REVIEW: ‘Queen of Tears’ Episodes 5-6

When it comes to confronting death, it’s like a slow, incoming train. With another warning, we’re given the time to cycle through emotions, as do the people around us. It’s never consistent. There are many ups and downs, and Queen of Tears Episodes 5-6 verify this. It ranges from somber to hopeful for Baek Hyeon-Woo (Kim Soo-Hyun) and Hong Hae-In (Kim Ji-Won). And just when it seems the two may finally be able to fully reconcile, outside influences reveal a painful truth that makes their relationship fully implode.

Queen of Tears Episode 5 picks up where the previous left off, with Hyeon-Woo finding a dazed and confused Hae-In in the pouring rain. His family members run into them and whisk both of them away to get dried off. The married couple experiences another intimate moment together, but it doesn’t last. Miscommunication and Hyeon-Woo’s burgeoning feelings force distance, with Hyeon-Woo choosing to sleep separately. This only stokes further frustration in Hae-In, and no one can really blame her. Hyeon-Woo’s hot and cold personality isn’t helping.

A flashback sequence after Hae-In’s miscarriage highlights why Hyeon-Woo likely cannot bear to sleep with her. Both fail to communicate their emotions during this time when it is clear they are both mourning in different ways. This moment likely started Hyeon-Woo’s gradual distancing. What will likely distance them further is anyone revealing Hyeon-Woo’s intentions to divorce. This dilemma is briefly shown when Hyeon-Woo’s parents rush around to silence anyone who knows, but it doesn’t stop a forgetful older woman from mentioning something as Hyeon-Woo and Hae-In leave the next day.

The division between the two grows wider on their drive home, with neither really communicating. This distance further intensifies when Yoon Eun-Sung (Park Sung-Hoon) meets them at the family home. Eun-Sung escorts Hae-In inside, and it is later revealed that he is temporarily moving in until business matters settle between him and the family. After the previous episode’s reveal of his ulterior motives, it is clear this move is not for a good reason.

This comes to fruition in discussions between Eun-Sung and Queens Group employee Grace Go (Kim Joo-Ryung). Both agree that the only factor keeping the Queens Group from falling into ruin is Hyeon-Woo. And, throughout Queen of Tears Episodes 5-6, Eun-Sung’s focus is on finding evidence to oust Hyeon-Woo from the family. As for Hyeon-Woo, before Hae-In’s health concerns resurface, he also looks for evidence to tie into recent suspicious events. His duty is to protect the family, after all.

In Queen of Tears Episode 5, Hae-In becomes more desperate to find a cure. Particularly now that Eun-Sung is noticing her weaknesses. Hae-In’s doctor points out that her white blood cell (WBC) count is too low for any therapies to work. But all Hae-In can see is potential. In Germany, there’s a chance for a cure. Without telling anyone, including Hyeon-Woo, she travels by herself. Despite the fact that her hallucinations put her at risk if left unattended.

The trip initially seems fruitless. The doctor in Germany says he can’t operate due to her WBC count. Until the count rises, it won’t be safe to perform any procedures due to the risk of infection. Feeling hopeless, Hae-In revisits the place of her honeymoon. Queen of Tears Episode 5 ends with Hyeon-Woo appearing out of nowhere. In a much-deserved moment of vulnerability, both reconcile and admit they need each other. This feeling of reconciliation and hope leads us into, at first, a sweet episode.

In Queen of Tears Episode 6, the time spent between Hyeon-Woo and Hae-In is adorable. The two are bonding, with Hae-In wanting to try things she never allowed herself to before. While she’s partially accepted that she’s dying, Hyeon-Woo steps in behind her back to fight for her treatment. Basically, he threatens to sue the German hospital due to violating a clause. It’s pretty diabolical, but considering the circumstances, it’s hard not to applaud Hyeon-Woo for finding a loophole. And it’s all spent to protect the woman he’s growing to love again.

While the two spend time in Germany to heal, Eun-Sung, Grace Go, the Chairman’s partner, Moh Seul-Hee (Lee Mi-Sook) and Hong Soo-Cheul’s (Kwak Dong-Yeon) wife, Cheon Da-Hye (Lee Joo-Bin) all conspire to enact their plans. Over the course of Queen of Tears Episode 6, through flashbacks and expositional moments, these four have been playing the long game in bringing down the Queens Group. While it is unclear as to why, all four have taken every opportunity they could to integrate themselves into the family and earn their trust. The only thing stopping them now is their hubris and Hyeon-Woo.

With Hyeon-Woo and Hae-In in Germany, Eun-Sung takes Da-Hye to sneak into Hyeon-Woo’s room. Their search almost turns up nothing until Eun-Sung discovers a safe. Eventually, the team cracks into it and finds the divorce papers Hyeon-Woo hid away. With this information, they orchestrate a plan. Due to the entire family’s general gullibility (except Hae-In and her aunt, Hong Beom-Ja (Kim Jung-Nan)) and the skilled practice of Eun-Sung and his team, their plan works. Chaos ensues in the family home, which Hae-In ignores. Until her mother sends her a text revealing the divorce documents.

This reveal, while expected, is heartbreaking. Leading up to this point, Hae-In has proven to be a romantic. Hyeon-Woo is her first love. Since her diagnosis, Hyeon-Woo has been more attentive and caring. While their miscarriage pushed them apart, her diagnosis brought them back together. But, after such a heartfelt episode for our lovebirds, the reveal that he even considered divorce breaks something in her. This reveal is also where Queen of Tears Episode 6 ends, with more drama and rage to come.

Queen of Tears Episodes 5-6 highlights how integral the work has been between actors Kim Soo-Hyun and Kim Ji-Won in making us invest in their characters. Hyeon-Woo and Hae-In are not perfect by any means, and their lack of communication is frustrating to watch. This is where writer Park Ji-Eun’s writing flourishes due to how realistic this phase of a relationship is. Viewers entered into this series witnessing a relationship hitting its breaking point. Of course, it will be frustrating watching these two figure things out.

It’s part of why Queen of Tears Episode 6 is the strongest episode for Soo-Hyun and Ji-Won. There’s already been so much conflict between the two characters that the actors are finally allowed to shape out their characters’ sweeter sides. It is here we see Hyeon-Woo and Hae-In soften up, almost reminding themselves and the viewers of how their relationship used to be. Unfortunately, things will be rocky moving forward thanks to Ji-Eun’s logistical writing maneuvers for their characters.

How Ji-Eun sets up the conflict for the Queens Group is fascinating. It’s not often conglomerate families are shown with easily exploitable weaknesses to this extent. From the Chairman to the youngest son, Ji-Eun shows how each villain can weasel their way into the Queens Group through her writing and character development. We’re also able to see how the ones who are the hardest to exploit are also the ones who are either considered the black sheep of the family or are already at a distance. It is all exciting to watch play out, and easily makes me wonder what might happen next.

Queen of Tears Episodes 5-6 balance high-stakes drama with sweet romantic tones, giving viewers a little bit of everything. The writing continues to excite, but ultimately, the biggest draw for this series continues to be Hae-In and Hyeon-Woo’s relationship.

Queen of Tears Episodes 1-14 are now available on Netflix, with new episodes airing on Saturdays and Sundays.