'When the Stars Gossip' vs. 'The Potato Lab': The Shocking Similarity in tvN Drama History

With just two episodes remaining before its finale, 'The Potato Lab', a weekend drama on tvN, continues to struggle, pulling in ratings stuck in the 1% range. Despite featuring top actors like Lee Sun-bin and Kang Tae-oh, the show premiered on March 1 with a nationwide viewership rating of just 1.7%, marking the lowest debut rating ever for a tvN weekend drama.

Unfortunately, things didn’t improve. Over 10 episodes, the ratings have consistently hovered between 1% and 2%. The latest episode, episode 10, managed 1.9%.

The drama’s underwhelming performance has drawn extra attention because it follows 'When the Stars Gossip'—a high-budget sci-fi romance that also flopped. With a record-breaking budget of 50 billion KRW (around $34 million), When the Stars Gossip was the first Korean drama to be set on a space station, but it failed to meet expectations.

Starting in the 3% range, its ratings gradually dropped, eventually ending with just 2.6%, making it the worst-performing tvN weekend drama since the 2020s—especially striking given the massive success of Queen of Tears, which scored up to 24% just months prior.

As The Potato Lab aired as the successor to this failed drama, anticipation was high. But instead of a rebound, the situation worsened. If the final two episodes continue this trend, tvN may suffer back-to-back failures in its prized weekend drama slot—a scenario few expected from a network known for its hit series.

A Healing Romance with a Quirky Twist—But Is That Enough?

The Potato Lab is a heartwarming romantic comedy centered around Mi-kyung (Lee Sun-bin), a woman who knows nothing but potatoes, and Baek-ho (Kang Tae-oh), a man who lives by the rules. When Baek-ho unexpectedly enters Mi-kyung’s potato-focused life, their relationship begins to spiral unpredictably—like a twisted tornado potato. Set in a cozy research lab where potatoes are roasted, fried, and boiled, the story aims to offer a feel-good, slice-of-life experience.

At the drama’s pre-release press conference, director Kang Il-soo described the show as “a B-grade rom-com set in a real potato research institute in Gangwon Province. Like everyday potatoes—plain and overlooked—the drama tells the relatable, cheerful stories of ordinary people who don’t shine on the surface, and sometimes don’t even understand their own hearts.”

Despite its fresh concept and powerful lead cast, viewers have largely rejected the show. Critics say it lacks convincing romance and genuine comedy. From episode one, exaggerated CGI and over-the-top performances clashed with the story’s tone, creating awkwardness. Attempts at humor felt repetitive or outdated, and the characters were described as flat and cliché, failing to generate emotional investment. Without a standout character to root for, audiences quickly lost interest.

“Healing or Boring?” – Critics Weigh In

According to Ilgan Sports, pop culture critic Kim Sung-soo explained:

“Good dramas usually portray changes in characters and relationships through conflict. But The Potato Lab sticks to a static setup—the idea that the lab is in danger—and doesn’t build enough tension or transformation. While non-dramatic settings can be comforting, they also risk being boring. That’s the case here.”

Ep. 1: 1.7%

Ep. 2: 1.8%

Ep. 3: 1.4%

Ep. 4: 2.0%

Ep. 5: 1.1%

Ep. 6: 1.6%

Ep. 7: 1.3%

Ep. 8: 2.0%

Ep. 9: 1.1%

Ep. 10: 1.9%

Get the latest on K-pop & K-drama here!