Initially promoted as "Netflix's first Korean space romance" with an impressive budget of 50 billion KRW (approximately $34 million), When the Stars Gossip has struggled to maintain viewer interest, resulting in declining ratings. Despite featuring renowned Hallyu stars Lee Min Ho and Gong Hyo Jin, the TVN sci-fi drama has not met the expectations of K-drama fans since its premiere on January 4.

Compounding its challenges, Episode 6 of When the Stars Gossip exacerbated the situation with a controversial scene centred around Lee Min Ho. Viewers have not overlooked this issue, as the series continues to face negative reviews for its inability to resonate with the audience. The broadcast on January 19, in particular, attracted significant criticism.

Lee Min Ho portrays Gong Ryong, an obstetrician-gynecologist (OBGYN) raised by a group of female bar hostesses. Despite his background, Min Ho's character has faced substantial criticism for exhibiting what many consider an "outdated" viewpoint on various matters.

The most recent instance of inappropriate comments involved the character stating, “When it comes to sex and pregnancy, I’m the expert,” according to the official English subtitles provided by Netflix. Drawing on his professional background, Gong Ryong aimed to comfort Eve Kim (Gong Hyo Jin) regarding the possibility of two mice mating. Nevertheless, this remark also served as a subtle jab at Lee's character.

Viewers criticise Lee Min Ho's dialogue in When the Stars Gossip Episode 6

Criticized as "unnecessary" and "inappropriate," the dialogue particularly provoked strong reactions from Korean-speaking viewers, who found the language used to be "insulting to gynaecologists." Examining the suggestive undertones of the conversation, one viewer remarked, "It seems as though the writer believes that frequently mentioning the word 'sex' adds a sense of coolness... however, upon listening to the dialogue, it lacks any coolness whatsoever. It feels contrived and outdated, frankly." 

Another commenter on the Korean online platform TheQoo questioned, "Could they not have expressed it as 'I'm an expert in sex and pregnancy'? Was it truly necessary to say 'having sex and making someone pregnant'? Even if 'and' was intended merely as a conjunction, it comes across as crude. Even if artificial insemination was described as 'making someone pregnant,' it still feels excessively vulgar. Why was it necessary for that male character to be portrayed in such a crude and unpleasant manner? Was this depiction truly vital to the narrative?"

A third individual voiced their concerns regarding the perspective of male gynaecologists, asking, "Do male gynaecologists genuinely hold this kind of attitude when treating patients?"

Same issue in previous episodes

Lee Min Ho's portrayal in "When the Stars Gossip" has faced scrutiny even before the current episodes. His comments regarding women's bodies in earlier instalments have drawn significant backlash.

One particularly contentious statement was accompanied by imagery of childbirth: “The uterus of my mother and the aunties were like alcohol but were comfortable and warm. The breasts of my aunts were drenched in cigarettes but were very big and safe.”

In another scene, Gong Ryong confronted men at a hostess bar regarding their inappropriate conduct. However, his reaction proved to be equally troubling, as he remarked, “You have to pay if you fooled around with pretty women,” which implied a suggestion of illegal prostitution. Viewers were particularly irked by the fact that the screenwriter of this latest K-drama, Seo Sook Hyang, is a woman, who is also known for her work on KBS2’s "Iron Family."

Ongoing When the Stars Gossip Backlash

The show has faced significant criticism for its controversial dialogues, leading audiences to question the relevance of its space setting in "When the Stars Gossip," as it appears to have minimal impact on the storyline's development.

Additionally, some viewers have expressed dissatisfaction with the chemistry between the lead characters, or the apparent absence of it. The discomfort stemming from the subplot involving infidelity has deterred a substantial number of viewers. Conversely, some have come to the actors' defence, praising their performances.

The most contentious topic remains the viewership ratings for When the Stars Gossip. The series has reached a peak rating of 3.883% for Episode 2, while Episode 5 recorded the lowest at 1.8%. The most recent episode, aired on January 19, achieved a rating of 2.9%, which, although an improvement over the previous episode, still falls short of expectations. Despite having aired six episodes, the TVN romance has proven to be a significant disappointment, overshadowed by its otherwise lighthearted context.

Read Also: Salman Khan explained Akshay Kumar's early exit from the Bigg Boss 18 finale, stating, "I arrived a bit late."

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