The latest must-watch K-drama, Queen of Tears, is taking the world by storm. Not only is it captivating viewers with its forbidden-love storyline, but it’s also racking up impressive ratings. Currently sitting at number two on Netflix’s Global Top 10 TV (Non-English) category, the show has amassed over 41 million hours watched and is the third-highest rated drama in tvN history, just behind the juggernauts Crash Landing on You and Reply 1988.
Critics are praising the show’s nuanced performances and its ability to tackle complex social issues like class disparity within relationships. But is there more to the story? Fans can’t stop drawing parallels between the show’s heartbreaking romance and the real-life saga of a Samsung heiress who married outside her social circle.
The K-Drama Story
In “Queen of Tears”, Kim Soo Hyun absolutely nails the role of Baek Hyun-woo, a hardworking lawyer from a modest background. He falls head-over-heels for Hong Hae-in (Kim Ji Won), a sassy, style-icon heiress.
Despite her family’s disapproval and the massive gap in their social circles, the pair tie the knot in a whirlwind romance. But, like we all know, real life ain’t no fairytale. Pressures from Hae-in’s family, conflicting ambitions, and good old-fashioned miscommunication start to tear them apart. Can their love survive, or is divorce the only way out?
The IRL Heiress Drama
Back in 1995, Lee Boo Jin, the eldest daughter of Samsung chairman Lee Kun-hee, was a rising star in the family business. Nicknamed “Little Kun-hee” for her business acumen, she already had a successful career after graduating from Yonsei University, one of South Korea’s most prestigious institutions. But beyond the boardroom, Lee Boo Jin was known for her fashionable outfits and trendsetting style.
Meanwhile, Im Woo Jae was a college graduate working as a security guard for a Samsung affiliate. The couple met at a Samsung-organized volunteer event and, despite their vastly different backgrounds, fell in love. Their 1999 wedding caused a media frenzy in South Korea with Im being dubbed “Mr. Cinderella” by the press.
However, their fairy-tale romance was short-lived. Lee Kun-hee, disapproving of the match, pressured Im to pursue an MBA at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) in the United States. According to later reports, Im struggled immensely with the pressure. He was transplanted to a new country where he didn’t speak the language and faced the demanding academic rigors of MIT. This cultural adjustment, on top of his studies, reportedly caused Im such mental strain that he experienced suicidal thoughts.
Despite eventually earning his MBA, Im reportedly felt like he could never live up to the expectations of his powerful in-laws. This sense of inadequacy, coupled with the long distance strain on their relationship, allegedly contributed to growing tensions in the marriage.
Years later, during their bitter divorce proceedings, Boo-jin would come forward with accusations of domestic violence. Im Woo Jae vehemently denied these claims, and both sides painted a very different picture of their marriage in court. The highly publicized divorce battle dragged on for five years, with Im demanding a massive portion of Boo Jin’s assets. The court ultimately ruled in favor of Boo Jin, awarding her custody of their son and ordering her to pay Im 14.1 billion won, a settlement far lower than what he had requested.
Bottom Line
Whether “Queen of Tears” directly drew inspiration from the Samsung heiress or not, there’s that classic K-drama magic at work here. Fans get a juicy dose of high-stakes family drama, impossible romance, and the potential for a total emotional trainwreck – in other words, it’s pure addictive entertainment!
