"The real King and Queen" — Fans react to Kim Soo-hyun and KimJi-won's tvN drama 'Queen Of Tears' named Good Data's '2024 Drama Of The Year'

The hit tvN drama Queen of Tears, starring Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won, has been named Good Data's '2024 Drama of the Year'. With a gripping story, stellar performances, and a record-breaking 24.9% viewership for its finale, it surpassed Crash Landing on You as tvN’s highest-rated show.

On December 18, 2024, the official account of @kdramahandle reported that Queen of Tears set a new benchmark for K-dramas in terms of storytelling, acting, and production value by winning Good Data's 'Drama of the Year'.

Fans continue to celebrate Queen of Tears for its emotional storytelling, stellar performances, and stunning visuals. The drama’s success is expected to inspire future productions and has solidified its status as a modern K-drama classic.

"The real King and Queen"

"Queen of Tears and Love Next Door is my dramas of the year," one fan wrote.

"The untouchable #QueenOfTears" another fan emphasized.

"Dominating everywhere like it should b..#QueenOfTears the ultimate drama of the year.." another fan added.

"DRAMA OF THE YEAR," one fan wrote.

"I guess there’s no competition…" another fan added.

"Best drama, best actors, best couple, best everything," one other fan remarked.

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Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won starring Queen of Tears continues to dominate fan-favorite lists

Penned by the renowned screenwriter Park Ji-eun (My Love from the Star, Crash Landing on You), Queen of Tears followed the tumultuous life of Baek Hyun-woo (Kim Soo-hyun), a brilliant lawyer who is the son-in-law of the Chaebol conglomerate Queens Group, and Hong Hae-in (Kim Ji-won), the spoiled yet endearing heiress of the company.

The story delves into themes of love, resilience, and redemption as the couple faces internal conflicts, corporate betrayals, and personal tragedies. The narrative showcases how their love evolves amid trials, culminating in both triumphs and heartbreak.

Premiered on March 9, 2024, Queen of Tears initially opened with modest ratings of 5.9%. However, it quickly gained momentum, hitting 13% by episode 4 and climbing steadily from there. By episode 16, the finale garnered an astounding 24.9% nationwide viewership, shattering tvN’s previous record of 21.7% set by Crash Landing on You.

Kim Soo-hyun starred as Baek Hyun-woo, the director of Queen's Group's and husband of Hong Hae-in, the chaebol heiress and CEO. Known for his nuanced performances, Kim Soo-hyun delivered a heartfelt portrayal of a man torn between his love and his principles.

Kim Ji-won portrayed Hong Hae-in, the chaebol heiress of the Queens Group who has three months to live due to a brain tumor. Kim Ji-won brought charm and complexity to the role of an heiress grappling with responsibility and vulnerability.

Queen of Tears featured a talented cast, including Park Sung-hoon as Hae-in’s scheming cousin and Lee Mi-sook as the domineering matriarch of Queens Group. The drama’s success marked a milestone for tvN, surpassing Crash Landing on You in viewership and joining iconic shows like Goblin and Reply 1988. It maintained over 20% ratings from episode 12, a rare achievement in Korean TV history.

The series also made headlines for its lavish production. Bulgari served as a major sponsor, with its high-end jewelry prominently showcased by the characters, while Mercedes-Benz supplied seven flagship cars for key scenes.

The drama’s appeal lies in its balance of romance, corporate intrigue, and family dynamics. The love story between Hyun-woo and Hae-in resonates deeply, while the cutthroat world of Queens Group keeps viewers on the edge of their seats. Furthermore, Park Ji-eun’s skillful writing ensured a compelling narrative arc.

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Queen of Tears is available for global streaming on Netflix.