On a crisp October morning in 2024, the Baikonur Cosmodrome in Kazakhstan buzzed with anticipation. The G.O.-10 mission was about to launch, promising groundbreaking advancements in space exploration. Among the crew, one figure stood out—a seemingly out-of-place ob-gyn, Gong Ryong, whose presence was as perplexing as it was comical. Funded by a staggering 70 billion won from the MZ Medical Centre, Gong Ryong's role was more about public relations than scientific expertise. His official mission was to contribute to research on dementia, but his unofficial anxiety was palpable, culminating in a zero-gravity vomiting episode shortly after launch. This undignified start set the tone for his unconventional journey into space.
Gong Ryong's backstory was as chaotic as his current predicament. Raised by eccentric aunts who ran a bar, he had to navigate a tumultuous childhood marked by financial struggles and occasional brawls. Despite these challenges, he excelled academically, acing his CSATs and breezing through medical school. His rise to fame as a star ob-gyn was a whirlwind of over-the-top montage scenes, complete with adoring patients and viral fame. It was during this time that he crossed paths with Choi Go-eun, a woman whose life and family drama became deeply intertwined with his own.
Their initial encounter was far from ideal. After a car accident and a subsequent medical emergency, their paths crossed in a dramatic and awkward manner. Gong Ryong's professionalism clashed with Go-eun's fiery demeanor, especially when her father, Chairman Choi Jae-ryong, entered the picture. Blaming Gong Ryong for the loss of Go-eun's baby during surgery, Chairman Choi ignited a feud that saw Gong Ryong fired and blacklisted from the medical world. The tension between them was palpable, but Go-eun's unexpected romantic overtures added a layer of complexity. Was she genuinely interested in him, or was this just another layer of revenge against her controlling father?
As the G.O.-10 mission progressed, Gong Ryong found himself in an unexpected role: makeshift surgeon. When Commander Eve, the stoic and capable leader of the mission, injured her toes, Gong Ryong stepped up to help. Despite his earlier bravado proving no match for the challenges of threading a needle in zero gravity, Eve took over and completed the task herself, showcasing her resilience and strength. This interaction marked a turning point for Gong Ryong, who began to see Eve in a new light, hinting at the potential for a deeper connection between them.
The mission took a dramatic turn when the frozen corpse of an astronaut collided with the space station, sending everything into chaos. This was no mere sci-fi hallucination but a suit-sat, a satellite fashioned from a space suit. Commander Eve stepped in to stabilize the situation, earning Gong Ryong's admiration and further complicating their dynamic. Their prolonged, meaningful gaze suggested a budding connection, adding yet another layer of complexity to the unfolding drama.
Of course, no space mission would be complete without a love triangle—or in this case, a quadrangle. Go-eun's ex, Kang Kang-su, was conveniently stationed aboard the space station, adding fuel to the fire. His presence was particularly problematic since he was still on good terms with Chairman Choi, who was eager to see his daughter reconcile with Kang-su. Meanwhile, Eve was entangled in her own romantic subplot with Park Dong-a, a man back at mission control whose old space suit happened to be the one that broke apart earlier. The overlapping relationships created a tangled web of emotions, rivalries, and unspoken tensions that promised plenty of drama in the episodes to come.
Episode 1 of "When the Stars Gossip" sets the stage for an intriguing blend of intrigue, drama, and unexpected humor. As Gong Ryong and Commander Eve navigate the challenges of space travel and their own personal demons, viewers are treated to a captivating journey filled with unexpected turns and emotional depth. The episode leaves audiences eager for more, as the story unfolds amidst the vast expanse of space and the complexities of human relationships.