Four reasons we are so obsessed with ‘Queen of Tears’

There was undoubtedly some hype around ‘Queen of Tears’, but the drama has delivered in spades. Reluctantly facing the final six episodes prompts some reflection – why are we so obsessed?

Caution – there are so many *spoilers* contained in this!

1. The OST – Dramas are renowned for finding just the right soundtrack to support certain scenes. Let’s face it; if you aren’t listening to ‘Love you with all my Heart’ (Crush) on repeat by now, are you even human? The almost Pavlovian response to Crush singing ‘사랑했던 나의 진심이’ can happen anywhere – sitting in traffic, at work, gardening – and usually involves the welling of tears and a lump in the throat. The next five minutes are spent mentally replaying the end of Episode 5, and now, the end of Episode 10. 

It’s the same way ‘The Reasons of my Smiles’ (BSS – Seventeen) and ‘Can’t Get Over You’ (Paul Kim) lift scenes to a new emotional level for viewers. The effectiveness of the OST and the way it continues to bring audiences back should not be underestimated.

2. The supporting cast – It became apparent quite early that this plot was going to be rich with the side stories of the various cast. With veteran actors like Kim Kap Soo and Jeon Bae-Su at the helm of the respective families, and the empathetic portrayal of Jeon Bong-Ae, Hyun Woo’s mother, by Hwang Young-Hee, there is such a growing feeling of cohesion and unity around our young couple. Throw into the mix an eclectic aunt (Kim Jung Nan), a gullible brother (Kwak Dong Yeon) and a say-it-as-it-is sister (Jang Yoon Ju), circumstances are bound to become very interesting. What about the surprise cameo from none other than Vincenzo (Song Joong Ki) himself, representing Hae-In!

And no one plays a flawed villain quite like Park Sung-Hoon as Yoon Eun Sung, unwavering in his conviction that he will be with Hae-In at any and all costs. 

3. Cinematography – There is so much attention to detail with respect to the cinematography of Queen of Tears, it makes for compelling watching. The sought-after footage of Hyun Woo and Hae-In in Germany, with backdrops such as the Neptune Fountain, Spree River and Hotel de Rome, are the perfect way to highlight the romantic scenes. The heartfelt meeting on the steps at Sanssouci Palace make for such a surreal experience and emphasise the depth of their history, with parallel shots between their honeymoon and present day. But it is also the small nuances in the filming that enthralls viewers, such as Hae-In’s hand over Hyun Woo’s as his holds the umbrella for her at the end of Episode 7, or Hyun Woo’s promise to Hae-In during Episode 10.

4. The Queen (and her King) – There is no doubt that Queen of Tears is the success it is due to the supreme casting of the protagonists Kim Soo Hyun as Hyun Woo and Kim Ji Won as Hae-In. Hyun Woo’s apparent love for Hae-In contrasts starkly with her coldness at times, but the tension between the two has really culminated in the last two episodes of this continuing drama. We frustratingly watch on as Hyun Woo declares his commitment to Hae-In, while she listens behind him. 

We go through the nightly ordeal of willing Hyun Woo to send the text message he drafts to Hae-In to show how much he cares about her. 

The killer? Those Epilogues at the end of each episode, with the revealed backstory of certain scenes and explanation as to why our main leads behave the way they do. So much longing and regret and … potential happiness!… are embedded within those Epilogues. It makes the week’s wait for the next instalment akin to torture, with the uncertainty surrounding their relationship at the forefront of everyone’s minds.

Okay, Director Park Ji-Eun, you have us in. We are invested and we can’t stop watching Queen of Tears for these main four reasons. Please, please protect our favourite couple obsession!