Lovely!
This is my favorite drama I’ve watched this year. It was entertaining, it didn’t feel like there were filler episodes, and the acting was phenomenal! Honestly, the only thing that was kind of a drag for me was the last episode felt like it dragged just a bit. It was clear it was the last episode and it felt like they were padding to hit that 1h30m time the other episodes had.I’m a bit surprised others didn’t like this as much as I did, but to each their own. It’s a strong recommend from me. The plot was never boring, the twists were good, and it was just genuinely a joy to watch.
Out of the other 4 dramas I’ve watched this year, this was hands down my favorite so far.
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Audience is the Queen (or King) of Tears
Storyline ?, Acting ?, Locations ?, OST ?Did I cry almost every episode? Mostly. Was it worth it? Yes!
From the get-go, this was a story that was gripping and had me waiting for the next episode. Yes, there were some minor issues with the why's and how's of Haein and Hyunwoo's relationship, but it's similar to life in general. There are things you won't know about what's running in your partner's head or why you are acting a certain way... Plus, adding in Eun-sung (the King of Delulu land) threw wrenches into their already strained marriage. They do get over it, but the process was definitely frustrating to watch. The only issue I did have, similar to others, was how rushed the last episode kinda was. The ending itself was heartwarming and heartbreaking at the same time, as one should expect with this story, but there were a lot of parts I feel like we should've seen aka their re-wedding, the miscarriage and its redemption (if that's what one can call it?), and just a little more of the HongBaek couple going through their second chance at love/life together...
Also, does anyone know when the intro/Ep 16 ending song will be released or where to find it? I NEED IT TO ACCEPT THIS SHOW HAS ENDED ???
Don't think I'll ever get over this show, at least for a while ?? (but also cannot watch it again for a good few months/a year because of the k-trauma ??)
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Sticks true to its title
Not going to lie, when they introduced the plot for the show in the first few episodes, I thought there was no way there was going to be enough material for 16 whole 1 hour + episodes. But oh I was proven wrong. Every episode got me eagerly anticipating the next to see where the plot was going. What makes it even better is I LOVE a plot that pulls at my heartstrings and this was one. It stays true to its title, I was just left bawling for some scenes in the drama, which just shows how amazing the screenplay and acting was. Kim Soo Hyun, Kim Jiwon and Park Sunghoon really embodied their roles in this drama!The premise of this show is very simple, a broken marriage due to prolonged miscommunication between the couple. But there is also chaebol family politics, a very stubborn but interesting villain and cute little side couples. The cinematography was also beautifully romantic.
Overall, I really liked this drama! I probably wouldn't have liked it that much if I had binge-watched it instead of watching it while it was airing because I could see how the length of the episodes might make the drama feel draggy. But rating it based on how much I enjoyed the drama while it was airing and how it left me eagerly anticipating the next episodes, I would give it a 10!
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Enjoyable but I was expecting a little bit more.
My initial motivation to watch this k-drama was all the hype I saw on social media and the success it had in view ratings. I must say that to some extent, it is quite deserved, but my expectations were much higher because of it. I don't want to say I was disappointed, because the truth is I thought it was enjoyable but I expected more.It is curious that this k-drama uses a number of tropes present in other series, but manages to execute them all and everything turns out good for the characters. We saw terminal illnesses, chaebol family heiress x middle class protagonist, family traumas, destined souls who met as children, villain who's only motivation is to be obsessed with the female lead, memory loss, car accident and even more. I honestly felt like I was watching a soap opera but with less chapters.
I have a few problems with the main characters, especially with the idea that the male lead actively wished for her to die, I understand that he was having a hard time, but we are given to understand that he always loved her even though he had forgotten about it, so from there to him being okay with her dying is a bit brutal.... Plus that was showed up as funny thing, and well, that didn't convince me. Also, most of the time I couldn't empathize much with the female lead, at times she was just unbearable, I must admit, then I started to like her a bit more, so you could say there was character development but a bit forced. Also, the way they tell us the story and mix it with memories of the past I think it could have been done better, that's my perception, and yes, everything was connected, but there was no surprise factor.
The villains from the beginning we know they are villains, and they only fool the most naive. I would have liked a little more construction of those villains, something that makes their reasons more interesting than simple "I want to have money" or "I want her to be with me".
But leaving that aside, I think the story stands on its own, it's interesting, funny at times, it has endearing characters, good acting (although I don't know why in all the kdramas I've seen the foreign actors talk like robots lol), and of course, the happy ending we like.
Also it has particularly a good osts with good songs that I'll probably keep listening to just because I liked them.
I think I would recommend it, not with so that hype, but I think it's good and achieves its purpose to entertain.
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This review may contain spoilers
Great series, despite the fact that it didn't take advantage of its much greater potential.
To begin this series, I waited until it was almost completed. It's definitely worth waiting to binge a little at a time. I give props to both the writer and the production team. I was really impressed with how well-made the show was. Every once and again, I feel we are treated to a series that rises above even the highest average show.IMO, what makes QOT work are the leads. The leads are excellent. For much of the show, they lock you into their world with their acting prowess. Kim Hyun and Kim Ji-woo pretty much carry the series. The solid writing and crisp direction blend with many of the smooth and kind of jazzy OSTs.
I could go on and on. With that said, with all of the positive things, I did have some issues. I actually gave the show an 8.5, which for me is great! But it's more like an 8.7 or 8.8. So, I guess 9.0. There were a couple times in the 16 episodes I found myself thumbing through my phone. With all its great performances and moving episodes, there were small points of predictability and "convience" for the plot.
We can debate for the next 10 years about the happy vs. sad ending. But I will say that if he or she had died by episode 15, yes, it would have upset many, but it may have also, if done right, unleashed a floodgate of tears and emotions among fans. At no point in the series was I convinced or concerned that anyone could die. Especially after Baek Woo getting hit at 40 miles an hour by a car and ran away from the hospital, on foot...
Overall, the performances, the production, and most of the writing superseded the small issues. Anyone can nick pick, but some of the "pickyness" couldn't be ignored.
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Emotional Reflection of Life
This is not a romcom, in my opinion. This is a romance-melodrama with some nice touches of well done humor. It’s far more than the slice-of-life I was anticipating. I’m trying hard to not give anything away. I’ve seen some very touching stories before, and even shed a few tears - but I’ve never felt this emotionally invested, with lasting after-affects, as I’ve experienced with QoT. No, not everything was perfect, but neither is life, so I found this drama to be perfectly imperfect. This drama brings powerful performances from the entire cast, a poignant storyline, breathtaking scenery and cinematography throughout, an outstanding OST, and brings out personal reflection about life and love.I consider a show rewatchable if I want to see it again “sometime soon”. With this, I’m ready to rewatch it right now, have played the last 15 minutes at least 7 times already, and have the last song on repeat on Spotify. I NEVER do this. Kdrama endings are often cute, sometimes rewarding, but usually dissatisfying for me. This one has some controversy, but for me, it was complete.
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Great acting and palpable chemistry for the main leads!
Leads are the best pairing in Kdrama world! It's the pairing we don't know we needed but absolutely loved it!Acting is top notch specially coming from the industry veteran Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won deserves all the attention she is getting from her acting skills.
Writing started fresh but fell a bit all over the place in the later part.
Later episodes were rushed and too many side characters that are unnecessary that took away so much airtime instead of focusing on the leads and main story line. OST is great and cinematography is amazing!
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This review may contain spoilers
Not all actions convey the intention
SPOILERS AHEAD!Cast: They did what was expected of them
Music: In every k-drama there is at least one track that I really come to love, but for this I loved almost all that were played in the background. I’ll have to create a new playlist altogether for queen of tears.
Chemistry: You wouldn’t see this high a rating for romance centred drama if the leads didn’t have appreciable chemistry. Baek Hyun Woo and Hong Hae In’s deep love for one another is expressed through actions in taking care of one another even when they have apparently fallen apart from each other. Some of the epilogues where they secretly vie for one another were really enjoyable
Plot/Theme: A chaebol family falls apart because they are unable to segregate whom to trust whom not to and sticking it to the other person. I really liked the part where the Hong family had to make amends with the Baek family while they were kind of forced out of the city. The first half of the series really sets up the narrative for something unprecedented but fails to capitalize on it in the second half. Hae In’s unconscious pursuit of Hyun Woo even after losing her memories gives vibes of the popular romantic movie, “eternal sunshine of the spotless mind”. This is something I really loved.
The wrap-up: K-dramas always end in a very predictable fashion; we are given a happy ending where Hyun Woo and Hae In seemingly spend most of their lifetime together before Hae In says goodbye to the world ahead of Hyun Woo. This surely doesn’t amount to the kind of anticipation the drama sets the viewers for.
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watched this series because of Go Kyu Pil
recommended by a friend who saw Go Kyu Pil name in the cast, we love his acting, he can be tuff in a cute way, luv when he's doing comedy =P A lot of plots and twists, at least we did not find it hard to follow the story. I for one believe in miracles, I was diagnosed with ovarian cancer still in remission. Great cast and crew, looking forward to Go Kyu Pil's next endeavors =DWas this review helpful to you?
It's not an overrated drama, the cast and their acting deserve an appreciation
- **Story/Plot**: 2/31. Synopsis (0.25)❌
2. Initial Impression (2eps) (0.25)✅
3. Genre Adherence (0.25)❌
4. Emotional Engagement (0.25)✅
5. Logic (0.25)❌
6. Plot Coherence (0.25)✅
7. Dialogue (0.25)✅
8. Pacing (0.25)✅
9. Character building/Development (0.25)✅
10. Story Richness (0.25)✅
11. Plot Twists (0.25)✅
12. Messages (0.25)❌
- **CAST/Acting**: 2/2
1. Lead Actor Performance (0.25)✅
2. Lead Actress Performance (0.25)✅
3. Main Cast Chemistry (0.25)✅
4. Supporting Actors/Actresses Performance (0.25)✅
5. Casting Precision (0.5)✅
6. Character Transformation (0.25)✅
7. Scene Stealers (0.25)✅
- **Directing/Camerawork**: 2/2
1. Camera Movement (0.25)✅
2. Editing (0.25)✅
3. Continuity (0.25)✅
4. Visual Effects (0.25)✅
5. Visual Details (0.25)✅
6. Cinematic Tension (0.25)✅
7. Lighting (0.25)✅
8. Flashback Integration (0.25)✅
- **OST (Original Soundtrack)**: 0.75/1
1. Opening Song (0.25)✅
2. Background OST (0.25)✅
3. Overall OST (0.25/0.5)✅
- **Style**: 0.75/1
1. Costumes (0.25)✅
2. Set Design (0.25)✅
3. Colors (0.25)✅
4. Poster (0.25)❌
- **Ending**: 1/1
1. Closure (0.25)✅
2. Emotional Impact (0.25)✅
3. Logic (0.25)✅
4. Personal Satisfaction (0.25)✅
Total Rating: 8.5/10 +0.5Bonus
>>>>Final Rating: 9/10
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Moving and wholesome history
I absolutely loved this drama! ? The main characters are so real and well developed that is really easy to feel connected to them. We get to understand their back story, their fears and dreams, and how they reconnect in such a beautiful way ❤️Overall is an original story with some elements already seen (nothing can be completely original!), but it is so well executed that I loved every cliche.
Baek Hyun-woo is now my favorite ML, what a man, with flaws but real and brave, I totally stand. I also loved Hae-in, such a strong lead with depth and cuteness underneath. My favorite couple right now, I just love them ❤️
The only curious thing for me was the length of the chapters but it allowed us to have more time with wonderful characters so thank you! We also got different storylines that I enjoyed.
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gateway drug
This show had a choke-hold on me for a good chunk of it.To preface, this is actually my first full romance drama (yes, I know kinda illegal), other than Soundtrack #1 (yes, I have not watched CLOY, I will one day). I didn't think I'd ever find myself watching a 16 episode romance drama, but here I was waiting anxiously each week for the episodes to come out. To address the title, after catching up to Queen of Tears about 5 weeks into the show, I started watching a lot of dramas, I think my watch-time went from 3 days to 6 LMFAO.
Some things that were absolutely amazing about this drama were the OST, and the leads. This soundtrack is absolutely amazing, and many of the songs are very capable of being stand-alone songs even without the context of the drama. Maybe I'm easily influenced, but the songs paired with the acting of the two leads never failed to make me tear up, or even flat out cry. I think a couple of these songs can go down in history, similar to those in CLOY, like IU's "Give You My Heart" or Yerin Baek's "Here I Am Again."
Now, I'm pretty new to the K-Drama scene, but I've never really been attached to any of the characters in the shows I've watched (this is probably because I would mainly watch action shows). But the main couple in Queen of Tears made me absolutely fall for them. I fell in love with their characters of Baek Hyun-Woo and Hong Hae-in, as well as the respective actors. This was the first time I've ever seen KSH or KJW in a drama before, but I absolutely loved their performance in this drama. As per any drama ever, it is very important for the main leads to act well and convey the emotions to the audience, and these two did wonderful. I think I may have shed multitudes more than the boat load that the main leads shed (jk, maybe not as much as KSH LOL). Maybe there's something wrong with me, but every single time one of the main leads started crying, my eyes could just not control themselves. But there's also more to just tears despite this show being named Queen of Tears. This show violently threw me around from grinning like an absolute idiot, to punching air, to cheering, and of course to tears.
Now, the plot may not be anything special to a vetted K-Drama watcher, but despite having a trope that I particularly dislike, I think the show executes well enough to ignore that. That brings me back to the title of this review. I won't say that this show is perfect by any means (is there even a perfect drama), but I will say this show is a very strong gateway to the world of K-Drama, as it has that emotional attachment that I think you may have to the first show you watched, or something similar. A lot of times someone's favorite show may not be the most perfect by any means, but to them it made a heavy impact. I think that's how this show was to me, as it sucks me into a rabbit hole of dramas. And that means I need to watch CLOY!
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