Longtime K-drama fans, for the past few years, have been in a slump because not many shows have sparked their joy as binge-watchers. Enter Queen of Tears! The rom-com melodrama brought together two acting powerhouses — Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won — for the very first time on-screen, and if that wasn’t enough, the script was penned by Crash Landing on You writer-nim Park Ji Eun.
From Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won’s captivating chemistry to a stellar supporting cast, Queen of Tears brought back all the aspects one loves about K-dramas. P.S. You can watch Queen of Tears on Netflix.
If you’re missing Queen of Tears, watch these 7 K-dramas starring the cast:
1. It’s Okay to Not Be Okay – Netflix
Kim Soo Hyun has a knack for playing endearing characters that you’d want to fiercely protect if they existed in real life. Like Queen of Tears, It’s Okay to Not Be Okay is a prime example of the same. The psychological rom-com drama is centered around three people — an empathetic caretaker at a psychiatric hospital (played by Kim Soo Hyun), his autistic elder brother who is an aspiring illustrator, and a popular but antisocial children’s book author. These three individuals find a home in each other while fighting their individual mental health demons. It’s Okay to Not Be Okay also stars Seo Ye Ji, Oh Jung Se, and Park Gyu Young. Interestingly, Kim Soo Hyun’s Queen of Tears co-star Kwak Dong Yeon has a memorable cameo as one of the wealthy patients at the psychiatric hospital, where Soo Hyun’s character works.
2. My Liberation Notes – Netflix
While we’re used to seeing Kim Ji Won playing fierce characters on-screen, like in Queen of Tears, My Liberation Notes witnesses a very restrained yet powerful performance by the talented actress. The slice-of-life drama revolves around three siblings (one of whom is played by Kim Ji Won) and a mysterious stranger, who starts living close to their house, as they all wish to escape their dead-end lives and strive for some form of happiness. My Liberation Notes also stars Son Suk Ku, Lee Min Ki, and Lee El.
3. The Glory – Netflix
Giving us the opposite of second lead syndrome is Park Sung Hoon as Hae In’s university friend Yoon Eun Sung in Queen of Tears. Eun Sung is obsessively in love with Hae In. His dominant antagonist act made fans hate the character. Another K-drama where Park Sung Hoon’s villainous act had everyone screaming at their TV screens is The Glory. The revenge psychological thriller series is centered on a former high school violence victim, who exacts vengeance on her bullies (one of them is played by Park Sung Hoon). She does this by becoming the homeroom teacher of the bully leader’s daughter. The Glory also stars Song Hye Kyo, Lee Do Hyun, Lim Ji Yeon, Yeom Hye Ran and Jung Sung Il.
4. Vincenzo – Netflix
When it comes to goofy characters who steal your heart at the end of a K-drama, no one does it better than Kwak Dong Yeon. As Hae In’s airheaded brother Hong Soo Cheol in Queen of Tears, Dong Yeon leaves you extremely invested in his love story with Cheon Da Hye (Lee Joo Bin). In a similar supporting act that had fans rooting for him by the end of the show, we have Kwak Dong Yeon in Vincenzo. The dark comedy crime drama is centered on a charismatic Italian lawyer and mafia consigliere, who teams up with a free-spirited lawyer to take down Babel Group, a villainous conglomerate. Kwak Dong Yeon plays Babel Group’s Chairman. Vincenzo also stars Song Joong Ki, Jeon Yeo Been, 2PM member Taecyeon and Kim Yeo Jin.
5. Love to Hate You – Netflix
Lee Joo Bin is the perfect acting partner for Kwak Dong Yeon in Queen of Tears, as Soo Cheol and Da Hye’s troubled love story and family life was a critical storyline arc throughout the series. Another popular series where Joon Bin got to flaunt her acting skills is Love to Hate You. The rom-com K-drama tells the hilarious love story between a lawyer, who has a low opinion of men, and a Hallyu star, who has a distaste for women. When the lawyer is hired by a firm specialising in celebrity litigation, her paths cross with the top actor, and misadventures ensue. Lee Joo Bin plays the actor’s first love, who is also nicknamed “the nation’s first love”. Hate to Love You also stars Kim Ok Vin, Teo Yoo, Kim Ji Hoon, and Go Won Hee.
6. Perfect Marriage Revenge – Viki
Besides Park Sung Hoon, Lee Mi Sook’s devilish performance as Moh Seul Hee, Hae In’s grandfather’s live-in girlfriend elevated Queen of Tears to newer heights. To see an equally satiating performance by the veteran actress, watch Perfect Marriage Revenge. The revenge romance drama is about a woman from a wealthy family, who seeks vengeance on her husband — who is in love with her younger sister — by getting into a contract marriage with another man, who her younger sister has a crush on. Lee Mi Sook plays the latter’s mother, whom her now daughter-in-law finds an ally in. Perfect Marriage Revenge also stars Sung Hoon, Jung Yoo Min, Jin Ji Hee, Kang Shin Hyo, and Oh Seung Yoon.
7. Sky Castle – Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, MX Player
One of the supporting characters in Queen of Tears who left everyone in awe with her swag is Hong Beom Ja, Hae In’s aunt, played by Kim Jung Nan. If you’ve become a fan of the actress after watching the show, then we recommend watching Sky Castle. The psychological mystery black comedy satire family drama revolves around wealthy families living in SKY Castle, a luxurious residential neighbourhood.
The series delves into the pressure on the students to ace their grades in South Korea. The mothers at SKY Castle (one of whom is played by Kim Jung Nan) go to any lengths to make their children elite students who will be accepted at the best universities. Sky Castle also stars Yum Jung Ah, Lee Tae Ran, Yoon Se Ah, Oh Na Ra, and Kim Seo Hyung.
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