The protagonists of When The Stars Gossip get to know each other on a space flight and their initial interactions are not that friendly. Eve Kim, played by Gong Hyo-jin, is one of the experienced astronauts commanding the flight and she’s accompanied by Gong Ryong, a space tourist played by Lee Min-ho. Eve dismissively refers to him as a “billionaire,” but he’s actually an OB/GYN from a poor background, raised by three “aunties,” who entertain at a bar. His trip was paid for by his fiancée’s father, a conglomerate executive, who asks Ryong to conduct some secret fertility research in space. Ryong is not prepared for the rigors of space travel, particularly the terrifying rocket launch that jump-starts this drama’s diverting mix of offbeat comedy, romance and adventure.
Ryong’s secret project may complicate the mission, but so could romance. Although Ryong and Eve have significant others back on earth, everyday actions under zero gravity seem to promote accidental physical contact. That contact is both awkward and revealing. It’s not that Eve hates Ryong but she doesn’t have much tolerance for space dilettantes. While sharing such close quarters Ryong quickly recognizes Eve as a kindred soul.
But they are both dating other people. Back on earth Eve’s boyfriend, played by Kim Ju-hun, waits for her. Also waiting is Ryong’s fiancée, played by Han Ji-eun. Ryong has never been able to tell her that his fiancée that he loves her, although he swears he’s in their relationship for the long term. Complicating the plot even further is the fact that his fiancée’s coldhearted ex, played by the inimitable Oh Jung-se (Mr. Plankton, Sweet Home and Little Women), is waiting for them on the space station, determined to reclaim her. He won’t make life easy for Ryong.
Gong Hyo-jin delivers a tough, relatable, no-nonsense astronaut character who treads boldly where others fear to go. It’s the kind of brave character she plays so well, whether she’s fearlessly facing ghosts in The Master’s Sun or single motherhood in When The Camellias Bloom. Lee (Pachinko and The King: Eternal Monarch) presents a subtly complex character in When The Stars Gossip. Ryong is alternately compassionate, cynical, terrified, angry and genuinely awed. As Lee plays him, the character seems very human and appealingly real. Ryong is known as a “birth hero” for helping women deliver in some very trying circumstances, but he insists he’s just an ordinary OB/GYN thrown into some unusual situations. Then he’s launched into space, due to a billionaire’s wishes, and the whole world suddenly knows his name. Watching these actors navigate—even soar through—zero gravity is entertaining and it must have been a unique filming experience.
The drama also stars Lee El as a control center employee, Kim Eung-so as the billionaire father of Ryong’s fiancée, and Jeong Soo-kyeong, Choi Jeong-won and Jung Young-joo as Ryong’s outspoken “aunties.” The tvN drama is directed by Park Shin-woo, who directed The Killing Vote, Lovestruck in the City and It’s Okay Not To Be Okay. The script was written by Seo Sook-hyang, who wrote Iron Family, Wok of Love and Don’t Dare To Dream. When The Stars Gossip airs on Netflix.
By forbes