When the Stars Gossip introduces viewers to Eve Kim, an accomplished astronaut played by Gong Hyo-jin. As the commander of a space station, Eve embodies professionalism and dedication, putting her mission and the safety of her crew above all else. However, her strong character unravels as the series progresses, diminishing her initial portrayal of strength and competence.
Enter Lee Min-ho as Gong Ryong, an obstetrician-gynecologist who joins the space station under the guise of conducting fertility research. In reality, his mission is far stranger—sent by his fiancée’s father, a corporate chairman determined to carry on the family line by using his deceased son’s sperm in a zero-gravity IVF procedure. Despite this bizarre premise, the real focus turns to Ryong’s growing affection for Eve. Although she initially resists his charm, Eve eventually falls for him, leading to an ill-fated romantic encounter during a period of isolation in space.
The latter half of the series shifts back to Earth, where Eve and Ryong struggle with the fallout of their affair, including breakups with their respective partners. Meanwhile, a tedious subplot involving a lost lottery ticket aboard the space station drags on unnecessarily.
As the story spirals, Ryong’s secret mission is uncovered, and the embryo meant for the IVF procedure is destroyed—by Eve herself—to protect Ryong. This act sparks overwrought emotional responses from other characters, further dragging the narrative into melodrama.
The plot reaches its most implausible twist when Eve discovers she is pregnant from her space encounter with Ryong. Despite the impossibility of an astronaut being cleared for space travel while pregnant, she stubbornly remains on the station, believing returning to Earth could harm her unborn child. In the end, Eve sacrifices her life to give birth in zero gravity—a tragically unnecessary decision that transforms her into a misguided martyr.
The show concludes with Ryong, disgraced and fined, scattering Eve’s ashes in space while tethered to a glowing, symbolic “umbilical cord.” Intended as a poetic reflection on life, this finale instead feels absurd and overly sentimental.
Ultimately, When the Stars Gossip fails to balance sci-fi ambition with emotional resonance, leaving viewers adrift in a sea of melodrama and implausibility.
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