In the plethora of South Korean entertainment, what makes a good romance K-drama great? As real-time charts might suggest, it requires a triptych of elements to fall into place. First, a novel plot and refreshing script writing—perhaps one akin to Kim Ji-eun’s inimitable Crash Landing on You, adored by fans from all over the world. The second is a potential prerequisite; that being a starry set of leads. Which then brings us to the third and final requirement: unparalleled chemistry. The sort that would skyrocket off-the-charts. Lucky for us, the stars couldn’t have been more aligned for Netflix’s Queen of Tears. Not only has it been written by the genius Kim herself, but it sees the clash of two K-drama titans as they return to the screen: Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won, who play Baek Hyeon-woo and Hong Hae-in respectively.
And with its latest episodes now in our midst, the slow burn romance has taken the top viewership spot in all of K-drama history—surpassing the records once held by Goblin and Crash Landing on You. Understandably so, considering how the drama tackles the possibility of rekindling a romance mid-marriage and its realistic portrayal of the disquieting nuance that comes with wedded life. Yet between the pair’s unmistakable on-screen chemistry, tentative moments of miscommunication and warming flashbacks to their flowery beginnings, it seems the costume department—most especially for our dearest third generation chaebol Hae-in (played by Kim Ji-Won)—also deserves our full attention.
There’s no question that her role as the CEO of Queens Department Store (read: mega-rich power fem) itself has set her up for an effortlessly flawless wardrobe. Put simply, despite Hae-in’s affections for Hyeon-woo—a farmer’s son who has made a name for himself as a lawyer—she’s been brought up on money and it shows. As the CEO, she’s a walking masterclass in power dressing: flitting from spotless suiting courtesy of brands such as Alexander McQueen and Valentino to stunning jewellery sets from Tiffany & Co. and Chaumet, all to show she means business. But our empowered leading female isn’t afraid to lean into her softer, feminine side either, especially when she is with Hyeon-woo—a standout being the saccharine-sweet Chanel ensemble she’s sporting on one of their first dates.
Her outfit changes throughout the episodic narrative is a force to be reckoned with on its own—and we’re all too willing to welcome the eye candy of it all. Below, the best outfits worn by Kim Ji-won as Hong Hae-in in Queen of Tears so far and where to cop them, with only more to come.
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Hong Hae-in in Balmain
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Hong Hae-in in Alexander McQueen
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Hong Hae-in in Valentino
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Hong Hae-in in Alexander McQueen, Chanel and Tiffany & Co.
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Hong Hae-in in Polo Ralph Lauren
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Hong Hae-in in Dior
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Hong Hae-in in Dolce&Gabbana
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Hong Hae-in in Gabriela Hearst
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Hong Hae-in in Valentino
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Hong Hae-in in Avouavou
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Hong Hae-in in Mudidi and Toteme
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Hong Hae-in in Valentino
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Hong Hae-in in Soonil
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Hong Hae-in in Alexander McQueen
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Hong Hae-in in Claudie Pierlot
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Hong Hae-in in Hanavo
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Hong Hae-in in Ralph Lauren
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Hong Hae-in in Chanel
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Hong Hae-in in Rita Vinieris and Chaumet
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Hong Hae-in in Saint Laurent
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Hong Hae-in in N°21 and Prada
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Hong Hae-in in Alessandra Rich
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Hong Hae-in Valentino
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Hong Hae-in in Balmain, Bvlgari and Gianvito Rossi
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Hong Hae-in Soonil
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Hong Hae-in in Thom Browne
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Hong Hae-in carrying Ferragamo
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Hong Hae-in in Valentino
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