'Queen of Tears' Sets Unprecedented Records Despite Ending Over a Month Ago

No 16-episode-long K-Drama had ever topped Gallup Korea’s "Favorite Broadcasting Video Program" poll for three consecutive months before.

That is, until Queen Of Tears came along. The show has broken a new record, securing its place as Korea’s favorite TV series even a month after airing its final episode. With the show’s explosive popularity, it’s hard to say we are surprised.

Since January 2013, Gallup Korea has been conducting monthly surveys to identify Koreans’ “Favorite TV Programs.” Unlike traditional TV ratings, which measure viewing behavior, Gallup’s survey serves as an “emotional preference” indicator for Koreans, transcending viewing time slots, spaces, channels, and media.

According to the May 2024 survey results, Queen Of Tears ranked first with a 3.9% preference rate. The tvN masterpiece had previously secured the top spot in the March and April surveys.

This makes Queen Of Tears the first 16-episode K-Drama to be number one for three consecutive months, an unprecedented achievement in the industry.

Kim Ji Won as Hong Hae In and Kim Soo Hyun as Baek Hyun Woo played central roles in making the show a massive hit. Gallup Korea elaborated on the record-breaking achievement:

“Queen of Tears reached the number one spot just two weeks after it began airing in March. Although its preference rate significantly dropped from 13.1% in April to 3.9% in May, it is highly unusual for it to continue captivating viewers nearly a month after its final episode.” — Gallup Korea

YOU MIGHT BE INTERESTED IN: Kim Ji-won's Agency Cracks Down on Fan Meeting Ticket Frauds - 'We Plan To Take Strict Actions' The show's popularity was evident when a huge crowd attended the finale wrap-up party, demonstrating the strong connection it had with its audience. This level of engagement is rare and highlights how Queen Of Tears resonated with viewers on an emotional level.

Since the inception of Gallup Korea’s surveys in 2013, only eleven K-Dramas have surpassed a 10% preference rate. These include:

• My Daughter Seo Young (KBS2, weekends, 12.2% in February 2013)
•  My Love from the Star (SBS, Wednesday-Thursday, 11.5% in February 2014)
•  Empress Ki (MBC, Monday-Tuesday, 11.8% in April 2014)
•  Jang Bo Ri is Here (MBC, weekends, 12.1% in September 2014)
•  Descendants of the Sun (KBS2, Wednesday-Thursday, 12.3% in March 2016)
•  Goblin (tvN, Friday-Saturday, 12.6% in January 2017)
•  SKY Castle (JTBC, Friday-Saturday, 13.0% in January 2019)
•  Reborn Rich (JTBC, Friday-Saturday-Sunday, 16.6% in December 2022)
•  Extraordinary Attorney Woo (ENA, Wednesday-Thursday, 16.4% in August 2022)
•  The Glory (Netflix, 14.8% in March 2023)

In the May 2024 poll, several other series ranked after Queen Of Tears. KBS2’s Beauty and the Bachelor took second place with a 2.8% preference rate, while MBC’s popular variety show I Live Alone took third with 2.7%.

Fourth place was occupied by Get on My Back, Sunjae with 2.6%, and fifth place was a tie between Our Jackpot and You Quiz on the Block with 2.3%.

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Written by Joana Cabigas.