$34M Romance K-Drama Fails: Star Power and Bold Bed Scene Can’t Break 3% Barrier

The highly anticipated tvN drama 'When the Stars Gossip', starring Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin, is failing to gain momentum despite its bold space bed scene and a massive ₩50 billion (approximately $34.29 million) production budget. The show, which took five years to prepare, has struggled to connect with viewers.

According to Nielsen Korea on the 3rd, episode 10 of When the Stars Gossip recorded a nationwide viewership rating of just 2.7%, a significant drop from its premiere rating of 3.3% on January 4. The show reached a high of 3.9% during its second episode but has since failed to regain the 3% range, even dropping to 1.8% during episodes 5 and 7.

Given its luxurious production and an A-list cast featuring Lee Min-ho, Gong Hyo-jin, Kim Joo-heon, and Han Ji-eun, the drama’s performance is considered disappointing.

A Bold Space Bed Scene That Couldn’t Save Ratings

Even the much-talked-about space bed scene between Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin, which generated buzz before its release, wasn’t enough to boost ratings. Although the provocative scene set in zero gravity sparked conversations online, it failed to convert that attention into actual viewership.

The 10th episode, aired on February 2, depicted the deteriorating relationship between Gong Ryong (Lee Min-ho) and Eve Kim (Gong Hyo-jin) after their return to Earth. Tension arose when Park Dong-ah (Kim Joo-heon) publicly revealed his romantic involvement with Eve Kim during a press conference. Feeling obligated to repay Dong-ah for risking his life to save her, Eve began distancing herself from Ryong, who was also entangled in complications with Choi Go-eun (Han Ji-eun).

During a convenience store date, Eve Kim suggested erasing their past, saying, “Let’s forget everything, including our memories and the time we spent together in space.” She added a cold remark, “This is the end between us.” Her rejection left Ryong devastated, especially given his lowered self-esteem and guilt over believing he could have harmed the woman he loved.

Han Ji-eun’s Emotional Performance Earns Praise

Han Ji-eun, who plays Choi Go-eun, a chaebol heiress struggling after losing her fiancé, delivered a heart-wrenching performance. Her standout line, “To you, he might just be a tourist paying a lot of money to visit space, but to me, he’s my fiancé,” resonated with viewers. Her character’s emotional turmoil deepened when she discovered Eve and Ryong embracing in the nude upon their return to Earth and confronted Ryong about whether they had kissed as well.

In a moment of raw vulnerability, she demanded, “Tell me you’re pushing me away because you’ve fallen for someone else. At least then, I wouldn’t feel as humiliated.” The scene ended with Go-eun crying alone after leaving Ryong’s hospital room, capturing viewers’ sympathy.

Despite its unique setting—a romance unfolding against the backdrop of space—and an impressive cast, the drama has failed to win over audiences. The ₩50 billion production budget and its inability to surpass a 3% viewership rate are seen as a major setback for the production team.

When the Stars Gossip airs every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 PM KST and is currently on its 10th episode out of 16. With six episodes remaining, all eyes are on whether the show can turn things around and achieve success worthy of its massive investment.