The K-drama When The Stars Gossip has come to its controversial end, leaving fans and critics alike deeply disappointed by the plot and character treatment throughout the series. The finale aired on February 23, 2025, but not without significant backlash, considering the premise of star-crossed lovers, Lee Min Ho and Gong Hyo Jin, crumbling under the weight of its own failings.
Viewers have expressed feeling let down by the series due to factors ranging from poor writing to lack of chemistry between the leads. It was supposed to be Lee Min Ho’s grand comeback after attracting attention for his immense star power, yet the series recorded its lowest ratings ever, dropping to 1.783% just before the finale. It even prompted statements like "thank god it's ending soon," reflecting the overall sentiment shared by many unhappy viewers.
The show was initially launched amid high expectations and produced with a significant budget of 50 billion KRW. Yet, much to everyone’s dismay, the drama failed to captivate audiences over its course. A plethora of critiques zeroed in on various aspects, including the cheap CGI, unconvincing romance, and lack of strong narrative elements. It seems audiences had hoped for so much more, especially considering the star-studded cast.
Many saw the finale's storyline as chaotic and troubling. Major plot twists included Gong Hyo Jin’s character, Eve, meeting her demise shortly after childbirth when her character revealed she suffered from complications related to her pregnancy. Initially, this series had appeared to be shaping up as a hopeful romance set against the backdrop of space exploration, but the tonal shift was jarring for viewers.
One fan remarked, "The universe became both a grave and a womb," capturing the somber idea of life and death intertwined throughout the episode. Many characters' fates were left unresolved, frustrating audiences who dedicated their time to the story. This left viewers questioning choices made by the writers, as they noted the confrontational nature of plot callbacks— sensitive scenes involving ethical takes on childbirth and motherhood, along with the outright death of the female lead.
Throughout the show's run, discussions surrounding its narrative strengths and weaknesses continued to flood online forums. Fans wondered whether the dramatic drop-off from initial expectations was always going to happen or if it could have turned around with fewer awkward plot choices. One viewer imploringly asked, "What was the writer thinking when writing this script?" exemplifies the confusion and disappointment many expressed.
Some netizens, invoking outright disbelief, stated, "The biggest flop in the history of Korean dramas," signaling how low ratings gave rise to drastic portrayals the writers simply didn't execute well. Viewers questioned how such high investment could lead to such unsatisfactory outcomes, asking pointedly, "Where did the 50 billion won production budget go?"
While the finale waded through heavy dialogue surrounding loss and regret— especially as evidenced by the main characters' final moments together before Eve’s death— the execution failed to resonate well with the audience. Many were left shaking their heads, dumbfounded by lines like, "Womb fixation is insane," underpinning the rampant critiques examining themes of life, death, and motherhood.
One Reddit user reflected frustration bonafide, stating, "How are any of these people still allowed to go to space?" A sharp jab aimed toward the show's unrealistic handling of complex character decisions and the overarching narrative surrounding Eve’s life and tragic end. The sheer absurdity of the situations often deserved even more scrutiny; viewers have been vocal about how these storylines felt less like creative liberties and more like missteps.
On social media, comments such as, "Seems super fixated on the sanctity of the womb," and inquiries of potential health risks assumed by characters, proved indicative of the drama’s convoluted handling of sensitive topics. This recurring concern over Eve’s fate as the lead female character overshadowed the enthusiastic discussions of love’s triumphs, instead pivoting toward its grim realities.
What was initially attractive about When The Stars Gossip— its nuanced storytelling, high-budget production, and the promise of romance— fell flat for viewers who became increasingly cynical as the episodes dragged on. The finale, rife with stark contrasts and discord, offered little resolution to the story’s myriad threads, plunging the series flatly from the heights of hope to depths of despair.
Indeed, the show reached unprecedented levels of disappointment, prompting many to declare it the "most failed K-drama in the history of South Korea." The culmination of viewer sentiments certainly paints the show as one punctuated by missed chances and unfulfilled promises, underscoring the fate of characters weaving heartbreak throughout each episode.
Viewers who invested their time, energy, and expectations found themselves yearning for resolution with every turn of phrase, but they were instead left questioning both storytelling choices and the motives behind the underlying themes of the tale. If anything, the unfortunate trend revealed through When The Stars Gossip is reflective of lessons to be learned about authenticity and integrity within narrative arcs.
And as the credits finally rolled on this celestial disappointment, audiences shared sentiments rife with bemusement, some simply asking, "What on earth was this drama?" It remains to be seen whether Kim Gongryong (Lee Min Ho) and Eve Kim’s story would ever find the resolution fans hoped for, as the series had taken them intergalactically only to land back at square one.