2025’s Most Hyped Korean Drama Struggles with Low Ratings Despite Lee Min-ho’s Explicit Bed Scenes

Despite a massive production budget of ₩50 billion (approximately $375 million), tvN’s new weekend drama When The Stars Gossip has fallen short of its lofty expectations as one of the most anticipated Korean dramas of early 2025.

According to Nielsen Korea, the second episode of When The Stars Gossip, which aired on January 5, recorded a national viewership rating of 3.883% among paid platform households. While this marked a slight increase from the 3.324% achieved by the first episode, it remains underwhelming given the high expectations surrounding the show.

Set against the unique backdrop of a space station, the romantic comedy took five years to prepare. The series generated significant buzz by casting Hallyu star Lee Min-ho and proven hitmaker Gong Hyo-jin as leads. However, the premiere struggled to attract viewers, with its ratings stuck in the 3% range. Analysts suggest that the unfamiliar setting of a space station and its complex premise may have hindered audience engagement.

In Episode 2, a dramatic scene unfolded as the first-ever rodent surgery in zero gravity was depicted aboard the space station. Commander Eve Kim (Gong Hyo-jin) and tourist Gong Ryong (Lee Min-ho) worked tirelessly to save a laboratory mouse that suffered cardiac arrest. This intense moment brought the two characters closer together, with Eve expressing her gratitude by telling Gong Ryong, "I'm so glad you're here in space."

The episode also revealed a secret mission assigned to Gong Ryong: transporting the egg of Na Min-jung, the daughter-in-law of the MZ Group, into space for an artificial insemination attempt. However, complications arose when space scientist Kang Kang-soo (Oh Jung-se) stole the egg, derailing the mission. The episode also introduced other space scientists, including Minari (Lee Cho-hee) and Lee Seung-jun (Heo Nam-joon).

When The Stars Gossip follows the story of Gong Ryong, a space tourist who paid ₩7 billion for the trip, and Eve Kim, the boss of the space station’s expedition team, as their lives intertwine aboard a spaceship. While the production boasts high-end visuals and a distinctive storyline reflective of its hefty budget, the challenge of reversing the downward ratings trend remains.

The drama airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 PM KST on tvN.