Cash Cow Korean Drama Hits Rock Bottom with Worst Ratings Yet

A Costly Disappointment: When the Stars Gossip Struggles to Find Viewers

The highly anticipated 500 billion won production When the Stars Gossip has fallen to an all-time low, with ratings dropping to the 1% range after just five episodes. Episode 5, aired on January 18, recorded 1.9% in the Seoul metropolitan area and 1.8% nationwide, according to Nielsen Korea. This marks a 1.0% drop from the previous episode’s 2.8% and continues a downward trend since the show’s premiere.

The drama’s viewership journey started with a promising 3.3% rating for its first episode and peaked at 3.9% with its second. However, by Episode 3, ratings dropped to 2.2%, and the show has since failed to recover. According to TV Daily, this is tvN’s first drama to fall into the 1% range since Melting Me Softly aired in 2019, and only the second since the network shifted its weekend dramas to a Saturday-Sunday slot in 2017.

Fierce Competition

On the same day, rival dramas dominated the ratings:

- KBS2’s Iron Family led the pack with 17.4%.

- SBS’s Love Scout followed with 11.4%.

- JTBC’s The Tale of Lady Ok recorded 8.4%.

- MBC’s Motel California and Channel A’s Check-in Hanyang earned 3.6% and 2.5%, respectively.

Among these, Love Scout continues to soar, reaching 11.4% nationwide with a 4.4% rating in the coveted 20-49 demographic. The series has also topped viewership charts in 123 countries.

The Plot and High Expectations

Starring Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin, When the Stars Gossip tells the story of life aboard a zero-gravity space station. Lee plays Gong Ryong, a mysterious visitor with a secret mission, while Gong plays Eve Kim, the station’s stern boss. As the first K-drama set in space, the production required five years of preparation and drew attention for its massive budget and star-studded cast.

The show also boasts an impressive creative team, including writer Seo Sook-hyang (Pasta, Jealousy Incarnate) and director Park Shin-woo (It’s Okay to Not Be Okay, Encounter).

Why Is the Drama Struggling?

Critics and viewers cite a lack of engaging storytelling and overly drawn-out pacing as reasons for the drama’s struggles. Despite its massive budget and A-list cast, the show’s execution has failed to resonate with audiences.

In contrast, rival dramas with lower budgets are gaining traction thanks to compelling narratives:

JTBC’s The Tale of Lady Ok, starring Lim Ji-yeon and Choo Young-woo, has peaked at 11%.

MBC’s Motel California, starring Lee Se-young and Na In-woo, maintains steady 3-4% ratings.

Channel A’s Check-in Hanyang has seen a gradual rise from 1% to the 2-3% range due to positive word of mouth.

Viewer Reactions

Online reactions to the ratings slump have been mixed:

“Wow, how did it drop to 1%?”

“If only it had stayed above 2%…”

“Lee Min-ho deserves better material.”

“The pacing is just too slow to hold interest.”

“Maybe it’ll find a bigger audience internationally?”

Highlights of Episode 5

Despite its struggles, Episode 5 delivered intense moments as Gong Ryong confessed his feelings to Eve Kim, only to be met with a firm rejection. Meanwhile, secrets surrounding Kang Kang-soo (Oh Jung-se) and betrayals by Park Dong-ah (Kim Joo-heon) added layers of intrigue to the unfolding plot.

With 11 episodes remaining, fans are watching to see if When the Stars Gossip can turn things around and reclaim its spot as a must-watch drama.