"When the Stars Gossip" revolves around Gong Ryong (Lee Min Ho) - an obstetrician and gynecologist who stays at the space station for a few days as a tourist and Eve Kim (Gong Hyo Jin) - the space station's security commander.
The story becomes complicated when Kang Kang Soo (Oh Jung Se) - a wealthy scientific researcher and Choi Go Eun (Han Ji Eun) - a famous heiress, Gong Ryong's girlfriend appear.
Despite having a production budget of 50 billion won (867 billion VND) and the participation of 2 stars Lee Min Ho and Gong Hyo Jin, "Ask the Stars" is receiving disappointment due to its gloomy viewership ratings.
The drama opened with a rating of 3.3% in episode 1, increased to 3.9% in episode 2, then decreased to 2.2% and 2.8% in episodes 3 and 4.
Meanwhile, the drama that aired at the same time, "My Perfect Secretary," started with a rating of 5.2% and quickly surpassed the 10% mark in its third episode; the drama "The Legend of Mrs. Ok" has also surpassed the 10% rating mark.
Ten Asia commented that the clear difference in viewership ratings showed the great challenges that "Ask the Stars" had to face. According to Korean newspapers, the failure of the film came from many factors.
Among them, the storytelling of a film "the first to depict a zero-gravity space station" on screen was criticized for its lack of appeal. The slow pace, forced dialogue, and many unnecessary hot scenes are the minus points of the work that combines the genres of science fiction, romantic comedy, and space office.
One factor that makes "Ask the Stars" lose points is said to be the high production costs. According to the producer, the film "spent" more than 10 billion won (173.4 billion VND) on special effects, as well as using CGI (computer-generated imagery technology) and VFX (visual effects).
However, when it aired, the script lacked appeal, making the "huge" budget an embarrassment. "50 billion won but zero discussion", "It's a romance film anyway, why spend such a large amount of money?"... Korean newspapers quoted audience comments.
Ten Asia added that the failure of "Ask the Stars" also came from Lee Min Ho's one-dimensional acting, lacking depth and innovation. Gong Hyo Jin, despite her stable acting, was not enough to "save" the film.
This not only affected the duo's reputation but also severely affected the stock price of producer CJ ENM, from 70,000 won/share to a record low of 50,000 won.
With the 2025 opening film recording a poor performance, securities companies in Korea have reduced their target stock price of CJ ENM this year.
KB Securities revised its estimate of CJ ENM's operating profit down 24 percent to 227 billion won, lowering its target price from 80,000 won to 70,000 won. Meanwhile, Samsung Securities also lowered its target price from 91,000 won to 78,000 won.
