Queen of Tears (2024)
눈물의 여왕 (Queen of Tears) is a romantic drama that follows the tumultuous love story of Hong Hae-in (played by Kim Ji-won), a cold and ambitious 재벌 (chaebol) heiress, and Baek Hyun-woo (played by Kim Soo-hyun), her intelligent yet weary husband who comes from a humble background. Though their seemingly perfect marriage is on the verge of collapse, an unexpected crisis forces them to confront their true feelings and fight for their love. As they navigate power struggles, family conflicts, and deep emotional wounds, the drama explores whether love can survive amid wealth, ambition, and heartbreak.
Despite the title Queen of Tears, the true “queen” of tears in the drama is actually Baek Hyun-woo. While his wife, Hae-in, maintains a cold and composed exterior, Hyun-woo finds himself constantly overwhelmed with emotions, shedding tears as he struggles with their crumbling marriage, power struggles, and his deep love for her. His raw vulnerability and tearful moments make him the unexpected heart of the show's emotional depth.
In Episode 12, Hyun-woo expresses his love and care for Hae-in not through grand gestures, but through a simple, heartfelt meal. As tensions between them linger, he quietly prepares 된장찌개 (Doenjang Jjigae), a comforting soybean paste stew, embodying warmth, familiarity, and unspoken affection. The act of cooking for her—a dish reminiscent of home—reveals his deep longing to reconnect, offering nourishment not just for her body, but for their strained relationship. In this quiet moment, food becomes an unspoken apology, a plea for understanding, and a reminder of their shared past.
As they sit together, sharing the meal, the emotional distance between them softens, leading to a heartfelt confession from Hae-in. She tells Hyun-woo that even if she were reborn a hundred times, she would still marry him every time, solidifying their love for each other. Like 된장찌개, which carries the depth of time and tradition, their relationship is built on enduring warmth and quiet resilience. The scene ends as they reaffirm their love, creating a moment as comforting and deeply rooted as a home-cooked meal.
된장찌개 is a cornerstone of Korean home-cooked meals (집밥), representing both tradition and nourishment. As a staple of the Korean diet, it highlights 발효식품 (fermented foods) like 된장 (fermented soybean paste), which has been an essential source of protein and nutrients in Korea for centuries. Before meat became widely accessible, 된장 provided plant-based protein, along with essential amino acids, vitamins, and probiotics, making it a crucial part of the traditional Korean diet. The fermentation process not only enhances its depth of flavor but also aligns with Korea’s long history of preserving food for sustainability.
In modern Korea, where people often eat out or rely on food delivery due to busy lifestyles, 집밥 (home-cooked meals) has taken on a deeper emotional significance. While restaurants and delivery services offer convenience, a warm, homemade meal like 된장찌개 evokes a sense of comfort, nostalgia, and familial care—something increasingly rare in today’s fast-paced society. For many, 집밥 is no longer an everyday experience but a cherished, almost luxurious occasion, reminding people of childhood, home, and the love embedded in a carefully prepared meal. In that sense, 된장찌개 is a taste of both the past and what many modern Koreans find themselves longing for—a moment of slowness, warmth, and connection in an otherwise hectic life.
Here, I’d like to share a link to a video where celebrity chef 백종원 (Paik Jong-won) demonstrates how to cook 된장찌개.
된장찌개 끓이는 법 1 (The easiest version)
Comments
Post a Comment