In the tenth episode of "When The Stars Gossip," the narrative shifts dramatically as our heroes touch down on Earth, specifically in Seoul. A helicopter's rotor blades chop through the air as it lands, reuniting Ryong and Eve with their cherished comrades, friends, and family. Oh, and Dong-a is also present, adding an unexpected twist.
Upon their arrival, reporters swarm them with questions, eager to capture every detail. Dong-a, laying it on thick with his affections, declares his enchantment with Eve, much to her surprise. Ryong, on the other hand, finds himself uncomfortably cornered by Go-eun, who insists on discussing their marriage plans.
However, brief flashbacks reveal a hidden truth: Ryong had actually discovered a winning lottery ticket in the vents and decided to keep it. He had also made a heartfelt promise to Eve, vowing to take care of her, kiss her every 15 minutes, and share steaming bowls of hot noodles together. These little mementos of their journey had kept them going, thanks in part to the portable oxygen cannisters they carried into their makeshift tent.
At Mission Control's hospital, Ryong and Eve undergo thorough examinations. Ryong, in particular, struggles to walk and needs assistance to the bathroom, where Dong-a pretends to happily lend a hand. But when they're alone, Dong-a's façade drops, and he warns Ryong to stay away from Eve, his tone laden with menace.
Jae-ryong's entrance into the room causes a stir, prompting Ryong to orchestrate a dramatic charade. Disguising the morula as vomit inside his sock, he surreptitiously hands it over to the Chairman. The portable freezer is successfully transferred, but Go-eun's arrival interrupts the moment. She confronts Ryong about his relationship with Eve, and although he doesn't confess outright, his evasive answers and advice for her to move on hint at something deeper.
Go-eun is devastated, feeling pathetic and betrayed. She scolds Ryong for lacking the courage to admit his feelings for someone else and for intentionally omitting the truth about his and Eve's relationship. Her sobs echo through the stairwell, drawing Kang-su's attention. Overhearing her cries, he immediately senses that something is amiss, setting the stage for further drama to unfold.
Tae-hui engages Eve in conversation about the peculiar incident aboard the space station, pondering over Ryong's inexplicable fascination with the observation module. Adding to the intrigue, they discover that there was an acute shortage of one-hour oxygen tanks as well. Eve remains tight-lipped about her encounter with Ryong, sharing no details with either Tae-hui or Dong-a. Nevertheless, a glimmer of softness crosses her face when she finds a charming little note Ryong has slipped into her dinner tray.
Just as the moment begins to unfold, Dong-a arrives, and the duo delves into a heart-wrenching dialogue. Dong-a confesses the truth behind his infidelity, collapsing to his knees and delivering a passionate monologue in an attempt to rationalize his actions. He implores Eve to show some leniency and grant him a chance at redemption. Understandably, Eve is anything but pleased.
Soon after, Ryong and Eve find themselves alone, confined to a section designed to replenish their oxygen levels. They are instructed to remain silent, but silence proves impossible when Kang-su storms in and promptly assails Ryong. Given the recent revelations, Kang-su leaves Ryong with a bloodied mouth, a predictable outcome considering the devastation he has wrought upon their relationship. Eve remains unsympathetic, asserting that Ryong had it coming, having guessed much of what transpired.
Amidst this turmoil, it is confirmed that the Space Station will undergo a thorough investigation to uncover the exact sequence of events and why Ryong was notably absent from the rescue shuttle. Ironically, this announcement coincides with the discovery of Ryong's phone, left behind on the station despite being out of battery. The phone still holds a draft message detailing Ryong's involvement with the embryos.
Speaking of notes, Mina Lee receives one in the form of a lottery ticket, which she promptly passes to Tae-hui. Meanwhile, everyone gathers in Eve's room to celebrate Dong-a's birthday that night. However, this celebration is marred by a guilt-inducing video message from Dong-a, sobbing and pleading with Eve not to give up, insisting that he is doing his utmost to reach her.
Despite this, Ryong finds himself plunged into a crisis of confidence, grappling with the quest to discover his true purpose. As images of their shared moments flash through his mind, Eve maneuvers her wheelchair into Ryong’s room and proposes that they venture out together. Though their camaraderie remains unblemished, fulfilling their pact to savor hot noodles, Eve contends that they should merely feign ignorance of their fleeting connection, dismissing it as a mere "sweet dream." Reluctant to cause pain to those who have patiently awaited their return, Eve emphasizes their fortune in having the partners they cherish. Has their burgeoning romance reached its untimely conclusion?
