"Queen of Tears" stands as one of the most remarkable television hits in recent history, blending high-stakes corporate drama with a fragile marital breakdown. Directed by Kim Hee-won and Jang Young-woo, the 16-episode series follows Baek Hyun-woo and Hong Hae-in as they navigate a devastating medical crisis, family betrayal, and a reconnection of lost affection. Understanding the real actors behind these intense roles reveals how precise casting anchored a story defined by emotional vulnerability and corporate survival.
The primary keyword behind this search intent is the Queen of Tears cast, as viewers look for comprehensive breakdowns of the actors, their actual names, and the specific dynamics they bring to the screen. Below is the complete guide to the main performers, supporting family members, and the creative forces that shaped this record-breaking production.
The Core Duo: Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won
At the center of the narrative are two performers whose onscreen chemistry drove the drama's massive viewership records on tvN.
- Kim Soo-hyun as Baek Hyun-woo: Hyun-woo is a brilliant Seoul National University law graduate who works as the legal director for Queens Group. Hailing from a rural farming family in Yongdu-ri, he feels trapped in a suffocating marriage to a corporate heiress and initially plots a divorce. Kim Soo-hyun portrays Hyun-woo's quiet exhaustion, deep loyalty, and eventual protective devotion with subtle physical acting.
- Kim Ji-won as Hong Hae-in: Hae-in serves as the cold, aristocratic CEO of Queens Department Store. Known around the corporate office as the arrogant queen, she maintains an impenetrable armor that hides profound isolation. When she receives a terminal diagnosis, Kim Ji-won shifts the character from icy detachment to raw, visceral terror and quiet resilience, cementing her status as a leading dramatic force.
The Queens Group Family and Corporate Antagonists
The wealthy Hong family represents the elite corporate structure that frames much of the story's initial conflict.
- Park Sung-hoon as Yoon Eun-sung: A former Wall Street analyst and M&A expert with a dark past tied to the Queens family. Park Sung-hoon plays Eun-sung with layered manipulation, hiding a dangerous obsession with Hae-in behind a veneer of sophisticated charm.
- Kwak Dong-yeon as Hong Soo-cheol: Hae-in's younger brother and the insecure CEO of Queens Mart. Kwak Dong-yeon brings surprising emotional depth to Soo-cheol, transforming from an entitled corporate heir into a devoted husband and father fighting to protect his family.
- Lee Joo-bin as Cheon Da-hye: Soo-cheol's outwardly graceful wife who harbors hidden motives. Lee Joo-bin captures the duality of a character caught between deception and genuine familial attachment.
- Senior Family Members: Veteran actors including Jung Jin-young as Hong Beom-jun (Hae-in's father), Na Young-hee as Kim Seon-hwa (Hae-in's cold mother), Kim Jung-nan as Hong Beom-ja (the rebellious aunt), and Lee Mi-sook as Moh Seul-hee anchor the generational tensions and corporate betrayals that drive the plot's central conflict.
The Yongdu-ri Clan and Supporting Allies
Contrasting the icy corporate world of Seoul is Hyun-woo's warm, tight-knit family in the countryside village of Yongdu-ri.
- Jeon Bae-su as Baek Du-gwan: Hyun-woo's father and the head of Yongdu-ri, bringing grounded rural warmth and steadfast support.
- Hwang Young-hee as Jeon Bong-ae: Hyun-woo's mother, who balances local community leadership with fierce maternal protection.
- Kim Do-hyun and Jang Yoon-ju portray Hyun-woo's older siblings, Baek Hyun-tae and Baek Mi-seon, adding essential comedic relief and down-to-earth perspective during the narrative's heaviest emotional peaks.
- Moon Tae-yu as Kim Yang-gi: Hyun-woo's university friend and trusted divorce lawyer, serving as a sounding board and loyal confidant throughout the legal battles.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who wrote and directed Queen of Tears?
The series was written by renowned screenwriter Park Ji-eun, celebrated for her work on Crash Landing on You and My Love from the Star. It was co-directed by Kim Hee-won and Jang Young-woo.
Where was Queen of Tears filmed?
While the corporate headquarters and family estates are set in Seoul, significant portions of the emotional turning points and honeymoon flashbacks were filmed on location in Germany, specifically around Frankfurt and Berlin.
Is Queen of Tears based on a true story?
No, the series is an original fictional screenplay created by Park Ji-eun. It explores universal themes of marriage fatigue, terminal illness, and family redemption through fictional characters.
How many episodes are in the series?
The standard broadcast consists of 16 main episodes, supplemented by special broadcast episodes that aired following the conclusion of the regular run to highlight behind-the-scenes footage and cast commentary.
