The weekend drama ‘ Queen of Tears ’ has not only arrested audiences in South Korea but has also garnered a devoted following worldwide, evidenced by its consistently high viewership ratings in the 20% range for several episodes running.
According to a report by Korean media Insight, K-Pop sensation IU was the first actress offered the role.
Back in April 2022, during the early stages of development for ‘Queen of Tears’, screenwriter Park Ji Eun had IU in mind for the character.This would have marked IU's second collaboration with Park Ji Eun, as well as her second time working alongside Kim Soo Hyun, following their previous project ‘The Producers’.
According to Koreaboo, "Although IU received an offer for a role in Park Ji Eun’s upcoming show, she has respectfully turned it down as she has other commitments", stated EDAM Entertainment.Subsequently, Park Ji Eun turned to Kim Ji Won to step into the shoes of Hong Hae In, a decision that proved to be fortuitous.
Kim's portrayal of the character has been nothing short of mesmerizing, elevating the drama to new heights and earning her widespread praise.
The weekend drama ‘ Queen of Tears ’ has not only arrested audiences in South Korea but has also garnered a devoted following worldwide, evidenced by its consistently high viewership ratings in the 20% range for several episodes running. As of the time of writing, the online videos of each episode have amassed a staggering 1.88 billion views.At the heart of ‘Queen of Tears’ lies its exceptional cast, each member contributing to the show's immense popularity.Among them, Kim Ji Won has emerged as a standout, earning explosive reactions from viewers for her portrayal of the complex character Hong Hae In, who is a cold and arrogant second-generation chaebol.However, what may come as a surprise to many fans is that Kim Ji Won was not the initial choice for the role of Hong Hae In. According to a report by Korean media Insight, K-Pop sensation IU was the first actress offered the role. Back in April 2022, during the early stages of development for ‘Queen of Tears’, screenwriter Park Ji Eun had IU in mind for the character.This would have marked IU's second collaboration with Park Ji Eun, as well as her second time working alongside Kim Soo Hyun, following their previous project ‘The Producers’. However, IU ultimately declined the offer, citing prior commitments. According to Koreaboo, "Although IU received an offer for a role in Park Ji Eun’s upcoming show, she has respectfully turned it down as she has other commitments", stated EDAM Entertainment.Subsequently, Park Ji Eun turned to Kim Ji Won to step into the shoes of Hong Hae In, a decision that proved to be fortuitous. Kim's portrayal of the character has been nothing short of mesmerizing, elevating the drama to new heights and earning her widespread praise.
