K-Netizens Baffled By “When The Stars Gossip” Bed Scene As The Drama Grapples With Low Ratings
Gong Hyo Jin and Lee Min Ho‘s drama “When the Stars Gossip” is facing backlash for its bed scene as the drama’s ratings continue to falter.
NOTE: SPOILERS OF EPISODE 8 AHEAD
The 8th episode of tvN’s “When the Stars Gossip,” which aired on the 26th, depicted Eve Kim (Gong Hyo Jin) and Gong Ryong (Lee Min Ho) confirming their love for each other but failing to escape their spaceship.
In the latter part of the episode, the two characters, waiting for a rescue ship inside a tent, embraced each other without clothes to share body heat in the cold. During this scene, Gong Ryong revealed that he had created a fertilized egg. Eve Kim encouraged him, saying, “Don’t give up. Even if we die, the rescue ship will come from Earth, and they might take it to be implanted. Let’s write a will asking them to do so. It’s our last wish, so they might honor it. I hope it grows up healthy.”
“When the Stars Gossip” is an SF romance drama set on a space station, the first of its kind in Korea. The show started with high expectations due to its 50 billion won production budget and the anticipated chemistry between “box-office guarantee” actors Gong Hyo Jin and Lee Min Ho.
However, the romance, which begins with Gong Ryong falling for Eve Kim despite being engaged to someone else, failed to resonate with viewers. Furthermore, the repeated focus on artificial insemination, fertility, and pregnancy themes, coupled with polarizing CGI and direction, led to lackluster ratings.
The drama started with a 3.3% viewership rating, climbed slightly to 3.9% in the second episode, but dropped to the 2% range by the third episode. By the 5th episode, which aired on the 18th, it had plunged into the 1% range. The 7th episode which aired on January 25 also recorded 1.8% in ratings which is now the drama’s lowest rating.
Following the broadcast on the 26th, the depiction of a bed scene involving Eve Kim and Gong Ryong sparked negative reactions among viewers. The scene, which featured silhouettes reminiscent of a fertilized egg and sperm entering an ovum, was criticized as overly awkward and difficult to watch.
While some viewers found the scene acceptable, most expressed disappointment, with comments like, “Why did the actors agree to this project?” “What’s wrong with the writer, director, and cast this time?” “How many more surprises are they planning?” and “This drama wasted 50 billion won.”
Despite Gong Hyo Jin’s reputation for starring in successful dramas and her return to television after six years, “When the Stars Gossip” has struggled with both ratings and criticism. As the drama enters its remaining eight episodes, it remains to be seen whether it can turn the tide.
What did you think of the scene?
Source: (A)
