The Turkish drama Love and Tears (adapted from the Korean hit Queen of Tears) is undergoing a major creative change.
Starting from episode 5, Çağatay Tosun will take over as director, replacing Engin Erden.
Produced by O3 Medya and Dass Yapım, the series stars Barış Arduç (Selim) and Hande Erçel (Meyra) — two of Turkey’s most popular and internationally recognized actors.
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Why the Change Now in the serie Ask ve Gozyasi?
Despite its star-studded cast, the first three episodes of Love and Tears failed to reach the expected ratings.
Audience numbers have fluctuated between 2.6 and 3 points, a relatively modest figure for a big-budget prime-time Turkish drama.
Viewers in Turkey have been somewhat divided over the show’s narrative rhythm, which stays highly faithful to the Queen of Tears storyline. The script focuses on emotional depth and character evolution — a slower tempo than what local audiences usually prefer.
A Growing International Success
While domestic ratings remain lukewarm, Love and Tears is showing promising results internationally.
The series is already available on Shahid, the MBC Group’s streaming platform for the Arabic-speaking world, where it quickly ranked among the most-watched shows.
According to Turkish entertainment journalist Birsen Altuntaş, international sales are strong, confirming that Turkish dramas continue to attract major attention abroad.
Why Bring in Çağatay Tosun?
To revitalize the series, producers have brought in Çağatay Tosun, a seasoned director known for combining emotional intensity with visual flair.
Tosun gained prominence with the hit drama Suskunlar (2012) and later directed several acclaimed productions including Merhamet, Muhteşem Yüzyıl: Kösem, Ramo, Kardeş Çocukları, Yalnız Kurt, and most recently Yabani (2023–2025).
His appointment to Love and Tears is seen as a strategic move to energize the narrative and reconnect with Turkish audiences who favor more dynamic storytelling.
A Universal Tale of Love and Resilience
Love and Tears, based on Queen of Tears, tells the story of a couple on the brink of divorce whose lives take a dramatic turn, forcing them to face love, pain, and emotional rebirth.
Featuring Barış Arduç and Hande Erçel — who have previously worked together twice — the series leans on their strong chemistry and international fanbase.
The big question now is whether this creative shift will translate into higher viewership and stronger engagement in Turkey.
Key Facts
| Element | Details |
| Original Title (TR) | Aşk ve Gözyaşı |
| English Title | Love and Tears |
| Based on | Queen of Tears (Korean drama) |
| Genre | Romantic drama |
| Director (from Ep.5) | Çağatay Tosun |
| Producers | O3 Medya & Dass Yapım |
| Lead Cast | Barış Arduç (Selim), Hande Erçel (Meyra) |
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