Latest news with #QueenOfTears
The Star
05-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Star
Park Sung-hoon says it was fun to film Squid Game & Queen Of Tears at same time
Hyun-ju (right) or Player 120 is a highly trained ex-Special Forces soldier. Photo: Handout Park Sung-hoon recalls that, for a while, he was viewed unfavourably by the public. That's because he had just come off playing two particularly unlikeable characters – first in The Glory (2022), then in Queen Of Tears (2024). In both dramas, the characters he played made life miserable for the leading ladies. 'I played two villains back-to-back, and whenever I went out to eat, some people would actually be mad at me for those roles,' the 40-year-old actor tells StarLifestyle with a laugh over Zoom. Fortunately, things began to change when the second season of Squid Game premiered at the end of 2024. In it, Park portrays Hyun-ju, also known as Player 120 – a highly trained ex-Special Forces soldier who was discharged after coming out as a trans woman. She enters the deadly competition to win the cash prize in order to foot her transition surgery. 'I'm really happy that I have played Hyun-Ju, who is such a cool character. She kind of turned everything around for me and made people like me,' says Park fondly of his character. 'Actually, I was shooting Squid Game and Queen Of Tears almost simultaneously, and it was really fun for me, going back and forth between two totally opposite characters,' he adds. Hyun-ju quickly became a fan-favourite thanks to her courage and always trying to do the right thing, even in dangerous situations. Park Sung-hoon says his character in 'Squid Game' is a cool person. Photo: Handout However, when the series premiered, there were criticisms about casting a male actor instead of a transgender actor for the role of Hyun-ju. Series creator-director Hwang Dong-hyuk told an American outlet that he did anticipate that this matter would crop up. 'In the beginning we were doing our research, and I was thinking of doing an authentic casting of a trans actor... When we researched in Korea, there are close to no actors that are openly trans,' he explained to Entertainment Weekly . Nonetheless, Hyun-ju stands out among the players in Squid Game especially in the scenes where she's interacting with Geum-ja (Player 149, played by Kang Ae-sim) and Jun-hee (Player 222, played by Jo Yu-ri). According to Park, the camaraderie among cast members helped strengthen their on-screen chemistry, even though they were always filming intense, emotionally charged scenes. 'We often talked about our performances, and about life in general. After wrapping for the day, we'd sometimes go for drinks just to relax and chat,' he says. 'I think the bond formed really naturally. Since most scenes were shot in chronological order, we didn't have to force the chemistry – it built up on its own, with emotions stacking scene by scene. 'So even though some scenes were emotionally draining, the connection made it all feel easier.' South Korean stars Kang Ae-sim (lef) and Park Sung-hoon bonded while making the show. Photo: AFP Next up for Park is a new drama opposite Han Ji-min, set to premiere in 2026, an entertainment portal reported. Only earlier this year, he was dropped from another K-drama, The Tyrant's Chef , after receiving backlash for uploading on social media an image of a porn video parodying Squid Game . Reflecting on the Squid Game experience, Park says: 'Over the past few months, I've been doing promotions overseas and met so many people – it's been fascinating to see how many of them already know me and welcome me so warmly. 'It still hasn't fully sunk in, especially since I look a bit different now with a new hairstyle, but people still recognise me instantly. 'It's been such a cool experience. And I really hope it opens up more opportunities for me to be part of global projects in the future.' Squid Game is available on Netflix.
Al Bawaba
13-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
Fans hate casting of Hande Erçel and Barış Arduç in Queen of Tears remake
ALBAWABA - Hande Erçel and Barış Arduç's casting in Queen of Tears remake sparks major fan backlash. In response to the news that Hande Erçel and Barış Arduç will be starring in the Turkish version of the Korean drama Queen of Tears, which has broken all previous records, there has been a surge of anxiety and even comedy among fans of the drama phenomenon. In spite of the fact that O3 Medya's big project is scheduled to be shown on ATV during the upcoming season, users of social media are already expressing their reservations regarding the casting selections. According to journalist Birsen Altuntaş, Hande Erçel will play a wealthy heiress who has only three months left to live, and Arduç will play the role of her soon-to-be ex-husband. Both of these characters will be included in the series. A 24.8% rating was given to the conclusion of the story, which made it the highest-rated Korean drama in the history of the genre. The story is well-known for its emotional depth and dramatic character development. disneyplustr Instagram profile To what extent, however, are Hande Erçel and Arduç able to bring the same emotional weight to Turkish platforms? Many viewers have a skeptical attitude. Despite the fact that the original stars, Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won, were able to make people cry, some say that Ercel and Arduc might have unwittingly made them laugh. One of the comments reads, "They are unable to cry; all they can do is pose." Are you the Queen of Tears or the Queen of Eyeliner and Filter? Find out now! Erçel and Arduç have been cast together for the third time, which is a fact that has fans asking why the same duo is utilized so regularly. This is the third time that they have been cast together. With a cynical tone, one person inquired, "Are there no other acting duos functioning in Turkey?" The issue at hand is not just one of repetition; rather, it is one of expansion. Considering the fact that the plot is so intricate and tragic, many people are concerned that the two performers would not possess the emotional gravity necessary to carry the adaptation. writer Dilara Pamuk and director Engin Erden have a strong reputation, only time will tell whether or not this adaptation will move people or leave them feeling underwhelmed.
Al Bawaba
27-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Al Bawaba
Barış Arduç and Hande Erçel to reunite for third time in Queen of Tears Turkish remake
ALBAWABA - Barış Arduç and Hande Erçel reunite for their third project in a powerful drama remake. Following the release of the film Rüzgara Bırak on Netflix, Barış Arduç and Hande Erçel, who previously collaborated on the lead roles in the Disney+ series Aşkı Hatırla, have decided to collaborate on a television series. Following the release of the film Rüzgara Bırak on Netflix, Barış Arduç and Hande Erçel, who previously collaborated on the lead roles in the Disney+ series Aşkı Hatırla, have decided to collaborate on a television series. It has been reported by journalist Birsen Altuntaş that the two individuals will take turns playing the principal roles in the adaptation of Queen of Tears that will be broadcast on ATV during the upcoming season. In the adaptation of Queen of Tears, which will be produced by O3 Medya, Hande Erçel will portray the daughter of one of the wealthiest families in the country, who has three months left to live. Barış Arduç will play the role of the woman's husband, who is now in the process of divorcing her. Through her work on the Sadakatsiz series, screenwriter Dilara Pamuk has established a name for herself. Engin Erden will be the director of the series, which will be written by Pamuk. As soon as it began airing on March 9, 2024, Queen of Tears swiftly established itself as a significant figure in the annals of Korean television history. With a rating of 24.8% in its last episode, the series became the most watched series in the history of Korean television, surpassing The World of the Married and Reborn Rich as the most watched series in Korean television history. The series follows a wealthy woman, the heiress to the most famous shopping mall chain in the country, as she discovers that she has three months to live and as she deals with her relationship with her husband, whom she is in the process of divorcing. Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won are the actors who play the leading roles in the series.
