Lee Min-ho is set to make a highly anticipated return to television with the space-themed romantic drama, When the Stars Gossip, premiering on Netflix on January 4. The show is an ambitious project, boasting a production budget of 50 billion won (US$34.5 million) and five years of meticulous planning. Combining science fiction with human drama, the series aims to redefine K-drama standards.
The plot is set aboard a space station, focusing on the lives of astronauts and the ground crew that supports them. Lee Min-ho stars as Gong Ryong, a mysterious visitor on a secret mission, while Kong Hyo-jin plays Eve Kim, the determined commander of the space station. Their complex dynamics are further heightened by the arrival of Kang Kang-su (Oh Jung-se), a wealthy scientist, and Choi Go-eun (Han Ji-eun), Gong Ryong’s girlfriend, a celebrity heiress.
Director Park Shin-woo emphasizes that the drama will explore the question of whether societal norms, ethics, and meaningless things remain constant when we leave Earth. Park, while acknowledging the challenges faced by previous space-themed K-dramas like The Silent Sea and Space Sweepers, is confident in his show’s innovative approach. He highlighted the drama’s authenticity, the detailed production, and how the crew’s hard work brought a realistic zero-gravity experience to the screen, utilizing wire-flying techniques and advanced computer graphics.
In his return to Korean television after five years, Lee Min-ho reflected on his time off, explaining that it allowed him to recharge and focus on how he could contribute more meaningfully as an actor. “The break hasn’t felt as long as I thought it would,” Lee shared, noting the time-consuming nature of his projects, including both the drama and an upcoming film.
Kong Hyo-jin, who portrays the disciplined commander Eve Kim, expressed her initial surprise at the show’s focus not on space adventures but on the everyday lives of people in space. Both actors encouraged viewers to watch When the Stars Gossip, which they believe offers a fresh and heartwarming narrative in a world increasingly seeking stimulation. The series promises to explore human connection in a setting that is as extraordinary as it is relatable.
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