tvN’s new drama Queen of Tears is off to a fantastic start. The weekend show grabbed viewers’ attention, jumping from 5.9% to a whopping 8.7% average nationwide viewership rating in just its second episode.
Episode 1 of Queen of Tears focuses on the suffocating life of Baek Hyun Woo (played by Kim Soo Hyun), a husband weighed down by the pressure of his wife Hong Hae In’s (Kim Ji Won) wealthy family.
Baek Hyun Woo proposed to Hong Hae In without knowing that she was the daughter of a chaebol family, and he eventually became the son-in-law of the Queens Group family.
hyunwoo confessing his feelings to haein by proposing he has 30 cows and can take of her if she doesn’t work is sooo unserious but her reaction towards his sincerity makes this scene so wonderful 🥺 #QueenOfTearsEp1 pic.twitter.com/10rpwtsnHH
— s / hong haein defender (@onizms) March 10, 2024
Now a director at their department store, his relationship with Hae In, the company president, is already strained.
[🧵] They may not be getting along well at this point BUT these 4 scenes alone show that Hong Hae In does care about Baek Hyun Woo.#KimJiWon’s great microexpressions convey Hae In’s hidden emotions despite being seemily cold-hearted.#QueenOfTears #QueenOfTearsEP1 pic.twitter.com/faPEJ81G5Y
— Karie ✴︎ QOT era 👑 (@karie202) March 9, 2024
Hyunwoo : Why was i cute ? Why did i make her heart flutter, we wouldnt have gotten married if i had not been so cute 😭
Man is effortlessly funny, he is crying cause his cuteness made haein's heart flutter 😭#QueenOfTearsEp1 #QueenOfTears pic.twitter.com/f4me9KyL7d
— AiSh TLG 🦋 (@MeeeAisha) March 9, 2024
He hears about Hong Hae In’s will, which states that he will not receive a single penny of her fortune if they divorce, and he decides to file for divorce.
Another factor that oppresses Baek Hyun Woo is Hong Hae In’s family. Hong Bum Joon (Jung Jin Young), the vice-chairman and father-in-law, believes that if a family member betrays him, he should stab them in the back without hesitation. Hong Man Dae (Kim Kap Soo), the chairman, lives with a woman named Mo Seul Hee, causing silent tension within the family. His youngest daughter, Hong Beom Ja (Kim Jung Nan), blames Mo Seul Hee for her mother’s death. This has likely contributed to her three divorces and the harassment she inflicts on her ex-husbands’ families, including acts of violence against Mo Seul Hee herself.
This scene actually kind of broke my heart. Hyun Woo who has been stressed out & frustrated while living with his in-laws probably couldn’t eat properly. And here he is eating well as if he hasn’t for a while. ☹️#QueenOfTears #QueenOfTearsEP1pic.twitter.com/vQzlVishwp
— Karie ✴︎ QOT era 👑 (@karie202) March 9, 2024
Unable to bear it any longer, Baek Hyun Woo decides to get a divorce and goes to find Hong Hae In. Right as Hyun Woo is about to break the news, Hae In drops a bomb of her own: she has a terminal illness and only three months left. Needless to say, divorce plans are put on hold. Hyun Woo assures Hae In of his love and tells her that he means it.
the lightning when haein tells hyunwoo that she’s dying absolutely sent me over the edge, this is actually a comedy #QueenOfTearsEp1 pic.twitter.com/8WoJ8twoZx
— s / hong haein defender (@onizms) March 10, 2024
no cause haein’s eyes & genuine vulnerability and shock when hyunwoo hugged her and said I love you… broke me so much #QueenOfTearsEp1 pic.twitter.com/cD0w2UpbET
— s / hong haein defender (@onizms) March 10, 2024
Episode 2 focuses on Hyun Woo’s attempts to win Hae In over and change her will.
Believing the will cuts him out, he showers her with affection – a bit too much for Hae In’s suspicious nature. However, her guard softens when she discovers his internet searches for cases of terminal illnesses being cured.
the comedy aspect of their relationship is so jarring bc this scenes tone is so unserious & knowing hyunwoo’s intentions aren’t true but haein is receiving them with love is so… DEVASTATING #QueenOfTearsEp2 pic.twitter.com/I92t7AlQJD
— s / hong haein defender (@onizms) March 10, 2024
nothing pains me more than haein thinking that the ONLY person who wants her alive is hyunwoo when he doesnt & especially bc she's open about suspecting his motives & then goes straight into being vulnerable about her worries be she thinks he's on her side #QueenOfTearsEp2 pic.twitter.com/TVwoFnxDK0
— s / hong haein defender (@onizms) March 10, 2024
The tumor in Hong Hae In’s head is more serious than she thought. She has memory loss that can last from 10 minutes to several hours, and there is no known cure.
Baek Hyun Woo can barely contain his excitement, thinking he can part ways with her without divorce. However, a new character enters the scene, threatening to further complicate the relationship between Baek Hyun Woo and Hong Hae In. Yoon Eun Sung (Park Sung Hoon), an investor and old schoolmate of Hong Hae In, arrives in Korea. He holds the key to Hong Hae In’s long-standing dream of opening a Herknia store. Baek Hyun Woo is displeased by Yoon Eun Sung’s overly friendly behavior towards Hong Hae In, especially in his presence.
The tongue to the cheek to depict his jealousy and sadness on seeing haein whispering and smiling with Eunseong. King of micro expression kim soo hyun 👏🏼#QueenOfTears#QueenOfTearsEp2 pic.twitter.com/UpUvBsOVMY
— Isa (@soohyunator) March 10, 2024
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