Queen of Tears Episode 12 Surpasses 20% Ratings to Become 2nd Highest tvN Drama of All Time as Plot Continues Tightly Weaves Through Sweet and Sorrow

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• I really like QoT, much like how I like CLOY. The drama has so much heart.

  My only complaint is the writer pushing too hard the troupe of "destiny" between the OTP. Okay, so they have met in high school and he was already crazy for her. Then in latest episode 12, they have indeed met way before that was when they were children. Maybe I am one of the few that really dislike the "destiny from birth" troupe.

  I pity Eun Sung because he is also a victim in his mom's ambition especially upon learning that he was abused by the director of the orphanage and the foster family. Maybe that's why he is obsessed with Hae In. The desire to be loved by the person who showed him simple act of appreciation. I agree PSH played him masterfully that you can't just outright hate him.

  I bet it will be sad ending for QoT and I don't see it any other way. I don't mind a sad ending, as long as not a bullshit illogical ending.

• Kim Jiwon is carrying the show on her back. KSH is doing the bare minimum andnis reaping laurels for her hard work. There is nothing special about Baek Hyunwoo, infact any other actor in his place & he would be the most hated character on the show

  • I don't agree that KSH is doing the bare minimum, I think he's doing great as per usual. That said, I find myself shipping Hae In and Eun Sung more, for some reason. Could be because, like I Koala said, Park Sung Hoon makes a sexy villain (even in The Glory), and sexy evil villains are kind of my weakness 🥵
    But I also feel like Kim Ji Won has more chemistry with Park Sung Hoon, which is just my opinion so don't come for me! Eun Sung's creepy stalker behavior aside, I think they would make a great power couple lol. If anyone here knows MBTI, both Hae In and Eun Sung are ENTJs, and that's probably why they look powerful and sexy together, IN MY OPINION. I do think Kim Ji Won looks good with both Soo Hyun and Sung Hoon, but in different ways. Hae In and Hyun Woo are cute and adorable together, but Hae In and Eun Sung together are 🔥🔥🔥
    Such a shame that Eun Sung is the way he is lol

    • I'm sorry but there's nothing sexy about killing innocent animals, making advances at a married woman in front of her husband, going into her handbag and turning off her phone and stealing her medicine. The guy is just eww through and through. You are sick in the mind to ship Hae In with him. I hope Hyunwoo punches him the face more in the next few episodes.

  • i think they're both amazing in their roles but kjw is definitely the more popular one internationally. just compare their instagram posts likes and her posts get 2+ million likes while his only gets half of that. i see people posting her more in my social media feeds too. good for kjw honestly. ksh has nothing to prove anymore, he's like the top actor of the top actors plus he's also critically acclaimed. but i've always thought kjw is underrated and her level of popularity is not proportional to her immense talent, so again, good for her that more people are recognizing her now

  • aren't you contradicting yourself?

    Saying "KSH is doing the bare minimum" AND "any other actor in his place and he would be the most hated character on the show" i.e. it's the ACTOR who's making the character likeable....pick a side, please.

    (for the record, I am a huge fan of Kim Jiwon and have the comments in years-old posts about her by koala to prove it)

    • I know right. I guess the previous commentor is confused whether to praise KSH or not lol. I love both the leads equally and to say that the only one of them is carrying the show will be wrong to another because both of them are equally good. I can't imagine any other actors in their roles. Both the leads along with the stellar supporting casts are carrying the show.

    • Lol the side some have picked is hate on KSH 😂 But very true is the claim that anyone else and Hyun Woo would be dead meat. And good to see a KJW fan coming forward because I’ve seen several trying to create a war between the KSH and KJW fandom and people taking bait. Don’t guys! Please use common sense and know when a troll is trolling lol.

      Anyway, may KSH, KJW and the entire support cast and crew of QOT sweep the upcoming award season. And they will. It’ll be a bloodbath in the comments section here. But it’ll be entertaining nonetheless.

  • This has to be a joke. I really can't believe that there's someone out there who can say something like this with a straight face. Just those last few minutes of episode 11 are enough to show that KSH is really one of the best actors SK has produced in recent decades. KJW is also fantastic, probably her best performance to date, but she is by no means carrying this show. I can imagine someone else playing Hae-in (such as IU, who was first offered the role; she can definitely pull it off after My Mister and Broker), but no one can do Hyun-woo like KSH. These are facts, but you can continue deluding yourself. I guess you'll also call me a KSH stan bcs of my comment so I'll just leave it here that while I watched his dramas across the yrs I've never followed him beyond that; however, you are free to believe what you want

    • Ha, it is a joke. There will be a lot of comments like this most likely from the same people with different user names. It’s a carry over from the fanwar that broke out recently due to the Baeksang nomination. Everyone knows what KSH is actually doing here and just how amazing he is. There are literal articles being published every week on how great he has been. Some people just need a bit more time to accept it lol.

    • Speaking as an IU fan.....I can't see her playing Haein at all. Not the way that she's been written in the drama we saw so far, it would just not come across the same way delivered by anyone but Kim Jiwon.

      (the role is similar to IU previous roles in that the character is a 'cold' type but that's where it ends, I can no more see IU playing Hong Haein than I can see Lee Minho - and I'm taking his example only because he's a previous KJW costar - playing Baek Hyunwoo)

    • Idk about iu everyone seems to reference hdl but to me it came across as her playing dress up, she's stunning but has more of a youthful vibe. Hong haein is supposed to be 34/35 apparently, so I think kjw was well cast since she gives more of that mature aura, even in her early 20s in dots she pulled off being of similar age to SHK.

  • Honestly.,i think u should stop watching TV if you’re that idiot.! Coz it’s useless..

    • WOW! How is her comment making her an idiot? LOL. I used to only see this offensive name calling in C fan circles. Obviously I have misunderstood K fans much.

  • Are you kidding me?
    I don’t believe anyone is hard carrying this show as its quite an assemble of good actors and actresses but saying KSH does the bare minimum is simply being ridiculous and delusional.
    You know what’s hard - maybe he makes it so easy that you think it’s bare minimum. Which I think perhaps we will take this with grace - it’s easy to play a DRAMATIC character but it’s when you take a simple role with flaws and simple scenes but can still make the audience laugh and cry with you - that’s class and art. Gosh I cannot believe you

    • There was subtle Ksh shading going on from some fandoms every since qot started but it’s downright ridiculous how blatant it has become since the barksang nomination.

    • @ Mm, stardust - it’s jealousy. Nothing more nothing less. Before, these stans didnt realize how big QOT will be as big as it is. Now on top of that, their favourite wasnt considered for Baeksang because KSH came in the picture. Even his 6 episode performance was enough to trounce their actor so they’ve been foaming in the mouth ever since. Subtle won’t do, they need to go all out to even be heard. It’s all empty can noise and desperation. The end of this story is another syndrome drama for KSH and another nomination. Like someone in the other actor post said, KSH won already. There is no battle here.

  • You’re obviously not watching the drama or following the promotions. All the weekly prerelease videos are focused on KSH’s parts and getting 1M+ views in 1 day on TvN Drama’s YouTube channel. TvN is banking on the male lead to drive the ratings.

    (My comment didn’t show so sorry for the double post if it shows up later).

• I honestly don't get it. It's a very mediocre show at best. Other shows that had higher ratings had at least more substance. This is simply banking on its leads with a very thin plot and so many tropes.

  • but but... you keep watching this drama till epi 12 despite its thin plot. lmao!. I just cant with these people. just watch the drama u like la, bengong kot dio ni.

    • You are right. I should've dropped it long ago, it was not sticking and I'm watching it rn at 1.25 to 1.5x which honestly doesn't bode well for a show (eps are too long and slow). But I had nothing else to watch, that was the only reason I continued. Now that I have seen Lovely Runner and Blood Free, I think I'm sorted. I feel the hype around this show is a lot more because there weren't good enough dramas to give it a good competition. That, the leads and the writer's previous record.

    • LOL at the bengong kot. 'Tulnya, kak!

    • @vlive, LOL. I do recall you vowed several times that you've done with Kdrama, not watching anymore. But look at what you're doing here!!!!. You must be still watching K drama but lied about it. LOL

      Next time, remember to take pills before giving an undertaking. LOL

  • That's how I feel about all this writer's dramas. The dramas all get crazy high ratings but I personally find them very poorly written. The saving grace in her dramas is usually the cast but I have yet to finish a single one of her works because the writing and plotting are so mediocre and trope-y

    • I get you. I have only finished two of her works. Not a huge fan of hers but I think she has definitely written better dramas than this. At least CLOY was more fun. I wish QoT at least had the "fun factor". But alas talking about this show rn gets all fans riled up for no reason. Once the hype dies down maybe then people can look at it objectively. I mean QoT is in no way as good as Reply 1988 or many other shows that have acheieved that rating.

    • "in no way as good as Reply 1988" the same Reply 1988 that left both Korean and international viewers furious at the constant 'who's the husband' games and the ending?

      and are you seriously trying to argue that "in no way" is QOT better than Reply 1988.....including the acting skills of its leads? Especially the respective female leads? I'm out lol.

    • @Royal We, I'm not arguing, I'm stating my opinion. I think R88 is definitely a superior drama and Lee Woo Jung a better writer than PJE as I've mainly talked about the writing here. And I do not think the last episode had that much effect on the overall quality of the show. But it's not only R88 that I'm referring to, other shows in the same range like Sky Castle or even Goblin had meatier stories even though I'm not that big of a fan of the latter.

    • I agree.

      I watch the show just for the main actors that I like a lot, mostly KJW (Fight my way, My liberation notes) and KSH (that I loved in The producers where I felt that he was a great actor). I love this pairing but this drama is some kind of not well written makjang. I skip a lot of scenes to be honest.

    • @wapz, I don't disagree with you. I haven't finished QoT yet and feel like being stuck with ep 5 forever bcos of lacking motivation to follow the drama. I just picked up K drama last year and had A LOT of good old ones on my plate to watch. Comparing with some very interesting old dramas, QoT's storylines fall a bit flat for me. As @Sunny mentioned, I also agree the writing and plotting are mediocre and trope-y so far. But I can't be sure about this since the remaining eps may do justice to its hype.

      Also I'm not that passionate for PJE's writing. CLOY is the only drama of hers that I have felt compelled to re-watch and I did, still feeling refreshing the 2nd time I watched the series. As to all other hit dramas under her pens, they are mostly forgettable; I watched them all for the wonderful cast. I quit the Legend of the Blue Sea midway cos that's boring as heck and the acting wasn't there that great.

      PJE is a popular writer knowing all the tropes to woo K drama fans. But to me, she's not someone on par with others who have actually written more memorable stories with depth. There are many K writers who have demonstrated power of creative writing through their fascinating storytelling with very logical flow. But I don't think QoT is among that kind of amazing works. PJE falls short of logic to make sense the character development of some roles under her pens, e.g., KSH's character in QoT isn't that convincing to me and it felt fake. I yet need to finish QoT. My review about the QoT is just based upon the first few eps that I have watched carefully without skipping one single scenes or fast forwarding.

  • "Other shows that had higher ratings" can only count 4 shows among it - CLOY, Sky Castle, Reborn Rich and TWOTM, and QoT will surpass 1 or maybe even 2 of them soon. There must be a reason why it got such high ratings - one is the chemistry and the acting of the main leads (plus 2nd male lead I would say), and two the fact that the tropes they use are those very familiar and close to Korean society. This drama is the drama that appeals a LOT to Koreans and East/ Southeast Asian people because it ticks all the boxes of things they expect from a TV drama, and those tropes are why people love them. It's also why people shifted away from Western (US drama) which tries too hard to be smart and original, but just ended up overcomplicating things or addressing "tough" issues that people don't really (want to) relate to.

    • I meant the same range that encompasses many shows. But yes talking about ratings is not that substantial as ratings usually aren't the standard for quality shows anyway. We've had many gems being snubbed by bad ratings. But I understand what you're trying to say, it clicks with the local audience and the international too, good for them. Happy drama watching!

  • @wapz - I see where you're coming from, but at the same time, I totally understand why this show is doing well with Asians, especially Koreans. At the core, QOT is a classic hallyu drama - glossy cinematography, chaebol drama, flashy wardrobe, exaggerated slow-mo sequences, conventionally attractive leads, met-in-childhood trope. Where it brings the 'magic' is the good acting, cast chemistry, and heartwarming interactions.

    I do think Park Jieun's drama's follow a certain template. This show gives me CLOY de ja vu: icy, chaebol FL with parental trauma spending time in bumpkin land with a ragtag crew and discovering herself.

• Kim Soo Hyun's acting is truly impressive in this drama. His facial expressions and body language are excellent. Kim Ji Won is good and attractive, the storyline is fast paced, crisis and conflicts are resolved within a reasonable time frame hence the drama is very watchable. But it is Kim Soo Hyun's acting that is dominating and eye-catching.

  • First sensible comment on this post

• i just love this drama. the chemistry is on top and kim ji won acting and visual are chef kiss. this is her first drama that I watch and instantly become a fan.

• I know PJE said there would be no Queen of Tears without Kim Soo Hyun but to me it's legitimately impossible to imagine it without Kim Ji Won either.

  (I know she wasn't the first choice for the FL but she made the role of Hong Haein so completely her own that I can't imagine anyone else in that role, not even IU who was offered the part first and excels in playing cold characters. She's the definitive Hong Haein like Robert Downey Jr. is the definitive onscreen version of Iron Man, perfect combination of looks uniquely suited to the role and acting skills to elevate it)

  They deserve their high ratings, even if it can't reach TWOTM 'highest rated cable drama of all time' status it's already legendary no matter what "it's only a romcom"-type people say. Like please, if you think romcoms and especially genre-blended romcoms like this don't take skill to act out, you're free to watch whatever gritty grimdark detective kdrama you want, just admit the genre is not your cup of tea and go.

  I have no patience for anyone putting down either of the QOT leads either, they've got the chemistry and the skills separately but even better when together and they are BOTH carrying this drama. If you don't believe me, have a look at the way the top position on the 'most buzzworthy actors' list has been flipping back and forth between Kim Soohyun and Kim Jiwon for the last 6 weeks.

  • SO WELL SAID!!!!

  • THISSS. both leads are carrying the drama I cant imagine other actor/actress as baekhyun and haein. yes IU was good in hotel de luna but kjw is the original ice princess. remember the heirs ? she slays as rachel and the moment I saw the news tht she will be playing a chaebol I know she gonna slay this role and Im right. look how korean netz adore the leads. there are so many compliments about their chemistry and acting thus the high rating. this drama is already a huge success in korea and international now and it is not because of one person, its a team work

  • thank you so much! i love what kim soo hyun is doing, and there's absolutely no question about his talent. but you'll see some people shade kjw once in a while, bringing up how IU could have done the same. IU definitely could not have done what kjw has been able to do. IU lacks the gravitas to truly tap into the layered vulnerability of hong haein. truth is hong haein is a very sensitive and soft person, hardened by her environment, most especially the unfair treatment by her mother. there is a duality to her that toes the line in between without ever veering too far into one territory or the other. IU would have gone too hard on the cold exterior imo. kim jiwon pulls elements from both sides, and layers them in such a precise manner that you can't really tell them apart. she's delivering a masterclass in acting with this role. so is kim soo hyun. i won't stand for any slander for either.

• WOTM may have high ratings but it's a one time watch kind of show.

• re: 2nd lead, I think it's actually an interesting choice to have him be an obsessed sociopath with ~feelings~ for Haein

  it's much MUCH better than the usual kdrama 'I like her and I'm the perfect guy but she likes someone else now can the viewers please feel sorry for me' 2nd male lead bs, this time the 2nd ML is behaving more like the old-school trope of a kdrama 2nd FEMALE LEAD (i.e. obsessed and can't digest the idea that the person they like, likes someone else better and keeps attacking their 'rival') and he's so much fun to hate because Haein is just not having any of it and keeps finding multiple ways to reject him while also using him without guilt because the sociopath ruined her family and tried to force her into marrying him, he deserves to feel bad. Starting with her basically declaring to the whole world that she prefers her brain tumour to him!

  (she tried to be nice and civil before but he made a bad bad mistake by pissing her off, he's asking for it)

  I lol'ed @ her taking ONE bite of his forced 'dinner' in ep 12 AFTER he says the whole 'I saved you when we were kids and been obsessed with you since then' and then leaving that entire fancy dinner uneaten because being around him ruined her appetite....only to go home with Hyunwoo and eat all his simple dishes very well while Mr Villain smashes her uneaten dinner plate 🤣

• Oh the residual impact of the previous fan war is so obvious and rather hilarious. These sort of things just make me laugh because it’s so obvious how pressed some are to see Kim Soo Hyun back at the very top. Yet another huge huge hit, and yet another extremely well received performance and we still have four episodes left. PJE and KSH have been the kind of writer-actor combination that just keeps on giving. They are also each other’s fav for a reason. Yes there’s no Hyun Woo without KSH, but also, KSH got the opportunity to play such an amazing character due to her. May they keep on working together for many many more projects!

  I was supposed to give myself a break because I am way too obsessed with this drama but I couldn’t help myself obviously lol. The men in this drama - KSH, PSH and KDY are just killing it. Everyone is so amazing at portraying such interesting and complex characters. We are at episode 12 and so far, there hasn’t been a let down. Last week I was hoping to just fast forward to the end of the month so I can binge. Now I am dreading the ending. It’s been a wild wild ride!

  • I didn't even go in that last post because it got so ridiculous. Can people just get a grip already, QOT is the first classic kdrama I've seen in a LONG time where the leads not only have the chemistry to be one of the great kdrama couples, but are equally matched on skills as actors - and instead of appreciating it the stans make it so KJW becomes collateral damage in fanwars between male actor stans/called a not-so-great actress because....she's pretty? and KSH gets called a not-so-great actor because..... he's had hit dramas?

    PJE and KSH are both not the 'one project every year' type (and neither is Kim Jiwon tbqh) but I appreciate that they take their time to create/pick a drama. And I really appreciate that PJE's roles for KSH are not just 'Do Minjoon by another name', they're actually varied and distinct and he does the job well.

    • Isn’t it hilarious tho? 🤣

      All these other actors/actress fans getting so frustrated by both leads success to the point where they are pretending to be each other’s fan to put the other down? Of all pathetic things to do, this is downright top of list. Everyone needs to learn to not take bait ffs.

      And yep. KSH and PJE has worked trice and in each project, the character he plays are so vastly different it’s hard to believe it’s the same actor-writer combo.

• For me KSH is a good actor but nowhere close to Kim Jiwon, that girl acts solely with her eyes. I will give instances where I found ksh lacking in the past episode:
  1) when Haein confessed her love in the hospital, there was no surprise in his eyes, he had the same expression before & after the confession
  2) same goes for the sunset proposal scene when haein says she couldn't recognise him ..no shock or surprise just ..there.
  And lastly when they all get to know that grandpa has died, he barely had any shock on his face, just a little sadness

  For me he is pretty average and it especially becomes visible when he is opposite jiwon who conveys so much with her eyes only. He isn't bad, but he isn't the best actor on this show.

  • knock it off, please

    /signed, a Kim Jiwon fan

  • Girl, you are just embarrassing yourself with this ridiculous comment.

    Kim ji won had a blank face, literally not a trace of emotion when hyunwoo confessed his love. Not an inch of her face showed any emotion. And here you are shading ksh for your girl.

    If she is so amazing, why aren't any of her scenes going viral? Why aren't critics showering her with praise?

    I will tell you what. Hhi is a very basic, typical ice cold female lead done over 100 times in kdramas. Kjw is just doing a very basic job at it. Nothing exceptional.

    The audacity to shade ksh, who has had a more accomplished filmography and boasts of many awards, for some actress who maybe popular but is clearly hitting her prime only with qot. You should be thankful to ksh that he provides opportunities for his costars to shine. And here you are disrespecting his legacy.

    • I am not disrespecting his legacy. This is my first time watching both & Kim Jiwon has impressed me more. The scene you are talking about, please go and see it again to see the slight surprise & taken aback movement she shows when she hears it. Her body language & expressions in it are spot on. She didn't have a single dialogue but still managed to convey everything Haein felt. To me that's sign of a real superstar. With KSH, many times he falters to show complex emotions

    • typical toxic fan who loves to shade on his FL just because a random passerby love his FL acting more than your oppa. fcking arrogant. well I believe karma exist. lets just wait and see

    • @peach06 LOOOOLLLL I guess the karma you speak of is the Baeksang nomination for the umpteenth time? Or all the praises being showered on him like rain in SK? Or how even controversies don’t touch him now? Or maybe it’s the 20% ratings in just ep 12? Oppa is really suffering, huh?

    • @pffft lmao same person different username is it ? oh so he has controversies ?LMAO what is it ? look at his fan acting cocky and arrogant lol for the sake if oppa

    • @secretkeeper1110 @kdramawatcher why do you two sound like probably the same user just with different usernames to create fanwars. Should we ask koala to check ip addresses now?

  • I think you need to rewatch from ep 1 onwards. Poor kjw. He is so animated and also subtly brilliant in those still moments and he is considered lesser actor.