When the Stars Gossipis the perfect show to watch for fans of the romantic K-drama,The King: Eternal Monarch.The King Eternal Monarch, which takes place in an alternate universe, centers around Lee Min-ho’s character, Lee Gon, the King of the Republic of Corea who falls for Kim Go-eun’s Jeong Tae-eul.The King: Eternalis one of Lee Min-ho andKim Go-eun’s best K-dramas. The show received favorable reviews when it aired in 2020, mostly because of the chemistry between the lead characters.
After taking a break from K-dramas, Lee Min-ho returned to the small screen inWhen the Stars Gossip. The 2025 series follows a space station tourist, who begins to fall in love with the commander whilst trying to complete his secret mission.When the Stars Gossiphas great visuals paired with an intriguing storyline that is brought to life by its star-studded cast. Given thatThe King: Eternal Monarchwas released nearly five years ago, there’s finally anotherLee Min-ho K-dramathat audiences who miss him in romantic K-dramas can watch.
Lee Min-ho Plays Gong Ryong In When The Stars Gossip
InWhen the Stars Gossip, Lee Min-ho takes on the role of Gong Ryong, an OB-GYN who goes to a space station as a tourist. Although Gong Ryong seems clueless and carefree, he actually went to the space station for a reason: he was tasked with creating an embryo using his fiancé’s brother’s sperm. While at the space station,he begins falling for Eve Kim (Gong Hyo-jin), an astronaut leading her first mission. Eve and Ryong initially don’t see eye to eye, but their dynamic changes after they realize there’s more to both of them than they each realized.
Like Lee Min-ho’s past lead roles in romantic K-dramas, it’s easy to put Ryong in one box. However,Ryong is a multidimensional character who finds himself in a tough positionbecause of his burgeoning feelings for the space station commander.When the Stars Gossipincludes all the elements that have made Lee Min-ho’s other K-dramas enjoyable, but his on-screen relationship with Eve is what sets the show apart. According to Lee Min-ho, his role in the K-drama is a fitting comeback for the South Korean actor because he is always looking to play challenging characters (viaZapZee).
How When The Stars Gossip Compares To The King: Eternal Monarch
When The Stars Gossip Is A Romance K-drama That Is Set In Space
Although Lee Min-ho plays the romantic lead inWhen the Stars GossipandThe King: Eternal Monarch, his characters and the shows are completely different. While Netflix has produced other K-dramas that take place in space, such asGong Yoo’sThe Silent Sea,When the Stars Gossipis the streamer’s first romance K-drama set in space. In comparison,The King: Eternal Monarchis a romantic sci-fi fantasy.
While both shows include interesting storylines,When the Stars Gossipsets itself apart and is already one of the most unique works in Lee Min-ho’s career. Further,In The King: Eternal Monarch, Lee Min-ho’s character, Lee Gon, is a king. On the other hand, his character inWhen the Stars Gossipis an OB-GYN who doesn’t have a lot of power. Nevertheless, Lee Min-ho still shines in the two TV shows, thus proving why he has become one of the best K-drama actors.
What Else You Have Seen Lee Min-ho (It’s Not Just K-Dramas)
Lee Min-ho Stars In Pachinko
Lee Min-ho has mostly starred in Korean dramas since he started acting.After playing Gu Jun-pyo inBoys Over Flowers, which was his breakout role, Lee Min-ho became a household name and went on to appear in other K-dramas such asCity Hunter,Legend of the Blue Sea, andThe Heirs. Although the actor is recognized for his K-drama leading roles, he took a break from the genre after appearing inThe King: Eternal Monarchback in 2020.
The Heirs
Kim Tan
In 2022, Lee Min-ho took on the role of Koh Han-soo in Apple TV+’s adaptation of Min Jin-lee’s best-selling novel,Pachinko. Unlike Lee Min-ho’s other characters, Han-soo is a morally ambiguous person who begins an affair with Sunja. While the actor has gained acclaim forhis romantic K-dramas, his role inPachinkowas integral to his career because it showed his versatility as an actor. Four years after starring inThe King: Eternal Monarch, Lee Min-ho returned to his K-drama roots inWhen the Stars Gossip.
When the Stars Gossip
Cast
This romantic drama series follows an astronaut and a space tourist who, despite their differing backgrounds and missions, become entangled in space, leading to unexpected romantic developments.
