Kim Ji-won’s incredible performance as Hong Hae-in in Queen of Tears thankfully made me watch another great K-drama in which the actress starred. While Kim Ji-won’s K-drama career has been going strong for over a decade, Queen of Tears is undeniably a game-changing role for the actresses. One of the best K-dramas of the last few years, Queen of Tears broke several records and even beat Crash Landing on You to become the highest-rated finale for their network, tvN. With impressive production value and an amazing cast full of high-profile actors, Queen of Tears was bound to be a hit.

Kim Ji-won and Kim Soo-hyun’s Queen of Tears performances presented the world with a dysfunctional couple who, after the marriage of the century, did not get to live happily ever after. Going against the most popular romantic K-dramas, Queen of Tears was not about a couple falling in love for the first time but rather about two people trying to reconnect amidst several crises. Fun and engaging, Queen of Tears is one of my favorite K-dramas of 2024 and made me want to revisit the careers of Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won.

Kim Ji-won’s Queen of Tears Performance Made Me Wanna Watch Fight For My Way

Fight For My Way aired in 2017

While I was familiar with Fight For My Way, which also starred Park Seo-joon, Ahn Jae-hong, and Song Ha-yoon, I had yet to watch the show when Queen of Tears premiered. Having been a fan of Kim Soo-hyun’s work in It’s Okay To Not Be Okay, I couldn’t wait to see him in a major leading role again. The fact that Queen of Tears came from the same writer as Crash Landing on You made it even more exciting. However, as incredible as Kim Soo-hyun’s performance in Queen of Tears was, Kim Ji-won’s Hae-in stole the show.

A very unique CEO, Hae-in was quite different from the usual female K-drama leads and delivered hilarious, intense, and emotional moments throughout the series. Even before Queen of Tears’ finale aired, I was convinced I had to watch Kim Ji-won’s other fan-favorite K-drama, Fight For My Way. Although Fight For My Way and Queen of Tears are very different shows, I’m happy that the latter got me to watch the former. Although Choi Ae-ra is one of the four protagonists in Fight For My Way, Kim Ji-won’s character is the heart and soul of the 2017 series.

Fight For My Way Is Now One Of My Favorite K-Dramas

Fight For My Way is funny and heartwarming

After binging Fight For My Way, I have no doubt that Kim Ji-won and Park Seo-joon’s slice-of-life K-drama is now one of my favorite shows. Not many series are as hilarious yet heartwarming as Fight For My Way, combining funny moments featuring the Crazy Fantastic Four with serious sequences in which each of them has to fight for their dreams. Fight For My Way sees its lead characters taking on the several challenges life throws at them every day, something everyone can relate to. Whereas some K-dramas explore larger-than-life situations, Fight For My Way was very grounded.

The relationship between Dong-man and Ae-ra is an important part of Fight For My Way, but it’s their dreams that set the tone for the series. Ae-ra wants to become a news anchor, whereas Dong-man wishes to reclaim the fighting career that was stolen from him. Likewise, Seol-hee and Joo-man are also trying to find their place in the world while understanding what they want for their future as a couple. Seven years later, Fight For My Way’s lead actors have all established themselves as stars, with all four of them having starred in a new series in 2024.

Kim Ji-won’s Performance In Fight For My Way Is As Good As In Queen Of Tears

Ae-ra steals the show in Fight For My Way

It’s difficult to argue that Queen of Tears is now the biggest hit in Kim Ji-won’s career. However, her performance in Fight For My Way is as good as the one in the 2024 show. Ae-ra is nowhere near as rich and successful as Hae-in at the start of Fight For My Way, but she has a strong spirit and does not easily give up on her goals. Similar to Hae-in, Ae-ra is seen as a troublemaker and a person who is difficult to deal with. However, beyond her tough persona, Ae-ra is a caring person trying to pursue her dreams.

Although Queen of Tears is funny, Fight For My Way allowed its actors to show their comedy chops a bit more. Ae-ra is a hilarious character, especially when she is interacting with Dong-man. The chemistry between Park Seo-joon and Kim Ji-won is particularly great in Fight For My Way, as their characters feel like they have been best friends since they were kids. Fight For My Way made me laugh and cry, and while all the actors shined, Ae-ra was my favorite character. Fortunately, Kim Ji-won’s career continued to evolve leading up to Queen of Tears.

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  Queen Of Tears (2024)

  Comedy

  Romance

  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.

  Cast

  Kim Soo-hyun
  , Kim Ji-won
  , Park Sung-hoon
  , Kwak Dong-yeon
  , Lee Joo-bin

  Release Date

  
  March 9, 2024
  

  Seasons

  1

• 

  Fight For My Way (2017)

  Comedy

  Romance

  Fight For My Way is a South Korean television drama series that aired in 2017. Starring Park Seo-joon and Kim Ji-won, the show follows the lives of four young adults struggling to achieve their dreams in the face of societal expectations and everyday challenges. The series explores themes of friendship, ambition, and romance, offering a nuanced portrayal of the hardships and triumphs faced by its characters.

  Cast

  Park Seo-joon
  , Kim Ji-won
  , Ahn Jae-hong
  , Song Ha-yoon
  , Lee Elijah
  , Kim Sung-oh
  , Pyo Ye-jin
  , Kim Gun-woo

  Release Date

  
  May 21, 2017
  

  Seasons

  1