“When the Stars Gossip” Struggles with Forced Intimacy and Low Viewer Engagement

“When the Stars Gossip,” a highly anticipated Netflix drama featuring Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin, has faced criticism for its poorly executed intimate scenes, which have failed to resonate with viewers.

Despite a massive 50 billion won ($37 million) budget, the drama struggles with awkwardly portrayed romantic moments that feel more forced than emotionally engaging.

While recent dramas like “The Queen Who Crowns” have sparked debates over their explicit content, “When the Stars Gossip” has been criticized for its lack of emotional depth in key romantic scenes.

In one instance, Lee Min-ho’s character confesses, “I don’t care if I freeze to death,” but the moment lacks the impact necessary to make it meaningful, due to excessive computer-generated images and exaggerated lighting effects.

The intimate scenes, meant to deepen character relationships, feel more like shock value than a natural progression of the story. Viewer feedback has been overwhelmingly negative, with many criticizing the focus on forced intimacy instead of organic romance.

The show’s ratings have significantly dropped, from 3.3% at its premiere to 1% by Episode 5, recovering slightly to 2.7% later. The drama’s failure highlights the importance of handling intimacy scenes with care, ensuring they serve the narrative and character development rather than distract from them.