“Queen of Tears,” the hit drama that wrapped up in April 2024, smashed records with a peak rating of 24.9% on its final episode, making it the highest-rated show in tvN’s history. Fans loved the story of a married couple fighting through tough times, brought to life by stars Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Ji-won, and Park Sung-hoon. But now, almost a year later, the drama’s golden reputation is taking a hit. Controversies surrounding its two male leads have dragged the show into a messy spotlight, leaving many to wonder how this affects its only unscathed star, Kim Ji-won.
Hold onto your popcorn—this drama’s real-life plot twist is juicier than anything on screen! The show that once had everyone crying happy tears is now facing a storm of scandals, and poor Kim Ji-won is caught in the middle of it all.
Park Sung-hoon’s Instagram Mishap Shocks Fans
Park Sung-hoon, who played the slick Yoon Eun-sung in “Queen of Tears,” found himself in hot water on December 30, 2024. He accidentally posted an adult video parody of “Squid Game” to his Instagram story. The clip, which featured explicit scenes with multiple women, spread like wildfire across the internet thanks to his huge following. With “Squid Game 2” set to drop soon, where he has a supporting role, the timing couldn’t have been worse.
His agency, BH Entertainment, quickly jumped in with an explanation. They said:
“The post was sent to Park Sung-hoon via a direct message (DM), and he mistakenly clicked on it, causing it to be uploaded to his Instagram story. He was extremely shocked and deleted it immediately. He sincerely regrets this mistake.”
But fans weren’t buying it. The excuse felt flimsy, and the damage was done. Later, during “Squid Game 2” promotions, Park Sung-hoon tried to clear the air. He told reporters:
“I deeply regret that such an incident occurred while my project and character were receiving so much attention and love. I sincerely apologize to my entire team.”
The public wasn’t impressed. The backlash was so strong that he got dropped from his next gig, tvN’s drama “The Tyrant’s Chef” (working title). Still, there’s hope for a comeback. On March 26, 2025, SPOTV News reported that Park Sung-hoon might return in a romantic comedy called “Efficient Dating of Single Men and Women” (tentative title). It’s been over a year since the scandal, and this could be his shot at redemption.
Kim Soo-hyun’s Explosive Scandal with Kim Sae-ron
While Park Sung-hoon’s slip-up was bad, Kim Soo-hyun’s controversy is on another level. The “Queen of Tears” leading man, who played Baek Hyun-woo, got tangled in a scandal that’s shaken his career to the core. It all started when Kim Sae-ron, an actress he allegedly dated, passed away in February 2025. A YouTube channel called Garo Sero Investigation Institute dropped a bombshell, claiming Kim Soo-hyun had a six-year relationship with her, starting when she was just 15 years old. They also said his agency, Gold Medalist, played a role in her struggles after a 2022 DUI incident.
Gold Medalist fired back fast. On March 10, 2025, they released a statement saying:
“The allegations made by Garo Sero regarding Kim Soo-hyun are completely false. The channel has falsely claimed that Kim Soo-hyun conspired with YouTuber Lee Jin-ho to harass the late Kim Sae-ron. It also spread misinformation, alleging that Kim Sae-ron and Kim Soo-hyun dated when she was 15, that our agency mishandled her DUI incident, and that a Gold Medalist manager had personal ties to Lee Jin-ho. These claims are malicious fabrications, and we will take the strongest legal action possible.”
They promised to sue the channel, but the drama didn’t stop there. On March 11, photos surfaced online showing Kim Soo-hyun kissing Kim Sae-ron on the cheek. Text messages also popped up, with Kim Sae-ron begging for time to repay a 700 million KRW (about $483,000 USD) debt from her DUI damages, which Gold Medalist had allegedly covered. She wrote:
“I’m working hard on preparing to make a comeback. I’ll gradually pay back a certain percentage with each project. I’m not saying I won’t pay it back. But if you ask me to pay back 700 million KRW right away, I really can’t do it. It’s not that I’m refusing to do it; I just can’t. Does it really have to go as far as a lawsuit? Please save me. I’m begging you, give me some time.”
Kim Soo-hyun didn’t reply, according to the leaks. The overseas backlash hit hard, especially since “Queen of Tears” was a global Netflix hit. Fans abroad, sensitive to age-gap issues, turned on him. Brands like Prada and Dinto Cosmetics dropped him, and his Disney+ show “Knock-Off,” set for April 2025, got postponed. On March 31, 2025, he held a tearful press conference in Seoul, denying the underage dating claims. He admitted to dating Kim Sae-ron from 2019 to 2020, when she was 19, and said:
“I never dated her when she was a minor. Except for the fact that both of us were actors, our relationship was just like that of any other ordinary couple.”
He also denied pressuring her over the debt and said the leaked messages were fake. His legal team filed a 12 billion KRW (about $8.1 million USD) lawsuit against Kim Sae-ron’s family and the YouTube channel. But the public’s trust was shaken, and his career took a massive hit.
Kim Ji-won Stands Strong Amid the Chaos
With both Kim Soo-hyun and Park Sung-hoon drowning in scandals, Kim Ji-won, who played Hong Hae-in in “Queen of Tears,” is the only lead left untouched. Fans are heartbroken over the drama’s tarnished legacy. Online, they’re saying things like:
“Guess I can’t rewatch this anymore.”
“Only Kim Ji-won is left unscathed.”
“I loved this drama, but now I feel heartbroken.”
On March 18, 2025, Kim Ji-won was spotted at Incheon International Airport, heading to Hong Kong for work. Despite the mess around her co-stars, she looked cheerful and kept her cool. She’s been busy, showing up at the Bulgari Serpenti Infinito exhibition and staying professional through it all. Right now, she’s in talks to star in “Doctor X: Age of the White Mafia” (tentative title) as a genius surgeon, and fans can’t wait to see her shine again.
What’s Next for “Queen of Tears”?
“Queen of Tears” was a masterpiece that broke records and won hearts worldwide. But with Park Sung-hoon’s Instagram blunder and Kim Soo-hyun’s heavy allegations, it’s now stuck with a “Queen of Scandals” label. Kim Ji-won is holding the fort, proving she’s the real queen here—untouched and unstoppable. As her co-stars fight to rebuild, she’s moving forward, keeping fans hopeful for brighter days.
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