The concluding episode of "Queen of Tears" aired on Sunday, marking a historic moment for tvN as it garnered the highest viewership ratings ever recorded for a series finale on the network. Surpassing the records set by acclaimed dramas like "Crash Landing on You" and "Guardian: The Lonely and Great God," the final installment captivated audiences nationwide.
With an impressive average viewership rating of 28.4 percent in the Seoul metropolitan area and 24.9 percent nationwide, "Queen of Tears" solidified its place as a beloved drama among viewers. Its success was attributed not only to its resonance with local audiences but also its ability to meet the standards of global viewership for Korean romance dramas.
Pop culture critic Jung Duk-hyun commended the series, stating, "While also satisfying the tastes of domestic audiences, 'Queen of Tears' met every standard set by global audiences for K-romance." He also highlighted the significant contributions of the show's main screenwriter, Park Ji-eun, whose previous works such as "Crash Landing on You" and "My Love From the Star" have garnered international acclaim.
The popularity of lead actors Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won further bolstered the show's success. Fans eagerly anticipate Kim Soo-hyun's potential involvement in the upcoming black comedy series "Knock Off," while Kim Ji-won's next project remains undisclosed.
Meanwhile, supporting actor Park Sung-hoon is set to appear in the highly anticipated second season of the Netflix original series "Squid Game," scheduled for release later in 2024.
Despite its overwhelming success, the final episodes of "Queen of Tears" faced criticism for their slow and unrealistic plot development. Nonetheless, all 16 episodes of the series are currently available for streaming on platforms such as Netflix and Tving, with two special episodes titled "Queen of Tears: Miraculous Records.zip" scheduled to air on tvN.
As "Queen of Tears" concludes its remarkable run, it leaves an indelible mark on the landscape of Korean television, setting new standards for drama series endings and captivating audiences worldwide.