‘Queen of Tears’ Trivia: Did You Know? IU Turned Down Offer to Lead the Drama

IU was supposed to play as the protagonist in "Queen of Tears," and it would've been her reunion project with Kim Soo Hyun. However, she turned down the offer for this reason.

IU Was Originally Courted to Play Kim Ji Won's Character in 'Queen of Tears'

Netflix and tvN's "Queen of Tears" continues to expand its popularity with only two episodes released so far. Having a stellar cast and perned by Park Ji Eun, who also created "Crash Landing on You," it was expected to be one of the anticipated dramas in 2024.

But did you know that IU was supposed to share the frame with Kim Soo Hyun in this project? Yes, you read that right!

In April 2023, the idol-actress was reportedly in talks to headline "Queen of Tears." According to the reports, IU (Lee Ji Eun) was the first actress that the drama's producers had eyes on to portray the character of feisty heiress Hong Hae In.

However, shortly after the news broke out, IU's agency EDAM Entertainment released a statement confirming that the singer-actress received an offer to lead the series, but she respectfully turned down the offer.

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After hearing the news, many fans were disappointed, especially those hoping for IU and Kim Soo Hyun's reunion.

If IU had accepted the role, "Queen of Tears" would have been the fourth project that the two worked together in the small screen following "Dream High" (2011), "The Producers" (2015), and "Hotel Del Luna" (2019).

Kim Soo Hyun also featured in IU's music video, "Ending Scene."

Kim Ji Won Back in Her Feisty Female Era as She Plays As Hong Hae In in 'Queen of Tears'

Despite declining the project, Kim Ji Won is giving justice in playing the role of Hong Hae In. The actress has been lauded for her performances and her strong presence on screen. 

Combined with Kim Soo Hyun's equally brilliant acting, the duo's characters navigate a chaotic marriage. Their tandem makes the viewers swoon and fans can't wait to see more of their synergy in the upcoming episodes.

"Queen of Tears" is enjoying massive popularity after its debut and already recorded a high rating on its second episode. According to reports, the series had a significant increase in viewership and scored an average score of 8.7 percent.

The continuous success and high ratings of the drama are expected to grow in the upcoming weeks.

Catch Kim Ji Won and Kim Soo Hyun every Saturday and Sunday on tvN and Netflix at 9:20 p.m. (KST).

IN CASE YOU MISSED IT: 'Queen of Tears' Sparks Controversy for THIS Reason Despite Successful Debut

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Shai Collins wrote this.