The climactic Episode 16 of "When The Stars Gossip" kicks off with Ryong receiving the startling news of his impending fatherhood. He solemnly vows to reach out to Eve, but before he can act, she reveals the pregnancy to MCC, leaving everyone in a state of disbelief. Eve confirms the baby's good health, identifies Ryong as the father, and reveals she is 12 weeks along. Her audacious plan to give birth in space is fraught with peril, yet she is steadfast in her resolve to embrace motherhood, despite the demands of Dong-a's assistance to make this dream a reality.
Tae-hui and the team scramble for answers, particularly puzzled since Eve underwent pre-flight tests that inexplicably failed to detect her pregnancy. Ignoring the scientific improbabilities, we all know that such things would undoubtedly show up in tests, especially those conducted by MCC's rigorous standards.
Eve's survival in the void of space looms as a colossal challenge. For her to safely deliver, they require an obstetrician-gynecologist experienced in space medicine—a category Ryong uniquely fits. Additionally, Ryong is prepared to risk his life for Eve, emerging as their sole viable option.
Ryong rushes to MCC, communicating frantically with the space shuttle crew. Eve needs immediate medical attention due to bleeding, necessitating a "McDonald cerclage," a cervical stitch procedure, which Ryong, with his space experience, is uniquely qualified to perform. He implores on bended knees for permission to join her in orbit. Tae-hui reluctantly grants his wish, but not before Ryong entrusts his wedding funds to his mother, thanking her for her unwavering support. He boards the rocket, ascending to the heavens while Houston officials fume in anger, one even scolding him, reminding him that he's fortunate to be bound for space rather than incarceration.
Upon reaching the shuttle, Ryong grapples with Tae-hui's earlier warnings. An extended stay in space, without adequate training, could incur severe side effects, possibly rendering him paralyzed or blind. Furthermore, Eve's re-entry to Earth poses significant G-force risks. Ryong persuades Eve to descend back to Earth, initiating re-entry preparations. However, her blood pressure surges, compelling them to abort and return to the battered space station, a dilapidated structure the MCC nonetheless reassures is "better than ever."
Meanwhile, on Earth, Jung Na-mi stumbles upon old documents, realizing with a shock that Eve is her daughter. This subplot, however, is hastily glossed over. Concurrently, Kang-su catches up with Go-eun, promptly suggesting they start a family.
The narrative jumps ahead to one week before Eve's due date. The baby thrives, and the station is meticulously prepared for the birth. They are convinced of Eve's strength for a natural delivery. However, while exercising on the treadmill, her vitals alarmingly spike.Does Eve emerge victorious from the throes of labor? Indeed, she seemingly embarks upon the journey of childbirth, only for the narrative to swiftly transport us to a serene scene of Eve and Ryong on Earth, their newborn baby thriving beside them. The montage that follows, portraying their tender moments together, paints a heartwarming picture—one too good to be true, doesn't it? Ryong's impending two-year prison sentence casts a shadow over this idyllic fantasy, yet the miracle of Eve's delivery shines brightly amidst such trying circumstances, especially considering the astonishing lack of mess—a stark contrast to the real-life chaos that accompanies most births, as any parent or birthing room visitor can attest.
Eve harbors genuine anxiety about a potentially fractured pelvic bone sustained during childbirth, a very tangible fear for her. For the moment, however, she finds solace in discussing their baby with Ryong. They settle upon the name Byeol, and Eve's tension melts away, if only temporarily. Tragically, we soon learn that her injuries prove fatal, and she passes peacefully away a mere day later.
What transpires in the cosmos during this time? A year hence, MZ Group and Kang-su unveil plans for a space fertility clinic, aiming to conquer infertility in the weightless void. Byeol thrives, her upcoming first birthday celebrated with much fanfare in the space station's biological module. Both Byeol and Ryong continue to reside in space, having resided there for an unprecedented stretch of one year and seven months without respite. Ryong insists on staying by Byeol's side amidst her health complications, tirelessly tending to her needs. MZ Group presses ahead, eager to capitalize on the venture, while Kang-su publicly renews his marriage proposal to Eve, albeit posthumously.
Aboard the shuttle, fellow astronauts voice their concerns to Ryong. His extended stay in zero gravity has likely inflicted "fatal damage" upon his organs, eyes, and muscles. The very environment that houses them now poses a mortal threat to him. Despite his lack of space training, Ryong perseveres, eventually scattering Eve's ashes in the vastness of space during a permitted spacewalk, the other astronauts granting him this poignant farewell.
How does "When The Stars Gossip" conclude its narrative? The storyline then propels us forward in time, returning us to the familiar confines of Earth. This transition occurs through a series of montage sequences, each imbued with a certain enigmatic quality. It seems that an elderly Ryong, confined to a wheelchair, gazes thoughtfully towards the vast, undulating sea. Nearby, a woman stands in silent contemplation, while a little girl approaches his side, adding a touch of innocence to the scene.
A close-up of Ryong's eye reveals a glassy sheen, hinting at a world devoid of sight. This subtle detail paints a poignant picture of his current state. Subsequently, a flurry of baby photographs flits across the screen, serving as poignant reminders of past joys and lost times. And with that, the screen fades to black, leaving viewers with a sense of poignant finality and unspoken stories lingering in the air.
