When the Stars Gossip, the latest South Korean romantic comedy series, premieres on Netflix on January 4, 2025. The show, directed by Park Shin-woo and penned by writer Seo Sook-hyang, features a stellar cast including Lee Min-ho as Gong Ryong, Gong Hyo-jin as Eve Kim, and Oh Jung-se as Kang Kang-su.
The narrative reaches new heights in episode 4, which aired on January 12, 2025, as secrets are unveiled and relationships are tested. Gong Ryong's clandestine mission faces exposure, leading to confrontations that challenge his ethical boundaries and personal commitments.
Eve's suspicions about Ryong's true purpose on the space station intensify, resulting in a pivotal confrontation that forces both characters to confront their motivations and desires. The episode is a turning point in the series, deepening the emotional stakes and setting the stage for future developments.
When the Stars Gossip episode 4 delves into the complexities of human relationships under the isolating and high-pressure conditions of space. Eve's backstory provides insight into her stoic and disciplined nature, shaped by the loss of her adoptive father.
Gong Ryong's impulsive rescue mission reflects his internal conflict between duty and personal desire, especially as he navigates his feelings for Eve amidst his engagement with Go-eun. The interactions between the crew members highlight themes of trust, loyalty, and the ethical dilemmas inherent in space exploration.
When the Stars Gossip episode 4: Eve's perilous spacewalk and Gong Ryong's daring rescue
When the Stars Gossip episode 4 opens with Commander Eve Kim (Gong Hyo-jin) facing a life-threatening situation during a spacewalk. Her glove becomes compromised, leading to a dangerous pressure drop.
As she struggles to maintain consciousness, the narrative provides a poignant flashback to her adoptive father, an American astronaut who tragically lost his life attempting to save a colleague during a space mission. Before his fatal mission, he left Eve a heartfelt note emphasizing the preciousness of all life forms, stating, "every species is a miracle on its own."
Inside the space station, Dr. Gong Ryong (Lee Min-ho) becomes aware of Eve's dire predicament. Despite the inherent risks, he makes the impulsive decision to initiate a rescue mission. Bypassing the essential decompression process, Ryong dons a spacesuit and ventures into the void of space.
His inexperience becomes evident as he grapples with the suit and the harsh environment, but his determination drives him forward. With Eve's guidance, he successfully untethers her, ensuring their safe return to the station. However, the exertion and lack of proper preparation cause Ryong to lose consciousness upon their return.
Following the harrowing rescue, tensions rise within the space station. Eve, though grateful for Ryong's intervention, confronts him about his recklessness, highlighting the potential consequences of his actions. Ryong's motivations are further complicated by personal matters from Earth.
His fiancée, Choi Go-eun (Han Ji-eun), has publicly announced their engagement against her father's wishes, adding pressure to their already strained relationship. This revelation causes friction between Ryong and Eve, especially as romantic tensions begin to surface between them.
When the Stars Gossip episode 4 also sheds light on Dr. Kang Kang-su (Oh Jung-se), a space experiment expert with a mysterious demeanor. A cryptic lottery ticket bearing the phrase "Stand By Me" becomes a focal point, suggesting hidden motives and alliances.
Gong Ryong, seeking to uncover the truth, enlists the help of Dona Lee (Lee Cho-hee), the space station's medical officer. Their investigation hints at deeper conspiracies within the station, adding layers of intrigue to the unfolding narrative.
When the Stars Gossip episodes 1 to 3 overview
When the Stars Gossip episode 1 introduces Gong Ryong, an obstetrician-gynecologist with a strong sense of responsibility, who embarks on a space tourism journey. His life on Earth is marked by a series of events that showcase his dedication to his profession and his complex personal relationships.
From delivering a baby on a train to being blacklisted by a powerful chairman, Gong Ryong's past is filled with challenges. His decision to venture into space is influenced by his fiancée, Choi Go-eun, the CEO of MZ Electronics and daughter of MZ Group Chairman Choi Jae-ryong.
Their relationship is complex, with Go-eun's rebellious nature and Ryong's introspection about his capacity for love adding depth to their dynamic.
In When the Stars Gossip episode 2, upon arriving at the space station, Ryong's mission takes a clandestine turn. He is tasked with delivering a secret package concealed within a cup of ice cream, intended for a fertility experiment involving his fiancée's family. The episode delves into the ethical dilemmas and personal conflicts arising from this mission.
Eve Kim, a Korean-American astronaut, becomes suspicious of Ryong's actions, leading to a tense confrontation. The presence of experimental animals like mice and fruit flies on the station adds layers to the unfolding narrative, highlighting the complexities of conducting experiments in space.
As relationships aboard the space station become more intricate, Ryong and Eve find themselves entangled in a web of secrets and personal agendas in When the Stars Gossip episode 3. The episode explores the dynamics between the crew members, including Kang Kang-su, a space experiment expert who has been on the station for ten months.
Tensions rise as hidden motives come to light, and the characters must navigate the challenges of living and working in the isolated environment of space. The episode sets the stage for deeper character development and the unfolding of the central romantic plot.
Here's the cast of When the Stars Gossip:
- Lee Min-ho as Gong Ryong: A broke obstetrician-gynecologist raised by three aunts, who arrives at the space station as a tourist.
- Gong Hyo-jin as Eve Kim: A Korean-American astronaut with a complex past and a determined demeanor.
- Oh Jung-se as Kang Kang-su: A space experiment expert who has been on the space station for ten months, adding depth to the crew's dynamic.
- Han Ji-eun as Choi Go-eun: CEO of MZ Electronics, daughter of MZ Group Chairman Choi Jae-ryong, and Gong Ryong's fiancée, whose rebellious nature adds complexity to her relationship with Ryong.
The supporting cast includes Kim Joo-hun as Park Dong-ah, a veteran astronaut; Lee El as Kang Tae-hee, Vice President of IOU Space Center; and Lee Cho-hee as Dona Lee, a space doctor responsible for the astronauts' medical well-being.
When the Stars Gossip is available for streaming on Netflix, with new episodes released weekly every Saturday and Sunday.