A 50 Billion KRW K-Drama Crashed with a Bizarre Ending—But Rose to No.1 After Its Finale

A high-profile K-drama that cost over 50 billion KRW to produce failed to capture audiences during its run, but is now gaining attention after its finale.

The 16-episode tvN weekend drama 'When The Stars Gossip', which aired its final episode on February 23, topped KinoLights' "Today’s Netflix Ranking" on February 26, overtaking major competitors.

A Costly Production with Disappointing Results

'When The Stars Gossip' was filmed for a year between 2022 and 2023, with a whopping five years of preparation and a massive budget exceeding 50 billion KRW. Despite its ambitious production scale, the drama failed to meet expectations, ending with what many called a “box office flop” in the TV world.

The drama’s ratings remained lackluster from start to finish, debuting at 3.3% and ending at 2.6%, never breaking out of the low single digits.

However, in a surprising post-finale surge, 'When The Stars Gossip' ranked No.1 on KinoLights’ "Today’s Netflix Ranking", surpassing popular titles like 'Melo Movie', 'The Witch', and 'The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call.'

A Sci-Fi Romance with an Unexpected Ending

Set on Earth and a space station 400km above it, 'When The Stars Gossip' is a sci-fi romantic comedy. The story follows Gong Ryong (Lee Min-ho), an obstetrician who is sent to space under a secret mission from the chairman of the MZ Group. There, he meets Commander Eve Kim (Gong Hyo-jin), a perfectionist who gradually falls for him.

The show also featured quirky supporting characters, including Drosophila (fruit fly) scientist Kang Kang-soo (Oh Jung-se), twin sisters Mina Lee and Donna Lee (both played by Lee Cho-hee), and space scientist Lee Seung-joon (Heo Nam-jun).

A Finale That Left Viewers Baffled

From its early episodes, 'When The Stars Gossip' faced criticism for its confusing setup and awkward storytelling. However, its finale on February 23 took things to another level, leaving viewers in shock.

In a dramatic twist, Eve Kim becomes the first human to give birth on a space station. She successfully delivers a healthy baby girl but dies just two days later due to a fractured pelvis—an unexpected and somewhat bizarre plot development.

The drama continued with an unresolved conclusion, as Gong Ryong insisted on returning to Earth with their daughter despite warnings of fatal organ damage, muscle loss, and vision impairment. The final scene implied that he suffered permanent disabilities, as he reappeared in a wheelchair.

To add to the confusion, the episode included cryptic narration:

"Byul-i (the baby) was born here, and Eve lived for one more day. That day, she kissed Byul-i’s feet a hundred times. That one day felt so long. Eve did so much in that one day. The universe became both her tomb and her womb."

Many viewers found the sudden melodramatic shift and poetic monologue baffling, leading to criticism of the ending rather than the emotional impact it may have aimed for.

Cast Reactions: A Labor of Love Despite the Response

Despite the mixed reception, the cast expressed deep affection for the drama after its conclusion.

Gong Hyo-jin shared, "This was the most challenging and longest project I’ve ever worked on. It was my first time doing a fully pre-produced drama, and while it felt unfamiliar at times, it became an unforgettable experience. Just seeing it finally come to life after such a long process makes me feel like we accomplished something special."

Kim Joo-heon, who played veteran astronaut Park Dong-ah, known for his steamy romance scenes with Gong Hyo-jin early in the series, also reflected positively: "Like every project I’ve worked on, 'When The Stars Gossip' left me with valuable experiences and lessons. I hope viewers found it enjoyable as well. Thank you for watching."

Han Ji-eun, who played Gong Ryong’s fiancée, Choi Go-eun, said, "It feels bittersweet to say goodbye to Go-eun, who has been with me for so long. I hope our drama provided a place of comfort and inspiration for viewers. Thank you to everyone who waited patiently and supported us throughout this journey."

Following 'When The Stars Gossip', tvN will premiere its new weekend drama The Potato Lab on March 1.

The healing romantic comedy stars Lee Sun-bin, Kang Tae-oh, Lee Hak-joo, Kim Ga-eun, Shin Hyun-seung, and Yoo Seung-mok. It follows Mi-kyung, a woman whose life revolves around potatoes, and Baek-ho, a cold-hearted perfectionist who turns her world upside down—creating a whirlwind romance as intense as a tornado potato snack.

The Potato Lab will air every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 PM (KST).

Top 12 in KinoLights’ "Today’s Netflix Ranking" (in order):

When The Stars Gossip

Melo Movie

The Witch

Secret: Untold Melody

The Trauma Code: Heroes on Call

Love in the Big City

Doctor John

Lim Young-woong: I’m Hero – The Stadium

Solo Leveling

You Will Die in Six Hours

Love Scout

The Tale of Lady Ok