'Queen of Tears' Episode 12 Takeaway: Yoon Eun-seong's obsession with Hong Hae-in turns frustrating

Yoon Eun-seong's manipulative schemes escalate in Episode 12 of 'Queen of Tears'
UPDATED APR 15, 2024
In Episode 12 of 'Queen of Tears', Yoon Eun-seong manipulates Hong Hae-in to have dinner with him (@Netflix)
In Episode 12 of 'Queen of Tears', Yoon Eun-seong manipulates Hong Hae-in to have dinner with him (@Netflix)

Contains spoilers for Episode 12 of 'Queen of Tears'

SEOUL, SOUTH KOREA: In Episode 12 of 'Queen of Tears', now streaming on Netflix, the tangled web of deceit and desire tightens its grip on our characters.

Hong Hae-in's (Kim Ji-won) desperate search for connection leads her to a heartbreaking encounter with her grandfather, exposing the devastating effects of her memory loss.

Meanwhile, Yoon Eun-seong's (Park Sung-hoon) obsession with Hae-in takes a disturbing turn, as he orchestrates a series of manipulative schemes to win her affection.

This episode delivers a mix of plot advancement and frustration, leaving viewers yearning for a character to make a clear decision. 

Hong Hae-in visits her grandfather in 'Queen of Tears' Episode 12

In the episode 12 of 'Queen of Tears' Yoon Eun-seong takes Hong Hae-in to meet her grandfather (@Netflix)
In Episode 12 of 'Queen of Tears', Yoon Eun-seong takes Hong Hae-in to meet her grandfather (@Netflix)

Eun-seong's perspective on his interactions with Hae-in is a fascinating, albeit uncomfortable, viewpoint. We see his clear enjoyment in her company, even resorting to deception by letting her believe he's Baek Hyun-woo (Kim Soo-hyun).

This manipulation, though fueled by his feelings, is a red flag for their potential relationship. Hae-in's plight continues to be the most heartbreaking aspect. Stuck in a state of confusion, she desperately seeks a connection with someone familiar in the house.

Her encounter with her grandfather exposes the true depth of her memory loss, leaving the audience empathetic to her struggle.

It's a powerful scene, highlighting the devastating impact of her condition.

Yoon Eun-seong's plan fails miserably in 'Queen of Tears' Episode 12

In episode 12 of 'Queen of Tears' Hong Hae-in's hallucination and memory loss makes her unable to recognize Hyun-woo (@Netflix)
In Episode 12 of 'Queen of Tears', Hong Hae-in's hallucination and memory loss makes her unable to recognize Baek Hyun-woo (@Netflix)

Meanwhile, the true villain of the episode is the broker sent by Eun-seong. His plan to kill Hyun-woo is not only cruel but also poorly conceived. Hyun-woo's quick thinking in escaping the car makes a mockery of the scheme.

Eun-seong's attempt to recreate a romantic setting for Hae-in feels forced and disingenuous. His fabrication of saving her as a child further highlights his willingness to lie to gain her affection. While his feelings may be genuine, his methods are a major turn-off.

The episode throws in a final twist with Hyun-woo's encounter with Hae-in. Hae-in who forgot her way back to the exit due to her hallucination and memory loss was broken through by Hyun-woo, offering a sense of hope for their connection.

However, Eun-seong's angry reaction, watching through the CCTV cameras, leaves us wondering if this newfound connection will continue, or if more manipulation is on the horizon.

Overall, this episode offers a frustrating mix of plot advancement and unethical tactics. The manipulation employed by both Eun-seong and the broker leaves the viewer with a sense of unease.

'Queen of Tears' is available for streaming on Netflix

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