“Queen of Tears” Kwak Dong-yeon: Balancing Weight Loss and Hard Work

The show concluded with an impressive viewership rating of 24.85%, placing it at the top spot for tvN drama viewership ratings. Kwak Dong-yeon portrayed Hong Soo-cheol, the younger brother of Hong Hae-in, and skillfully demonstrated a range of genres including comedy, melodrama, and action.

In Gangnam-gu, Seoul, Kwak Dong-yeon met with Sports Chosun at a cafe on April 30th.

Due to the significant shift in emotions between the early and late stages of the role, it was necessary for Kwak Dong-yeon to undergo a physical transformation. In order to portray Hong Soo-cheol, he utilized a clever method of gaining and losing 8kg. Kwak explained, “To accurately represent the changes in Hong Soo-cheol’s character, I gained weight in the beginning to emphasize the contrast, and then lost it again when the story shifted to Yongdu-ri. I was able to maintain the weight in the beginning and gradually lose it after the 8th episode.”

In his performance in “Queen of Tears”, Kwak Dong-yeon demonstrated a range of acting abilities, from intense action scenes to powerful emotional delivery. He shared, “It was a challenge to convey deep emotions. There were many instances where I would stay up all night reading the script, and then go straight to set. Sometimes, after being awake for two or three days, I would unconsciously act out my scenes. I even tried purposely staying awake for three days to see if it would enhance my performance, but unfortunately, it didn’t make much of a difference. In the end, I resorted to taking a 30-minute nap on the way to set, which caused everyone to burst into laughter.”

Kwak Dong-yeon is currently contemplating his next project. As a versatile actor, he is able to excel in a variety of genres. He recently revealed, “I am grateful to have received offers for roles in different genres. I am carefully considering which project aligns with my interests and strengths. Additionally, I am collaborating with my agency to explore other opportunities and create a balanced schedule. I believe it is important to think about the long-term success and growth of my career. My ultimate goal is to maintain my dedication and energy in all my work.”