Queen of Tears emerged as THE blockbuster K-drama of 2024, and deservedly so. While the globally popular series marked Hallyu stars Kim Soo Hyun and Kim Ji Won’s first on-screen collaboration, Queen of Tears also boasted star-studded cameos. This includes Kim Soo Hyun’s It’s Okay to Not Be Okay co-star Oh Jung Se playing a psychiatrist, and Song Joong Ki reprising his iconic Vincenzo character and reuniting with his Descendants of the Sun co-star Kim Ji Won for a hilarious scene. If you loved Queen of Tears, we’ve compiled a binge list of must-watch K-dramas that feature epic cameos by the cast…
Missing Queen of Tears? Then watch these 7 binge-worthy K-dramas on Netflix featuring memorable cameos by the cast:
1. Crash Landing on You
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Crash Landing on You is a beloved rom-com K-drama that depicts the star-crossed love story between a North Korean captain and a South Korean heiress. Due to a paragliding mishap, the heiress lands up in North Korea and quite literally “crash” lands into the soldier’s arms. While trying to help the heiress return safely to South Korea, the eccentric pair fall in love making way for a memorable romance. Crash Landing on You stars Hyun Bin, Son Ye Jin, Seo Ji Hye and Kim Jung Hyun, and features Kim Soo Hyun reprising his hilarious Secretly, Greatly character Bang Dong Gu in a cameo.
2. It’s Okay to Not Be Okay
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It’s Okay to Not Be Okay is a psychological rom-com series that is centred on three characters — a kind-hearted psych ward caretaker, his autistic elder brother who is a gifted illustrator and an anti-social but popular children’s book author — who are battling mental health issues. As the trio crosses paths, they heal their past wounds together and find a family in each other. It’s Okay to Not Be Okay stars Kim Soo Hyun, Seo Ye Ji, Oh Jung Se and Park Gyu Young alongside an emotionally-stirring cameo by Queen of Tears actor Kwak Dong Yeon.
3. Mr. Sunshine
Mr. Sunshine is a historical romance melodrama that narrates the courageous yet tragic take on freedom fighters who fought for Korea’s independence in the early 1900s Hanseong (Seoul). The hit series further explores the ill-fated love story between a US Marine Corps captain and a noblewoman who is secretly a sniper for the Righteous Army. Mr. Sunshine stars Lee Byung Hun, Kim Tae Ri, Yoo Yeon Seok, Kim Min Jung and Byun Yo Han, while Kim Ji Won has an impactful cameo in the first episode.
4. Hotel del Luna
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Hotel del Luna is a horror fantasy rom-com K-drama that explores the passionate romance between the extravagant but ancient owner of Hotel del Luna, a hotel for ghosts, and a wealthy hotelier who is forced to join the haunted hotel as its general manager. The mysteries surrounding Hotel del Luna, especially its owner whose soul is bound to the hotel due to a grave sin she committed ages ago, start to unravel with the entry of its new GM. Hotel del Luna stars IU and Yeo Jin Goo while the former reunites with her The Producers co-star Kim Soo Hyun, who makes a stylish cameo in the finale.
5. Our Beloved Summer
Our Beloved Summer is a coming-of-age rom-com series revolving around a bickering ex-couple — an acclaimed building illustrator and a PR expert — who unwittingly reunite after a bad breakup because of a documentary that they filmed a decade ago when they were high school classmates. Their best friend, a famed PD (producer-director), forces the exes to face the cameras again. While the former flames start off on a bad note, their supposedly forgotten feelings resurface in full force. However, a love triangle makes its way as the PD harbours an unrequited crush on the PR genius since their high school days. Our Beloved Summer stars Choi Woo Sik, Kim Da Mi, Kim Sung Cheol and Roh Jeong Eui, while Kwak Dong Yeon makes an artistic cameo as Choi Woo Sik’s rival.
6. Dream High 2
Dream High 2 is the sequel to Dream High, the cult 2011 series. The teen rom-com musical K-drama follows Kirin High School of Art students, who train day and night to become K-pop idols. Just like its predecessor, the new batchmates come with intriguing backstories and love stories of their own. Dream High 2 stars Kang So Ra, 2AM member Jinwoon, GOT7 members Jay B and Park Jinyoung, T-ara member Jiyeon and Hyolyn, while Kim Soo Hyun reprises his loved Dream High character Song Sam Dong in a cameo.
7. Mad Dog
Mad Dog is an action thriller series that follows a former police officer, who establishes an investigation squad called Mad Dog because he wants to reinvestigate his wife and son’s deaths due to a plane crash. He eventually encounters a former swindler, whose younger brother was the co-pilot in the same airplane as the police officer’s loved ones. His sibling is prime accused in the plane crash, and the genius swindler makes it his mission to prove his sibling’s innocence. Mad Dog stars Yoo Ji Tae, Woo Do Hwan, Ryu Hwa Young, Jo Jae Yoon, Kim Hye Seong and Hong Soo Hyun, while Queen of Tears actor Park Sung Hoon makes a villainous cameo.
