drama deceive us !
I’m liking it so far and I can’t wait for the next ep. I usually don’t want to watch dramas that haven’t finished or at least halfway as it is such a pain and here we are, waiting for next weekend’s eps!!! Grrrrrrr
Even though I know both haven’t had PS, is it just me but it seems KSH has had too much botox/fillers and this is affecting his face a bit albeit not that much. I wish he hadn’t though. The difference in his face and neck muscles/skin are evident.
Other than that, I’m thoroughly enjoying this drama and that last scene was such a cliffhanger!!!
KSH’s biggest talent somehow isn’t his amazing acting skills actually. It’s the gift to pick out amazing scripts. He’s literally never been in a drama that hasn’t done well and/or has been critically acclaimed. This one’s no exception.
The ratings jump was really high between ep 1 and 2. And deservedly so. This drama is just black comedy gold and while we all know it will likely get to angsty territory, even that seems like it would be pretty epic. It’s already addictive and it’s hardly started telling its story yet. I’m just really excited for what’s to come.
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I did not like the first episode. It’s hard to like it when the female lead is so unlikeable. But I stayed on because I trust the writer since I enjoyed CLOY so very much.
Well, episode 2 really is the game changer and I couldn’t stop laughing. Idk why anyone find KSH character despicable because I can totally understand where he came from (though he also has his own fair share to blame). Well, we still have 14 eps tp go and it’s going to be a roller coasted ride.
Exactly. But also I don’t think many finds him “despicable” lol. That’s a very strong word and anyone who thinks that either didn’t bother watching episode 1 where we see just how horrible HW’s life turned out, or they don’t know how to see things from a character’s perspective. I can see someone calling him morally gray and that’s fine because he is. But he’s so so far from being “despicable”. Despicable would’ve been enjoying the show while HI trembles in anger when confronting her family. Or it would have been allowing her to get attacked by a Boar and settle this issue once and for all. He loves her and it’s obvious in all the micro expressions HW has when his mask slips The moment she shows weakness, he’ll be right there to protect her. The drama is clearly building up to that.
since this comment appears to be pointedly addressing mine…..I’m interested to know what kind of perspective would make a husband being ‘nice’ to his terminally ill wife who he hates, with the intention to get her to change her will and leave her money to him by the time she dies in the next three months, NOT despicable?
I understand hating her but scheming to get her money is handwaved because she’s ‘unlikeable’ and you ‘totally understand where he came from’?
NOTE: of course he doesn’t actually hate her and he’s in love with her duh this is a a PJE kdrama and obviously going to change things as the story goes on but kdrama fans (and not just on koalasplayground) are unsurprisingly soft on the male character and judging the female one. btw I never see the reverse happening with the millions of kdrama jerk/rude male leads but for the rare female ones who are not presented as ‘likeable’ or ‘relatable’.
Ten years ago I saw less criticism for the literal conman male lead planning to cheat a blind heiress in That Winter The Wind Blows ‘because he’s suffering too’ than for a rich FL in Innocent Man (played by Moon Chaewon) refusing to play with her father’s affair child. It’s all too easy to see context when the mean/rude one is a man (“he’s got childhood trauma!”) but never when it’s a woman, for some reason, even when the writer and PD make it clear.
Can I just say I’m ABSOLUTELY IN LOVE with this drama in a way I haven’t been crazy about a k-drama for years? I always check out Kim Soo Hyun’s work, some of them I loved (Moon Embracing The Sun, Dream High) and some of them I tolerated (IOTNBO, Producers, MLFAS) so for me to completely fall in love with this drama from the first episode is not the norm. KSH and KJW have another hit drama on their hands. Really hoping that the plot does not devolve later on in the episode run as many dramas are won’t to do because I can fall out of love with a drama if the rest of the episodes do not match the quality of the first two episodes, but I’m hoping for the best and hanging on for a fun and enjoyable watch!
KSH is doing so much in this drama taking a varieties of over the top,drama,comedic, romanace, ect.. in one drama. Loved everything so far. All the supporting casts are strong and they add value/importance . Loved everything oveall. Not really a fan of the Female’s cold/indifference attitude, but Likely it’s due to the health.
Ugh I am so curious… but I want to hold back on starting to watch because I don’t want to get stuck pining for new episodes every week. I knew I could count on KSH to pick a good script!
I am not MissJB and please don’t shoot me, but it’s interesting to see a lot of people liking the drama. I also look forward to this bec I think Kim soo hyun won’t disappoint but maybe I expected too much that I found the storytelling subpar. I was also surprised at how cringy his drunk acting with friend, it felt so unnatural. I’m only at episode 1 but I felt I can’t continue anymore. Too bad for me bec I like the cast and directornim Kim Hee Won. To those who enjoy, congrats you have a drama to look forward to.
you’re not the only one. I couldn’t get past 20 mins of this but that’s how it was when I watched Crash Landing and Love from another star too. I like both actors individually and know the talent they hold but I think i’ll have to sit this one out until it finishes airing because I’m not sold on this with two episodes in.
It’s almost 2am here but I just couldn’t stop watching. Love love love this premiere week for QoT. I expected a good drama, but got a fabulous one instead. Loving the warm color tones for the past and the more colder ones in the present. Also loving how grey our leads are here. KJW’s pulling off a classic PJE heroine perfectly, but it’s KSH who’s come out all guns blazing right out of the gate. I almost forgot how charismatic and charming he can be. The hair, the styling, the outward confidence and the internal fear; perfect casting choice. And on top of all that, he manages to be absolutely hysterical lmao. He really brought his character to life painting Hyun-woo in so many different colours. Lots of broad strokes along with detailed expressions. What a fab start to what is hopefully a pretty epic drama.
Well this writer sure knows how to deliver unique characters. Loke in CLOY, i didnt like the FL but we come to see the ‘other’ side. I dont particularly like the brain tumor part but the writing sure is interesting.
I noticed in the past few years, we have not had kdramas that were a global phenomenon like YFAS, Goblin, DOTS, CLOY… so many of the new popular dramas are revenge stories, or sageuks etc. its a little disappointing to not see a lot of romance dramas which honestly is what made kdramas unique to me.
All this to say, I hoping QOT brings back what K-ent seems to have lost. I just love how much it feels like a proper Korean rom-com with great chemistry, vivid side characters, eventual angst etc. it is not outdated whatsoever, but it has what Ive been looking for in kdramas recently but have not found since I dunno – CLOY maybe.
Maybe that is just toooo much expectations for a drama with just 2 episodes but it’s really making me hope. I read a bit of Hangul and the reception from K-media has been overwhelmingly positive so far. I just want it to stick to a cracktastic formula.
Wow, so many have sung praises already with only 2 eps in. I shouldn’t have read this post and the comments since there’re spoilers and I haven’t watched yet. Am catching up with some very interesting old dramas I missed and am hooked now. All these almost uniformly positive reviews raise my hope high. But I’ll watch myself to see if I like it or not even KSH’s dramas had never disappointed me so far.
Which ones are you catching up , if i may ask @Somebody ?
Those old ones I missed and have binged so far since last year include: (The list is not exhausted though, just listing the ones I was impressed with):
Extraordinary Attorney Woo
Do You Like Brahms?
Anna
The Red Sleeve
Moving (not really old, but I hadn’t picked up Kdrama yet back then.)
Flower of Evil
Arthdal Chronicles I
Crash Landing on You
Children of Nobody
When the Camellia Blooms
I just finished The Fiery Priest. Woohoo! What a feast! LOL. Love it.
Currently watching Alchemy of Souls I. I’m a big fan of fantasy genre. 😁
the list is not exhaustive*
I’d like to be in your shoes , i feel the same way as when someone is reading a book that i have read already and loved . Aside Arthdal Chronicles, and when the Camellia blooms ( 1st drama of GHJ that i didn’t like) i loved all the others . The Fiery Priest in which Honey Lee begun is” badass style” ! One the woman is not a great drama but she is great in that one too !