When the Stars Gossip, a tvN weekend drama that garnered attention even before its premiere with its hefty 50 billion won (approximately 37 million USD) budget, ended its its 16-episode run on February 23rd. The finale left many viewers frustrated with its bizarre ending.
The final episode saw Eve Kim (Gong Hyo Jin) giving birth in space, only to die shortly after from complications related to pelvic injuries. Gong Ryong (Lee Min Ho) chooses to remain on the space station as an obstetrician, dedicating himself to protecting their child.
As the episode closes, Gong Ryong narrates, “I kissed her feet a hundred times today. Eve achieved so much. Space became both her tomb and her womb. Farewell, Eve. Until we meet again.” The drama’s persistent references to the womb continued right up until the last episode.
When the Stars Gossip was the first Korean “space office” drama with a budget of 50 billion won. However, it faced criticism from the early episodes for its content involving topics such as eggs, sperm, intercourse, sex, and artificial insemination. The drama also drew flak for scenes where characters felt attracted to each other despite having partners and for the plot twist where Gong Ryong’s adoptive mother turns out to be Eve Kim’s biological mother.
As the story progressed, its perplexing developments, jarring visuals, and awkwardly placed intimate scenes—set between Earth and space—only fueled more controversy. Since the very first episode, viewers have questioned where the enormous budget has gone, with many expressing their disappointment.
Then came the shocking finale: the first-ever zero-gravity pregnancy and childbirth in human history. This ending was met with bafflement, as viewers reacted with comments like, “What kind of plot is this?” “What genre is this, really?” “Should we really ask the stars?” “I think it was too much,” “The concept was fresh, but there was no hope or meaningful message in the end,” “I kept watching, thinking there’d be a miracle,” and “A space childbirth? I just can’t relate.”
Here are more fan reactions on X about When the Stars Gossip:
“The narration in When the Stars Gossip was so bizarre it nearly broke my brain.”
별물보면서 레전드 정병 온 나레이션
>우주는 무덤이자 자궁이 돼주었다< pic.twitter.com/BPIvs1Ea5k
— 화석 (@notfossil379_) February 23, 2025
“When the Stars Gossip
⤷ The worst drama of 2025. It latched onto ‘life’ as a grand theme but failed to convince anyone, only to make a self-important return to Earth in the end.”
별들에게 물어봐
⤷ 2025년 최악의 드라마. ‘생명’이라는 주제를 볼모 삼아 끝내 시청자들을 납득시키지 못한 채 홀로 거룩히 지구로 돌아오다.— 𝑪𝒉𝒂𝒓𝒄𝒐𝒂𝒍 (@charcoal_0609) February 23, 2025
“A 50-billion-won drama where the female lead gives birth and dies in space, her ashes are scattered across the vast universe, and the show suddenly starts preaching about how the universe is a womb and the beginning of life—so we shouldn’t step on worms in the yard or pull out weeds.”
우주에서 애낳고 죽은 여주 뼛가루를 광활한 우주에 뿌려주며 우주는 자궁이자 시작이니 마당의 지렁이도 함부로 밟지말고 잡초도 뽑지말고 두라며 갑분 훈수두는 제작비 500억 드라마 : 별물 / 작가 : 서숙향
> 진짜 진심으로 욕해도 되나요 pic.twitter.com/rIvrPry7No— 늘🕯 (@neul_00000) February 23, 2025
“Yes, that was the final scene of Ask the Stars. Yes, that was the male lead’s narration.”
별물 마지막 장면 맞음 남주 나레이션 맞음 https://t.co/oW4WTVUO9J pic.twitter.com/vL4DXFAu3k
— 숭아🕯️ (@_sing_a_) February 23, 2025
Despite being a 50-billion-KRW production, tvN’s first weekend drama of the new year, and Gong Hyo Jin’s comeback after six years after her marriage, When the Stars Gossip ended with more questions than answers for viewers.
>> ‘When the Stars Gossip’ Ep 10 Recap: Gong Hyo Jin Cuts Ties with Lee Min Ho
