Summary
There are so many great outfits and looks throughoutQueen of Tearsthat it makes the emotional K-drama all the more fun to watch. The Hong family’s old-money status is put on full display through their unlimited access to the best attire, making each character’s distinct personality and true feelings easy to identify with just a glance. However, the show’s wide array of clothing also plays a pivotal part inHae-in and Hyun-woo’s tumultuous relationship.
Lee Joo-bin
Cheon Da-hye
As the Queen of Tears herself, Hong Hae-in dons over 150 outfits throughoutQueen of Tears' 16 episodesfrom brands such as Alexander McQueen and Dior. Each outfit is carefully curated to showcase Hae-in and Hyun-woo’s current relationship status while demonstrating their status symbols as members of the upper classes. Though their impeccable fashion sense makes watchingQueen of Tearsall the more appealing, the true success of their wardrobes ishow it is used as a storytelling tool to help emphasize what is going on on screen.
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10Beom-ja’s Leopard Print Dress
Episode 1
As the black sheep of the Hong family, Hong Beom-ja (Kim Jung-nan) certainly knows how to make impressions count. Beom-ja’s actions speak volumes as she gatecrashes her mother’s memorial service inQueen of Tears' first episode, pushing past the Queens Group staff and her older brother to place herself front and center. However, her look adds even more emphasis to the point she is trying to make.
From the first moment she steps onto the screen, Beom-ja provides a stark contrast to the rest of the Hong family. Every other person in the scene is either wearing a black suit or a white hanbok dress, which is expected attire for a traditional memorial. Yet Beom-ja’s matching leopard print dress and jacket is a bold choice that defines her fierce character. Though Beom-ja once again finds herself in tears after this courageous interaction,her coordinated animal print is a perfect introduction to one ofQueen of Tears' best supporting characters.
A hanbok is the name given to traditional Korean clothing, and directly translates to mean “Korean clothes”. It is often worn during traditional holidays and events in South Korea as opposed to everyday.
9Hae-in & Hyun-woo’s Reunion Looks
Episode 5
One ofQueen of Tears' most heartbreaking scenesbrings one of the first big breakthroughs in Hae-in and Hyun-woo’s relationship, as they finally admit that neither one of them actually wanted to be isolated by the other. What follows is a beautiful reunion that sees Hae-in and Hyun-woo back in each other’s arms after years of harsh turmoil. However,the way they dress speaks volumes about the current state of their relationshipand how deep it goes.
Hae-in easily matches the extravagant vibe of her surroundings with her sharp business attire, but is still overdressed. Hyun-woo predicted this in advance knowing Hae-in has recieved bad news and prepared a comfier pair of shoes in advance. Though this detail is a lovely nod to the depth of Hae-in and Hyun-woo’s relationship, their color scheme and choice of business attire still show barriers in their largely workplace relationship. Despite this, Hae-in and Hyun-woo’s outfits boldly stand against their colorful backdrop and make their first reunion feel well-earned.
8The Hong Family’s Hunting Attire
Episode 2 & 3
The Hong family’s wealth seemingly knows no bounds and their hunting attire makes it obvious. InQueen of Tearsepisode 2, the Hong family goes all out for their trip to the countryside and each one looks as well put together as the next. Though all members of the Hong family look particularly exquisite in their family outing, Hae-in and Hyun-woo’s outfits really shine against the rest.
Next to one another,Hae-in and Hyun-woo’s individual styles are obvious. Hae-in is dressed to the nines, following rules of etiquette while also providing a fashion statement. On the other hand, Hyun-woo favors a more comfortable approach that shows his reluctance to hunt as well as his discomfort as a member of the Hong family. Though Hae-in and Hyun-woo’s differences in style and attitude could not be more different at this point inQueen of Tears, it does not make these looks any less memorable.
7Hae-in’s Monochrome Red Look
Episode 7
Hong Hae-in’s clothing often directly relates to how she is feeling. The more relaxed she feels, the more relaxed her style is. However, as Secretary Na (Yoon Bo-mi) reveals inQueen of Tearsepisode 7, the more effort Hae-in puts into her looks, the more upset she is. Hae-in’s monochromatic red look isa perfect example of Hae-in using her style as armoras she feels the full force of Hyun-woo’s wishes for divorce following their trip to Germany.
The gold accents add wealth to one of Hae-in’s best looks and make her bold statement even more striking on screen.
Though Hae-in’s red look is simple, it packs a mighty punch. Red is a powerful color that well represents Hae-in’s anger towards her husband but also signifies her power as a CEO. Red also symbolizes love and passion, which was just reignited for the first time in a long time for Hae-in, and the conflict she feels with these two strong emotions. The gold accents add wealth to one of Hae-in’s best looks and make her bold statement even more striking on screen.
6Hyun-woo’s Paneled Sweater
Episode 4
Compared to Hong Hae-in, Baek Hyun-woo’s style is much more relaxed. Though he still exerts the lavishness that comes with his new lifestyle, he provides a much-needed balance to Hae-in’s more uptight approach to life as well as fashion.This makes some of Hyun-woo’s best fashion moments the moments when he is the most comfortable, as he can truly be himself in both expression and his relationship.
In episode 4, a heartbreaking flashback reveals the beginning of the end of Hae-in and Hyun-woo’s relationship: the loss of their first child. Unaware of what the future has in store for them, Hyun-woo places glow-in-the-dark stars all over his baby’s nursery while wearing a multicolored Moschino sweater. Though his look is much more casual than is seen throughoutQueen of Tears, Hyun-woo’s happiness is infectious and his excitement for the future radiates through his clothing, which is why this look is one of his absolute best.
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5Hae-in’s Black Suit
Though Hae-in was first introduced inQueen of Tearsas Hyun-woo’s wife and love interest, her first introduction as a CEO is incredibly striking. The first peek into Hae-in’s world of retail is shown through the soles of her shoes, which are the iconic red of Christian Louboutin’s. This in itself is a strong symbol of Hae-in’s wealth, but the formidable walk and talk she does with Secretary Na followed by a seemingly endless entourage emphasizes just how powerful Hae-in is.
Along with her shoes, Hae-in’s clothing also has some big names attached to them. Her suit comes from British fashion designer Alexander McQueen while the shirt is the creation of Dominican designer Oscar de La Renta (viaVogue Singapore). Individually, these pieces are striking. However,the combination of them in one look easily demonstrates Hong Hae-in’s powerthrough her chosen form of armor: fashion.
4Haein & Hyun-woo’s Engagement Outfits
Episode 8
Before their relationship fell into disarray, flashbacks show how close Hae-in and Hyun-woo were before circumstances drew them apart. Their love was one for the ages and nothing could seemingly break them apart, not even their vastly different family backgrounds. This is evident in the outfits Hae-in and Hyun-woo wear during Hyun-woo’s proposal, as they show just how comfortable they are with one another.
Unlike the looks that come later in their relationship,Hae-in and Hyun-woo’s engagement outfits have warmer tones and evoke a more welcoming atmosphere. Hyun-woo’s sand-colored jacket feels much more inviting than his usual black suit, while Hae-in’s pink tweed outfit makes her glow as if she were blushing. Together, their outfits make them feel as if they are on the same page. This makes the engagement feel all the more bittersweet when knowing whatHae-in and Hyun-woo’s fated endingis.
3Hae-in’s Blue Suit
Episodes 1 & 2
Though Hong Hae-in has an array of incredible outfits under her belt,the blue suit she wears inQueen of Tears' first two episodes is easily one of her best professional looks. The Gabriela Hearst outfit’s vivid color evokes attention from her surroundings and makes Hong Hae-in and her seemingly effortless approach to fashion the center of attention. However, the suit’s overtly cool tones feel almost unnatural for Hae-in, whose fiery personality hides behind her clothing.
The outfits' cool tones anchor the scene and hint at the true sadness and loneliness that Hae-in feels, especially with her life now seemingly cut short.
What makes this outfit even more memorable is when Hae-in wears this suit. Hae-in receives her terminal diagnosis in this suit and delivers the news to Hyun-woo the same day, still in the same outfit. Her calm, even, approach is a stark contrast to the thunderstorm that echoes the sharpness of Hae-in’s personality. However, the outfits' cool tones anchor the scene and hint at the true sadness and loneliness that Hae-in feels, especially with her life now seemingly cut short.
2Hae-in’s Black Dress
Episode 2
Hong Hae-in’s wardrobe is full of bold pieces. However,Queen of Tearsepisode 2 proves that something as simple as a black dress can make a statement. Hae-in’s business drive certainly does not go unquestioned inQueen of Tears, with one of her main goals being for Queens Department Store to reach 1 trillion won (around $7.4 billion dollars) in sales. Hae-in attends a business event to further her ambitions, yet despite an incredible look that sets her out from the crowd, she seems invisible without Hyun-woo by her side.
Like Hong Hae-in, there is a lot more to her Balmain dress than first appears. Though close-up shots only capture the sparsely decorated top of the outfit, the bottom of her dress shines with an abundance of rhinestones that bring something more out of Hae-in that is absent from her usual attire. This is a welcome change to Hae-in’s usual appearance and really shines as one of Hae-in’s best on-screen looks.
1Hae-in & Hyun-woo’s Wedding Looks
Marriage is the core ofQueen of Tearsand no expense was spared in showing Hae-in and Hyun-woo’s “Wedding of the Century”. Though only small glimpses of their actual wedding day are given inQueen of Tearsthrough brief flashbacks, the romantic atmosphere is evident. Flowers surround the newly wedded couple elevate its setting and bring life to the outfits that Hae-in and Hyun-woo begin the next stage of their relationship.
Hae-in and Hyun-woo’s wedding looks are nothing short of elegant. Though simple,they still come with a hefty price tag befitting of a chaebol heiress.According toVogue Singapore, Hong Hae-in’s earrings alone are over $20,000 USD ($32,400 in Singaporean dollars). What makes these looks so good compared to others is how timeless they are. Though their looks don’t exactly reinvent the wheel, they give Hae-in and Hyun-woo’s wedding the air of romance it needs through two ofQueen of Tears’ best outfits.
Queen Of Tears
Cast
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.
