Hello, everyone! How are you doing today? I’m here to provide an overview of the drama When the Stars Gossip, which made its debut on Netflix and has quickly become a hot topic as one of the most ambitious Korean dramas of 2025, taking romance to new heights—literally—in outer space.
When the Stars Gossip was broadcast on tvN every Saturday and Sunday from January 4 to February 23, 2025, consisting of 16 episodes, each approximately 70 minutes long. It’s also accessible for streaming on Netflix in certain regions. Crafted by writer Seo Sook-hyang and helmed by director Park Shin-woo, this romantic comedy set in a space station features Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin in a high-budget, high-concept production.
The show narrates the chance meeting between a space tourist and an astronaut aboard a space station, delving into themes of love, duty, and ethical conflicts in an unexpected setting. Hailing from different worlds and with distinct missions, the astronaut and the space tourist become entangled in space, eventually developing feelings for each other in this distinctive sci-fi romance.
Romance Among the Stars with Secretive Agendas
The plot revolves around Eve Kim, a commander managing a space station, and Gong-ryong, a gynecologist who visits the station briefly as a space tourist. However, both characters have hidden agendas that complicate their blossoming attraction. Gong Ryong is an obstetrician and the potential son-in-law of the largest chaebol group MZ. He embarks on a secret mission, paying a hefty fee to visit the space station as a tourist.
The drama explores how these two contrasting personalities juggle their professional obligations while grappling with unexpected romantic emotions in the remote setting of space. The series mixes romantic comedy with sci-fi elements, creating a unique narrative that distinguishes it from conventional K-dramas.
Lee Min-ho: The Enigmatic Space Tourist
Lee Min-ho takes on the role of Gong Ryong, an OB-GYN with concealed motives for his costly venture into space. His character combines charm with complexity, as viewers gradually uncover the true nature of his clandestine mission. Lee Min-ho’s portrayal balances the character’s professional medical knowledge with his vulnerability as someone acting under false pretenses, crafting a compelling protagonist whose intentions become clearer as the series unfolds.
Gong Hyo-jin: The Meticulous Space Commander
At the space station, Eve Kim serves as an elite space scientist on her inaugural mission as a commander. She is a perfectionist, adhering strictly to rules and tolerating no errors in an environment where dangers abound. Gong Hyo-jin delivers a strong performance as a woman torn between her professional responsibilities and personal feelings, highlighting the internal struggle of maintaining order in space while facing unexpected romantic entanglements.
The Supporting Cast: Life Aboard the Space Station
The series includes Oh Jung-se and Han Ji-eun as part of the space station crew, each adding their unique dynamics to the isolated setting. The supporting characters contribute to the atmosphere of a functioning space station while providing both comic relief and dramatic tension as the main characters’ secrets start to unravel.
Unveiling the Secrets
In the later episodes, the full scope of Gong Ryong’s secret experiment is disclosed, as well as Eve’s moral quandary as she strives to remain true to her duties while confronting her feelings and the mission. The climax examines how love and duty can clash under extreme circumstances, compelling both characters to make tough decisions that will shape their futures.
Achieving Success on Netflix
When the Stars Gossip is recognized as Netflix’s romantic space drama, featuring an outstanding cast including Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin who bring the narrative to life. Despite its ambitious concept and high production values, the series has received mixed feedback, with some critics highlighting its fusion of romance and sci-fi elements. The show’s novel concept of setting a romantic comedy in space has garnered international attention, even though it has faced challenges in balancing its genre components.
If you’re intrigued by unconventional romantic dramas set in unique locations and curious about how love might flourish in the most unlikely places, When the Stars Gossip is a captivating series to watch on Netflix. The show offers a fresh perspective on the romantic comedy genre by literally aiming for the stars.
When the Stars Gossip endeavors to boldly venture where no K-drama has before, crafting a space-set romantic comedy that explores love and duty among the stars, though your enjoyment might depend on how willing you are to suspend disbelief.
Series Details:
Number of Episodes: 16 Platform: Netflix (selected regions) / tvN Rating: 6.4/10 (IMDb) Genre: Romance, Comedy, Drama, Science Fiction Main Cast: Lee Min-ho (Gong Ryong), Gong Hyo-jin (Eve Kim), Oh Jung-se, Han Ji-eun Antagonist: Conflicting duties, secret missions, and the isolation of space itself