Actress Kim Ji Won has firmly established herself as the “Queen of Romantic Comedies”.
In the tvN weekend drama ‘Queen of Tears‘, which concluded with unprecedented buzz and love on April 28, Kim Ji Won portrayed the character Hong Hae In. Her captivating performance held viewers’ attention in every episode, creating the “Kim Ji Won syndrome.”
From the very beginning, Kim Ji Won caught our eyes with her dazzling styling and visuals, befitting the character of a third-generation chaebol and department store CEO. Her delicate acting seamlessly blended various genres—comedy, melodrama, and human drama—showcasing her irreplaceable talent.
Kim Ji Won‘s emotional acting, especially in expressing the ups and downs of her character, was exceptional. Whether feeling excitement toward her husband Baek Hyun Woo (played by Kim Soo Hyun), experiencing fear due to hallucinations, or portraying pain and sorrow, she conveyed complex emotions through her eyes and expressions. Her focused voice and precise diction added strength to her detailed performance.
Her chemistry with other cast members, including Kim Soo Hyun, Park Sung Hoon, Kwak Dong Yeon, Kim Gap Soo, Na Young Hee, and Kim Jung Nan, was remarkable. Kim Ji Won seamlessly switched between being cool-headed and heartwarming, completing her interactions with each character.
This contributed to the drama’s richness, evoking both tears and laughter from viewers. Ultimately, the final episode achieved a nationwide rating of 24.9% (based on paid broadcast households, provided by Nielsen Korea), securing the top spot among tvN’s historical dramas.
On the morning of the 29th, Kim Ji Won‘s agency, High Entertainment Studio, released an interview with her, expressing their regret about the drama’s end.
Below is the full interview:
Q. Please share your thoughts on the conclusion of “Queen of Tears.”
Hello, this is Kim Ji Won, who portrayed Hong Hae In in “Queen of Tears.”
Having spent a long time filming throughout the seasons, I eagerly awaited each broadcast with nervous excitement. But now that it’s already over, it feels surprisingly short, and I’m a bit sad.
I sincerely thank everyone who enjoyed watching the drama, showed interest, and supported me.
Above all, health is the most important. I hope you stay healthy and happy. I also hope you loved your dear ones fully and without regrets.
I will greet you with a new project soon. Thank you.
Q. You received a lot of love from viewers. How do you feel?
I’m truly grateful. Seeing viewers’ reactions allowed me to enjoy the drama even more. It was wonderful to be on the roller coaster ride with viewers—going up and down together while sharing the experience.
Q. Are there any memorable reactions or comments from those around you?
During scenes where I had to express anger, people immersed themselves and got angry alongside me. And during joyful scenes, they enjoyed it together. It was interesting to think, “How will they perceive this scene?” while filming.
I also received many interesting (or threatening?) messages from people around me, like, “Is it a happy ending or a sad ending? Tell me!” or “What are you doing instead of reclaiming the throne as the Queen?“
Q. You portrayed a character with a wide emotional range—comedy, melodrama, and human drama. Was there anything specific you focused on during filming?
I made an effort to vividly express the colors of each genre. Since emotions changed rapidly, I often thought about how to present them more smoothly. During filming, I concentrated on the scenes and tried to be faithful to Hae In’s emotions. I hoped that viewers would feel my sincerity.
Q. Were there any scenes that stood out to you while filming or watching the broadcast? Any memorable behind-the-scenes moments?
The early part of Episode 11 left a lasting impression. Sometimes, when I watch the broadcast, I monitor myself. In Episode 11, I watched it while crying myself. When we filmed the scene where Hae In’s family finds out about her illness, it wasn’t a scene with senior actors, but they empathized with me from behind the camera, allowing me to immerse myself in the emotions. Thanks to the senior actors, I shed a lot of tears during those moments.
Q. From happy moments to sad and painful ones, you filmed a wide range of emotions—from Germany to Korea. It couldn’t have been easy. What mindset did you bring to the filming?
From the sweet moments of the newlyweds in Germany to the first time Hae In saw Hyun Woo’s divorce papers in front of the church, we filmed a variety of emotional scenes. Experiencing both joy and pain with Hae In allowed me.
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