Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin have successfully entered space after a series of ups and downs, opening the door to a space office drama.
In the first episode of tvN's weekend drama "Ask the Stars" (written by Seo Suk-hyang, directed by Park Shin-woo), the spaceship G.O-10, carrying the character Dinosaur (played by Lee Min-ho) and Eve Kim (played by Gong Hyo-jin), safely landed in orbit, kicking off their life beyond Earth and capturing the hearts of viewers from the very first broadcast.
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%, and an average of 3.3% nationwide, peaking at 4.6%, ranking first in its time slot among cable and general programming channels. (Based on paid platforms including cable, IPTV, and satellite / provided by Nielsen Korea)
Beginning with the G.O-10 preparing to head to the space station, "Ask the Stars" depicts the journey of Dinosaur, an ordinary obstetrician, becoming a space tourist after spending an astronomical amount of money. Having lost his biological mother at birth, Dinosaur grew up considering his aunts as mother figures, and despite a difficult family environment, he achieved a perfect score on the college entrance exam and successfully entered medical school to become an obstetrician.
While he found fulfillment in bringing new life into the world and became the primary physician for a daughter-in-law of the MZ Group suffering from infertility, Dinosaur's poverty continued. After performing an emergency surgery for an ectopic pregnancy on the MZ Group's CEO Choi Go-eun (played by Han Ji-eun), Dinosaur fell out of favor with the MZ Group's chairman Choi Jae-ryong (played by Kim Eung-soo), leading to his dismissal from the hospital and leaving him unable to find a new job, causing great distress.
In the midst of this, Choi Go-eun suddenly confessed her love for Dinosaur, further bewildering him. To make matters worse, their appearance together was reported in the news, prompting Choi Jae-ryong to decide to send Dinosaur into space, along with various issues such as infertility and incurable diseases.
Under the orders of MZ Group chairman Choi Jae-ryong, Dinosaur boarded the spaceship, facing numerous challenges during the voyage. When Dinosaur experienced a sudden bout of motion sickness, Commander Eve Kim quickly sprang into action to provide emergency care. Seeing Eve Kim's injured toe from saving him, Dinosaur felt both grateful and sorry.
As the spaceship regained its orbit, Dinosaur persuaded Eve Kim to stitch up her toe in the weightlessness of space, where he struggled to maintain his composure. Observing Eve Kim caring for him like a mother in this unfamiliar environment, Dinosaur's face reflected a complex mix of emotions, making their life beyond Earth even more intriguing.
Thus, "Ask the Stars" successfully takes its first step as Korea's first space office drama, depicting the tumultuous journey of the space tourist Dinosaur and Commander Eve Kim as they navigate life together in space. The rapid unfolding of Dinosaur's eventful life and the process of heading into space draws viewers deeply into his emotions.
In particular, Lee Min-ho's solid performance in portraying the tumultuous life of the obstetrician Dinosaur and Gong Hyo-jin's charismatic portrayal of Commander Eve Kim enhance the immersion in the drama.
Moreover, the vibrant and engaging storyline, fast-paced development, and unique directorial techniques that allow viewers to see the world through the eyes of an astronaut emphasize the distinctiveness of "Ask the Stars," captivating everyone. The vast cosmic scenery, the zero-gravity environment, and the detailed depiction of the spaceship's interior all contributed to attracting everyone's attention from the very first broadcast. This raises expectations for the diverse stories that will unfold against the backdrop of the endless universe.
The life of tourist Lee Min-ho and Commander Gong Hyo-jin beyond Earth will officially unfold in the tvN weekend drama "Ask the Stars," airing its second episode today (5th) at 9:20 PM.
[Kim So-yeon, Star Today Reporter]
