Hey, everyone! How’s it going? Today I’m here to review the drama When the Stars Gossip, which premiered on Netflix and has been generating buzz as one of the most ambitious Korean dramas of 2025, taking romance to literally new heights in outer space.
When the Stars Gossip aired on tvN every Saturday and Sunday from January 4 to February 23, 2025, with 16 episodes running approximately 70 minutes each. The series is also available for streaming on Netflix in selected regions. Written by Seo Sook-hyang and directed by Park Shin-woo, this space station romantic comedy stars Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin in what has been described as a high-budget, high-concept drama.
The series follows the fateful encounter of a space tourist and an astronaut on a space station, exploring themes of love, duty, and moral dilemmas in the most unlikely of settings. From two different worlds and with separate missions, an astronaut and a space tourist entangle in space, only to start falling for each other in this unique sci-fi romance.
Love Among the Stars with Hidden Agendas
The story centers on Eve Kim, a commander overseeing a space station, and Gong-ryong, a gynecologist who visits the station for a few days as a space tourist. However, both characters harbor secret missions that complicate their growing attraction. Gong Ryong is an obstetrician and he is the prospective son-in-law for the largest chaebol group MZ. He has a secret mission that he can’t tell anyone about, paying a large sum of money to travel to the space station as a space tourist.
The drama explores how these two very different individuals navigate their professional responsibilities while dealing with unexpected romantic feelings in the isolated environment of space. The series blends romantic comedy with sci-fi elements, creating a unique premise that sets it apart from traditional K-dramas.
Lee Min-ho: The Mysterious Space Tourist
Lee Min-ho plays Gong Ryong, an OB-GYN with hidden motives for his expensive trip to space. His character brings both charm and complexity to the role, as viewers gradually discover the true nature of his secret mission. Lee Min-ho’s performance balances the character’s professional medical expertise with his vulnerability as someone operating under deception, creating a compelling protagonist whose motivations become increasingly clear as the series progresses.
Gong Hyo-jin: The Perfectionist Space Commander
At the space station, Eve Kim is stationed as an elite space scientist currently on her first space station mission as a commander. She is a perfectionist who strictly follows rules and doesn’t tolerate a single mistake in an area where dangers lurk everywhere. Gong Hyo-jin delivers a strong performance as a woman torn between her professional duties and personal feelings, showcasing the internal conflict of someone who must maintain order in space while dealing with unexpected romantic complications.
The Supporting Cast: Life in Space
The series features Oh Jung-se and Han Ji-eun as part of the space station crew, each bringing their own dynamics to the isolated environment. The supporting characters help create the atmosphere of a functioning space station while providing both comic relief and dramatic tension as the main characters’ secrets begin to unravel.
When Secrets Are Exposed
The later episodes reveal the full extent of Gong Ryong’s secret experiment and Eve’s moral dilemma as she struggles to remain loyal to her duties while confronting the truth about her feelings and the mission. The climax explores how love and duty can conflict in the most extreme circumstances, forcing both characters to make difficult choices that will determine their futures.
Success on Netflix
When the Stars Gossip has been described as Netflix’s romantic space drama, featuring an incredible cast of actors such as Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin who bring the story to life. Despite its ambitious concept and high production values, the series has received mixed reviews, with some critics noting its blend of romance and sci-fi elements. The show’s unique premise of setting a romantic comedy in space has attracted international attention, though it has faced challenges in balancing its various genre elements.
If you love unconventional romantic dramas with unique settings and are curious about how love might bloom in the most unlikely places, When the Stars Gossip is an interesting series to explore on Netflix. The show offers a fresh take on the romantic comedy genre by literally reaching for the stars.
When the Stars Gossip attempts to boldly go where no K-drama has gone before, creating a space-set romantic comedy that explores love and duty among the stars, though your enjoyment may 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