[3][4] It depicts the story of Yi Bang-won, the third king of Joseon, from a new perspective (unrelated to 1996–98 TV series Tears of the Dragon).

It premiered on KBS1 on December 11, 2021, and aired on Saturdays and Sundays at 21:40 (KST) till May 1, 2022.

[5][6] The King of Tears, Yi Bang-won sheds new light on leader Yi Bang-won, who took the initiative to establish the Empire of Joseon during the end of the Goryeo Dynasty and early Joseon Dynasty when the ancient order of Goryeo was destroyed and the new order of Joseon was created.

On January 20, KBS released an apology for a horse's death on the set during filming of the seventh episode, when a scene was filmed showing the horse and its rider falling down.

[41] While the actor also sustained injuries, the horse died a week after the incident, generating great public outcry over animal abuse.