When the Stars Gossip continues to stir controversy with a provocative scene featuring Lee Min Ho and Gong Hyo Jin. The dialogue and CGI technology used have sparked strong criticism.
On January 26, Chosun reported that in the episode, Eve Kim (Gong Hyo Jin) and Gong Ryong (Lee Min Ho) were stranded in space after the ship’s engine exploded, leaving them without oxygen. To survive the cold, the two used the same tent, and in a suggestive moment, Eve Kim told Gong Ryong, "You know, taking off your clothes will be warmer," prompting both of them to undress.
Later, when Gong Ryong confessed to his involvement in an in vitro fertilization experiment, Eve Kim responded nonchalantly, saying, "We might die. There's no strength left to be angry. Let’s write a will so the rescue ship can implant the embryo." Gong Ryong responded, "It’s okay to freeze to death," before the two shared a love scene.
After airing, the episode was widely criticized by viewers. Many found the dialogue provocative and the CGI effects subpar, with some viewers expressing disappointment in the low-quality visuals. One commenter remarked, "The bed scene in space felt like it was inside a fertilized egg. Honestly, directors today have reached the peak of irritation."
Another viewer noted, "Even in Titanic, Jack and Rose didn’t do this when they froze to death in the water. And now it happens in space in 2024."
Many criticized the CGI for being outdated and cheesy, with one user posting a screenshot of Lee Min Ho in the pool, captioning it, "This moment deserves the most criticism."
Amidst the backlash, some viewers called the 50 billion won budget for the film a waste, labeling When the Stars Gossip as a "B-class comedy" and "trash."
The series, written by Seo Sook Hyang and directed by Park Shin Woo, stars Lee Min Ho and Gong Hyo Jin and centers on a fateful encounter between a tourist and an astronaut on a space station. Lee Min Ho’s character, a responsible obstetrician and gynecologist, visits the space station as a tourist.
However, the show has been struggling with a record-low viewership rating. As reported by DailyTV, episode 5 garnered just a 1.8% rating, the lowest in the station’s history, matching the low performance of Melting Me Softly (2019). The ratings have been on a steady decline, from 3.3% in the first week, to 2.2% in the second week, and now down to 1.8%.
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