When The Stars Gossip Raises Eyebrows for This Controversial Scene

Artificial Insemination Scene Raises Eyebrows in Low-Rated Drama

tvN’s drama When the Stars Gossip, struggling with 1% viewership ratings, has sparked controversy with its latest plot twist. In a shocking scene, Gong Ryong (played by Lee Min-ho) decides to secretly proceed with artificial insemination without Eve Kim’s (played by Gong Hyo-jin) knowledge.

Gong Ryong enlists the help of Mina Lee, Lee Seung-jun, and Santiago Gonzalez Garcia to carry out the plan.

Santiago, baffled by Gong’s request, retorts, “Why are you asking us to hold your legs? If you want us to go along with this, you’d better tell us everything.”

Gong replies, “I’m doing what Kang Kang-soo did. Santiago, what Kang said earlier was a lie—it wasn’t your sperm. It was my patient’s sperm, which was just as defective as yours. I came to space because a mother, desperate for a child, asked me to help. Her husband’s sperm had genetic defects, and only in zero gravity could she conceive. No matter what kind of baby is born, there’s a loving mother waiting to raise them with care and responsibility.”

Despite Gong’s reasoning, Mina Lee and Lee Seung-jun refuse to assist. Mina argues, “I can’t do it. Did you see how Kang freaked out?” Lee adds, “This is as good as risking our careers. One mistake, and we’ll lose our astronaut qualifications, just like Kang.”

Gong insists, “You’re not even doing it yourself—just hold my legs like you did during the mouse surgery. I’ll turn a blind eye to your lottery incident, and you can pretend you didn’t see anything here.”

Understanding Artificial Insemination

Artificial insemination is a medical procedure used to assist couples struggling to conceive naturally. During the wife’s ovulation period, sperm is inserted into the uterus, cervix, or fallopian tubes to facilitate fertilization. The most common method is intrauterine insemination (IUI).

The procedure involves collecting sperm, which can either be used as-is or processed to select motile and healthy sperm. At least one functional fallopian tube is required for fertilization to occur naturally. The process is minimally invasive, virtually painless, and does not require hospitalization. It is also more cost-effective compared to in vitro fertilization (IVF).

When Is Artificial Insemination Used?

Artificial insemination is recommended in cases such as:

- Cervical or uterine abnormalities preventing natural conception.

- Issues with intercourse or ejaculation.

- Mild sperm abnormalities or unexplained infertility.

In cases of azoospermia (absence of sperm), donor sperm from a sperm bank may be used. Ovulation-inducing medications can also be administered to increase egg production before the procedure.

Once ovulation is confirmed via ultrasound, sperm is collected, processed, and injected into the uterus. Post-procedure, additional treatments may be prescribed to support implantation and pregnancy.

While When the Stars Gossip aims to blend unconventional storytelling with scientific detail, the controversial scene has left viewers questioning the balance between drama and realism. The show continues to navigate its low ratings, hoping to capture more attention with its bold narrative choices.