- By Srishti Pandey
- Tue, 18 Mar 2025 10:27 PM (IST)
- Source:JND
The highly successful Kdrama Queen of Tears, starring Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won, now finds itself at the centre of controversy. Following a dating scandal involving Kim Soo Hyun and the late actress Kim Sae Ron, the drama’s anticipated Blu-ray release is in jeopardy — with many fans demanding refunds.
Queen of Tears became a global sensation after its release on March 9, 2024. The romantic comedy captivated audiences for eight consecutive weeks, securing an impressive 24.9% viewership rating — making it tvN’s highest-rated drama of all time. The series even exceeded production costs, generating over 65 billion won (approximately $49 million USD) against a 56 billion won budget.
Fans of the drama, eager to celebrate its success, supported the launch of a Blu-ray promotion cafe. The second round of pre-payments for the Queen of Tears: Premium Edition Blu-ray took place between July and August last year, reportedly raising 297,000 KRW per pre-order.
[INFO] #QueenOfTears' Blu-ray Production Confirmed.
— soohyunupdates (@soohyunupdates) April 25, 2024
Have you register to Queen of Tears [Blu-ray] café?
⸻ https://t.co/8KRMIHYv5u#KimSoohyun #김수현 #눈물의여왕 pic.twitter.com/WCmieCPwh8
However, the excitement surrounding the Blu-ray release shifted drastically after reports of Kim Soo Hyun’s dating rumours with Kim Sae Ron emerged. Although the scandal remains a minor one, it has significantly affected the actor’s public image.
According to a March 18 report by TV Report, many fans are now demanding refunds for their Blu-ray pre-orders, with some expressing they no longer wish to support the release. The backlash has also sparked a larger boycott of Kim Soo Hyun’s upcoming drama Knock Off, potentially causing major financial losses for the production team.
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The controversy has created a ripple effect beyond Queen of Tears. Kim Soo Hyun’s appearances on the variety show Good Day were reportedly edited down to avoid viewer backlash and several brands have withdrawn advertisements featuring him. Industry insiders suggest the actor may even face penalty fees if the boycott continues to impact upcoming projects.