TV 드라마 <눈물의 여왕>(2024)에 나타난 정동적 눈물과 멜로드라마의 가능성

Abstract

Since the 2010s, Korean melodramas have shifted away from excessive emotional displays, entering a ‘post-tears’ era that captivates viewers without overwhelming emotion. However, the 2024 tvN drama “Queen of Tears” revisits the appeal and impact of tears, establishing itself as a distinctive and unique work. This study examines the manifestations and mechanisms of ‘affective tears’ in “Queen of Tears”, the modes of representation through dramatic language, and the affective relationship with the audience. In “Queen of Tears”, the tears of the character Hae-in go beyond simple emotional expression, deeply portraying the relationships and affective changes among the characters. Hae-in experiences various life crises, and these affects are represented through tears. Hae-in’s tears signify affective tendencies through physical transformations and interactions with significant others, forming affective solidarity through mechanisms like mutual care and serendipitous discovery. “Queen of Tears” employs character dialogue, visual imagery, and background music to represent affective tears, imbuing the work with ethical and aesthetic value. Techniques such as Hae-in’s tsundere-like speech acts, the visualization of physical responses through ‘perception/affect-images’, and the self-narration of tears through the OST effectively express affective tears. The emotional practices of the work draw viewers into an affective realm, shedding new light on the aesthetics and potential of ‘tears’ in Korean melodramas.