Gong Hyo-Jin’s latest drama, When The Stars Gossip, took her to new heights—literally. The actress spent a year suspended on wires to film the space-themed romantic comedy, facing physical and emotional challenges. In a recent YouTube video, she shared behind-the-scenes stories, revealing the grueling process behind the 50 billion KRW ($36 million USD) production. Check out her experience, the drama’s journey, and its mixed reception.
The Drama’s Unique Space Setting
When The Stars Gossip is a 16-episode South Korean drama that aired on tvN from January 4 to February 23, 2025, with streaming on Netflix. It follows Eve Kim, a Korean-American astronaut played by Gong Hyo-Jin, who commands a zero-gravity space station. She meets Gong Ryong, an OB-GYN doctor turned space tourist, portrayed by Lee Min-Ho, who arrives with a secret mission. The story blends romance, comedy, and sci-fi, set against a space station backdrop—a first for Korean dramas.
The cast includes Oh Jung-Se as scientist Kang Kang-Su, Han Ji-Eun as Choi Go-Eun, the CEO of MZ Electronics and Gong Ryong’s fiancée, and Kim Joo-Hun as astronaut Park Dong-Ah. Other actors, like Lee El, Park Ye-Young, and Alex Hafner as astronaut Santiago Gonzalez Garcia, add depth to the ensemble. Written by Seo Sook-Hyang and directed by Park Shin-Woo, the drama aimed to deliver a fresh take on romance.
Filming began in April 2022 and wrapped in February 2023, with post-production taking over a year due to extensive visual effects. The production team used advanced techniques to simulate zero gravity, creating stunning space visuals.
Gong Hyo-Jin’s Physically Demanding Role
Gong Hyo-Jin described the filming as one of her toughest experiences. She spent nearly the entire year suspended on wires to mimic zero-gravity scenes.
“Except for one episode, the entire series was set in space. Filming the zero-gravity scenes took forever—sometimes over two months just for one episode. I was suspended on wires for 15 hours a day. I remember yelling, ‘Please just let me down!’ because the blood flow in my body was so poor,” she said in her YouTube video titled “It’s a bit late, but it’s something I’ve been wanting to talk about,” posted on April 20, 2025.
She shared these thoughts while casually chopping onions with her team, giving fans a glimpse into her down-to-earth personality. The wires caused physical strain, and she often felt exhausted.
“By the second month of shooting, I was already worried—‘Will this even make it to air?’” she admitted.
Despite the challenges, Gong Hyo-Jin felt grateful for the experience.
“It’s amazing that we filmed for a whole year. In the end, we were just thankful that the show actually got released,” she said.
Challenging Kiss Scene
One standout moment was the zero-gravity kiss scene between Gong Hyo-Jin and Lee Min-Ho. Filming it was far from romantic.
“It was anything but romantic,” Gong Hyo-Jin laughed. “We were suspended in mid-air using wires, with crew members in green suits manually adjusting our positions. I had to keep my composure while being spun and tilted at unnatural angles.”
Lee Min-Ho echoed her sentiments, noting the need for focus to convey intimacy.
“Working under these conditions required extra focus to stay in character,” he said.
The scene, though awkward to film, won fans over with the duo’s on-screen chemistry.
“The effort they put into this scene is amazing! They make it look effortless, but hearing about the behind-the-scenes work makes me appreciate it even more,” a fan commented online.
Plot and Moments
The story begins with Gong Ryong, a skilled OB-GYN facing financial struggles, traveling to space as a tourist. His trip is funded by Choi Jae-Ryong, chairman of MZ Group, who asks him to conduct secret fertility research using his infertile son’s sperm and daughter-in-law’s eggs. Eve Kim, a perfectionist commander, clashes with Gong Ryong at first, annoyed at babysitting a tourist.
Their relationship evolves through crises, like helping each other during a spaceship emergency. A notable scene took over a month to film, where Gong Ryong vomits in the space shuttle and struggles to open a hatch. Their romance builds slowly, with a love-hate dynamic.
“If the relationship happens too fast, it’s not fun. They need to have a love-hate relationship and kick off on a rough start,” Gong Hyo-Jin said at a January 9, 2025, press conference.
The drama includes intense moments, like a steamy bed scene in episode 8, which failed to boost ratings. A controversial plot point involved Gong Ryong and Eve Kim missing a transport ship while securing an incubator with fertilized eggs.
The finale, aired on February 23, 2025, sparked debate. Eve Kim, pregnant after a space encounter, faces health issues. Gong Ryong returns to space to assist her delivery, and she gives birth to their daughter, Byeol (meaning “stars”). Tragically, Eve dies a day later due to a broken pelvis bone, a twist that upset many viewers.
“Whenever the main character dies in the finale, people have mixed feelings. Even my mom struggled with it. I think it was a bit too heavy for older viewers to fully digest,” Gong Hyo-Jin said.
A montage showed an alternate “what if” ending where Eve survives, but Gong Ryong stays in space with Byeol, who has health issues, to build a fertility clinic.
Mixed Reception and Low Ratings
Despite its high budget and star power, When The Stars Gossip struggled with ratings, peaking at 3.9% and dropping to 1.84% for episode 5, the lowest among dramas that night. Reviews were mixed, with some praising the unique concept and others criticizing the plot as exaggerated.
Netizens had strong opinions.
“The story is odd, and there isn’t a single engaging character yet. The chemistry between Lee Min-Ho and Gong Hyo-Jin isn’t there,” one viewer wrote after the premiere.
“It’s a far bigger headline that Gong Hyo-Jin’s two-decade streak of hit dramas ended like this. She’s never had a flop before,” another commented.
Some fans enjoyed the lighthearted tone.
“It’s original! The cinematography is top-notch, and Lee Min-Ho’s comic timing is spot-on,” a viewer shared.
Gong Hyo-Jin defended the drama’s bold approach.
“Whenever something new is introduced, it’s met with divided opinions. Whether it succeeds in the future depends on the hard work of the people who take the first steps, even if no one acknowledges them at the time,” she said.
Behind-the-Scenes
The cast’s bond helped them through the tough shoot. Alex Hafner praised Gong Hyo-Jin and Lee Min-Ho for their warmth.
“Min-Ho and Hyo-Jin are especially dear to me. We spent the first two months in close confinement on the set. They organized a fun dinner with the space team, and we ended the night with karaoke, which was hilarious,” he said.
Lee Min-Ho shared set photos in February 2023, showing his ease with co-stars like Oh Jung-Se and Kim Joo-Hun. The production team also highlighted the cast’s chemistry.
“Thanks to the perfect chemistry between Gong Hyo-Jin and Lee Min-Ho, the filming went smoothly. Viewers will be immersed in their performance like being sucked into a black hole,” they said.
Gong Hyo-Jin’s Reflections
Gong Hyo-Jin acknowledged the drama’s challenges but remained proud of the team’s effort.
“The entire process of making this drama was completely new to me,” she said, addressing the space concept’s complexity.
She also responded to the controversial finale, noting its emotional weight.
“My mom cried for three days while watching the last episode,” she shared, echoing a fan’s sentiment: “Same unni! I also cried for a whole week. My heart still breaks every time I think about the ending.”
Bold Step for K-Dramas
When The Stars Gossip pushed boundaries with its space setting and ambitious storytelling. Despite low ratings, it earned praise for its visuals, BTS Jin’s OST, and the cast’s dedication. For Gong Hyo-Jin, the year-long shoot was a test of endurance, but she emerged with gratitude.
“I’m so happy we vibed well with each other. Our camaraderie translates on screen,” Alex Hafner said, reflecting the cast’s spirit.
The drama may not have met all expectations, but it marked a daring step for Korean sci-fi romance. Fans continue to discuss its bold choices and emotional depth.
Also Read: Crushology 101 Episodes 3 & 4 Recap: Love Triangles and Drunken Confessions Shake Up the Story
To know the latest developments about When The Stars Gossip, keep an eye on Top K-News.
Credits: OSEN, CHOSUNBIZ
