Did big stars and big productions fail in Korean dramas? The new drama "Ask the Stars" starring Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin, with a production cost of up to 50 billion won (approximately 150 million Ringgit), has unexpectedly faced a ratings slump since its premiere, dropping from 3.3% in the first episode to 2.2% by the third episode.
"Ask the Stars" tells the story of Lee Min-ho and Gong Hyo-jin as an obstetrician and a space station commander respectively, making it a rare drama set in outer space in Korea. Due to its big stars and expensive production costs, it garnered widespread attention before its premiere. However, after the broadcast, it received mixed reviews from viewers, with ratings declining instead of rising. Some netizens praised the fresh outer space setting, while others criticized the CG as awkward, saying it failed to portray the grandeur of space. Some even commented, "Lost big this time," with fans saying, "It's hard to keep watching just the first episode." Some Korean media remain cautious about the drama, indicating that it is still in its early stages, and whether future ratings can rebound remains to be seen, as the rating for the fourth episode has already risen to 2.7%.