Episode 1 of "When The Stars Gossip" unfolds on October 25th, 2024, amidst the thrilling backdrop of the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan. The scene sets as astronauts arrive, their anticipation palpable as they embark on a meticulous system check, reciting a laundry list of safety protocols while eagerly awaiting the arrival of their esteemed comrade.
Onboard the G.O.-10 spacecraft, a trio of astronauts, including its formidable commander, Eve, prepare for their journey. We'll delve deeper into Eve's story later, but now, let's focus on Gong Ryong, a figure shrouded in complexity. His strained relationship with his father-in-law, the roots of which will gradually unfold, casts a shadow over his journey. This tension also ripples through the bond between Choi Go-eun and her father, Choi Jae-ryong, a dynamic further strained by the tragic loss of Go-eun's brother, Dong-hun, a hero who sacrificed his life to save workers from a fatal accident involving falling debris.
Gong Ryong, a highly-paid obstetrician-gynecologist from the MZ Medical Centre (whose sponsorship amounted to a staggering 70 billion won), finds himself in an unusual role as a "space tourist" on this mission. Though labeled as such, he is afforded the privilege of selecting a song for takeoff—a small but significant gesture amidst the grandeur of space travel. Yet, his nerves get the better of him, rendering him unable to fulfill this task.
The mission's objective is ambitious: to study samples that hold the potential to unravel some of humanity's most enigmatic problems, such as dementia. And this crucial work will unfold on a space station, where, presumably, the heart of our narrative will unfold, weaving a tale of human resilience, emotional depth, and the quest for knowledge amidst the vastness of the cosmos.
The launch and subsequent separation marked a triumphant milestone, as the rocket soared into the vast expanse of space, eliciting a collective sigh of relief from the entire nation of Korea. As the initial gravitational force subsided and G.O-10 gracefully unfolded its solar panels, Gong Ryong, overwhelmed by the experience, found himself retching uncontrollably. As droplets of water danced in the air, his two fellow astronauts struggled futilely to contain the situation, leaving Gong Ryong to ponder deeply about his life's journey.
Gong Ryong was nurtured by his eccentric and unconventional aunties, who worked at a lively bar and took charge of his upbringing after the passing of his mother. Often, he found himself engaging in battles on their behalf, struggling to scrape together the funds necessary for his tuition. Despite these challenges, he demonstrated his prowess as a fighter by taking on thugs outside, ultimately excelling in his academics and achieving a perfect score on the CSAT, which propelled him into the prestigious realm of medical school.
There, Gong Ryong emerged as a star nurse, his magical touch as a midwife delivering babies wherever he went. He became a celebrity in the world of obstetrics, and a series of hilariously exaggerated montage scenes portrayed the reverence and admiration he garnered in his role. This led him to pursue a career in obstetrics and gynecology, a path that inevitably intertwined his fate with Go-eun's.
As her attending physician, Gong Ryong was entrusted with her care. This marked the beginning of a complex entanglement between him and the chairman. Their paths crossed after a fateful car accident, and Go-eun, dissatisfied with her partner's lack of trustworthiness (a hint at infidelity lurking in the shadows), sought solace in Gong Ryong's promise to keep her upcoming surgery a closely guarded secret. Unfortunately, despite his best efforts, she lost her baby in the process.
The Chairman swiftly discerns the unfolding events and is incensed. He ushers Gong Ryong into his vehicle, lambasting him over the botched surgery. Chairman Choi is deeply displeased, convinced that Gong Ryong bears the culpability for terminating his family's lineage. Consequently, Gong Ryong is terminated from his position, and even more devastatingly, MZ Group ensures that he is blacklisted from securing another job.
When Go-eun arrives to offer her apologies, Gong Ryong remains unmoved, vowing to seek vengeance against her and her father with unwavering determination. To everyone's astonishment, she forces herself upon him, planting an unexpected kiss upon his lips, presenting a bizarre form of retaliation. It transpires that she harbors genuine feelings for him. But does her affection run deep?
The duo finds themselves entangled in a whirlwind of passionate awkwardness, leaving us uncertain whether Gong Ryong's actions stem from love or merely a desire for revenge. The same ambiguity surrounds Go-eun's motives.
Caught in this strange, euphoric haze, Go-eun impulsively proposes marriage to Gong Ryong. This revelation ties the narrative threads together, explaining the current union between Go-eun and Gong Ryong, as well as the Chairman's vehement hatred towards him.
Back on the shuttle, a dramatic turn of events unfolds as the frozen corpse of the astronaut we previously encountered collides with the space station, causing it to plunge into chaos. It seems that his earlier vision was not a figment of his imagination! Moreover, we later learn that the deceased astronaut was part of a suit-sat, a unique satellite constructed from a space suit.
The Commander regains control of the situation, stabilizing the spacecraft before coming to Gong Ryong's aid, who is struggling with a blocked airway. Eve emerges as the heroine of the hour, albeit at the cost of injuring her toes in the process. As Eve gazes into Gong Ryong's eyes following her bravery, a profound connection forms between them, especially considering she has just saved his life.
However, if the plot's dramatic tension hasn't yet reached its peak, there's another twist: Go-eun's ex-boyfriend, Kang Kang-su, who coincidentally finds himself aboard the space station. He reaches out to Go-eun, confessing his reluctance to let her go and revealing that he remains on friendly terms with her father, who eagerly attempts to reconcile them. Adding another layer of complexity, Eve has embarked on a romantic journey with Park Dong-a, a mission control officer whose outdated suit malfunctioned in space.
When Eve visits Gong Ryong to check on his well-being, Dong-a's attention inadvertently shifts to her injured feet, prompting him to lend a helping hand despite her lingering wounds. Gong Ryong, convinced that surgery is necessary, sets to work, attempting to thread a needle with dexterity in the zero-gravity environment—a task he boasts about being skilled at, yet struggles with immensely. Blaming his own injuries for the difficulty, he's ironically outdone by Eve, who manages to thread the needle on her first try.
Without anesthesia, the procedure is anything but painless, and Eve winces throughout, yet permits Gong Ryong to proceed. In gratitude, she later thanks him, urging him to rest. In response, he admiringly comments on her impressive big toes before bidding her farewell. It's evident that, for the first time, Gong Ryong harbors genuine feelings of attraction that aren't fueled by a desire for revenge.
