Image Credit: Provided by tvN weekend drama 'Ask the Stars'
[Newsen Reporter Hwang Hye-jin] Actors Gong Hyo-jin and Lee Min-ho have opened the door to Korea's first space office drama.
On January 4, the first episode of tvN's weekend drama 'Ask the Stars' (written by Seo Suk-hyang, directed by Park Shin-woo) aired, featuring the space vessel G.O-10 with characters Gong-ryong (played by Lee Min-ho) and Eve Kim (played by Gong Hyo-jin) safely settling into orbit. The show captivated viewers from the outset as it kicked off the characters' lives beyond Earth.
As a result, the first episode of 'Ask the Stars' recorded an average viewership rating of 3.8% in the metropolitan area, peaking at 5%. Nationwide, it achieved an average of 3.3% and a peak of 4.6%, securing the top spot in its time slot across cable and general programming channels. (Viewership ratings based on paid platforms including cable, IPTV, and satellite / Nielsen Korea data)
'Ask the Stars' began with the G.O-10 preparing for its journey to a space station and depicted the extraordinary journey of Gong-ryong, who transformed from an ordinary obstetrician to a space tourist after spending a staggering amount of money. Orphaned at birth, Gong-ryong grew up cherishing his aunts as his mother figures. Despite a challenging home environment, he excelled in the college entrance exam and successfully entered medical school to become an obstetrician.
Finding fulfillment in bringing new life into the world, he even became the primary doctor for a daughter-in-law from the MZ Group who was suffering from infertility. However, Gong-ryong's financial struggles persisted. After performing emergency surgery on the MZ Group’s CEO Choi Ko-eun (played by Han Ji-eun) for an ectopic pregnancy, Gong-ryong fell out of favor with the MZ Group chairman Choi Jae-ryong (played by Kim Eung-soo), leading to his dismissal from the hospital and leaving him without a new job.
In the midst of his troubles, Choi Ko-eun unexpectedly confessed her feelings for Gong-ryong, further complicating his situation. To make matters worse, their public appearance together was reported, prompting Chairman Choi to decide to send Gong-ryong to space to resolve various family problems, including infertility and chronic illnesses.
Ordered by Chairman Choi, Gong-ryong embarked on the spaceship, facing numerous challenges along the way. A sudden incident where Gong-ryong choked on food while experiencing motion sickness led Commander Eve Kim to quickly step in for first aid. Upon seeing her injured toe from saving him, Gong-ryong felt a mix of gratitude and guilt.
When the ship regained its orbit, Gong-ryong took the opportunity to assist Eve Kim by suturing her toe in the zero-gravity environment. His expression, filled with complex emotions as he witnessed Eve Kim caring for him like a mother, added layers of intrigue to their life beyond Earth.
Additionally, Eve Kim caught viewers' attention with bold bed scenes during her secret romance with Park Dong-a (played by Kim Joo-heon).
Thus, 'Ask the Stars' successfully kicked off as Korea's first 'space office' drama, following the tumultuous journey of the space tourist Gong-ryong and Commander Eve Kim sharing life and death experiences in space. The swift unfolding of Gong-ryong's rich life story leading to his space journey kept viewers emotionally invested.
Especially notable is Lee Min-ho's portrayal of the tumultuous life of Gong-ryong as an obstetrician, complemented by Gong Hyo-jin's charismatic performance as Commander Eve Kim, enhancing the show's immersive quality.
Moreover, the series highlights a lively and sensory storyline with rapid pacing, along with unique directorial techniques that showcase space from an astronaut's perspective, underscoring what makes 'Ask the Stars' distinctive and captivating. The stunning visuals of vast outer space, the experience of weightlessness, and meticulous interior designs of the spaceship all drew the audience’s gaze in the premiere episode. The anticipation for the diverse stories set against the endless backdrop of the universe continues to build.