“When The Stars Gossip” has come to an end, leaving behind a lackluster performance that failed to resonate with viewers.
The final episode of tvN’s “When The Stars Gossip” aired last Sunday, concluding its ambitious journey as a 50 billion won ($37.5 million) production. Despite its star-studded cast and high production values, the drama struggled to capture audience engagement due to its weak storytelling and execution.
Starring Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin, “When The Stars Gossip” takes place aboard a zero-gravity space station, following the interactions between station commander Eve (Gong) and an unexpected visitor, Gongryong (Lee), who arrives on a secret mission.
In the final episode, Gongryong discovers that Eve is pregnant. Concerned for her health, he urges her to return to Earth, but she initially refuses. Eventually, she agrees, but complications arise during an emergency surgery, forcing her to remain in space. Three months later, Eve gives birth, but the childbirth causes a pelvic fracture that leads to her death. A year later, Gongryong commemorates their daughter Byul’s first birthday, while a new fertility treatment center is launched on Earth. Looking at his daughter, he remarks, “Everything that is alive is a miracle,” before gazing at the vastness of space.
“When The Stars Gossip” was touted as a groundbreaking project, marking the first time a Korean drama focused on life aboard a space station. At its production announcement, the creators highlighted the theme of ordinary people living and working in space, but once the series aired, it faced harsh criticism. Director Park Shin-woo aimed to explore whether Earth’s moral and ethical norms hold meaning in space, yet the drama failed to connect with audiences.
Anticipation was high, given Korea’s past struggles with space-themed projects like “Space Sweepers” (2021), “The Moon” (2023) and the 2021 Netflix series “The Silent Sea.” However, “When The Stars Gossip” fell into the same trap: the inherent limitations of space settings. With only a space station and the vastness of the cosmos as a backdrop, the story needed compelling characters, but instead, it fixated on controversial themes such as pregnancy, childbirth and reproduction — topics that alienated viewers from the start.
Even the romantic elements lacked finesse. Screenwriter Seo Sook-hyang, known for hits like “Pasta” and “Don’t Dare to Dream,” faced criticism for making this project feel outdated. The bed scene between the two leads, typically a climactic moment in romance dramas, lacked emotional buildup and occurred in a life-threatening hypothermia scenario, further diminishing its impact. The drama’s earlier emphasis on fruit fly mating experiments also made it difficult for audiences to view the romance in a heartfelt way. Ultimately, rather than enhancing the story, the space setting became the drama’s downfall.
Despite its shortcomings, the final episode saw a minor ratings boost. According to Nielsen Korea, “When The Stars Gossip” recorded a 2.5 percent viewership rating, up from 1.8 percent in the previous episode. However, the drama ultimately faded into obscurity, unable to leave a lasting impression.
