The fourth episode of "When The Stars Gossip" unfolds with a thrilling drama centered around Eve, who finds herself on the brink of peril, her fate dangling by a thread. As the tension mounts, we delve deeper into Eve's background, revealing that her adoptive father was an American astronaut who tragically perished while attempting to rescue a colleague during a spacewalk. Prior to his fatal mission, he left Eve a poignant note, imparting wisdom about the preciousness of life and emphasizing that "every species is a miracle in its own right."
Eve's so-called "Will" transpires to be more of a set of directives for Ryong to follow, which he undertakes with minimal complaint. He is explicitly instructed to stay out of the unfolding drama outside. However, when Ryong becomes privy to Eve's dire straits and watches helplessly through the window, his resolve begins to waver.
Eve fights to keep her consciousness amidst Seung-jun's decompression preparations to venture outside and untether her. But it is Ryong who stuns everyone by donning a spacesuit and boldly stepping out, despite having skipped the crucial decompression stage. This oversight places him in grave danger as he struggles to adjust, risking asphyxiation unless swift action is taken. Undeterred by the peril, Ryong sacrifices his own safety to save Eve, attempting to locate and disengage the tether hook.
Initially, Ryong has difficulty finding the hook, but Eve, through sheer willpower, guides her comrade. Eventually, they succeed, and both are spared from certain doom. Yet, Ryong's bravery comes at a cost; exhausted and deprived of oxygen, he collapses.
Simultaneously, news reaches the Chairman that Dr. Na's eggs have been successfully fertilized with Dong-hun's sperm. They harbor hopes that at least three of the seven eggs will take, but Jae-ryong remains unwaveringly optimistic about a higher success rate. This revelation crushes Na Min-jeong's hopes, especially when she learns of Ryong's precarious condition.
In the aftermath of the Chairman's actions, Min-jeong rises to her feet with renewed determination, vowing that upon the birth of her child, she will leave, refusing to allow him to manipulate another innocent life. She uncovers a deeply troubling truth, revealing that Dong-hun had harbored no aspirations for a management role but was compelled into a perilous construction job, ultimately leading to his untimely demise. She paints a picture of Dong-hun's lifelong misery, contrasting sharply with Jae-ryong's stubborn assertion that anyone would eagerly embrace wealth and power if presented with the opportunity. Jae-ryong, unmoved by her plight, initiates steps to oust Ms. Na from her position. Little did he anticipate Go-eun's bold public declaration of her impending marriage to Ryong, extolling their upcoming union as a blissful merging of two starkly contrasting families. While Ryong's mothers revel in joy, others are torn between frustration and despair.
Back at the station, Ryong and Eve are administered oxygen masks to flush out the nitrogen from their systems, and mercifully, both regain consciousness. However, Ryong is taken aback when he learns of Go-eun's announcement of their engagement. Meanwhile, at an emergency IOU meeting convened to deliberate on the onboard incident, Eve confronts Ryong, her voice tinged with displeasure over his reckless disregard for his own life in saving her. She sternly admonishes him to stay away, lambasting his impulsive behavior that jeopardized both their safety. Despite the undeniable chemistry between them, she rebukes him for defying a direct order and potentially putting them both in grave danger, before turning away and warning him never to approach her again.
Ryong finds himself entangled in a web of trouble with the Interstellar Operations Unit (IOU), having inked his name on papers pledging to avoid any foolish escapades aboard the spaceship. Consequently, as he prepares for his descent to Earth, the looming specter of reprimand hangs over his head. Kang-su, sensing an opportunity, cannot resist rubbing it in, even boasting about the successful fertilization of the eggs during his shift.
Plunged into a pit of despair, Ryong decides to relocate to the far side of the ship, hoping to steer clear of Eve's path. There, Santi awaits him with a timely "cure" – a stash of alcohol cleverly concealed within a book! To Ryong's surprise, neither he nor Seung-jun harbor any ill will; Santi reassures him that "the pack stands solidly behind him." This heartening display of camaraderie, despite the questionable decision to smuggle liquor in such a controlled environment, offers a brief moment of levity.
Elsewhere, Mina engages in a conversation with Dona on Earth, pondering the fate of the lottery ticket. Ryong, who holds the key, reveals that the "Stand with me" lyrics inscribed on the reverse belong to Kang-su. Mina toys with the idea of returning it to him, but Ryong, with a mischievous grin, dissuades her, believing she should keep it.
In a haze of inebriation, Ryong stumbles into the Commander's quarters. Bewildered by his perceived transgressions, he demands gratitude from her. Ignoring her inquiries about the alcohol, he blurts out his feelings for her.
