Episode 3 of When The Stars Gossip brings intense drama as the story ventures into dangerous territory for its lead characters. The South Korean romantic comedy series, set in a space station, aired its third episode on January 11, 2025, captivating viewers with high-stakes scenarios and emotional depth. Starring Lee Min-ho, Gong Hyo-jin, Oh Jung-se, Han Ji-eun, Kim Joo-hun, and Lee El, the Netflix original premiered globally on January 4, 2024.
A Perilous Mission for Commander Eve Kim
Commander Eve Kim (Gong Hyo-jin) takes on a critical task of repairing a malfunctioning panel during a spacewalk. The mission quickly escalates into a life-threatening situation when Eve’s glove sustains damage, causing a dangerous loss of pressure in her suit. As she attempts to return to safety, her oxygen supply diminishes, and she loses consciousness near the airlock. The suspenseful cliffhanger leaves viewers anxiously awaiting her fate.
Simultaneously, Kang Kang-su (Oh Jung-se), an experimental scientist assisting in the spacewalk, encounters trouble when a hook punctures his suit, causing an oxygen leak. He is forced to retreat to the airlock, leaving Eve to complete the mission on her own. The sequence highlights both the physical and emotional challenges faced by astronauts during such high-pressure scenarios.
Dr. Gong Ryong’s Covert Operation
Dr. Gong Ryong (Lee Min-ho), an obstetrician-gynecologist aboard the space station, becomes entangled in a secret mission to safeguard valuable reproductive specimens. Aware of Kang Kang-su’s potentially unethical intentions, Ryong devises a risky plan to retrieve the cryogenically stored eggs and semen. He overheats the storage room by engaging in strenuous exercise, triggering the fire alarm and unlocking the freezer. Successfully securing the specimens, Ryong conceals them in a decoy device he claims is used for playing music.
Ryong’s dedication and ingenuity underscore his commitment to ethical medical practices, setting him up as a strong moral compass within the series.
Mina’s Lottery Dilemma
Astronaut Mina (Han Ji-eun) discovers a winning lottery ticket worth 500 billion won ($339 million), adding an intriguing subplot to the episode. Unsure of the ticket’s rightful owner, she seeks advice from her twin sister, Dona (Lee Cho-hee), who works at the command center on Earth. Dona advises Mina to hold onto the ticket until she returns from the space mission. The internal conflict adds layers to Mina’s character, as she grapples with ethical questions and the potential impact of the fortune.
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Eve’s Lasting Impact
The episode concludes with Dr. Gong Ryong reading the will Eve handed him earlier, paralleling her fading consciousness during the spacewalk. The emotional resonance of this scene highlights the uncertain future of the commander and leaves viewers speculating about her survival. The metaphoric connection between Ryong reading her last wishes and her precarious state emphasizes the fragility of life aboard the space station.
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The Show’s Foundations
Episodes 1 and 2 of When The Stars Gossip establish the series’ core themes and character dynamics. Dr. Gong Ryong’s backstory reveals a childhood shaped by compassion and resilience, raised by three adoptive aunts. His covert mission aboard the space station ties back to his fiancée, Choi Go-eun (Han Ji-eun), the CEO of MZ Electronics. Their relationship introduces personal and professional stakes that drive the narrative forward.
Commander Eve Kim’s debut as the station leader introduces professional tension and personal growth, further enriched by her interactions with Ryong. Meanwhile, the light-hearted subplot of space experiments with animals balances the series’ comedic and scientific elements.
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Cast INFO
The show features an impressive lineup of South Korean stars:
- Lee Min-ho as Dr. Gong Ryong: A dedicated gynecologist with a hidden agenda.
- Gong Hyo-jin as Eve Kim: A capable astronaut and first-time commander.
- Oh Jung-se as Kang Kang-su: A scientist with questionable motives.
- Han Ji-eun as Choi Go-eun: Ryong’s fiancée and a powerful CEO.
- Kim Joo-hun as Park Dong-ah: A veteran astronaut.
- Lee El as Kang Tae-hee: A high-ranking official at the IOU Space Center.
Episode 3’s gripping developments set the stage for more intense drama in future episodes.
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