Lee Min-ho Embarks on a Mysterious Space Mission in ‘When the Stars Gossip’

Lee Min-ho returns to television with When the Stars Gossip, co-starring Gong Hyo-jin. The science fiction romcom written by Seo Sook-hyang and directed by Park Shin-woo premieres on Jan. 4. The series follows Lee’s character on a secret mission to a space station where Gong’s character is an elite astronaut.

With an impressive production budget of 50 billion won (per an article published by the Korean entertainment site Newsen), When the Stars Gossip promises to be a groundbreaking narrative. Lee’s Gong Ryong is an obstetrician-gynecologist and he’s closely connected to an opulent Korean conglomerate. Concealing his true intentions from everyone, he covertly secures a spot as a space tourist, leveraging a substantial financial investment to gain access to the space station where he can carry out his clandestine mission—a major point of intrigue in the plot.

Gong plays Eve Kim, an A-list space scientist assigned aboard the orbiting facility in question (on assignment) and serving as her crew’s commander. As an expert and fastidious individual, Eve demands precision and perfect execution from her team, for she’s well aware of the inherent risks within the environment of the space station. Rounding out the crew is Kang Kang-Su, who is a fruit fly researcher and expert in space experiments, adding a layer of intrigue to the ensemble cast as they carry their missions amidst the vast and unpredictable backdrop of the space station.

When the Stars Gossip follows in the footsteps of amazing space renderings, such as in the films Space Sweepers (2021), The Moon (2023), and the TV series The Silent Sea (2021). Its high budget suggests extensive research, technical know-how, and precision to create the space-like scenario. The drama, if nothing else, is an immersive visual experience—blending excellent art direction, state-of-the-art visual effects, high-end camera work, and fine performances in tandem to deliver the desired cinematic atmosphere. I’m sure every other element, from the settings and aesthetics to the costumes and props, has been painstakingly designed for authenticity, as hinted at in the recently unveiled poster.

Lee Min-ho sharing screen time with Gong Hyo-jin is a kick for a K-drama. Lee’s ability to craft enduring and emotionally resonant romantic moments with his leading ladies is a well-established aspect of his on-screen portrayals, and his chemistry with Gong Hyo-jin is poised to elevate the narrative’s emotional impact with what I’m guessing is their exploration of love even while in deep waters.

The cryptic text that appears on the drama poster translates to “We will survive even in a space without gravity,” hinting at the challenges the protagonists will face in their journey. “Surviving in a space without gravity,” in my opinion, insinuates the uncertainties of contemporary relationships, reflecting the reality that we must often confront a world fraught with obstacles that test the strength and resilience of relationships.

You can watch When the Stars Gossip on Netflix, but the drama will be available on the streaming site only in certain regions.