Korea's leading entertainment company CJ ENM and O3 Medya and DASS Yapım today announced a deal to adapt the 2024 Korean hit drama Queen of Tears, penned by acclaimed writer Park Ji-Eun, for the Turkish audience. This will mark the first time the critically acclaimed title is remade for an international market.

O3 Medya and DASS Yapim, both prominent Turkish production companies known for their high-quality dramas and significant presence in the local television market, will co-produce the Turkish remake of Queen of Tears. The series will be distributed internationally by Eccho Rights, further expanding the global reach of this beloved show. The deal was brokered by HECE Medya.

Originally produced by Studio Dragon and airing on tvN in Korea and in Netflix worldwide, Queen of Tears, revolves around Hae-in, a queen of department stores, and her small-town husband, Hyun-woo, as they weather a marital crisis—until love miraculously begins to bloom again.

Saner Ayar, CEO of O3 Medya, remarked: “We are thrilled to bring Queen of Tears to Turkish audiences, marking a significant milestone in the collaboration between Turkish and Korean television industries. With a powerful story and the shared values of family, love, and resilience, we believe this adaptation will resonate deeply with viewers. This partnership reflects O3 Medya and Dass Production’s commitment to delivering world-class content and to breaking new ground in international scripted adaptations.”

Handan Özkubat, Director of Turkish Drama at Eccho Rights added: “O3 and DASS Yapım’s ambitious plans for a Turkish re-telling of this beautiful story will have a huge impact on the international market. We can’t wait to share this incredible new project with the world.”

Sebastian Kim, Head of International Sales at CJ ENM, shared his excitement about the adaptation, saying: “We are thrilled to see Queen of Tears, this year's most successful drama, being adapted for Turkish audiences. It will be fascinating to see how the story is reimagined in a new cultural context. We look forward to the Turkish version and believe that the powerful story of Queen of Tears will continue to build on its global success.”

A Studio Dragon representative added: "We hope to create an amazing series by adding the unique cultural background and imagination of Türkiye to the charm of the original, and deliver another heartfelt experience to audiences worldwide."

The series delves into the complexities of love, crisis, and reconciliation between a couple from vastly different backgrounds. Casting for the role of Baek Hyun Woo, originally played by Kim Soo Hyun, and Hong Hae-in, the Queen, who is played by Kim Ji-won, is currently underway, with O3 and DASS Yapım in talks with top-tier Turkish talent.

The series will be co-produced by O3 Medya and DASS Yapım, with Saner Ayar and Selen Sevigen serving as producers. Established as the global market leader in Turkish Drama sales, and with a rich history working with Korean scripts, Eccho Rights will distribute the Turkish adaptation in the international market. Reputable director Başak Soysal will direct the series.

The series has been a standout hit of 2024 in Korea, achieving an impressive 24.85% nationwide rating for its final episode, making it the highest-rated tvN series to date, surpassing Crash Landing on You, which was also penned by Park Ji-Eun. It ranks as one of the highest-rated dramas in Korean television history. On Netflix, Queen of Tears made a remarkable impact, maintaining a spot in the service’s Global Top 10 TV (Non-English) list for an impressive 15 weeks.

The Turkish adaptation is set to premiere on a free-to-air channel in the coming months.