tvN is currently facing backlash for excluding 'Queen of Tears' from its 20-year anniversary special video.
This week, tvN released a special commemorative video, acknowledging some of its most successful K-dramas and programs over the last 20 years. The video included hits such as 'Reply 1997,' 'Hospital Playlist,' 'Hotel Del Luna', 'Lovely Runner,' 'Bon Appetit, Your Majesty,' and many more.
But what stood out to many netizens, was one K-drama tvN chose not to include. The anniversary special did not include any scenes or references to 'Queen of Tears,' the drama with the highest viewership rating in tvN's history.
The erasure of 'Queen of Tears' likely occurred due to Kim Soo Hyun's past controversy. In 2025, the top actor was accused of having a relationship with the late actress Kim Sae Ron while she was underage. As a result, Kim Soo Hyun's reputation has taken a severe hit, as he faces lawsuits and lost opportunities due to his scandal.
Kim Soo Hyun's role as a main character in 'Queen of Tears' is the likely reason for the hit show's conspicuous absence from tvN's anniversary special. However, fans of the show are expressing anger over its exclusion, and especially the exclusion of the main actress in 'Queen of Tears': Kim Ji Won.
Netizens reacted to the anniversary video with comments such as, "It's hard to understand why the highest-rated drama of all time was not included," "They could have at least included scenes of Kim Ji Won," and "It's too much to completely exclude 'Queen of Tears'."
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