So the top actor Song Joong Ki cameo happened this weekend in episode 8 of Queen of Tears and it wasn’t even the best thing about this weekend’s episodes. This drama is FIRING ON ALL CYLINDERS so hard there is ricochet and we are all just lucky to be experiencing this live. Episode 8 reached 16.143% ratings and in comparison with recent ratings this writer’s last drama Crash Landing on You got that in episode 14, Vincenzo‘s highest was 14% in its final episode, but Song Joong Ki’s last drama Reborn Rich with its even more insane rise got 16% by episode 7. I loved Joong Ki coming to cameo as Vincenzo as Hae In’s divorce lawyer and basically getting frustrated with the dumbassery with this whole divorce shenanigans.
Aside from that fun interlude, these two episodes packed so much plot development from Hae In’s memory loss increasing to the two openly loving each other but pushing each other away. I loved that the villains scheme was pulled off by midway to steal Queens Group because it makes the second half a redemption for all the characters and the satisfying revenge we love to watch. The Queen bumbling family showing up in Yongduri was epic and a fantastic way to end the first half of this drama’s excellent run. Fave moments include Auntie and Hyun Woo working together to uncover Grandpa’s Camilla and her slimy’s son’s plot and connection, idiot lil bro losing his wife and son, and all of Hyun Woo and Hae In’s past interactions and present moments.
I don’t know what the production team put in the water, but this drama has successfully moved me to tears more times than all the drama in the past few months combined (most of it coming from Tell Me You Love Me)!. Every tender moment between the two MLs have the potential to jerk tears from me – even the idiot lil bro moved me to tears with the sincerity of his love for his runaway wife. The only thing they can potentially screw up is the backstory of Grandpa’s Camilla – I hope they make her motivation to take down the Hong family something that makes sense.
IKR. I never knew i could shed different kind of tears. Tears of heart wrenching when Hae In said I love You…Tears of awe when Hyun Woo proposed. Tears of frustration when Hae In show the divorce paper. Never shed this much tears since Hi Bye Mama. I hope this show will continue to be great till the end
Im obsessed with this drama. KSH and KJH chemistry is off the chart I dont even know how to explain
opss sorry * KSH and KJW
I have to give props to the team and actors. Queen of tears is an excellent drama. Kudos to everyone involved.
I love that it doesn’t drag. Fast pace, great writing, directing and acting.
I’m so onboard this drama
Once in a while a drama comes along that you chase love and watch every BTS and plot discussion about it. This is the one now.
standing ovations this week plus chef kiss for the below:
1. Kim Soo hyun for the Germany scene with the outburst and harsh words- he was saying terrible terrible mean things with words but his eyes were palpating LOVE. I don’t know who does this, but this boy CAN ACT! The eyes, the body language the voice tone – just so on point!
2. Kim Ji won
For the scene she lost her memory temporarily. The change in demeanour, the gentleness in her banter with him, and then the change back when she remembers! And her outburst I’m done let’s divorce moment. Love it!!!! Just so great, how often do we see OTP so matched in their ability to convey more than the scene- we are so lucky for this treat!!!!!
In both scenes above, they gave each other space to shine but without the other partner the scene would not have worked so greatly, it’s just so good to watch a drama like that
I’m so looking forward to the queens family redemption in the country side – this writer knows how to write fish out of the water plots with humour and heart. It was the same for CLoY with North Korea so we are in a for a treat!!!
This drama is so good. KSH and KJW are perfect in their role, very touching. They chemistry is great.
Being on vacation for the past couple of weeks set me back on my watching progress for this drama. I’m still on episode 3 LOL. Glad to hear that this is shaping up to be an excellent drama, now I have something else to look forward to after work.
Kim Soo Hyun’s crying scene at the end of episode 7 made me cried so hard, the pain just felt so real and authentic and no other actor/actress has made me feel this way watching them other than Moon Chae Won. Best drama to start off 2024! Cant wait till next Saturday!
Love that you mentioned Moon Chae Won because I miss her!
I dunno but i like the rest of Hae in’s family, even the grandpa during his memory flashback when he lost consciousness. I feel like all of them are just good inside, but stupid in managing their emotions so you want all of them to have the chance to redeem themselves even the mom of Hae in!
As for hyun woo’s fam, i also like all of them esp the sestrah and the nephew.
So excited for the next eps and it will be full of fun banters and silly interactions! Even soo cheol, i wish hw’s bro will teach him about boxing/martial arts so he can finally man up and defend himself from his sister’s bullying.
woooww…its totally the same with me…until today i never found any actress as good as Moon chae Won when it come to crying acting..its been a decade i watched every kdrama and when it come to crying acting i still considered Kim Soo Hyun as the king and Moon Chae Won as the queen..KimSooHyun-KimJiWon pairing still a treat to my eyes since KimJiWon really look exactly like the young MoonChaeWon..♥ and this drama is a masterpiece!
Ah! Love love love Moon Chae Won. It’s been a while since I’ve seen her in something good tbh. There was a time she was on the verge of hitting A-list status with Princess Man, Nice Guy and Good Doctor. Then somehow her career sort of derailed without any real reason for it to. Hope she gets back to doing good projects because I miss watching her on screen
I wish its already saturday for the next episode…excited what will happen to Hongs family in the countryside…i love ksh and kjw
I loved the episodes, the last scene of episode 7 made me cry and it dindn’t happen to me since a LOT of dramas . The end of episode 8 make me laugh because i saw it coming : the rich family escaping to the countryside , in a flash it reminded me of an old drama in which a chaebol family is ruined and goes to live in the house of their chauffeur . If i’m not mistaken it was a drama with Jung Kyung Ho and Lee Min Jung . This drama has the whole package , i can’t wait for the next episode to the point that i dropped the others dramas until the end of it . I’m obssessed, i just can’t focus on others !
I forgot the “plush mascot” for the grandfather ‘s anniversary . I laughed and at the same time i felt pity for the brother ! riding the bicycle to reach out for “his not maybe son”
I’m still pondering if I should start watching or just wait for the end to binge the whole series. There’re other dramas currently hooking me in and I’m not so much the one switching between dramas. Life is too busy. LOL.
I found binging dramas is more satisfying.
Yes this drama is very good , to the fact that am not watching but checked out some scenes n it still almost brought me almost to 😢 tears
Kim Soohyun’s just killing it. What an amazing actor! I’m not regularly a crier, but the way he broke down in ep 7’s last scene had me full out sobbing. Then I did it all over again when the scene continued in the following episode. He’s just so wow?! I wish he did more dramas my god. He’s depriving us of his talent every time he doesn’t act!
As for the drama, what an amazing turn of events. I can’t believe how quickly the Queens Group were dethroned. And after the way they dismissed all the legal advice Hyunwoo gave them, they deserved it 😂 When the inevitably get back their company, it’s better if everyone retires and leaves the company to Hyunwoo and Haein. I can’t wait for next week.
P.s. Soocheol’s wife better come back because no matter how much of an idiot he is, it’s not fair for her to just take away his son! I don’t even know if it’s his biological child, but who cares. He loves him all the same.
It’s so annoying and trite that they made the little brother an idiot.
The ratings are insanity. Half point and it’s at 16%? That is already incredible for a terrestrial drama, let alone cable. For a rom com, it’s unprecedented particularly at this time when rom coms isn’t the cool thing anymore.
KJW is sooo good, but it is deffo KSH who is out for my tears. Never thought id be complaining about good acting, but he is so convincing and raw to a point where I find it hard to watch scenes where HW breaks down. It’s waaaay too much sometimes, I am too invested in the drama and the OTP. I like that the writers are moving away from the sickness for a bit to focus on the family. I desperately need respite haha. And seeing HI’s family on their knees is the sort of revenge, getting off their high horse plot I need in my life.
This drama is giving everything!!! It’s made me cry and ache so much to the point where I’m dreading the next episode because I know it’s going to happen again, but then I can’t wait to watch it too?! The two leads are a master of their craft. They know how to draw us in, stirring up all sorts of emotions. They’re both a wonder. If they don’t get an award for this show I don’t know anymore. Other than all sorts of heartstrings being pulled, the comedic timing is also spot on. You feel all sorts of emotions with every episode. There’s not one episode where you feel it’s a drag or it’s wasted. They made sure of that! I didn’t watch Vincenzo (only the first ep) but now it’s making me feel like watching it! I cannot wait to see what’s next in store especially now that both leads are both in the same path and know they both love each other and the whole family as well.
Love, love, love this drama!!! The direction, the writing, the actors, the cameos, all just a great combination of mega excellence!!! I hope the quality will stay top notch until the very end!!! So thankful for this drama, the weekends are extra special.
QoT went out like a bullet train in episode 8. Flabbergasted at what happened all within a span of 1 episode lol. I was still stuck with KSH’s masterful performance the previous episode. He better be getting awards for Hyun-woo because he is outstanding. Oh, and poor poor stupid Soo Cheol. He’s such a moron, but KDY breaking down like that in a bike he can’t even ride was so sad. He thought about his kid immediately and it may not even be his. I cannot believe his wife just up and left. I could not stay with a husband like that either but that was still so heartless.
KSH and KJW both need daesangs for these roles it is INSANE how good they are. A big drama like this could feel soulless without the right actors playing Haein and Hyunwoo but they’re amazing actors and even more amazing together.
The entire cast is excellent tbh, KDY was so good at portraying this easily fooled manchild who’s pathetic but kindhearted and genuinely loving as a husband and father. I think his wife will come back, she actually seems to feel bad for what she’s doing to him.
This is actually my first Kim Soo Hyun drama after Dream High and I’m now a fan. BUT we all know Korean dramas have perfected the art of fizzling out at the end soooo I’m going to reserve judgment.
Kim Soo Hyun may take long breaks but he always up his craft with each project he does. He was great in IOTNBO, phenomenal in One Ordinary Day, and Queen of Tears is yet on another level. The way his eyes go from slight confusion to sadness to pain when he realize how bad Haein’s condition has become was so well acted. It was reported he took a huge pay cut out of consideration for the raising cost of production so I hope people will stop harping about his salary. He is worth every won they are willing to pay him.
Not usually one to comment but just want to echo what everyone’s saying about Kim Soo-hyun’s acting. I actually watched most of his dramas and movies since they’re all pretty high profile. Can’t say he hasn’t given outstanding performances in the past but maybe cz he works so rarely, the awe factor is always there every time he comes out to play. The combo of talent, skills, and visuals is great.
I’m waiting to watch episode 5 because it’s taking them so long for the English dubbing.
I’m absolutely loving the series but I’m impatient.
It’s most definitely worth watching!
Such a long ep at 1hr20min with so much jam packed happenings & not a moment wasted. I love where we r at the half point. It’s not new materials but it’s new for these characters and how they portrayed them along w/ editing. I’ve got nothing but love so far.
All praises to the moon! I wonder if there’s anyone out there disliking the series but is intimidated to share their unpopular opinions? LOL. For example, the Glory was the hit drama when it was aired but I found myself not so much into it by watching trailers. What is the genre of QoT? I don’t believe every hit drama is for everyone. I’d be interested in reading some fresh opinion before I start to watch the drama. As I said, I liked KSH so much in The Moon Embracing the Sun but was more impressed by his FLs in all his following dramas. I hope KSH isn’t overhyped again in QoT.
I just love all the characters in Queen of Tears including Hae In’s family. They’re all weird and stupid in their own ways, but they all have a good heart including her mom. I can’t wait to see her interaction with Hyun Woo’s mom, tail between her legs, hot after she humiliated Hyun Woo’s mom at the restaurant. Karma is a biatch after all!
Adding to the KSH praise parade. Some actors aren’t just phenomenal actors, they touch people’s hearts and make them really [feel]. KSH is that kind of actor. I’m glad he seems to be back in kdramaland full time. I don’t want to think past Hyun Woo too quickly, but after this and potentially his new con artist role, I hope he does a sageu next!
I’ve got no idea why my comment came out as a response to you, but I meant it as a separate comment. Not trying to reply to you specifically
No worries. Hahaha. But your comment also sits well in response to mine.
I think this drama is deserving of all praise. I’m not even a fan of Kim Soo Hyun but he shows in this drama the reason why he is one of the top Korean actors. Kim Ji Won has always been a good actress but was just shy of being an A-lister but now this drama I feel propels her to that status. The Glory was great, but it had its moments and at times I felt Song He Kyo’s acting was too wooden at times, but she fit that role because that’s how she acts and felt like it was written for her. Even in Descendants of the Sun. You should watch this show so you can judge yourself instead of doubting all the praise lol
Also I thought too he was overhyped before and wondered why he’s one of the highest paid actors. I don’t wonder anymore.
I always consider him a great actor. But he’s not my cup of tea. Years after I watched and took a hiatus from K drama, all I remembered about his acting was only from The Moon Embracing the Sun. Now that I only watched one ep of QoT, it’s still too early for me to tell if he is overhyped or not even though he already had a very colorful delivery in just one ep.
I’m not impressed by KJW yet. But I feel related to her character. At one point, I was the dominant one in my marriage. I made way more money than my spouse and controlled the family finance/investment. I gave out the same image as she that appeared only wanting to get all the business done as soon as possible without considering others’ feelings. But a healthy relationship couldn’t go on like that. I’m more interested in the character development of KJW’s role. There must be some changes in her to make their relationship work.
Kim Jiwon’s no. 1 on the most buzzworthy actors list (Good Data) for the second week in a row – it’s not a fluke, this role is putting her even higher in the top tier of actors, even as we type.
And she deserves it – her portrayal of Hong Haein is daesang material, too bad tvN doesn’t have drama awards.
@Somebody, i’m a person who wasn’t much into KSH but in this drama with his partner , they have a perfect symbiosis , i’m not talking about looks, but about acting, they don’t overshadow each other as in some dramas in which the A list actor outshine the co lead . The drama is well written, directed, well balanced between comedie, drame,…I’d like that it was already finished to binge watch it ,but i have to wait for the next episodes 😭😭😭 Did i mentioned that i never watch Crash landing on you ? Just to say that it’s not a KSH ‘s drama but a good drama in which everyone has his share !
Oh you’ve never watched CLOY? Is it not your genre? I enjoyed that drama so much and got a lot of good laughs at those N Korean village bumpkins. LOL
I don’t have a genre of drama , i like various genres, but i don’t know why i didn’t watch it, perhaps because of arbitrary reasons i don’t feel Son Ye Jin But i’m going to watch it .
Ah really? SYJ and Gong Hyo Jin are two of my favorite K actresses. You should give a shot to CLOY. It’s a perfect mix of comedy, slice of life (of N Korean villagers LOL), romance, thriller, and suspension. I loved it so much and am happy that SYJ and Hyun Bin even made reel real, now happily married with a kid. LOL
QOT is only my second drama of KSH but I’ve watched most of KJW drama. I had to give CLOY three chances, it was so slow for me in the beginning. I’m glad I did though coz it was great when it finally picked up! Also not a SYJ and HB fan lol CLOU was my first drama of them both that I finished. You should give it another go!
Han Ga In overshadowed KSH in Moon Embracing the Sun? Suzy in Dream High? IU in Producers? You must have watched a different drama my friend 😀 KSH is never overhyped. He is one of those rare unicorns that can act and acrually choose good projects. Maybe you should try watching his older projects from when he was a child actor such as Giant or Will it snow for Christmas to see this.
@Liesel – she’s talking about his dramas AFTER Moon Embracing the Sun. Which = You From Another Star, Producers, It’s Ok Not to Be Ok, One Ordinary Day (no FL there) and now QOT.
He’s a damn good actor but it’s true that his dramas over the last 10 years tended to have very memorable female lead characters so characters like Chun Songyi, Cindy, Go Moonyoung and now Hong Haein ended up drawing a lot of attention to the actresses.
I loved the others and especially his chemistry with Jun Jihyun and IU but I personally think his chemistry and synergy with Kim Jiwon is the best of all his projects so far, they’re both fantastic actors, have incredible chemistry and their abilities are balanced in a way that they both carry the drama and their scenes together, it’s not one of them having to ‘hard carry’ to make up for the other. And this time the script and directing really support them, no wonder everyone is hooked and the drama a smash. This is going to be KSH’s career-defining project of his 30s the way YFAS was that project for his 20s, and the project that made Kim Jiwon a superstar.
Well, i’m not sure what is your fav drama genre but this drama combine all genres you can think of. I’m not kidding It has a lil bit of romance, angst, comedy and for second half i think revenge.
The acting from both leads are so good. You can’t get enough. You can feel all their emotions even though the don’t talk much. For me, it’s been awhile since i feel so much satisfaction from the acting. Coffee Prince was the first.
The Glory was quite meh for me coz SHK and Lee Dong Hyun chemistry was so off. But thanks to Park Sung Hoon (also act in qot as villain coz i hate his character lol) and Lim Ji Yeon it was good at the end.
You gotta decide for yourself though. But I think QOT is a worth to watch. It’s so satisfying watching it even though I’m crying for every episodes.
I agree with you about their chemistry. I feel like Song He Kyo had more chemistry with the husband that I wanted them to get together. The villains also I felt really helped carry that show.
I associate Kim Soo-hyun with his popularity from “My Love From The Star” and while the drama was great, I didn’t think his acting was spectacular. He was just the usual semi-wooden idol ML. He had more range in “It’s Ok to Not be OK,” but his partner FL was more fascinating lol. So I liked all the FLs he was paired with and they carried the show, from this I can say that he picks really good projects with great leading ladies lol.
If people are saying his acting is great in here, then I will catch it. Hoping he’ll change my mind with his acting.
It’s an easy relaxing watch for me. I like QoT, enjoying it but not the kind that I am looking forward to. Just watch when I have the time to watch. My sis oth loving it so much and couldn’t stop raving and discussing it. Lol.
Both leads are excellent. Quick plot development though certain scenes couldn’t make sense to me.
I dislike Hyun Woo’s sister and BIL. I dislike that she said nasty stuffs her abt Hae In when that Hae In has always been kind to her in laws. On Hae In’s side, I like her more level headed dad and Aunt Beom Ja whereas on Hyun Woo’s side, at least his mom is the decent one.
Hope the drama continues to feliver so much heart cos that’s what made me appreciate CLOY bk then.
Same but I guess we can’t like all the characters! I get bored when the drama is focused on seemingly trivial matters in Yongdu-ri too but now that’ll be one of the highlights for next episode!
It’s not hyunwoo’s sister and BiL it’s hyunwoo’s brother and sister.
And I am sorry but pointing you.. but I am tieed of viewers insisting to whitewash Haein.
She was not ALWAYS kind of her in-laws.. she simple didn’t GIVE A DAMN until her illness. For 3 years she has neither visited them nor spoken to them.
The sister only in the last meeting acquired her phone number.
The sister wasn’t even kind to her prior to the marriage. She berated Hae In for being not good enough when they were still dating.
Perhaps yes, she did not mix around with his family but when the sister approached her, she still treat her kindly.
If there’s anything, the coldness between them are mutual but at least Hae In isn’t faking the way the sister does (Nice when in need but bitching when no longer relevant).
Love that the writer is a drama fan herself … the Vincenzo cameo & a cute riff off “My Liberation Notes” when the two took a train ride. Yup, you’re right … it is firing up on all cylinders that even Ep 8’s epilogue was so touching, in that Hae In sheds tears when she realized how deeply he loved her. A bit ironic that she is the Queen of Tears, when it’s always him crying most of the time. She is human, after all. Ep 9 should be a hoot – the Hong & Baek families living together in the countryside …😆 … can’t wait!
This episode makes me want to go to Korea just to go on that train ride and catch the best sunset in Seoul! I have not enjoyed a Korean drama this much since forever!
@Carina Bernales, i feel the same about the train ride, the lighting ‘s director give me a vibe of “My liberation notes” , happy that someone thought the same think as me !
I just watched ep 1 during a break from work. It looks like a male version of Cinderella. I still saw many tropes of old concepts in the plot but the writing was more brilliant and the directing was pretty good. All the transitions of scenes so far were well paced and smooth. KSH was adorable and his acting was nuanced as usual. I love his drunken scenes LOL. KJW hasn’t impressed me yet but I could saw very solid acting there in her role. Since so much compliment and credits have gone to her, I look forward to more of her shining moments later on.
By far with just one episode, I’m seeing all good qualities that a high-budget production is supposed to have. But the genre isn’t my favorite. I’m not particularly excited to binge and catch up more eps. One or two eps a day are quite enough for me to digest this type of genre. As a matter of fact, I feel like going back to work more after watching just one ep. I’m not hooked yet. LOL.
Episode 1 is the husband POV and epi 2 is the wife POV. From there you will understand the situation well..i kinda hate the wife in epi 1 but come to love her in epi 2. so i think you could try continue watching it
yeah like clockwork everyone who says they hate the wife and she’s ‘awful’ have only watched episode 1. If anything is clear by this point in the drama it’s BOTH their fault that the marriage broke down and he’s hurt her as much as she hurt him.
“I kinda hate the wife in ep 1…” Exactly how I felt about KJM’s character so far. She mirrored an old self of me that I resented. LOL. But I should expect her character to evolve more and change for the better if this drama isn’t a sad ending.
@Royal We, totally agreed with you about how a relationship could go south.
What in black comedy, melo and romance is this???? The romantic angst is unlike any I felt in a long time. I am in some version of tears the whole time. Happy sad frustrated angry you name it. I just want to bundle up both HW and HI and protect them from themselves.
Ps. KSH has always been a terrific actor but in QoT it really really shows.
Just watch One Ordinary day and u will never wonder why he is at the top of korean actors of his era.
I am so torned,between King the Land, Crash Landing on you, Marry My Husband and Queen of Tears being the best dramas I have viewed in a life time.
I feel like QoT is a whole other level than the other dramas you mentioned except CLOY. The build-up is insane and all the actors are giving their all. King the Land was an easy watch, nothing that really gives you all the feels and angst as QoT. Marry My Husband although exciting, did not pull all the stops as this and was really frustrating at times. Acting-wise the leads are on a league of their own as well. I guess we will see how it goes until the end.
This show is Outstanding!!
The writer is Outstanding!!
The casting is Outstanding!!
It is so familiar and new at the same time. It feels like family!
I normally don’t bother with dramas till they end because I hate to waste time and invest emotions on dramas with bad endings. This is an exception. I wait the whole week for the weekend. I haven’t done this since DOTS. Wonderful leads and supporting cast. Netflix has even done a good job of the content (interviews etc) in between episodes.