Lee Min Ho and Gong Hyo Jin’s K-Drama Faces Disappointing Viewership
The highly anticipated K-drama When The Stars Gossip, featuring stars Lee Min Ho and Gong Hyo Jin, has experienced a significant drop in viewership ratings since its premiere. Despite a substantial production budget of ₩50 billion KRW (approximately $34 million USD), the show has failed to capture the audience’s interest, recording a mere 3.3% viewership for its debut episode and declining to the 2% range for subsequent episodes.
Ratings Comparison with Competing Dramas
In stark contrast, other dramas such as SBS’s Love Scout began with a robust 5.2% rating and surged to over 10% by its third episode. Similarly, JTBC’s The Tale of Lady Ok also maintained ratings above 10%. This performance highlights the struggles of When The Stars Gossip, especially when compared to the success of tvN’s previous drama, Queen of Tears, which started at 5.9% and concluded with an impressive 24.9%.
Reasons Behind the Low Ratings
Critics have pointed out several factors contributing to the underwhelming performance of When The Stars Gossip. According to a review by Newsen, the drama suffers from a niche genre appeal, excessively high expectations, and poorly executed intimate scenes that viewers found distasteful.
Audience Reactions and Critiques
Fans have taken to social media to express their disappointment, labeling the show as “boring” and criticizing the chemistry between Lee Min Ho and Gong Hyo Jin as lacking depth. One viewer remarked that the sci-fi genre may not resonate with all audiences, suggesting that the storyline might be better suited for a film or limited series rather than a full-fledged drama.
A Rocky Start for a Promising Pairing
As When The Stars Gossip continues its run on tvN and Netflix, it remains to be seen whether viewership will improve or if it will remain adrift in low ratings. The combination of a star-studded cast and high production values has not translated into viewer engagement thus far, leaving fans hopeful for a turnaround in future episodes.
