Summary

• Queen of Tears is on track to become one of the most popular K-dramas, with intense moments between the main couple.
• The addition of Song Joong-ki's Vincenzo cameo adds depth and excitement to the storyline of Queen of Tears.
• The emotional scenes in Queen of Tears showcase the incredible chemistry between Kim Ji-won and Kim Soo-hyun.

Warning: This article contains spoilers for Queen of Tears.

Queen of Tears may still be airing, but has quickly become a well-beloved K-drama with a number of iconic scenes that are hard to forget. This drama’s tale of a married couple's tumultuous relationship has captivated audiences to become one of the most exciting Netflix K-dramas of 2024. With four episodes left to air (and two further specials airing later in the year), Queen of Tears is expected to overtake Crash Landing on You as one of Korean TV channel TVN’s most-viewed dramas of all time.

There are a plethora of elements that have come together to make Queen of Tears one of the most anticipated K-drama shows of 2024. Writer Kim Ji-eun, who has previously worked on Crash Landing On You and My Love From The Star, has created an impeccable foundation for the talented crew and star-studded cast to build upon. Kim Ji-won’s Hong Hae-in may be an emotional enigma, but watching her walls crumble for her husband - Kim Soo-hyun’s Baek Hyun-woo - has been as thrilling as it has been devastating. Now with the show’s climax yet to come, here are Queen of Tears’ 15 best scenes that are just too good to miss.

15 Vincenzo Returns

Episode 8

One of the best things about K-dramas is the cameos, and Queen of Tears sees the K-drama world’s best Italian lawyer, Vincenzo (Song Joong-ki) reprise his role from the drama of the same name. Vincenzo works as Hong Hae-in’s divorce lawyer, a nod to Song Joong-ki and Kim Ji-won having worked together in Descendants of the Sun and Arthdal Chronicles. Vincenzo’s introduction is spectacular, paying homage to roles Song Joong-ki has previously undertaken as a formidable backstory for his character. Plus, Vincenzo’s powerful presence is hard to forget and makes a great addition to this iconic drama.

14 Hae-in Overhears Hyun-woo’s Drunken Confession

Episode 10

Compared to a lot of Queen of Tears, this scene is beautifully soft and delicate. Throughout the drama both Hae-in and Hyun-woo keep their cards very firm to their chests, so when Hyun-woo childishly discovers that he not only likes Hae-in, but loves her, it is incredibly sweet. It’s refreshing to see him so innocently delighted by a revelation, as he picks flowers to confirm the feelings he already knows. The added layer of him being unaware that Hae-in had actually heard his confession makes this scene even more delightful to watch.

13 Hae-in Considers Hyun-woo’s Re-proposal

Episode 12

Following on from a tear-jerking rejection to Hyun-woo’s proposal, Queen of Tears reverses the tone to create a fun scene to watch. What makes this scene stand out from the others is Hae-in’s playful yet defiant attitude. Though she has let her guard down before, Hae-in is still hesitant to do so. When she finally does, Hyun-woo’s delighted reaction combined with Hae-in screaming into a pillow like a teenager is fantastic to watch. It makes the episode just that much sweeter and shows just how far this couple has progressed in a short time.

12 Hae-in Treats Hyun-woo

Episode 10

When watching this Queen of Tears scene, it’s hard to believe that Hae-in and Hyun-woo recently got divorced. The way the atmosphere switches from comedy to sincerity is something that Queen of Tears excellently masters, as Hae-in tends to wounds that Hyun-woo received after fending off men Eun-sung had sent to take care of him. It’s so obvious that the pair long for one another, but the distance between them leaves them with their walls firmly up. Kim Ji-won and Kim Soo-hyun’s chemistry is nothing short of excellent, and they command the attention of the scene with ease.

11 Hyun-woo Protects Hae-in From A Boar

Episode 2

Though there are many times when Hyun-woo protects Hae-in in Queen of Tears, it’s in episode 2 where it's shown in action for the first time as Hae-in unexpectedly starts to experience symptoms of her illness. This is one of the first times Hyun-woo’s true feelings start to bubble to the surface, and his bold actions are a welcome shock to the system. The initial setup of this scene also deserves praise, with Hae-in’s symptoms being likened to being lost in a fog, really helping to build to the big climax of the scene.

10 Hyun-woo Tries to Delete Texts From Hae-in’s Phone

Episode 3

One of Queen of Tears’ biggest strengths is its ability to quickly change the tone of a scene without it feeling disjointed. Hyun-woo’s initial desperation is felt in every inch of the scene, from his action and the soundtrack which almost reminisces the iconic Jaws theme. Yet, when the scene slows to something more intimate, his desperation is elongated in a way that makes Hyun-woo’s panic feel that more painful. This combined with a drunken yet unaware Hae-in makes for a great laugh in an otherwise strange situation.

9 Hae-in thinks Eun-sung is Hyun-woo

Episode 11

The slow building of this scene with small elements that hint at the truth is what really makes this scene stand out. From Hyun-woo’s - or what appears to be Hyun-woo’s - initial appearance, Kim Soo-hyun’s lack of emotion hints that all may not be what it seems. Quickly followed by a sudden yet thrilling car chase, the three leading actors and the well-paced editing work perfectly together to deliver a great plot twist that is full of tension. Plus, delivering this emotional reveal with very limited dialogue is nothing short of impressive and certainly makes a big impression.

8 Hae-in Finds Out Hyun-woo’s Secret

Episode 6

Divorce was a dark cloud that hung over Queen of Tears’ initial episodes, and when it finally rained, it poured. The lead-up to this scene was expertly crafted, making Hae-in and Hyun-woo’s crash back to reality even more impactful. Kim Ji-won particularly shines in this scene, as her switch from happiness to devastation is astounding. She is a master of acting with her eyes, and through just a glance all of Hae-in’s thoughts are apparent. Alongside Hyun-woo’s simple resignation to his actions, this scene really delivers a great emotional exchange that was a long time coming.

7 Soo-cheol Tries To Find His Family

Episode 8

Though he often acts as a comic relief from the drama in Queen of Tears, Hong Soo-cheol’s (Kwak Dong-yeon) response to finding out his wife and son had left him was absolutely devastating. There is no question that Soo-cheol is a family man; he’d even started to learn how to ride a bike so that he would be able to teach his son when he was older. Watching Soo-cheol sob while shakily riding a bike he still isn’t comfortable is genuinely heartbreaking, and a testament to the acting skills of Kwak Dong-yeon, who really sells every aspect of this scene.

6 Hae-in Wakes Up and Finally Expresses Her Feelings

Episode 11

Prior to this scene, Hae-in’s view of the world was stone-faced and analytical. There is almost a sense of relief as she finally opens up her feelings to not only her husband, but also her younger brother Soo-cheol, and tells them what she truly thinks. There are a lot of intense feelings on display in this scene, but Kim Ji-won’s calm portrayal of Hae-in really keeps it from straying into melodramatics. Kim Soo-hyun expertly matches Kim Ji-won’s energy, and the pair’s intimate chemistry makes for a scene that is as heartbreaking as it is awe-inspiring to watch.

5 Drunk Hyun-woo

Episode 1

Hyun-woo’s tearful yet drunken ramblings in the series’ first episode are a welcome breath of fresh air. Though his tears may be exaggerated and downright funny, they’re also incredibly heartfelt as Hyun-woo expresses just how trapped he feels in his current situation. Kim Soo-hyun really nails his portrayal of the drunken lawyer, and is not afraid to push things to the limits of melodramatics to sell the scene. Plus, his subtle homage to Kim Ji-won's portrayal of Choi Ae-ra in Fight For My Way makes this scene even better.

4 Hae-in Reveals Her Secret to the Public

Episode 10

Hae-in is a woman of few words, but she knows how to make them count. After fooling Eun-sung and Hyun-woo into thinking she will return to Queen's group, she instead reveals Eun-sung’s true intentions, along with her illness. It’s incredibly satisfying to see Hae-in blindside Eun-sung, whose infatuation with her is nothing short of creepy and exposes him for who he truly is. However, Hyun-woo’s reaction to Hae-in’s revelation is a real tear-jerker and shows just how far the pair have come in reconciling their relationship and the cost it has had.

3 Hae-in Forgets About Germany

Episode 7

Queen of Tears isn’t short on tears and this scene isn’t any different. There are so many elements that make this scene as impactful and tear-jerking as it is. Hae-in’s innocence and Hyun-woo’s foresight is such a stark contrast that would work well on its own, but combined with the beautiful OST of Isaac Hong’s Fallin’ and the rain-soaked landscape that surrounds them, the elements blend together in a way that is incredibly emotional. As the scene builds to a slow crescendo, Hae-in’s and Hyun-woo’s continually strengthening yet contrasting emotions really drive home the reality of their cruel situation.

2 Hyun-woo Finds Hae-in After She Goes Missing

Episode 4

From the very first moment, the energy of this scene is absolutely electric. Hyun-woo’s frantic anger compared with Hae-in's panicked reservation is absolutely captivating. The detailed layering of emotion that is provided from both the writing and the actors’ stellar performances is masterful, presenting a scene that is as beautiful as it is tragic. The tonal change is beautifully highlighted too, making Hae-in’s change of heart just that more significant and also signally the start of her finally opening up to her husband. It makes the climax of the scene feel magical, despite its awful reality.

1 Hae-in and Hyun-woo Reunite in Germany

Episode 5