It's official: Kim Soo-hyun is back, and he's done it in a way only he can—with a role that hits hard, heals soft, and has K-drama fans worldwide fully in their feels. Queen of Tears, his record-breaking tvN drama, marks not just a return to form, but a reminder of why he's still sitting comfortably on the throne of Korean television.
The Triumphant Return That Shattered Records
For fans of Kim Soo-hyun, the wait for a new drama felt like a lifetime. After his stint in It's Okay to Not Be Okay, expectations were sky-high. Enter Queen of Tears—a story that didn't just meet those expectations, it obliterated them. Queen of Tears became the highest-rated series in tvN history, with its finale achieving an unprecedented 24.850% viewership rating, surpassing even the beloved Crash Landing on You which peaked at 21.683%.
What makes this drama different? It's not just the writing or the plot twists. It's Kim Soo-hyun's ability to bring heart to every scene. Whether he's silently suffering or delivering a gut-punch of a monologue, he pulls you in completely. That's not acting—it's something deeper. It's what makes a performance memorable long after the credits roll.
What's Queen of Tears About?
Queen of Tears pairs Kim Soo-hyun with Kim Ji-won, and together, they play a married couple navigating a complicated love story that balances corporate intrigue with raw, emotional stakes. It's about loyalty, sacrifice, and finding your way back to love after everything seems broken.
Here's a quick breakdown:
- Genre: Romance, drama, slice-of-life
- Streaming platforms: Netflix, TVING
- Original broadcast: tvN (premiered March 9, 2024)
- Main cast: Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Ji-won
- Why it works: Chemistry, solid writing, and a genuinely moving story that broke rating records
Awards Recognition and Industry Acclaim
The success of Queen of Tears extends far beyond viewership numbers. At the prestigious 60th Baeksang Arts Awards in May 2024, Kim Soo-hyun won the Most Popular Actor award for his compelling portrayal of Baek Hyun-woo. The moment became even more memorable when he reenacted his famous drunken scene from the drama during the ceremony, sending fans into a frenzy and cementing the show's cultural impact.
The drama's critical acclaim is equally impressive, boasting a perfect 100% rating on Rotten Tomatoes from critics, with an average score of 8.2/10. This level of both commercial and critical success is rare in the competitive world of K-dramas.
Why Kim Soo-hyun Is Still the King of K-Drama
There's a reason fans still ask, "Why is Kim Soo-hyun the king of K-drama?" It's the consistency. The emotional range. The charisma. He doesn't just play characters—he lives them. Even in a crowded drama landscape, he finds a way to stand out without ever feeling forced.
His return with Queen of Tears has reignited conversations about what makes a great drama. Is it the story? The direction? The acting? With Kim Soo-hyun, it's all three—but mostly, it's him. The drama's success has been so phenomenal that tvN announced a special episode in January 2025, after fans voted it as the best 2024 tvN program.
What's Next for the King?
Kim Soo-hyun isn't resting on his laurels. He's already confirmed to star in Disney+'s upcoming K-drama Knock Off, scheduled for 2025. In this new project, he'll play Kim Seong-jun, an ordinary office worker who becomes the king of the global counterfeit market following the 1997 Asian Financial Crisis. It's a complete genre shift that promises to showcase yet another facet of his versatility.
Need More Reasons to Watch?
- If you loved: It's Okay to Not Be Okay or My Love from the Star, this record-breaking drama is essential viewing.
- Wondering: "Is Queen of Tears worth watching?" With its historic ratings and critical acclaim, the answer is a resounding yes. And bring tissues.
- Thinking: "What to watch after Queen of Tears?" You might want to revisit his earlier work or wait for Knock Off to fill the inevitable void.
Final Thoughts: A Historic Comeback Worth Celebrating
Whether you're a longtime fan or new to the world of Kim Soo-hyun, Queen of Tears is more than just a drama—it's a cultural phenomenon that redefined what success looks like in Korean television. Breaking tvN's all-time rating records while earning critical acclaim and international recognition proves that when Kim Soo-hyun chooses a project, he doesn't just participate—he dominates.
So if you haven't watched it yet, queue it up. And if you have, maybe it's time for a rewatch, especially with that special episode on the horizon. Because when Kim Soo-hyun returns, you don't just watch—you witness television history.
Call to Action: Have thoughts about Queen of Tears? Drop your favorite scene or quote in the comments. And if you're still riding the emotional high from this record-breaking masterpiece, let's talk about what makes Kim Soo-hyun's performance so unforgettable.
