I have been patiently waiting for  When the Stars Gossip (별들에게 물어봐) since I first heard about it last summer. Not only does it feature Lee Min-Ho (The King: Eternal Monarch, Legend of the Blue Sea), but it’s also the first K-drama set against the unique backdrop of a space station.

The series begins on October 25, 2024, at the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan, as the crew prepares for launch. Gong Ryong (Lee Min-Ho) has joined the mission as a space tourist, having paid a 70 billion won ($47,940,742.92) for the opportunity. His journey is tied to his connections with the MZ Group and its chairman, Choi Jae-ryong (Kim Eung-Soo).

Upon arriving at the space station, Gong Ryong meets Commander Eve Kim (Gong Hyo-Jin), who is immediately skeptical of his presence. She sees him as an unwelcome guest, possibly with a hidden agenda. Gong Ryong’s initial struggles to adjust to the zero-gravity environment result in several awkward, comical moments. During one incident, he experiences severe space sickness, leading to vomiting and blacking out. Saved by Eve Kim, their first interaction sets the stage for what promises to be a strange and utterly unique relationship.

The episode also delves into Gong Ryong’s backstory. Raised by his three well-meaning yet bumbling (but incredibly loving) aunts after his mother’s death, he rises to become a renowned obstetrician-gynecologist. His engagement to Choi Go-eun (Han Ji-Eun), the daughter of MZ Group’s chairman, introduces additional layers of complexity and tension, particularly regarding family dynamics.

Episode two is just as engaging. A particularly amusing subplot in Episode 2 centers on Kang Kang-su (Oh Jung-se), a quirky scientist aboard the space station. His focus is on studying fruit flies and their accelerated reproductive cycles in microgravity—a task that comes with its fair share of oddities. In a memorable and light-hearted exchange, Kang-su explains to Gong Ryong that fruit flies engage in “carnal relationships” that last a mere 20 minutes. Gong Ryong’s reaction—a hearty laugh and a moment of shared amusement—adds a much-needed dose of levity to the episode.

This incident not only provides comedic relief but also underscores the unique challenges of conducting scientific research in zero gravity. These smaller, whimsical moments continue to build depth in the characters’ relationships while showcasing the peculiarities of space exploration. There is also the fact that the good doctor / space tourist smuggles sperm online, hidden within a portable freezer that brings ice cream to the astronauts in space.

It’s hysterical.

When the Stars Gossip is an original work written by Seo Sook-Hyang and directed by Park Shin-Woo. It was developed by Studio Dragon and produced by KeyEast and MYM Entertainment. The series airs on tvN in Korea and is available internationally on Netflix, complete with English subtitles and dubbing options.

This marks Lee Min-Ho’s second Netflix original series following The King: Eternal Monarch (one of my all-time favorites). This drama blends sweet and romantic moments with a healthy dose of intrigue and laugh-out-loud comedy. Lee shines as the romantic lead, exuding charm, charisma, and impeccable comedic timing.

The 16-episode series will release two episodes per week, with the finale set to air on February 23.

There will be more drama reviews soon so…

Stay Tuned!