Summary

Kim Ji-won’s incredible performance as Hong Hae-in inQueen of Tearsthankfully made me watch another great K-drama in which the actress starred. WhileKim Ji-won’s K-drama careerhas been going strong for over a decade,Queen of Tearsis undeniably a game-changing role for the actresses. One ofthe best K-dramasof the last few years,Queen of Tearsbroke several recordsand even beatCrash Landing on Youto become the highest-rated finale for their network, tvN. With impressive production value and an amazing cast full of high-profile actors,Queen of Tearswas bound to be a hit.

Kim Ji-won and Kim Soo-hyun’sQueen of Tearsperformancespresented the world with a dysfunctional couple who, after the marriage of the century, did not get to live happily ever after. Going against the most popular romantic K-dramas,Queen of Tearswas not about a couple falling in love for the first time but rather about two people trying to reconnect amidst several crises. Fun and engaging,Queen of Tearsis one of my favorite K-dramas of 2024and made me want to revisit the careers of Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won.

Ae-ra and Dong-man in Fight For My Way

Kim Ji-won’s Queen of Tears Performance Made Me Wanna Watch Fight For My Way

Fight For My Way aired in 2017

While I was familiar withFight For My Way, which also starred Park Seo-joon, Ahn Jae-hong, and Song Ha-yoon, I had yet to watch the show whenQueen of Tearspremiered. Having been a fan ofKim Soo-hyun’s work inIt’s Okay To Not Be Okay, I couldn’t wait to see him in a major leading role again. The fact thatQueen of Tearscame from the same writer asCrash Landing on Youmade it even more exciting. However, as incredible as Kim Soo-hyun’s performance inQueen of Tearswas,Kim Ji-won’s Hae-in stole the show.

Song Ha-yoon

Baek Seol-hee

A very unique CEO, Hae-in was quite different from the usual female K-drama leads and delivered hilarious, intense, and emotional moments throughout the series. Even beforeQueen of Tears’ finaleaired, I was convinced I had to watch Kim Ji-won’s other fan-favorite K-drama,Fight For My Way. AlthoughFight For My WayandQueen of Tearsare very different shows, I’m happy that the latter got me to watch the former. AlthoughChoi Ae-ra is one of the four protagonists inFight For My Way, Kim Ji-won’s character is the heart and soul of the 2017 series.

Fight For My Way Is Now One Of My Favorite K-Dramas

Fight For My Way is funny and heartwarming

After bingingFight For My Way, I have no doubt thatKim Ji-won and Park Seo-joon’s slice-of-life K-dramais now one of my favorite shows. Not many series are as hilarious yet heartwarming asFight For My Way, combining funny moments featuring the Crazy Fantastic Four with serious sequences in which each of them has to fight for their dreams.Fight For My Waysees its lead characters taking on the several challenges life throws at them every day, something everyone can relate to. Whereas some K-dramas explore larger-than-life situations,Fight For My Waywas very grounded.

Ae-ra wants to become a news anchor, whereas Dong-man wishes to reclaim the fighting career that was stolen from him.

Choi Ae-ra holds a microphone and smiles in Fight For My Way

The relationship between Dong-man and Ae-ra is an important part ofFight For My Way, but it’s their dreams that set the tone for the series. Ae-ra wants to become a news anchor, whereas Dong-man wishes to reclaim the fighting career that was stolen from him. Likewise, Seol-hee and Joo-man are also trying to find their place in the world while understanding what they want for their future as a couple. Seven years later,Fight For My Way’s lead actors have all established themselves as stars, with all four of them having starred in a new series in 2024.

Kim Ji-won’s Performance In Fight For My Way Is As Good As In Queen Of Tears

Ae-ra steals the show in Fight For My Way

It’s difficult to argue thatQueen of Tearsis now the biggest hit in Kim Ji-won’s career. However, her performance inFight For My Wayis as good as the one in the 2024 show.Ae-ra is nowhere near as rich and successful as Hae-in at the start ofFight For My Way, but she has a strong spirit and does not easily give up on her goals. Similar to Hae-in, Ae-ra is seen as a troublemaker and a person who is difficult to deal with. However, beyond her tough persona, Ae-ra is a caring person trying to pursue her dreams.

12 Best K-Dramas Starring The Cast Of Queen Of Tears

The breakout K-drama, Queen of Tears, features an impressive cast of actors who have previously starred in other successful Korean TV series.

AlthoughQueen of Tearsis funny,Fight For My Wayallowed its actors to show their comedy chops a bit more.Ae-ra is a hilarious character, especially when she is interacting with Dong-man. The chemistry between Park Seo-joon and Kim Ji-won is particularly great inFight For My Way, as their characters feel like they have been best friends since they were kids.Fight For My Waymade me laugh and cry, and while all the actors shined, Ae-ra was my favorite character. Fortunately, Kim Ji-won’s career continued to evolve leading up toQueen of Tears.

Custom image of Kim Ji-won, Kim Soo-hyun and Park Sung-hoon.

Queen Of Tears

Cast

Hong Hae-in, the heiress of the prestigious Queens Group, and her husband Baek Hyun-woo, known as the “supermarket prince,” navigate the complexities of their high-profile marriage. While Hae-in exudes a cold and calculating demeanor, Hyun-woo brings warmth and emotional depth to their relationship. Their union, celebrated as the “wedding of the century,” faces a monumental crisis that forces them to reassess their differences and rediscover the strength in their bond.

Fight For My Way

Fight For My Way is a South Korean television drama series that aired in 2017. Starring Park Seo-joon and Kim Ji-won, the show follows the lives of four young adults struggling to achieve their dreams in the face of societal expectations and everyday challenges. The series explores themes of friendship, ambition, and romance, offering a nuanced portrayal of the hardships and triumphs faced by its characters.

Queen of Tears 2024 TV Poster

Fight For My Way (2017)