Gong Hyo Jin and Lee Min Ho’s latest steamy scene in When the Stars Gossip is raising eyebrows—this time in zero gravity. The tvN drama, which has already drawn criticism for its intimate scenes, is now facing fresh controversy after featuring a passionate encounter in space.
In the eighth episode, aired on January 26th, Gong Ryong (Lee Min Ho) and Eve Kim (Gong Hyo Jin) find themselves isolated in space, turning to each other for warmth in more ways than one. After a sudden collision with debris leaves Gong Ryong stranded, Eve Kim ventures out in a spacesuit from the astronaut transport vehicle, despite the looming threat of returning debris clouds.
As their bodies turn ice-cold, the pair turn to alcohol that Santi (Alex Hafner) had sneaked in before to maintain their body temperature. Inside a thermal tent, the two hold each other close, sharing deep-seated secrets. Gong Ryong reveals his space mission’s true purpose—human artificial insemination—and confesses about successful fertilization reaching the morula stage.
The scene culminates with Gong Ryong, overwhelmed by his feelings, declaring, “I don’t care if I freeze to death” before the two engage in a passionate kiss.
Viewers quickly took to social media with comments like “Can’t they move the plot forward without sex scenes?” and “It’s been nothing but sex, sperm, and pregnancy talk since episode one. This is just ridiculous.” Another viewer noted, “The actors aren’t the problem. From the space setting to the storyline, nothing makes sense.”
Despite the intense romantic scene, the episode only managed a 2.2% viewership rating, according to Nielsen Korea. The series, which cost 50 billion KRW (approximately 35 million USD) to produce and was one of 2025’s most anticipated shows, is seeing its audience dwindle amid criticism over its gratuitous intimate scenes.
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