Netflix’s Queen of Tears has captivated viewers from its first episode. Breaking away from the conventional romance trope of a wealthy man and an ordinary woman falling in love, the drama has garnered attention for its storyline calling out patriarchal norms. Additionally, it draws viewers in by unfolding the story of a couple in their third year facing a marital crisis.
It follows the love story of Hong Hae-in (played by Kim Jiwon), an heiress to an influential family, and Baek Hyun-woo (played by Kim Soo-hyun), a successful lawyer. Their marriage, once the envy of many, is now crumbling. However, they find a glimmer of hope amidst the chaos, offering a gripping tale of love and redemption.
According to South Korean TV channel tvN, the final episode of the hit K-drama, which aired on April 28, broke the record for the highest viewership ratings for an episode to date. Now that the series is over, there are a few other K-dramas that can fill the void left by the emotional love story between Hae-in and Hyun-woo. Ahead, we take a look at five romantic K-dramas with similar themes as Queen of Tears.
Crash Landing on You (2019)
Written by the same screenwriter as Queen of Tears, the 2019 Netflix hit Crash Landing on You revolves around a South Korean heiress Yoon Se-ri (played by Son Ye-jin) who lands in North Korea after a paragliding accident. She then meets a North Korean army officer Ri Jeong-hyeok (played by Hyun Bin) who helps to hide her from his senior officials. Throughout the whole ordeal, however, they inevitably fall in love, making things more complicated.
Watch here.
It’s Okay To Not Be Okay (2020)
It’s Okay to Not Be Okay revolves around the unconventional romance between a community health worker at a psychiatric ward Moon Gang-tae (played by Kim Soo-hyun) and a successful children’s book author with antisocial personality disorder Ko Moon-young (played by Seo Yea-ji). She becomes enamored by him and pursues a romantic interest in him. But like any good K-drama, their pasts filled with darkness are intertwined.
Watch here.
Uncontrollably Fond (2016)
Just like Queen of Tears, the romance between famous actor Joon-young (played by Kim Woo-bin) and documentary producer Noh Eul (played by Bae Suzy) in Uncontrollably Fond begins during their younger years. However, the two high school sweethearts are forced to separate during their adolescence. They are then reunited many years later after secrets from their past begin to surface and he’s given only months to live.
Watch here.
Matrimonial Chaos (2018)
Also known as The Best Divorce, Matrimonial Chaos is the remake of a popular 2013 Japanese drama, Saikou no Rikon. The story follows the divorce between Jo Seok Moo (played by Cha Tae Hyun), a meticulous and tidy man and Kang Hwi Roo (played by Bae Doona), a carefree and clumsy woman. Despite their contrasting personalities, they remain emotionally connected even after divorcing in their third year of marriage. It explores the differences in men’s and women’s perspectives on love, marriage and family.
Watch here.
It’s Okay, That’s Love (2014)
It’s Okay, That’s Love features the romance between novelist Jang Jae-yeol (played by Jo In-sung) who has obsessive-compulsive disorder, and psychiatrist Ji Hae-soo (played by Gong Hyo-jin). The pair start out as roommates who don’t exactly like each other. Despite their contentious relationship, however, they eventually fall in love as they spend more time together.
Watch here.
Featured image: Netflix