Warning! Spoilers ahead for the Queen of Tears finale.
Summary
- Queen of Tears delivers a clear happy ending, unlike Crash Landing on You, which leaves the far future for Jeong-hyeok and Se-ri uncertain.
- Hyun-woo and Hae-in's future involve having a child and living a happy married life, as Queen of Tears offers a peek into their future.
- Queen of Tears appeals to viewers looking for a more emotional series from the start, while Crash Landing on You has a lighter tone that gets progressively serious as it goes on.
The K-dramas on Netflix, their premises couldn't be more different. Queen of Tears follows Hyun-woo and Hae-in's marriage on the brink of dissolution but made stronger by new trials. Meanwhile, Crash Landing on You is about the fateful encounter between a South Korean woman and a North Korean man, who eventually fall in love with each other.
Despite the differences in storylines, Queen of Tears and Crash Landing on You are often compared to each other for a couple of reasons. Amid an influx of more innovative stories, both shows are a return to the classic K-drama form, which focuses on grounded storytelling and romance. Another usually overlooked common denominator between the series is that they are written by Park Ji-Eun. Having the same creator makes it easier to see how the mega-hit Queen of Tears is able to accomplish the one thing that Crash Landing on You failed at.
Queen Of Tears Has A Clear Happy Ending (Crash Landing On You Doesn’t)
Hyun-woo and Hae-in Get A Better Fate Than Jeong-hyeok And Se-ri.
In its record-breaking finale, Queen of Tears ties up all lingering plots, with the return of Queens' rightful owners and the villains getting the punishments that they deserved. After a series of back-and-forth about the kind of ending that the show will have, writer Park opts to deliver a feel-good send-off for Hyun-woo and Hae-in, who end up living happily ever after. Instead of just wrapping things up in the present, Queen of Tears rewards its viewers with a peek at the couple's future, which involves having a child and staying together until Hae-in's death far into the future.
Crash Landing on You also has a happy final fate, with Jeong-hyeok and Se-ri finding a way to be together despite their circumstances. That being said, their ending is more open-ended compared to its contemporary. The couple only see each other two weeks every year, as they both travel to Switzerland. While they seem to be perfectly contented with their set-up, Jeong-hyeok and Se'ri's ending is far from being sustainable. Until they can find a way to be together more permanently, they would have to settle for the limited time that they can spend with each other.

10 Shows To Watch After Queen Of Tears
With Queen of Tears now finished, several other Korean dramas can fill the void left by Baek Hyun-woo and Hong Hae-in's emotional love story.
Which Is Really Better: Queen Of Tears Or Crash Landing On You?
Writer Park Delivers Instant Classics With Her Recent Netflix Hits.
Queen of Tears delivers a better final fate compared to Crash Landing on You, but it doesn't mean that it's better. Since they have different premises, it boils down to preference. For those who want a more lighthearted story that progressively becomes more serious as the main pair falls deeper in love, then Crash Landing on You is a much better fit. Meanwhile, Queen of Tears would appeal to those looking for a more emotional series from the get-go that makes the whole journey worth it in the end. Regardless, both are immediately part of the many K-drama essential lists.
Crash Landing on You and Queen of Tears are both available to stream on Netflix.

Queen Of Tears
- Release Date
- 2024 - 2024-00-00
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.
- Cast
- Kim Soo-hyun, Kim Ji-won, Park Sung-hoon, Kwak Dong-yeon, Lee Joo-bin
- Seasons
- 1
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix

Crash Landing On You
- Release Date
- 2019 - 2020-00-00
Crash Landing on You is a romantic drama series that follows a South Korean heiress who accidentally lands in North Korea after a paragliding incident. She encounters an army officer who, despite the political tensions, aids her in concealment, forging an unexpected connection amidst their contrasting worlds.
- Cast
- Hyun Bin, Son Ye-jin, Kim Jung-nan, Park Myung-hoon, Yoon Sang-hoon, Park Seung-jun, Yong-Jin, Seo Ji-hye, Kim Jung-hyun, Yang Kyung-won, Lee Sin-young, Yoo Su-bin, Tang Joon-sang, Oh Man-seok, Kim Young-min, Jeon Kuk-hwan, Jung Ae-ri, Nam Kyung-eup, Pang Eun-jin, Choi Dae-hoon, Hwang Woo-seul-hye, Park Hyeong-su, Yoon Ji-min, Jang Hye-jin, Go Gyu-pil
- Seasons
- 1
- Streaming Service(s)
- Netflix