Warning: Minor spoilers ahead!
We're halfway through Queen of Tears—and it just keeps getting better!
As the plot thickened in its 8th episode, another riveting yet comedic cameo appearance from one of the most sought-after South Korean actors occured in the series. None other than Song Joong Ki joined the show for an episode. He did not just portray a random person. The actor brought one of his well-loved characters to life once again.
ICYMI, Vincenzo from the K-drama Vincenzo appeared as Hong Hae In's divorce lawyer. Hong Hae In, played by Kim Ji Won, is the wife of Baek Hyun Woo portrayed by Kim Soo Hyun in the drama.
In case you haven't watched Queen of Tears yet, Hae In and Hyun Woo are a troubled married couple. They try to make sense of their relationship after three years. In episode 8, Hae In takes a step toward divorce. Her move comes after discovering that Hyun Woo had actually prepared to file for divorce against her.
Despite the shocking and blood-boiling turn of events in the drama, fans and viewers welcomed Joong Ki's wonderful cameo appearance. After all, Song Joong Ki does not disappoint.
In fact, Queen of Tears garnered its highest ratings to date because of its 8th episode. Its new all-time high as of March 31, 2024, was 16.1 percent according to Nielsen Korea.
Netizens react to Song Joong Ki's cameo in Queen of Tears
Since Joong Ki's cameo role was announced earlier this year, fans have been looking forward to seeing him act again.
Over on X (formerly Twitter), netizens were ecstatic over his appearance. Some also made the cutest observations about his quick part in the K-dram. A netizen noticed that the introduction they used in Queen of Tears was all about Joong Ki's past roles, including Reborn Rich, Space Sweepers, Descendants of the Sun, A Werewolf Boy, and of course Vincenzo.
"THIS IS SO WITTY HAHAHAH THEY LITERALLY MENTIONED HIS PREVIOUS ROLES," another fan wrote.
Another mentioned how Joong Ki did not age at all. The netizen wrote, "We think he's actually gotten more gorgeous," then they inserted a side-by-side photo of Vincenzo in 2021 and Vincenzo when he appeared this year in Queen of Tears. Aging like fine wine, indeed!
Joong Ki's Italian accent never gets old as well! It still sweeps fans off their feet—just like the first time he did in Vincenzo.
Song Joong Ki's sweet connection to Kim Ji Won and the Queen of Tears writer Park Ji Eun
TBH, there's so much to be said about Joong Ki's appearance in Queen of Tears. Did you know that it was the actor's third time to work with Ji Won in a K-drama? To refresh everyone's memories, Joong Ki and Ji Won were first cast together in Descendants of the Sun. Back then, Joong Ki was the lead actor, while Ji Won was the second female lead.
READ ALSO: Miss The Cast Of 'Descendants Of The Sun? Here's What They're Up To Now
They didn't only work together on one drama. They later on starred as the leads in the first season of the fantasy drama Arthdal Chronicles in 2019. Ji Won and Joong Ki played Tanya and Eun Seom respectively. During the drama's second season, the pandemic hit, causing huge changes in the casting and the production as well.
Although the two did not return for Arthdal Chronicles' second season, fortunately (even if it was just for a mere five minutes) Ji Won and Joong Ki got back together on the small screen through Queen of Tears.
Aside from Joong Ki's reunion with Ji Won, it was also his reunion with PD-nim Kim Hee Won, who was also responsible for Vincenzo. PD Kim is now the director of Queen of Tears.
Joong Ki reportedly sent food and coffee trucks to the filming set of Queen of Tears as well, as an appreciative gesture towards the cast and the production team. According to a Song Joong Ki fan account, he didn't only send these once, but twice to the filming site! He sent the second round when he went to film for his cameo appearance. He is such a sweet guy!