Reviews

Doom at Your Tears

I must admit that beyond the commendable acting and the occasional heart-touching moments, the show failed to redeem itself from its mediocre scriptwriting. My lack of strong emotional investment in the unfolding events, compared to other viewers, was a clear sign that the show was on a downward trajectory from the start of its second half.

It's an interesting premise but needs way, way better execution. The acting was superb by both leads, but I can't say they saved the show; it wasn't that terrible either, yet the premise promised something above-average yet was subdued to cliches, underdeveloped characters, and unnecessary plot twists to hook the viewer still when, in fact, did the opposite. Due to its genre, we shouldn't expect an entirely logical story, but that isn't the problem that is pointed out. The problem is that I need help seeing where the writers wanted to make me feel for the characters. Still, I couldn't, as much as I wanted to, not being able to oversee where potential arcs and events could have impacted characterization properly and give depth and understanding to other characters and subplots when needed. However, that's just something I value. I was bored and uninterested in the secondary characters and their subplots. I wish the writer could have focused on the leads and navigating their marriage crisis, and I wonder what exciting commentary and unique character arcs could have at least developed.

Similar to a top review, Hae-in was a character that had potential with a given backstory and from the perspective of Hyun-woo, it made me even more interested, yet she was also wasted. Kim Jiwon did a great job playing her character, yet I still needed to be impressed with the scriptwriting...which was even more frustrating, especially for the cast. Hyun-woo, however, was a character who deserved better. Whether you think of what he had to experience in the latter half of the drama or the writing of his character, which is still annoying, I see myself leaning toward the latter. At first, I did not mind him being the guy who was up to save everyone else, which the writer wrote him to be, but unfortunately, she could not get the memo on what is best for character writing and development and how it dries out very fast. I do not need to say much about Soo-hyuns acting, either. When they delved more into how Hae-in (with her illness) made Hyun-woo want to care for her more, I found it something worth touching on to at least better their characters, but his motives were unclear. It was more complicated for me to be attached to his character when he fought so many demons in the last few episodes, and I was just sick of it. Although his interactions were based on the writing of his character and his helping the families, many explanations regarding the secondary characters' actions (Hae-ins mom that still relates to the underdeveloped character of Hong Hae-in, Moh Seul-hee) were never explained to fuel Eunseongs power over the plot, for no reason whatsoever. It could have just stuck to being more slice-of-life and ending these sorts of conflicts in a better way, developing these characters properly through mature conversations rather than rushing it through and focusing on Eunseong (a rather dull villain) to make me feel sad enough so that I would automatically miss them enough again after a happy ending; very formulaic. I admit that the ending was beautiful enough. Still, its message did not reflect what the drama seemed to me by trying to be so much all at once, ending up as a makjang (commendable from the writer's efforts to kill the character's arcs that the potential was understandable enough, spelled in big, bold words in front of you, mind you... I wasn't even as invested, yet I was still disappointed because of what could have been when paired with such a golden cast).

By not being able to connect to the characters with barely passable arcs and romance (regardless of it being a romcom or a melodrama) that barely had crumbs with the already beautifully written epilogues and the more minor details in their relationship that weren't as impactful but worthy enough to see how they would end up, with most being unsatisfying or unresolved. It was a struggle.

The music was fine enough for me. I especially liked the intro track, but I don't know if I could find it anywhere. 10CM and Crush tracks were already in my head each week, saving me from the brain rot I have experienced from questioning actions and motives. The cinematography, although attractive, wasn't as unique to me.

I would not see any point in calling it overrated because it wouldn't be a word that would describe the amount of wasted potential Queen of Tears had, yet I appreciated it for the somewhat enjoyable moments and well-thought-out epilogues with great performances that can appeal to any viewer. I honestly have more things to comment on, but there are almost 200 reviews here and possibly a text limit I would not rather see myself end up at, as you can see from the length of the entire review. However, the narration and storytelling quality trajectory became just as predictable as the other dramas I have watched, which I am not always mad at. I still think it's worth a watch. It could have been a better watch, but it's not badly written. It tried to be something and could have improved exponentially. Still, alas, it falls hard to do messy scriptwriting with decent enough writing in the first half that built up enough potential with the actors' work but failed to become anything above an average watch overall.

Of course, this is just how I felt about it; nothing too biased from other people's responses but from what I saw on my screen; maybe some things didn't make enough sense to me to comprehend. And as much as it looked like I barely tolerated it, there were still redeeming elements to make it an okay one-time watch. Nothing too extraordinary, which is still fine for me.

One last comment: the ending for the main couple was great, and the acting and cinematography elevated it more for me, but it was not so much a great saving grace.

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I gave this drama another chance, and I still think it's overrated

I originally dropped this drama because the plot started to get slow and repetitive, but I decided to give it another try.

The premise was interesting - a 900 year old "Goblin" needed to find his bride to release him from the curse and to ultimately kill him. Sounds interesting, but, unfortunately, the beginning episodes up to around episode seven didn't have much of a plot. The Goblin was an ancient being with centuries of life experience, but he acted pretty stupid quite a lot. The Grim Reaper wasn't much better with his obsession over business cards. These characters should've been more mysterious and dangerous. Instead, they were often portrayed as dorks.

The pacing was often inconsistent. The plot tended to drag with prolonged angsty moments, reminiscing, crying, and filler scenes. Then, the story would suddenly pick up. The show really should've been done in 12 episodes if the showrunners cleaned up the episodes from all the unnecessary filler scenes to make the pacing more consistent.

The romance was also kind of underwhelming. ML and FL acted more like a niece and an uncle, than a couple. This was probably because the girl was barely an adult and still in high school. But for the sake of romantic chemistry, the writers could've made her a few years older. Only in the last few episodes, fast-forward nine years after they met again, did we see adult romantic chemistry with kissing and hugging and acting like a couple.

The villain and the final resolution was a bit anti-climactic. The flashbacks made him look more dangerous than he actually was, even though he looked pretty darn creepy. He appeared in the present timeline for just a few episodes with nefarious intentions to kill everyone, but didn't do much except threaten some people. Then FL pulled the sword out of ML, ML killed the villain and disappeared. The end. I really expected there to either be a plot twist, a battle, tension, more struggle to defeat the final boss.

The one thing the show excelled at was acting. Gong Yoo, Kim Go Eun and everyone else delivered really good performances. No complaints there.

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The Best Watch of 2024 So Far

A fabulous journey of lost love, redemption and reconciliation.

Words cannot express my feelings, as I look back at this journey of eight weeks. What happens when you are a stay in son-in-law and dying to divorce both your wife and her family. Before you sympathize with Baek Hyun Woo’s situation, you might need to hear about the said wife’s tragic life. Despite her ruthless demeanor, Hong Hae In is a lone camper who trusts no one. In times of utter despair, she desperately wants to lean on her husband, only he wants nothing to do with her and is seeking a divorce. Both are depressed at different levels; with familial pressure tearing them apart. When I first watched the pilot episodes, it seemed the show was more about their reconciliation. But “Queens of Tears” managed to deliver a beautiful script with a stellar casting that literally embodied the struggles faced by the variant characters. A couple cannot, will not be together until their families get along well. Marriages are made in heaven, aren’t they? Let’s talk about each & every character in this show, as we pay homage to this phenomenal melodrama!

Read the complete article here-

https://kcdramamusings.wordpress.com/2024/04/29/queen-of-tears-series-review/#more-777

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When else would we get to experience an amazing and well-executed drama such as this?

Cinematography, scoring, editing, acting, and everything in between---- PERFECT!

The story was so dynamic and it didn't just focus on the main leads that I felt grateful on behalf of the supporting actors for giving them the spotlight that they deserve.
A lot of trivial incidents of our everyday life got placed on centerstage, so telling of how little things affect as greatly.
And for that reminder, I am so grateful.

The ending, considering its length (1 hour and 50 minutes) could be broken down into three chapters and all of which were beautiful.Thank you so much to the entire cast and crew, as well as those behind the production of this masterpiece. I'm forever grateful to all of you.

This has got to be the most expensive drama, acting-wise and emotion-wise to me.
I felt undeserving of how each scene was executed.
Everything about this is well-thought of. There may be instances that we didn't agree with the writing but it was a welcomed contrast to our views nonetheless.

The past eight weeks was so beautiful and I'll carry QoT with me for as long as I live. Thank you.

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THE BEST DRAMA EVER HONESTLY

Okay so listene to me the drama is AMAZING I love the chemistry between the ml and fl like how much they are willing to do stuff for each other and the story line is amazing in this drama the fl isn't a weak girl who needs protection she literally slapped the villan of the drama ( throughout the drama I had so much laughter cuz of her) and the other characters also had such good chemistry with each other and whole group of thier just love it in this each villan had thier own reason the ending made me a bit sad but don't worry no one died but I didn't really care cuz the drama was too good like I couldn't stop myself

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A rollercoaster of emotions

I enjoyed this story so much even though it was one of the most heart-wrenching, draining, and emotional experiences I've had in a while. The amount of tissues I used while watching QOT is crazy. This drama had so many different hidden meanings. To me, it meant life, death, family and love.

Ngl this drama had its ups and downs but to be honest I loved it and I am happy with how it ended.

The actors and actresses did an excellent job playing their characters. Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won have played their roles really well, and their chemistry is just perfect. I've watched Kim Soo Hyun since Dream High and he has never disappointed me. There's a reason why he is the most expensive actor in Korea. As for Kim Ji Won, she is such a good actress, she portrayed her role so well.

I do want to point out Park Sung Hoon’s acting. I hated his character so much which means he did an excellent job. (but please don’t hate the actor he’s just doing his job!).

Overall, the ending was good for me. The way they showed Hyun Woo as an elderly man, visiting Hae In’s grave. That broke me T^T I cried so hard. The pictures in the house, their daughter. They had their happy ending even in the afterlife.

"When only one of us is left, the other one can come and meet them. Then it won't be scary at all.” T^T❤️

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a hit or miss

there’s a lot of mixed reviews about qot but i overall enjoyed this drama!

things i liked about it:
- i really liked this drama and it became one of my favorites quickly, i love the cast and they did a good job (especially park sunghoon with playing the villain) he almost did too good of a job to the point where idk if i could ever watch him in another drama without thinking of how annoying
eunseong is in this, every scene he was in made me want to throw my remote because of how unbearable his character was.
- was never boring for me except for the first episode but once i got past it i was hooked. this drama always ended on usually a cliff hanger that had me counting down the days until the next episode came out
- made me really emotional, especially with the glow in the dark star on the ceiling and once i thought i was done crying about it they mentioned it again in the last episode ?
- loved how the family had their redemption moment, even the grandpa/original chairman had his moment by offing himself to help his family

things i didn’t like about it:
- i feel like some of the last episodes leading up to the finale (and the finale itself) were a bit rushed, especially both of the villains downfalls. both of them happened quickly and didn’t really give you any time to process what had just happened since they both occurred in the last episode… another thing is with the ML and how bad thing after bad thing kept happening to him in the last 2 episodes (which realistically he wouldn’t survive) he literally got hit by a car the day before and still somehow trekked up a dark snowy hill to save FL?
- another thing that i haven’t seen anyone talking about is what happened to soocheol in episode 15? he got brutally beaten and they really made it seem like he was gonna die … but that didn’t happen, for the last however more minutes of episode 15 it was focused on hyunwoo and haein and even in the next episode it just wasn’t talked about? after that whole incident happened, the next scene we saw him in was when hyunwoo was in the hospital and he didn’t have one scratch on his face??
- dahyes and soocheols relationship was cute but throughout the drama it confused me more and more until it was finally cleared up in ep 16. i never knew if she came back because she liked him or she felt guilty because no one has ever treated her as good as he does??
- the villain in this story pmo so bad and he should of had his downfall way sooner, it was so hard to watch some scenes when he was in literally every single episode running after haein

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what a wonderful journey!

I felt a lot of feelings while watching this drama. it feels like being beaten up throughout the drama and ends with a feeling of peace because we managed to get rid of another fist. I like Haein-hyunwoo's humane portrayal. they forget their promise, but I like the development of the character who keeps trying to be better. Honestly, all the characters experience the development. This is a relief because not many dramas include other characters undergoing changes. I like the parallel scenes that happen a lot in this drama. I like how Haein and Hyunwoo deal with their separation caused by death which could very well happen. I liked the shot at the ending dan every epilog scene. Beautiful. quiet. peace. it feels like I grew up with them. yongduri feels like my hometown. Actually I still don't like Eunsong. I don't like how he keeps winning at every turn. but seeing him die just like that without a loved one crying and only showing his mother's greed made me feel sorry. even so, I will miss this drama.

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And they cried, and they cried and they cried some more.

So I just finished it.
I watched this because of Kim Soo Hyun from It's Ok Not to Be OK, Kim Ji Won in My Liberation Notes and Park sung Hoon Into The Ring. All fantastic actors in these three excellent series.

I don't know what to say about Queen of Tears.

It was tearfully sentimental, lots and lots of flashbacks, the acting was so-so and the music was depressing.
Lots of "white truck" instances, and I think the main actors lost their acting charm toward the end.
It must have been so tiresome to do that acting - not because it was good but because it was all over the place.

The best actor of the Tears was the 2ML - he held his evil all together - was consistently evil and his facial expressions reflected that evil the more evil he got.

What the ML found attractive about the FL, I have no idea.
She was disrespectful toward him long after she woke up from her cancer cure - although the 2ML made sure that the ML went to prison and so was out of the way when she woke up. It took a miracle from the part of the ML to wake her up to reality.

Mostly throughout, FL was drippy and certainly not lovable.

The writer did all it could to try to make the viewers cry - and I'm sure it worked for most of the viewers.
The OST was even more miserable - especially toward the end. Also there were many holes in the story.

Ok, I can now check that off and NEVER WATCHED IT AGAIN.!!!!

I guess an 8.0/10 is my grade.

Thanks for reading this.

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Truly evoked all emotions for viewers

Let me start by saying that although I can understand the frustration some viewers had with the storyline, I’d like to remind everyone that this is a DRAMA, not a documentary so it will be somewhat unrealistic. It’s also a genre that has been highly saturated, so if you’re coming in thinking you’re going to get a super original plot, I think you chose the wrong genre.

With that being said, I think if you’re a romance sucker, this drama is a must see. Starting off with the casting: 10/10, the actors complimented their characters so well and the visuals were of course top notch. I think this role played by KJW definitely peaked her acting and really tested the versatility in the constant switch of emotions and personalities she can play for one character. All of the cast did a spectacular job portraying their characters.

There wasn’t one episode in the drama that didn’t make me laugh, cry, or scream with frustration. There were definitely some moments that felt like “too much” but I wasn’t turned off by any of it either given that it did add to the thrill of the episode. I found myself grasping for more and more every week. I had MANY LINGERING questions by the end of ep 14, mainly surrounding how the ML could hate his wife almost as suddenly as he fell in love with her and they were completely answered by the end of the drama. This alone gives a high recommendation from me because you don’t always get that closure in romcoms and things just seem to happen as is and viewers are left to accept it.

Overall, highly recommend this drama if you love romance, and also want to feel a wide range of emotions each episode.

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Amazing!

I adored every moment of the show! There wasn't a single dull episode. It was filled with laughter, tears, and a plethora of other emotions I hadn't even experienced before. Kim Ji Won was absolutely perfect for her role! She truly shone, as did the entire cast, cameos, and the delightful Easter egg scenes. They were a real treat for true K-drama enthusiasts.

I can usually predict what will happened, I couldn't predict anything in the beginning of this show. The numerous plot twists kept me on the edge of my seat, craving more with each episode. The only downside was having to wait for new episodes weekly.

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