2025's Most Anticipated Korean Drama: 5 Years in the Making, $500 Million Budget, and Sky-High Anticipation

tvN's new drama ‘When The Stars Gossip’ has finally been unveiled.

On December 18, the production presentation for the drama When the Stars Gossip was held at The Saint in Sindorim, Guro-gu, Seoul. The event featured director Park Shin-woo and actors Lee Min-ho, Gong Hyo-jin, Oh Jung-se, and Han Ji-eun, raising anticipation for the drama.

When the Stars Gossip is the first-ever Korean romantic comedy set in space, centering on events aboard a zero-gravity space station. It tells the story of Boss Eve (Gong Hyo-jin) and an uninvited guest with a secret mission, Gong Ryong (Lee Min-ho), offering a unique mix of sci-fi and rom-com.

Unlike traditional workplace dramas, this series delivers a fresh experience with its space setting, providing a distinctive charm. Lee Min-ho plays Gong Ryong, a character portrayed as the future son-in-law of MZ Group, South Korea’s most prestigious conglomerate. Gong Ryong is tasked with completing a top-secret mission at the space station and returning as a traveler to marry MZ Group's only daughter, Choi Go-eun (Han Ji-eun). Gong Ryong is a rough yet determined character, driven by conviction and persistence.

Gong Hyo-jin takes on the role of Eve Kim, the boss of the zero-gravity space station. Eve is a strict, meticulous leader with a brilliant scientific mind, embodying a no-nonsense, military-like demeanor that establishes her as a commanding presence on the station.

In addition to Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin, the drama stars Oh Jung-se, Han Ji-eun, and Kim Yong-soo, adding depth to the narrative. When the Stars Gossip reportedly took five years to prepare, with a production cost exceeding 50 billion KRW, heightening public expectations.

A one-minute highlight reel released on December 18 drew enthusiastic responses from viewers. Comments included, "Lee Min-ho is absolutely nailing the Gong Ryong character, bursting with charm," "Gong Hyo-jin delivers her sharp lines perfectly, and her chemistry with Lee Min-ho is excellent," "The Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin pairing is insane—I can't wait for this!" and "It looks so fun, I’m counting down to January."

During the production presentation, director Park Shin-woo addressed the delayed release, explaining, "Considering the complexity of the work, it was inevitable." He added, "This project tackled a sci-fi genre not commonly seen in Korea, which presented significant challenges. However, the collaborative spirit of the team allowed us to produce a satisfying result."

Regarding the space setting, Park said, "Writer Seo Sook-hyang has previously explored human relationships and workplace themes, and this drama builds on that foundation. It raises questions about whether the values we consider important on Earth hold the same weight in space and what norms and laws matter in a gravity-free environment."

When the Stars Gossip offers a fresh take on workplace conflicts and human relationships through its unique space backdrop, promising a new dimension of storytelling. The production team aims to deliver a blend of sci-fi and romantic comedy that provides both entertainment and depth.

Fans are eagerly awaiting how the chemistry between Gong Hyo-jin and Lee Min-ho unfolds and how the narrative plays out in space. The drama is set to premiere on January 4, airing every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 PM.