‘When the Stars Gossip’ Extends the Streak of Sci-Fi and Space Travel Failures in Korea

“When the Stars Gossip,” starring Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin, has become one of the most talked-about failures in Korean television. Despite its massive 50 billion won budget, the sci-fi romance drama failed to impress, starting with a modest 3.2% viewership rating and ending at a dismal 2.5%.

Throughout its 16-episode run, the show faced relentless criticism for its unrealistic plot and weak storytelling, with many viewers accusing it of underestimating their intelligence.

A Costly Misstep for tvN

With an A-list cast and a big-budget production, “When the Stars Gossip” was expected to be a groundbreaking space drama that could elevate Korean sci-fi storytelling. However, it quickly turned into an industry embarrassment, drawing ridicule for its unrealistic and often bizarre plotlines. Rather than offering a compelling exploration of space travel, the drama focused heavily on melodramatic elements that felt out of place in a sci-fi setting. From love triangles and jealousy to infertility treatments, childbirth, and even suicide, all set against the backdrop of a space station, the show struggled to maintain credibility.

Viewers were baffled by the forced emotional conflicts and illogical scenarios, which often felt more like a parody than a serious drama. On social media, critics mocked the series, joking that Korea had spent 50 billion won not to create a visionary sci-fi epic, but rather a soap opera in space that bizarrely doubled as a public service announcement for childbirth.

A Pattern of Sci-Fi Failures

This isn’t Korea’s first attempt at space-themed storytelling, nor its first failure. In 2021, Netflix’s “The Silent Sea,” starring Gong Yoo and Bae Doona, suffered from a sluggish plot and predictable storytelling, failing to compete with Hollywood classics like “Interstellar” or “A Space Odyssey.” Similarly, “Space Sweepers” (2021), featuring Song Joong-ki and Kim Tae-ri, received mixed reviews and struggled to find an audience, with an IMDb rating of 6.6/10.

Even in film, the trend continues. “The Moon” (2023), starring Doh Kyung-soo and Sol Kyung-gu, also underperformed. While it avoided major script criticisms, it failed to generate significant revenue, earning only a fraction of its 500 billion won investment.

Is It Time for Korea to Rethink Space Dramas?

Despite their ambition, Korean filmmakers have yet to succeed in the space-travel genre. The recurring problem is weak storytelling, many of these films and dramas recycle Western sci-fi tropes without offering fresh perspectives. Even “When the Stars Gossip,” which attempted to be unique by incorporating medical themes, ended up feeling contrived rather than innovative.

Visually, Korean productions have made strides, with decent CGI and well-designed sets. However, without engaging narratives, these efforts fall flat. Instead of rushing to compete in the space genre, Korean filmmakers may need to focus on stories that better fit their strengths. Until then, space-themed Korean dramas might continue to be more of a misfire than a breakthrough.