Recently, Lee Min-ho returned to the small screen with the drama “When the Stars Gossip”. However, the attention he is receiving isn’t exactly positive and many are starting to fear that Lee Min-ho may be in a career crisis.
An ignored 50 billion won blockbuster
From the moment the cast was announced, “When the Stars Gossip” was promoted as a successful television production with a budget of 50 billion won (about $34 million) and an unprecedented star-studded crew, including including high-level directors, writers and screenwriters. and A-list actors in the Korean entertainment industry.
Not to mention, the drama aired during tvN’s primetime slot, was actively promoted by Netflix from the beginning, and seemed to have everything it needed to become a hit. Yet, reality has proven the opposite.
Since its first episode, “When the Stars Gossip” has left audiences baffled, recording a rating of only 3.324%, lower than the opening ratings of all other weekend dramas on tvN in 2024. By its second week, the ratings had fallen below 3%, with the lowest episode hitting 2,237% – an incredibly low figure for a weekend drama, especially one with an A-list cast.
Lee Min-ho’s failed efforts?
It is undeniable that through “When the Stars Gossip,” Lee Min-ho has made efforts to transform his image. He played the role of a less wealthy and more playful character, moving away from the typical “rich, cocky male protagonist” image he is known for.
However, his acting seems to be somewhat overshadowed by that of the other cast members, and his chemistry with Gong Hyo-jin isn’t exactly spectacular. Furthermore, what has consistently kept Lee Min-ho in the spotlight – his gorgeous looks – has not been fully exploited in this drama either.
In truth, “When the Stars Gossip” was considered a risky venture for its production team, as space-themed Netflix works rarely succeed in Korea. Even big names like Bae Doona, Gong Yoo, Kim Tae-ri, and Song Joong-ki have faced disappointments with this genre (as can be seen in the lackluster performances of “The Silent Sea” and “Space Sweepers”).
Furthermore, “When the Stars Gossip” included absurd plot elements and excessive “coupling scenes”, which made many wonder what problem Lee Min-ho might be facing that led him to choose this script.
10 years without a decisive role
In fact, even before “When the Stars Gossip,” Lee Min-ho struggled to solidify his position in the acting world. While it is undeniable that he remains highly sought after for commercials and talk show appearances, his dramas have not performed well. His most successful work in the last ten years is probably “Legend of the Blue Sea”, followed by a series of projects that did not have a significant impact.
“The King: Eternal Monarch” had relatively low ratings in Korea, but found moderate success on Netflix internationally. “Pachinko” showed a very different side of Lee Min-ho, but since it was aimed at Western markets, it didn’t do much to boost his reputation in Asia. Furthermore, Lee Min-ho was not the main character of “Pachinko” and the story was not entirely focused on his role.
Is Lee Min-ho’s career really in crisis?
The short answer is “not exactly”.
For the long answer, while “When the Stars Gossip” isn’t doing well domestically, it is seeing results overseas, likely due to Lee Min-ho’s popularity. Furthermore, the actor is making progress with his acting skills, not only revamping his image in dramas, but also earning praise for his performances, as in the case of “Pachinko”.
Although Lee Min-ho’s work repertoire seems to be struggling, let’s look at it as the actor simply taking a step back for personal development instead of chasing former commercial fame.
