When Hwang Dong-Hyuk’s Squid Game debuted on Netflix in December 2023, it was expected to dominate streaming in 2024. But how much bigger could the phenomenon get? Fortunately for Netflix, Squid Game Season 2 delivered. According to What’s on Netflix, subscribers spent over 1.342 billion hours watching the second season within three months of its premiere. While impressive, this success came with a significantly higher budget than Season 1, which cost $21.4 million. With Season 3 already filmed and set to release this summer, the numbers could climb even higher.
However, some viewers feel that Squid Game Season 2 didn’t quite match the quality of the first season, which may deter newcomers. For those seeking a compelling Korean series, there’s an alternative that not only outperformed Squid Game Season 2 in viewership but also received glowing reviews in 2024.
The Hidden Gem: Queen of Tears
So, what is this show, and why hasn’t it received the same level of hype as Squid Game?
Park Ji-Eun’s Queen of Tears Dominates in Views and Reviews
Released on South Korea’s TVN network, Queen of Tears quickly became a sensation. Over 16 episodes and two specials, this K-drama tells the heartfelt and humorous story of a married couple (played by Kim Ji-Won and Kim Soo-Hyun) navigating a rocky relationship, further complicated by a brain cancer diagnosis.
Park Ji-Eun’s series resonated deeply with audiences, earning a 100% Fresh Rating on Rotten Tomatoes. While the sample size of reviews is small (only six so far), the show’s impact is undeniable, amassing 860.4 million viewing hours in 2024 alone on Netflix.
The success of Queen of Tears demonstrates Park Ji-Eun’s ability to craft stories that captivate viewers. It’ll be exciting to see what she creates next—and whether her work will receive the same level of recognition and reward as Hwang Dong-Hyuk’s Squid Game.
