• Source:JND
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IU, known for her impressive work in both music and acting, reportedly turned down the lead role in Netflix’s Queen of Tears back in 2022 due to scheduling conflicts and prior commitments to her K-pop career. Instead, she chose to star alongside Park Bo Gum in When Life Gives You Tangerines. With the recent controversy surrounding Queen of Tears lead actor Kim Soo Hyun and his rumoured past with the late actress Kim Sae Ron, fans have revisited IU’s decision — and they’re praising her for it.

The ongoing buzz stems from allegations that Kim Soo Hyun had a close connection with Kim Sae Ron when she was still a minor. The controversy intensified when an old Instagram story from Kim Sae Ron resurfaced, showing a photo of the two. Her family later clarified that she posted it to get his attention, hoping for his help in resolving legal issues with his agency, GOLDMEDALIST. Unfortunately, the post was misunderstood, leading to heavy backlash from fans of Kim Soo Hyun and his Queen of Tears co-star Kim Ji Won.

In light of this, IU’s choice to pursue When Life Gives You Tangerines instead of Queen of Tears is being hailed as a smart move. Fans on X (formerly Twitter) expressed admiration for her decision, with one user stating, “IU did really well not to choose Queen of Tears. The only thing we will remember from it is the problematic writers, the harassment of Ji Won and Soo Hyun’s fans towards Kim Sae Ron, and her tragic death.”

Another fan praised IU, calling her decision "the best in her acting career." Meanwhile, others criticized the drama itself, calling it "overrated" and remarking that Kim Soo Hyun has done far better projects.

Though Queen of Tears initially received praise for its star-studded cast, the controversy has overshadowed its success. Meanwhile, IU’s upcoming film When Life Gives You Tangerines, co-starring Park Bo Gum, remains highly anticipated — and fans believe she made the right call by choosing a drama free from the surrounding turmoil.

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