Love in the Big City (2024)

so much more than just romance

I loved EVERYTHING about this. They kept the essence of the novel while adding new elements that only helped build on the story. The structure & sequence was perfectly aligned to Young’s character development. Every single cast member poured their hearts out! I want to give a standing ovation to Nam Yoonsu. I already had so much respect for him for taking on the role and embracing it with so much confidence in the face of the backlash, so to see that reflected in his performance was amazing. He was the perfect Young, I can’t imagine anyone else other than him.

Sending most love out to the crew behind this masterpiece though, it wouldn’t have come to life without them. I’m glad the writer was so involved with the drama bc I don’t think it would’ve been as true to the novel if he wasn’t. no one knows the story and characters like him. Also props to him for being so willing to make changes to his own novel and making young’s friend group have a bigger presence in the drama. I don’t think the drama would’ve been the same without them fr. I loved seeing a queer friend group in a kbl for the first time. And the fact that they’re all so in touch with their queerness was so lovely to see. Truly one of the best aspects of the drama. Park Sangyoung you are a mastermind!

Overall, the drama was the perfect adaptation of the novel, and in some ways, it was even better than it. This drama is in a league of its own when it comes to kbls like it won’t be topped for years to come. Thank you to the cast and crew for bringing such a masterpiece to life!

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i just finished watching this beautiful piece of media and i am experiencing multiple emotions all at once. i don't think i have ever been deeply moved after watching a drama, let alone a kbl, in a while.

love in the big city is more than just a love story — it is a realistic depiction of life, love, friendship, grief and everything else in between.

as a queer person, i often consume any type of queer media as a way to learn more about queerness outside of the western lens. to see a portrayal of being queer in a way that is so raw and sincere in korea media was quite refreshing. considering how korea is very conservative, this series took a leap of faith and challenged the norm in south korean modern media. not only does it humanize queer people in a country in which they are seen as less than, it also touches upon the misogyny korean women face. the script was so beautifully written, i was intrigued to the extent where i wanted to read the novel this series was based on.

other than the story, the cinematography was breathtaking. the acting was flawless, it felt as if i was watching real people share genuine friendships. it felt as if i was witnessing two people actually fall in love.

i adore this show so deeply that i will be thinking about it for a long, long time.

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O QUE EU MAIS QUERO É AMOR ?

O ponto alto de reflexão desse drama, pra mim, é a amizade. Quem estaria comigo quando aparentemente não sobrasse mais ninguém? Quem me procuraria se por acaso, eu sumisse por uns dias? Quem me tiraria do fundo do poço? Quem comemoraria verdadeiramente os meus sucessos? Quem me daria os conselhos mais sinceros? O grupinho de rapazes me emocionou muito. Sempre ali. No início, meio e fim. Personalidades conflitantes e ao mesmo tempo tão conexas. A cumplicidade na sua definição mais perfeita.
Go Young criou para si uma máscara, uma armadura. Sempre sorrindo em público, com os amigos. Sentindo a dor de não saber o que fazer e querendo fazer tudo. Querendo viver tudo. Dia após dia, sem medo do futuro. E de fato, vivendo. Mas acima de tudo, amadurecendo.
Mi Ae foi uma boa amiga, daquelas amizades que preenchem um vazio, um espaço em branco. Mas assim como em muitos casos por aí, depois de um tempo, a conexão já não era a mesma. A busca por tentar manter viva essa relação só mostra o quanto não dá pra voltar ao que já foi. Foi uma fase. Uma amizade que não terminou, mas esfriou.
Sobre os romances... Por que tem que ser tão difícil ofertar e receber amor? No início temos o Nam Gyu, um apaixonado, intenso, que faria tudo por ele. Mas não era o momento certo. Não daria certo a longo prazo devido as diferenças, mas era tão estável. Tanto que fez falta em um momento de solidão. A morte dele foi triste, mas foi um marco para nosso protagonista crescer e amadurecer, já que ele procuraria o Nam Gyu em qualquer situação difícil, pois sabia que ele iria. E o Nam Gyu viveria em função do Young.
O Yeong Su, sinto ódio só de lembrar. Queria amar e ser amado as escondidas, não queria aceitar a si mesmo, era frustrado e descontava isso no Go Young. Sem dúvidas, a cena que mais me doeu foi quando eles brigaram no restaurante. Ver as lágrimas que o Young definitivamente não merecia derramar foi triste demais. Vê-lo jogar fora a carta que recebeu dele, com certeza lavou minha alma.
Chegamos finalmente em Gyu Ho. Natural, quase podemos chamar de amor a primeira vista. Depois de passar por situações conturbadas, Young não conseguiu ver nada além do tédio em uma relação tão bonita, tão verdadeira, mas normal. Young via o cotidiano e a rotina como monótonos. Gyu Ho não se sentia pertencente a nenhum lugar, sempre atento para não cometer erros, para não incomodar. Fazia silêncio até ao dormir. Mas amava estar com o Young. Queria mesmo estar com ele. E no fim, temos aquela pontinha de esperança de um possível reencontro entre eles, mas sem descartar a possibilidade de isso nunca acontecer.
O personagem Habib estava quebrado. Era rico e estável. Mas estava simplesmente quebrado. Exausto. Talvez da vida, das pressões, do mundo... Young não estava em posição de cuidar de ninguém. O Habib jamais estaria 100% disponível para essa relação. Young era solitário mesmo estando com ele.
Por fim, a doença da mãe, a kylie, as decepções amorosas e a solidão absoluta criam conexão com quem está assistindo. Assistindo e torcendo por ele. Torcendo para que ele encontre a felicidade, o amor.

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it’s an emotional rollercoaster

this has the feels, of reality. while watching this tears where really falling out. the last relationship he had the longest one felt like i was in this relationship but i have never been in one. when their love was slowly fading away how heavy i felt inside me as it was me kn that moment. hurts crazy. but he didn’t find forever love he was depressed but what is impotent is friendship his friends being there for him was lovely. If you haven’t watched it you should definitely do. the chemistry between this roles is top! best k bl that has this chemistry.

probably this is my first and last time watching it. i will remember it well.

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when love leaves you, but loneliness stays

This drama? It’s not just a story—it’s an emotional gut-punch from start to finish. From the very first scene, it pulls you into Ko Yeong’s messy, heartbreaking life. He’s the guy who’s always out, chasing the nightlife—bars, dancing, drinking, and one-night stands. On the surface, he’s carefree and fun, but deep down? He’s terrified of being alone. His life feels like this endless loop of trying to drown out the silence, and it’s painful to watch because you can tell he’s running from something he can’t escape.

Let’s address the elephant in the room: Ko Yeong is a walking contradiction. He craves connection but pushes people away. He wants love but fears what comes with it. It’s like he’s caught in this perpetual tug-of-war between what he needs and what he thinks he deserves.

And isn’t it funny how the grass is always greener on the other side? He surrounds himself with noise, people, and distractions, hoping it’ll fill the void, but you can tell he’s longing for something quieter—something real. Yet, when he gets close to it, he bolts. Fear of commitment, fear of rejection, fear of being seen for who he really is—it’s all wrapped up in the way he navigates relationships.

His parents’ messy divorce didn’t do him any favors, leaving him with a skewed idea of what love looks like. Add Kylie—his nickname for HIV—into the mix, and it’s no wonder he struggles to let people in. Kylie isn’t just a condition for Ko Yeong; it’s a shadow that follows him everywhere, whispering that he’s not worthy of love or stability.

Mi Ae, his roommate and best friend, is like his emotional anchor. She’s the one constant in his life, the person who knows him better than anyone else. But let’s not sugarcoat it—anchors don’t float. When she gets married and moves on, Ko Yeong is left to sink or swim. Spoiler: he starts sinking.

Then there are his relationships. Nam Gyu, bless his old-soul heart, was a shot at something tender and genuine. But Ko Yeong wasn’t ready, and Nam Gyu’s tragic end only adds another layer of guilt to Ko Yeong’s already complicated life. Then there’s Youngso, who deserves a medal for Worst Human Ever. He uses Ko Yeong, hides their relationship, and has the audacity to call homosexuality a sin. The betrayal cuts deep, and you can feel how it makes Ko Yeong retreat even further into himself.

And finally, Gyu Ho—the love that could’ve been the love. Their relationship starts off sweet, almost hopeful, like maybe this time it’ll work out. But life doesn’t work that way, does it? The spark dims, the fights start, and the weight of reality crushes them both. Even their trip to Thailand, a place meant to rekindle their connection, is overshadowed by Kylie and all the baggage that comes with it.

Here’s the kicker: Ko Yeong’s life isn’t about grand epiphanies or neatly tied-up endings. It’s about the slow, painful crawl toward understanding yourself. After Gyu Ho leaves for China, Ko Yeong throws himself into writing. It’s his way of processing, of making sense of the mess. But even when he revisits Thailand with someone new, it’s clear he’s still haunted by what he lost.

Love in the Big City doesn’t hand you closure on a silver platter. It’s raw, messy, and brutally honest. It captures the discomfort of being stuck between who you are and who the world expects you to be. It’s a reminder that love, no matter how fleeting or complicated, leaves its mark. And sometimes? The grass isn’t greener—it’s just a different shade of heartbreak.

Heartbreaking, unforgettable, and absolutely worth the emotional wreckage. Watch it. Feel it. Then sit with it, because it’s the kind of story that stays with you, whether you like it or not.

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Never have I wanted to die more than right now

I finished the series 10 minutes ago. I'm a fucking wreck but let's do it.
I don't know what's going on with Korean BLs lately but they've been HITTING for some reason. First, The Eighth Sense, then Love for Love's Sake, and now this one?? Why does everyone want me to kms??? No but seriously, they're doing something that I don't quite see in other countries' BLs, like Thailand's, for example.
I'll say this: I've only cried twice watching a BL. The first, watching Last Twilight, and the second, watching this.

So. What I liked:

- It feels realistic, even though I hope there's no-one on this Earth as unlucky as the poor protagonist. He falls in love, breaks up, gets broken up with, has happy times and hits new lows every now and then. He has sex, he has friends, he has family issues, he can be compassionate but also an asshole. I love it. I love Go Young not as a character, but as a person that might exist in real life. I could see myself being friends with him.
- Surprisingly sex positive, especially for a KBL. Even Mi Ae sleeps around and it isn't treated as something shameful or wrong (though she still gets mocked for it). I also appreciated the representation of someone who has to live with HIV. I don't know if they consulted people who actually have it, but as a viewer it felt quite genuine.
- The characters are all lovely. I was sooo invested following Go Young, I loved his friends despite their limited screentime, and I ADORED Mi Ae while she was onscreen. There's hints at backstories, complex personalities, all interwoven to create very believable characters.
- The main couple was amazing, show-stopping, incredible--- I just don't know what to say. The portrayal of puppy love (or the honeymoon phase) was mesmerizing.
- The existential dread and the feeling of being lost, unwanted, unworthy, etc- was too well done for my taste. It hit too close to home at some points.

BUT--

- The time skips can fuck with your head sometimes, it can be hard to tell how much time has passed between different scenes. And because the series covers quite a lot of time, it can feel like things are going at breakneck speed, especially when Go Young is going through different boyfriends.
- I do agree with other reviewers that, outside of his mental dilemma and shame with HIV, he didn't really suffer any side-effects from having it in his day-to-day life.
- Well you can probably already tell but this series is fucking depressing. Everything that can go wrong in someone's life goes wrong for Go Young, and it's so hard to watch him suffer through it all: loss of relative to cancer, HIV, multiple breakups, lost friendships, toxic exes, dead exes, the whole nine yards. I honestly cried less at my grandfather's funeral (/j).

Still, the series is amazingly well done. And incredibly acted. It's one of those rare occurrences where you forget that you're watching a character, not a real person.
Just, maybe don't watch if you're single, in your early 20s and in the brink of an existential crisis. It doesn't really help, let's just say that.

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Love more this drama

I’m always suport this drama, i like the couple 1, 2 and 3 . I dont know i like the couple in the eps 3 and 4 so hot.
But i like more the couple and i’m enjoyed this watch a drama. I absolutely LOVED this drama- the story way amazing- I never got bored- ugh it was just amazing.
I believe I'm not exaggerating with my 10/10 rating. This series is so good it made me get a subscription to a streaming service, I mean if that doesn't sell you idk what will.
I honestly like the cast of this drama especially the main cast. with a good story and chemistry from them is also good. It's really a worth to watch series, highly recommend it. Success for love In The Big City.

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