With fans buzzing and social media on fire, it's clear that the ‘Queen of Tears’ series is the current talk of the town. And who can blame them? When you've got powerhouse actors like Kim Ji-won and Kim Soo-hyun leading the charge, it's bound to be a hit! As they bring the characters of Hyun-woo and Hae-in to life with perfection, viewers can't help but feel like these roles were custom-made for Kim Ji-won and Kim Soo-hyun.
However, the truth behind the casting process reveals a different story. Initially, only Kim Soo-hyun was considered for the role, while the part of female lead Hong Hae-in was envisioned for someone else. The production team had their sights set on idol-actress IU for the role. News of IU's potential involvement circulated as early as April 2022 when screenwriter Park Ji-eun's new project was announced. However, IU's agency promptly declined the offer on her behalf.
The decision to consider IU for the role was not without merit. With her previous success portraying a wealthy and haughty character in ‘Hotel Del Luna’ and her established rapport with both Park Ji-eun and Kim Soo-hyun, IU seemed like a natural fit. Additionally, IU and Kim Soo-hyun's past collaborations in ‘Dream High’ and ‘The Producers’ had garnered widespread praise, even fueling rumors about their off-screen relationship.
Despite IU's decline, the outcome proved fortuitous for ‘Queen of Tears’. Kim Ji-won seamlessly stepped into the role of Hong Hae-in, capturing the character's complexity in perfect detail. Hae-in is not merely haughty but also emotionally turbulent, concealing inner pain and trauma beneath a composed exterior. While IU's interpretation of Hae-in remains a ‘what-if’, Kim Ji-won has undeniably proven to be the perfect fit for the character.
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