Your browser does not support JavaScript!

The Phenomenon of Queen of Tears: Impact and Insights into a Popular K-Drama

GOOVER DAILY REPORT June 29, 2024
goover

TABLE OF CONTENTS

  1. Summary
  2. Popular K-Dramas You Can't Miss
  3. Key Roles and Performances in Queen of Tears
  4. Kim Ji Won’s Versatility and Fan Meet Highlights
  5. Fan Engagement and Market Response
  6. Economic Impact and Industry Influence
  7. Iconic Moments and Popularity Metrics
  8. Conclusion

1. Summary

  • The report titled 'The Phenomenon of Queen of Tears: Impact and Insights into a Popular K-Drama' explores the widespread cultural and economic impact of the Korean drama 'Queen of Tears.' The analysis includes sections on popular K-dramas, highlighting other essential shows like 'Crash Landing on You' and 'My Mister.' It details the unique narratives and standout performances that have captivated global audiences. The focus on 'Queen of Tears' specifically covers key cast members like Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won, promotional strategies, and fan engagement efforts such as merchandise and pop-up shops. Economic benefits from product placements and the series' contribution to the Korean Wave's international success are also discussed, along with notable scenes and overall popularity metrics, confirming 'Queen of Tears' as the highest-rated romance K-drama of 2024.

2. Popular K-Dramas You Can't Miss

  • 2-1. Overview of must-watch Kdramas

  • The article titled '10 Best Kdramas You Can't Miss: Watch Queen of Tears To Crash Landing On You On Netflix, Prime Video, Hotstar, Viki' by Ridhi Suri, published on June 25, 2024, provides an overview of essential K-dramas to watch. It includes popular titles such as 'Queen of Tears,' 'Crash Landing on You,' 'My Mister,' 'Doona,' 'The Atypical Family,' 'Lovely Runner,' and more, available on various streaming platforms like Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, Hotstar, and Viki. These dramas are noted for their compelling storylines, strong character development, and stellar performances, ensuring a captivating viewing experience.

  • 2-2. Unique narratives and performances

  • Each of the highlighted K-dramas showcases unique narratives and exceptional performances that have captivated audiences worldwide. For instance, 'Crash Landing on You' follows the story of a South Korean heiress who accidentally lands in North Korea, and her ensuing romance with a North Korean army officer. 'My Mister' explores the unlikely friendship between a middle-aged man enduring hardships and a young woman facing a tough life, offering a poignant look at human resilience. 'Queen of Tears' delves into the tumultuous marriage between a chaebol heiress and a farmer's son, highlighting their journey amidst personal and societal challenges. These dramas, among others, distinguish themselves through their gripping storylines and the chemistry between lead actors, contributing to their popularity and critical acclaim.

3. Key Roles and Performances in Queen of Tears

  • 3-1. Introduction of cast members: Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Ji-won, Lee Joo-bin, Han Ye-ri

  • The Korean drama 'Queen of Tears' features an impressive cast that has contributed significantly to its popularity. Kim Soo-hyun, known for his role in 'One Ordinary Day,' headlines the show alongside Kim Ji-won, who is renowned for her performance in 'My Liberation Notes.' The drama also includes Lee Joo-bin and Han Ye-ri, who bring depth and nuance to their respective roles. The combination of these talented actors has played a crucial role in the drama's acclaim and widespread appeal.

  • 3-2. Character teasers and promotional content

  • In the lead-up to the release of 'Queen of Tears,' several teasers and promotional materials were launched to generate buzz and excitement among fans. These included character teasers showcasing the protagonists, Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won, in their roles as a married couple dealing with the complexities of life in a chaebol family. Additionally, new posters and stills were released, highlighting the visual chemistry between the leads and giving audiences a glimpse of the drama's setting and themes. The strategic release of these teasers played a significant role in building anticipation and engaging potential viewers.

4. Kim Ji Won’s Versatility and Fan Meet Highlights

  • 4-1. Kim Ji Won’s Performance at Fan Meetings

  • On June 22, Kim Ji Won, recently seen in 'Queen of Tears,' kicked off her 'BE MY ONE' fan meeting tour starting in Seoul. During this event, Kim Ji Won impressed fans by showcasing her singing and performance skills. She performed a lively cover of 2PM’s 'My House,' complete with choreography, which she chose to warmly welcome her fans, likening it to inviting them into her own home. Her confidence and skilled dance moves were apparent, leaving fans in disbelief that this was her first major stage performance of this kind. In addition to 'My House,' she captivated the crowd with her vocals on songs such as Kim Nayoung’s 'From The Bottom Of My Heart' (an OST from 'Queen of Tears'), LEEHI’s 'ONLY,' and Girls’ Generation Taeyeon’s 'Can You Hear Me.' Each song showcased a different aspect of her vocal skills, emphasizing her versatility as an entertainer. Her stable vocals, adept dance moves, and impressive rapping skills were highly praised by fans.

  • 4-2. Her Transformation into a Multitalented Entertainer

  • Known primarily for her acting talent, Kim Ji Won’s transformation into a performer akin to an idol amazed fans and netizens alike during the 'BE MY ONE' fan meeting tour. Clips of her performance circulated on social media, receiving widespread praise and admiration. Each set showcased a different element of her multifaceted talent, from heartfelt singing and precise choreography to a strong stage presence. This event marked her transition from being known strictly as an actress to being recognized as a multitalented entertainer. Additionally, personal touches such as adorable photocards of Kim Ji Won and a behind-the-scenes video showing her hard work recording songs and rehearsing choreography further connected her with the audience. Her dedication and effort in preparing for the fan meetings were evident, adding to the fans' admiration and appreciation.

5. Fan Engagement and Market Response

  • 5-1. Fan Engagement through Script Books and Pop-up Shops

  • According to multiple sources, the Korean dramas 'Lovely Runner' and 'Queen of Tears' have continued to captivate fans through innovative fan engagement strategies even after the series finales. 'Lovely Runner' has kept its fan base excited by announcing the release of a script book, which includes 10 additional pages written by the author post-decision to publish. Fans were given a preview through the Booklog Company's official Instagram account, which shared glimpses of the honeymoon life of the characters Im Sol and Ryu Sun Jae. Meanwhile, 'Queen of Tears' engaged its audience by setting up a pop-up shop in a department store. This store featured various merchandise such as posters, throw pillows, tumblers, badges, bracelets, and acrylic cards, along with never-before-seen wedding photos of the characters Baek Hyun Woo and Hong Hae In. These strategies have helped sustain the excitement and engagement among fans despite the series having ended.

  • 5-2. Demand for Additional Content and Merchandise

  • Both 'Lovely Runner' and 'Queen of Tears' have managed to maintain high levels of fan engagement through various new content and merchandise. For 'Lovely Runner,' the demand for additional content is evidenced by fans' eagerness for the script book's release, scheduled for July 22. The included extra content has been a significant draw, with social media posts increasing the anticipation. For 'Queen of Tears,' the pop-up shop not only attracted fans with merchandise but also created a buzz with the exclusive release of wedding photos from the drama. These strategies demonstrate the effective use of additional content and merchandise in keeping fans invested and generating a continued market response even after the show's conclusion.

6. Economic Impact and Industry Influence

  • 6-1. Product placement and export impact

  • The Korean drama 'Queen of Tears' prominently utilized product placement, showcasing products like Pet Milk and protein salmon chips, which undoubtedly contributed to its economic success. This method not only increased exposure for these products but also facilitated the export of related industries. For instance, the spicy seaweed shown in 'Welcome to Samdali' saw a 14.8% increase in exports to Indonesia following its PPL appearance. Overall, the Korean Wave Marketing Support Project, under the guidance of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Korea Creative Content Agency, has bolstered the export of various small and medium-sized Korean enterprises' products to Southeast Asia and other countries. In 2022, the project resulted in an export contract performance of $2.292 million at the joint Korean Wave fair held in Bangkok, Thailand.

  • 6-2. Cultural respect and marketing strategies

  • While product placements in 'Queen of Tears' and similar dramas have shown significant marketing success, there is an emphasis on ensuring cultural respect in these strategies. The Korea Creative Content Agency has highlighted the necessity of considering cultural differences in target markets to sustain and expand the economic effects of the Korean Wave. For example, the inclusion of halal and vegan certification marks is essential for products marketed in Indonesia due to its high Muslim population. Additionally, presenting seaweed as a snack rather than a side dish aligns better with the food culture in Southeast Asian countries. To maintain a positive image and avoid backlash from excessive commercialism, the agency advocates a balanced approach that respects cultural nuances while reinforcing the brand value of Korean content and products. An official pointed out the importance of a meticulously designed strategy that avoids focusing solely on quantitative business expansion.

7. Iconic Moments and Popularity Metrics

  • 7-1. Highest-rated romance K-dramas

  • According to PrestigeOnline Singapore, the tvN original romance K-drama 'Queen of Tears' starring Kim Soo-hyun is the highest-rated romance K-drama of 2024. It led Netflix’s Top 10 (global Non-English) chart for 13 consecutive weeks, amassing over 600 million views as of June 5, 2024. The series boasts a solid 8.2 rating on IMDb and is praised for its plot, direction, performances, and portrayal of reversed gender roles, directed by Kim Hee-won. Other highly rated romance K-dramas in 2024 include 'Lovely Runner', 'Doctor Slump', 'The Atypical Family', and 'Marry My Husband'.

  • 7-2. Notable romantic scenes and actor highlights

  • Kim Ji Won, who stars alongside Kim Soo Hyun in 'Queen of Tears', highlighted a particularly heart throbbing scene in an interview. She noted that the most romantic moment was filmed in Germany, where the characters Baek Hyun Woo and Hong Hae In realize they still love each other. This scene marks a turning point in their relationship, symbolizing their rekindled love. 'Queen of Tears' streamed on Netflix and concluded on April 28, 2024, with two additional episodes due to its global popularity. The series became the most-watched show in tvN's history and received accolades for its screenplay by Park Ji Eun, known for 'Crash Landing on You' and 'The Legend of the Blue Sea', and direction by Kim Hee Won and Jang Young Woo.

8. Conclusion

  • The K-drama 'Queen of Tears' has cemented its place in the entertainment industry with its high viewership ratings, substantial fan engagement through merchandise and events, and significant career milestones for its main cast, including Kim Ji Won. The show successfully utilized product placement, contributing to the economic success of related industries and emphasizing the effectiveness of strategic marketing. However, future projects should consider cultural nuances in target markets to avoid potential backlash from excessive commercialism. The report underscores the importance of quality content combined with thoughtful marketing strategies, offering a valuable blueprint for future productions. Looking ahead, maintaining a balance between commercial interests and cultural respect will be crucial for the sustainable and positive growth of the Korean entertainment sector and its global influence.

9. Glossary

  • 9-1. Queen of Tears [Television Drama]

  • A popular K-drama that follows the tumultuous marriage of its main characters, gaining significant attention for its storyline, performances by actors like Kim Ji Won and Kim Soo Hyun, and achieving high viewership ratings on tvN and international platforms like Netflix.

  • 9-2. Kim Ji Won [Actress]

  • A key actress in 'Queen of Tears,' praised for her versatile talents showcased during her fan meetings. Her role in the drama significantly boosted her career, making her a multifaceted entertainer known for both acting and live performances.

10. Source Documents