Only Bridgerton Was More Popular Than This 100%-Rated Romantic K-Drama on Netflix Last Year
K-dramas are rapidly conquering the television industry around the world. Last year, the drama that turned the Cinderella story on its head surpassed not only Squid Game in popularity, but also such hits as Emily in Paris.
In 2024, the South Korean TV industry was generous with high-profile releases – from tough crime stories to charming romances.
Queen of Tears Became Second Most-Watched TV Show on Netflix in 2024
But it was the star of Queen of Tears that shone brightest – the last episode of the drama received a rating of 24.850%, which is the highest in the history of the tvN channel among TV projects, as well as a perfect 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes.
But this is not the only and not the main achievement of the K-drama – it became the second most watched show on Netflix in 2024.
Only the third season of Bridgerton turned out to be more popular than Queen of Tears, and the K-drama itself bypassed such hit series as the second season of Squid Game and the fourth season of Emily in Paris.
What Is Queen of Tears About?
Hae-in is the heiress of the influential Hong family, which owns the chain of shopping malls. Before taking a management position, she went undercover as an ordinary intern in the company.
There she met Hyun-woo, a sweet and kind guy who she eventually married. Hyun-woo became the legal director and Hae-in became his boss.
Three years later, their marriage falls apart. They constantly fight at home and at work, live in separate rooms and hardly talk to each other.
Hyun-woo thinks about divorce, but everything changes when Hae-in is diagnosed with a rare form of cancer. The news of his wife's illness reawakens the man's faded feelings and encourages him to fight for love.
Queen of Tears Has Bright and Well-Thought-Out Characters
Viewers loved Queen of Tears because of its complex characters. The rational Hyun-woo is capable of deep feelings, strong emotions, and bold actions. And the arrogant Hae-in is actually vulnerable and capable of caring for her loved ones.
The main antagonist Eun-sung is also captivating. In love with the main character, he is even willing to commit a crime for her sake, but the unrequited love leads to disappointment in everything, including his own strength.
Queen of Tears Turned the Classic Cinderella Story Upside Down
This K-drama turned the game upside down. While we usually see the heir of a large corporation falling in love with his subordinate – usually a girl from a poor family – here it is the other way around.
She is cold, beautiful and rich. He is simple and kind, capable of melting her icy heart. It was the unconventional approach to the Cinderella plot and the brilliant acting that made Queen of Tears a hit.
