tvN's weekend drama 'When the Stars Gossip' may be struggling with ratings in South Korea, but it's gaining significant traction overseas, earning a spot in Netflix's Global Top 10 Non-English Series ranking.
According to Netflix's data for the week of January 6 to 12, the drama secured 8th place with 2.4 million views and an impressive total of 10.8 million hours watched.
The series is also making waves on the global OTT ranking site FlixPatrol, where it entered the Top 10 in 55 countries, including Canada, Australia, Japan, India, and Saudi Arabia, showcasing its broad appeal. U.S.-based review site Decider praised the series, calling it a must-watch thanks to its excellent lead actors and stunning visual effects. The review highlighted the realistic depiction of zero-gravity scenes as a standout feature. Another outlet, Screen Rant, commended the drama for its exceptional cast and intriguing plot, describing that the first two episodes demonstrated its potential to become "an outstanding K-drama," while expressing anticipation for future episodes.
Global viewers have also shared their positive feedback. On IMDb, the series was praised for its "dynamic and engaging story, exceptional graphics, cartoon-like direction, superb acting, and captivating music." Many noted the effort put into creating visually stunning sequences, with particular appreciation for the realistic depiction of the space station and immersive performances by the cast.
Despite its international success, 'When the Stars Gossip' has not lived up to expectations in South Korea. The series premiered with a national viewership rating of 3.3%, climbing to 3.9% in its second episode, only to drop to the 2% range for episodes 3 and 4. The drama generated buzz ahead of its release, largely due to its star-studded cast featuring Gong Hyo-jin and Lee Min-ho, as well as its reported 50 billion KRW (approximately 34.34 million USD) production budget. However, domestic viewers have voiced disappointment.
Criticism from South Korean audiences includes complaints about the storyline being "disjointed and hard to follow," and questions like, "What are we supposed to ask the stars?" Some described the plot as "nonsensical" and "frustrating." Comments such as "I felt like I ate 100 sweet potatoes while watching this" (a Korean expression for feeling suffocated) and "I’m a fan of Gong Hyo-jin, but even I struggled to get through four episodes" were common. Others expressed skepticism about the scientific accuracy and over-the-top dramatization of space scenes, saying, "Even as someone who knows nothing about science, I kept asking, ‘Is this even possible?’”
While 'When the Stars Gossip' faces challenges in its home country, its international reception highlights its strengths, particularly the cast’s performances and its visual production quality. As the story progresses, attention is on whether the drama can turn the tide domestically and win over South Korean viewers, or if it will remain a show primarily appreciated by global audiences.