From OST to Memorable Lines - The Iconic Moments That Set Social Media Ablaze in Queen of Tears
It's already well-known that the 2024 tvN drama Queen of Tears achieved a record-breaking final episode rating of 24.9%, securing the top spot in tvN's all-time highest ratings. However, this drama's success wasn't just about viewership numbers. The true magic of this series, which topped trending charts for eight consecutive weeks and set social media on fire throughout its run, lay in its heart-wrenching OST and unforgettable scenes. Today, let's explore the memorable moments and soundtrack that continue to give viewers the "Baek-Hong blues" even after the finale.
Source: namu.wiki
The Masterfully Crafted OST That Amplified Every Emotion
What made the Queen of Tears OST exceptional wasn't simply a collection of good songs, but rather that each track was tied to specific storylines and symbolic scenes within the drama. The music was overseen by Nam Hye-seung, a legendary music director who has been responsible for mega-hit dramas like Goblin, Crash Landing on You, and Our Beloved Summer. Her signature sophisticated taste and outstanding artistry shone brilliantly once again in Queen of Tears.
The Main OST Tracks That Defined the Drama
The first song worth mentioning is "I Keep Laughing" by BSS (SEVENTEEN). This track captured the moment when Baek Hyun-woo and Hong Hae-in's love story began anew, featuring gentle piano melodies and soft humming that delivered a heart-fluttering sensation. BSS perfectly executed this new ballad sound, different from their typically bright and cheerful style, elevating the drama's atmosphere to new heights.
Heize's "Stop Me" portrayed the conflicting feelings of love and resentment between Hyun-woo and Hae-in during their crisis. The lyric "All I have left is the memory of your name" became increasingly poignant as the drama progressed, garnering renewed attention among fans.
Crush's "Sorry, I Hate You, I Love You" exploded in popularity after appearing in episodes 10 and 11's endings, climbing to number 4 on the Melon music charts. The lyrics "The sincerity of my love, all the memories of being loved, are my everything, my only reason" perfectly captured the Baek-Hong couple's heartbreaking love.
OST Tracks That Elevated Individual Scenes
Paul Kim's "I Like You" enhanced the romance in numerous scenes, including the iconic subway sunset moment. This scene became one of the most captured and shared moments on social media during the broadcast. Kim Na-young's "Diary" conveyed bittersweet emotions with a contemplative tone, while So Soo-bin's "Last Chance" added depth to the couple's fateful story with its grand, dreamlike sound.
Particularly noteworthy is Kim Soo-hyun's personal vocal contribution to the OST "Proposal." Ten years after his last OST for My Love from the Star in 2014, Kim's warm and genuine voice made an impactful appearance in the final episode, moving countless viewers to tears.
The Memorable Lines That Touched Hearts
Queen of Tears is as famous for its memorable dialogue as it is for its OST. These lines, which continue to circulate on social media even after the finale, weren't just beautifully written words, but sincere confessions that perfectly captured Baek Hyun-woo and Hong Hae-in's relationship and emotions.
"Even if it's not just debt, even if there are harder times, it's okay because I'll be there with you"
This line from episode 3 came when Baek Hyun-woo, misunderstanding Hong Hae-in's family situation while they were dating, firmly pledged to support her. His tender promise to always stay by her side through any hardship deeply touched Hae-in's heart and became the driving force that kept them together through countless crises.
"You already knew everything anyway"
Kim Soo-hyun himself selected this as his most memorable line, spoken during a scene in Germany where Baek Hyun-woo had to be harsh to convince Hong Hae-in. This single sentence embodied all of Hyun-woo's desperation as he struggled to find treatment for Hae-in's illness, breaking viewers' hearts.
"Baek Hyun-woo, I love you"
When Hong Hae-in, whose illness was worsening and memory fading, embraced the tearful Baek Hyun-woo and whispered these words, it was like turning on a faucet of tears. Combined with Kim Soo-hyun's delicate portrayal of emotions building like clouds gathering before a storm, this scene became one of the drama's most iconic moments.
"Are you okay?"
This simple question that Baek Hyun-woo frequently asked Hong Hae-in became a memorable line infused with Kim Soo-hyun's characteristic sensitivity. It wasn't just a casual check-in, but a single phrase filled with genuine concern and love that resonated deeply with many viewers.
"I'll be with you"
This line came from the final episode when Baek Hyun-woo and Hong Hae-in, having overcome all trials, promised to stay together forever. As their voices echoed "I'll be with you" over the scene of them walking through a lavender field, it left a profound and lasting impression until the very end.
The Iconic Scenes That Set Social Media Ablaze
Queen of Tears delivered trending scenes on social media with every episode. The scenes in Germany, in particular, were so meaningful that both Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won cited them as their most memorable moments.
The Drunken Crying Scene
Kim Soo-hyun's tearful drunk acting in episode 1 created a buzz with its endearing charm. His portrayal of Baek Hyun-woo regretting his marriage, saying "I was just so cute and used all my moves and made Hong Ye-in fall for me. That's how I ruined my own fate," showcased his comedic acting prowess as he transformed his handsome face into a pitiful expression.
The Subway Sunset Scene
The subway sunset scene featuring Paul Kim's "I Like You" was the epitome of romance. The gaze and atmosphere between Baek Hyun-woo and Hong Hae-in in the subway as the sun set maximized the heart-fluttering feeling, and this scene received explosive reactions across various social media platforms immediately after airing.
The Moments in Germany
The scenes in Germany where Baek Hyun-woo did everything possible to treat Hong Hae-in were the most memorable for both actors. Particularly heartbreaking was when Hyun-woo, tearfully said, "I wish this moment wouldn't end. I wish this time would continue forever, with you knowing nothing and just smiling at me like this," after learning that Hae-in couldn't remember their trip together for treatment.
The Lavender Field Ending
The final episode's scene where Baek Hyun-woo and Hong Hae-in, after years have passed, are separated by death but reunited in heaven became a hot topic, referred to as the "happy death ending." The image of elderly Baek Hyun-woo visiting Hong Hae-in's grave at a cemetery near Sanssouci Palace in Potsdam, Germany, followed by the two reuniting in their youth among lavender fields with smiles on their faces, left viewers with deep emotion and lingering feelings.
The Secret to Its Success
What enabled Queen of Tears to set social media ablaze? First, the OST tracks perfectly complemented the drama, amplifying the emotions of each scene. Second, sincere memorable lines were deeply engraved in viewers' hearts. Third, Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won's perfect chemistry and acting prowess transformed every scene into an iconic moment.
Particularly noteworthy is that each OST track was associated with specific symbolic storylines or scenes in the drama. This meant that the music wasn't simply background accompaniment, but rather an integral part of the storytelling. This musical completeness, combined with sophisticated direction and the actors' passionate performances, formed a perfect trinity that made Queen of Tears the most talked-about series of 2024.
Closing Thoughts
Queen of Tears continues to make an impact even after its conclusion, ranking 7th in Google's global TV content search terms and setting the record for the most-viewed Korean drama on Netflix with 682.6 million viewing hours. A special OST album has been released containing all 12 vocal tracks and BGM on a 2-CD set, including both the opening title version and full version of Kim Kyung-hee's "In a Beautiful Way," which received numerous viewer inquiries during the broadcast.
The OST and memorable scenes from this drama, which topped trending charts for eight consecutive weeks and set social media ablaze, will remain in many people's playlists and memories for a long time to come. Which OST and scenes do you remember most fondly?