The space romance drama When the Stars Gossip, starring Lee Min Ho and Gong Hyo Jin, concluded on February 23, 2025, leaving fans divided. While some praised the show’s bold storytelling and emotional depth, others slammed the abrupt and tragic ending, particularly the death of Gong Hyo Jin’s character, Eve Kim. Despite its all-star cast and unique premise as Korea’s first space-themed romance drama, the series ended with a disappointing 2.6% viewership rating, according to Nielsen Korea.
Mixed Reactions: Fans Divided Over the Finale
Viewers flooded social media and online forums to share their thoughts on the controversial ending. Many were highly critical, with some even labeling it one of the worst drama finales in recent memory.
One viewer tweeted:“The writer is cruel. They wasted a great cast with a poorly executed story and a horrible ending.”
Another criticized the writing, stating:“The story was lackluster, and the abrupt death of Eve Kim was a cruel decision by the director.”
However, not all feedback was negative. Some fans appreciated the emotional weight and boldness of the ending.
One fan commented:“This is where it ends for me—a happy family. Eve is gone, and Ryong has his life with Byeol. I’m a bit sad but happy for them. This deserves a Guinness World Record, not just for the first space s*x but also the first space birth!”
Another praised the series, saying:“I feel like I’m going through a grieving period. The more I think about #WhenTheStarsGossip, the more I realize what an incredible drama we have the privilege to watch.”
A third viewer added:“I’m incredibly proud of #LeeMinHo for choosing #WhenTheStarsGossip. I’m proud of the whole cast for giving their best to tell a story that was never meant to be easy.”
I’m incredibly proud of #LeeMinHo for choosing #WhenTheStarsGossip I’m proud of the whole cast for giving their best to tell a story that never was meant to be easy. And I’m so proud of all those who did not get affected by ratings and reviews and loved it no matter what. pic.twitter.com/Iv9JN3ac6e
I feel like I’m going through a grieving period. The more I think about #WhenTheStarsGossip the more I realize what an incredible drama we had the privilege to watch. The more I think about it the more I realize that Gong Ryong is #LeeMinHo’s most impactful deep character 🥹🥹 pic.twitter.com/ZaZAt4ci2K
When the Stars Gossip blends romance and tragedy against the backdrop of space. The story follows Commander Eve Kim (played by Gong Hyo Jin), a Korean-American astronaut, and Gong Ryong (played by Lee Min Ho), an obstetrician-gynecologist who visits the space station as a tourist with a hidden agenda. As their relationship deepens, they face numerous challenges, including the dangers of space and their own personal secrets.
In the final episodes, Eve Kim gives birth to their daughter, Byeol, in space. However, she senses something is wrong with her body and chooses to spend her final moments with Gong Ryong and their baby without revealing the truth. The next day, she passes away, leaving Gong Ryong devastated.
In a heartbreaking scene, Gong Ryong scatters her ashes in space, bidding her a final goodbye: “Goodbye, Eve. See you again.”
Due to their daughter’s physical condition, Gong Ryong cannot return to Earth. The drama concludes with a poignant scene on Earth, where an elderly man in a wheelchair, presumably Gong Ryong, watches the ocean while a child plays nearby, symbolizing that he has Byeol by his side forever.
Behind-the-Scenes: The Creative Team’s Perspective
The drama’s writer, Seo Sook Hyang, addressed the controversial ending in an interview, explaining the reasoning behind Eve Kim’s death:
“We wanted to portray the harsh realities of space exploration and the sacrifices made by those who venture into the unknown. Eve’s death was meant to highlight the fragility of life and the enduring power of love.”
Director Park Shin Woo also weighed in, acknowledging the divisive nature of the finale:
“We knew the ending would be controversial, but we believed it was the most honest conclusion to the story. We wanted to leave viewers with a sense of both loss and hope.”
Social Media Buzz: Fans Vent Disappointment and Praise
Fans took to Twitter to share their frustration and disappointment with the ending.
One user wrote: “I can’t believe they killed off Eve Kim. It feels like a betrayal to the fans who invested so much time in this drama.”
Another tweeted: “The ending was a letdown. It felt rushed and didn’t do justice to the characters’ journeys.”
However, some fans defended the creative choices.
One fan posted: “The ending was heartbreaking but beautiful. It showed that love can transcend even the boundaries of life and death.”
Another commented: “I appreciate the boldness of the storytelling. It’s not often that a drama takes such risks.”
The finale of When the Stars Gossip has ignited passionate debates among fans, with opinions split over the tragic ending. While some viewers were left disappointed by the abrupt death of Eve Kim and the series’ lackluster writing, others celebrated its emotional depth and willingness to take risks. Despite the mixed reactions and low viewership ratings, the drama has undeniably left a lasting impact on its audience.
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