Summary
I love finding cameos in K-dramas and Song Joong-ki’s surprise appearance inQueen of Tearsmade me want to watch one of his best shows all over again. Song Joong-ki has a vast career that is full of many colorful characters, one of which includes Vincenzo Cassano from the mafia K-dramaVincenzo. Song Joong-ki’s revival of the hard-faced lawyer inQueen of Tearsis one of thebest K-drama cameosof recent times and a great nod to one of his best roles. Yet,I could not stop thinking about another of his most memorable shows when I was watching it.
Song Joong-ki’sQueen of Tearscameo appearance is full of connections, one being with director Kim Hee-won. Kim Hee-won directedVincenzoand Song’s role reprisal inQueen of Tearsis a nice link between her works. They also furthered their connection in the mystery K-dramaLittle Women,where Song Joong-ki made another cameo appearance that hinted at Vincenzo’s Italian heritage.Though Song Joong-ki and Kim Hee-won have a clear working history together, his on-screen reunion with one ofQueen of Tears' biggest stars makes me want to watch one of thebest K-dramas of all timeeven more.
12 Best K-Dramas Starring The Cast Of Queen Of Tears
The breakout K-drama, Queen of Tears, features an impressive cast of actors who have previously starred in other successful Korean TV series.
Queen Of Tears Referenced Many Song Joong-ki K-Dramas (Including Descendants Of The Sun)
Song Joong-ki’s Career Is Full Of Variety
Though Song Joong-ki’sQueen of Tearscameo only lasts for a few minutes,it captures the vastness of his career. The initial focus of his role is the return ofVincenzo’s Vincenzo Cassano, who is a great match for Hong Hae-in’s (Kim Ji-won) sharp personality. However, Hyun-woo’s (Kim Soo-hyun) lawyer and best friend Kim Yang-ki (Moon Tae-yoo) alludes to rumors surrounding Vincenzo, which add a sense of mystery to the ruthless figure while also referencing many of Song Joong-ki’s best works.
Descendants of the Sun (2016)
A Werewolf Boy (2012)
Chul-soo
The first rumor that Yang-ki mentions is that Vincenzo was the youngest heir of a conglomerate family. This is a direct callback to Song Joong-ki’s most recent K-drama,Reborn Rich,which is currently the second most-watched K-drama on cable television.Yang-ki then suggests Vincenzo is from space, which references Song’s role in the sci-fi movieSpace Sweepers(2021). He even goes as far as to elude that Vincenzo could be a werewolf. Though it’s unlikely to be true, Song Joong-ki did play one inA Werewolf Boy(2012).
The last K-drama that Kim Yang-ki references is arguably one of Song Joong-ki’s most famous, even though it aired eight years ago. Yang-ki suggests that Vincenzo was a former soldier who was stationed abroad, which refers to Song Joong-ki’s critically acclaimed role as Captain Yoo Si-jin inDescendants of the Sun. However, Yang-ki’s mindless rumors aren’t the only thing that callback to Song Joong-ki’s well-beloved role,as his on-screen appearance next to one ofQueen of Tears' leading actors also acts as aDescendants of the Sunreunion.
Song Joong-ki & Kim Ji-won Starred Together In Descendants Of The Sun
Queen of Tears Marks Their Third Time Together On Screen
Queen of Tearssees Song Joong-ki reunite with hisDescendants of the Sunco-star Kim Ji-won almost a decade after theaction-packed K-dramafirst aired. Though their time on screen together is relatively limited,their scenes are always exemplary and show a different side to their acting abilities. InQueen of Tears, Hong Hae-in and Vincenzo are restrained characters and give off foreboding personas that are hard to penetrate. However, inDescendants of the Sun, Yoo Si-jin and Yoon Myeong-ju’s scenes are often lighthearted and full of friendly banter, which is one ofDescendants of the Sun’sbiggest strengths.
Kim Ji-won
Yoon Myeong-ju
ThoughDescendants of the Sunis their most famous on-screen outing, Kim Ji-won and Song Joong-ki also starred together in thefantasy K-dramaArthdal Chroniclesas the three leading characters. Song Joong-ki’s dual roles as twins Eun-seom and Sa-ya would prove to be a match for Kim Ji-won’s Tan-ya and develop of the glimpses of on-screen chemistry that was first hinted at inDescendants of the Sun. ThoughArthdal Chroniclesultimately doesn’t hold up toDescendants of the Sun,it proves that Kim Ji-won and Song Joong-ki are a formidable on-screen pairing.
Kim Ji-won’s Best K-Drama Couples Are The Complete Opposite Of Each Other
Kim Ji-won has shown her acting talents through many different roles, but her two best K-drama couples show her range as an actress at its best.
Why Descendants Of The Sun Is The Next Best Thing To Watch After Queen of Tears
They Are Very Similar K-dramas
One of the best things aboutQueen of Tearsis its love story.Hae-in and Hyun-woo’srelationshipfeels like an epic fantasy that is hard not to get fully engrossed in as they begin to mend the scars of the past. Though their love story doesn’t necessarily follow K-drama convention,it’s a welcome breath of fresh air that is as romantic as it is heartbreaking.Descendants of the Sun’s love stories are relatively similar.
Yoo Si-jin and Kang Mo-yeon’s story follows a very traditional pattern, which sees them gradually fall deeper in love after meeting for the first time in the show’s first episode. This is almost the opposite of Yoon Myeong-ju and Seo Dae-young’s, which sees them torn between love and duty. Much likeQueen of Tears,both of these love stories have an epic feeling as they are caught between heartbreak and passion, givingDescendants of the Sunthe same timeless feeling thatQueen of Tearsdoes.
Though they could both get easily caught up in the dramatics of their circumstances, comedic elements diffuse the tense situations and give both K-dramas more variety.
Descendants of the SunandQueen of Tears' legendary appeal also comes from its balance of tragedy and comedy. Though they could both get easily caught up in the dramatics of their circumstances,comedic elements diffuse the tense situations and give both K-dramas more variety.This makes their best scenes even more memorable and makes me want to watchDescendants of the Sunagain even more after finishingQueen of Tears.
Queen Of Tears
Cast
Hong Hae-in, the heiress of the prestigious Queens Group, and her husband Baek Hyun-woo, known as the “supermarket prince,” navigate the complexities of their high-profile marriage. While Hae-in exudes a cold and calculating demeanor, Hyun-woo brings warmth and emotional depth to their relationship. Their union, celebrated as the “wedding of the century,” faces a monumental crisis that forces them to reassess their differences and rediscover the strength in their bond.
Descendants of the Sun
This drama series follows the romance between a dedicated soldier and a talented surgeon, whose differing worldviews test their relationship. Amidst challenging circumstances and life-threatening situations, they navigate the complexities of love, duty, and the unpredictable nature of fate.
