Beautifully Acted, But Maybe Not Worth the Hype
Okay, hear me out. I wanted to love Queen of Tears. I really did. The cast? Stellar. Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won acted their hearts out — every tear, every fight, every quiet moment between them felt real. The production quality? Chef’s kiss. Gorgeous locations, strong OST, stunning visuals. It had all the ingredients.
But somewhere along the way… I just couldn’t help but feel like I was watching something that looked deep, but wasn’t actually saying anything new.
The story revolves around a chaebol marriage falling apart and coming back together through illness, misunderstandings, and corporate chaos. And while there were touching moments — like Soo-hyun’s emotional breakdowns (which he totally nailed) and the flashbacks to their sweet early days — it often felt like the script was trying too hard to make us cry. Like it was pressing a button labeled “EMOTIONS” again and again.
Yes, it had some solid episodes, especially in the second half. And the chemistry? Unquestionable. But overall, the drama leaned heavily on melodrama rather than authentic emotional layering. Side plots felt rushed. Some characters, like the villain arcs, felt cartoonish compared to the emotional weight the leads were carrying.
Honestly, it’s a good drama — just not the life-changing masterpiece the buzz made it out to be.
Watch it for the acting, the aesthetic, and the feels. But maybe go in with realistic expectations. Not every tearjerker needs to be a crown jewel. And that’s okay.
But somewhere along the way… I just couldn’t help but feel like I was watching something that looked deep, but wasn’t actually saying anything new.
The story revolves around a chaebol marriage falling apart and coming back together through illness, misunderstandings, and corporate chaos. And while there were touching moments — like Soo-hyun’s emotional breakdowns (which he totally nailed) and the flashbacks to their sweet early days — it often felt like the script was trying too hard to make us cry. Like it was pressing a button labeled “EMOTIONS” again and again.
Yes, it had some solid episodes, especially in the second half. And the chemistry? Unquestionable. But overall, the drama leaned heavily on melodrama rather than authentic emotional layering. Side plots felt rushed. Some characters, like the villain arcs, felt cartoonish compared to the emotional weight the leads were carrying.
Honestly, it’s a good drama — just not the life-changing masterpiece the buzz made it out to be.
Watch it for the acting, the aesthetic, and the feels. But maybe go in with realistic expectations. Not every tearjerker needs to be a crown jewel. And that’s okay.
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