When the Stars Gossip, the sci-fi romance drama starring Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin, has recently sparked controversy with Episode 8's sex scene due to its suggestive dialogue and visual direction. The show's rating has also dropped to an all-time low despite its star-studded cast and ₩50.0 billion Korean won budget. On top of that, the the K-drama even failed to make it to Netflix's weekly Global Top 10 for Non-English TV Shows last week. With the series reaching its halfway mark after Episodes 7 and 8 premiered this past weekend, When the Stars Gossip can't seem to capture the viewers' interest.
What is the controversial sex scene in When the Stars Gossip?
The controversial scene in When the Stars Gossip Episode 8 shows lead characters Gong Ryong (Lee Min-ho) and Eve Kim (Gong Hyo-jin) sharing an intimate moment in a tent, tent, with Eve Kim suggesting they take off their clothes to stay warm. Gong Ryong then makes a provocative comment after confessing a truth, adding to the backlash. While the two make love in space, BTS Jin‘s voice can be heard singing the soundtrack Close To You.
As soon as Episode 8 aired, audiences shared their scathing reviews online. Viewers also criticized the scene's use of CGI effects, which resembled being inside a fertilized egg. The combination of visuals and dialogue has sparked controversy from audiences, who feel that the scene was terribly executed and unnecessary. Prior to Episode 8's premiere, some fans already criticized the drama's lackluster plot and Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin's characters' lack of chemistry.
While much of the criticism online comes from the South Korean audience, international viewers have rallied in defense of the series. One fan on X said that the sex scene between Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin wasn't "biblical" and called it as "one of the most perfect scenes in TV history, saying:
There’s nothing biblical about the perfection of this union. Not scientific. Not theatrical. One of the most perfect scenes in TV history! Dare not say anything against #WhenTheStarsGossip or forever be damned."
Another fan on X wrote:
This has to be the best love making scene in #Kdrama history. If Ryong & Eve have s*x in space they'd be the first. It felt important not just emotionally, but to keep them warm. I just hope they return to Earth safe & sound.
When the Stars Gossip ratings continue to decline
According to Nelsen, When the Stars Gossip started off with a decent 3.3% rating for the first episode and even saw a slight increase to 3.9% for Episode 2. However, things got worse with Episodes 3 and 4, where ratings dropped to the 2% range. The drama's ratings continued to decline with the recent episodes plummeting below 1%.
The all-time low ratings are quite surprising for fans who expected When the Stars Gossip become a hit, with K-drama heartthrob Lee Min-ho, known for The Inheritors, Boys Over Flowers, and The King: Eternal Monarch, returning with a major role.
There are still 8 new episodes coming to Netflix before the series wraps on February 23, so there's still a chance for ratings to bounce back up, but so far, it's not looking for a big budget K-drama series.
The first 8 episodes of When the Stars Gossip are now streaming on Netflix. You can watch the official trailer below:
