Love in the Big City (2024)

Drama that is a masterpiece.♥

Thank for a drama that is a masterpiece.
.
A wonderful drama, which kicks in the soft stomach, and touches on such sensitive issues, a perfect casting of all the actors who manage to convey a spectrum of emotions, love, sadness, joy, passion, friendship, disappointment, pain).

And the actor Nam Yoon Su, (I've seen several of his dramas/movies) is so talented that he took such a bold role and executed it with phenomenal perfection.

I was sorry to read (negative) reviews against him for daring to play the role of a gay man with daring scenes rather reviews from fans, but don't worry he didn't remain indebted and didn't apologize, - proud of him.

The number of chapters is perfect.

Perfect soundtrack

This drama deserves all the accolades. And I hope she wins an award for acting, casting, directing, production, soundtrack, monologues, cinematography...everything is great

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In the darkest times, there is still room for joy and hope

'Love in the Big City' is one of those series that surprises you from the first images. Its greatest success lies in its power to enrich the panorama of South Korean television dramas with LGBT+ themes, widely represented in 2024 with other works of great value, while at the same time denouncing heteronormative and patriarchal society.
Equally beautiful and moving, as bitter, harsh and disturbing, the LGBT+ drama, not of the BL genre, with the largest budget from South Korea touches on extremely important themes and moves something within each person from the first moment, while offering an anthropological approach to queer lives in Seoul in the 21st century.
Based on the 2019 novel of the same name by Park Sang Young, nominated for the Medicis Prize, the Booker Prize and the International Dublin Literary Prize, the romance series is adapted by BigStone Studio in collaboration with Merry Christmas Studio, along with the financial sponsorship of the Ministry of Culture of South Korea, and follows Go Yeong (played by Nam Yoon Su), a cheerful and sincere college student, who navigates life as a closeted gay man who goes through a journey of personal growth while encountering problems family members and different romantic partners, in Seoul's complex dating scene.
I am sure that many will not agree with me when I say that 'Love in the Big City' represents the possibility of entering, fully, on a promising path for South Korean BL series (and from other latitudes), by transcending this genre and going several steps further to tell us an LGBT+ story, since the series avoids falling into the typical and light stories of adolescent fantasy and excessive romantic love, by showing us sufficiently explicit sex scenes and not being created and oriented to an audience - especially - female, since its main budget is to reach the public of said community.
On the other hand, every time a television series project on these topics is outlined, the dilemma between repetition and innovation appears from the very beginning. 'Love in the Big City' has almost achieved the miraculous balance of alternating the constants and the invariables, in a set that cannot be denied, at least, the virtue of novelty.
I wish there were many dramas like this one that paid similar attention to the solid psychological outline of their characters, giving prominence to filial and everyday human conflicts for queer people in societies in which there is still no legal protection of gender identity and sexual orientation against discrimination, and to always delve into what is essential, in personal identity, in the realization of the dreams, desires, freedoms and aspirations of everyone equally, without forgetting a certain expressive distinction.
It seems to me to be a series conceived for a sensitive audience that loves subtleties, not for those who intend to build an impregnable fence of prejudices regarding LGBT+ people, because as the directors and scriptwriter affirm, the love between the members of this community is the same as that of Any other couple, while proposing a certain narrative cadence, takes its time to explain, and sticks to a certain elegance in the dialogues, sometimes colloquial, sometimes metaphorical, or epigrammatic.
As in other LGBT+ series, here appear the parents who do not accept their homosexual children, the young people who must hide their homosexuality from society, the secrets hidden for decades, and of course, the loves and heartbreaks. But what is not abundant in the LGBT+ production that we have seen are characters as nuanced, complex and contradictory as Go Yeong, Sim Gyu Ho, Kim Nam Gyu, No Yeong Su and Habibi, all of them Go Yeong's boyfriends, or Yeom Eun Suk and Choi Mi Ae, as the main protagonist's mother and best friend, respectively.
While Go Young's mother disapproves of her son's homosexuality, while being ashamed of having uterine cancer, as one of the many characters in the series who suffer from self-deception in trying to deny their various physical and mental conditions, Mi Ae is proof of how important chosen family is, especially in LGBT+ narratives.
In a country like South Korea, where traditional family values are so ingrained in the culture, acceptance does not always come from the biological family. Mi Ae and Go Yeong's relationship is that silent reminder that the people who truly have your back are not always the ones you share DNA with: they are the ones who choose to walk alongside you regardless of obstacles and prejudices. The friendship of these two characters is a challenge to the typical idea of family and manages to be shown on screen with total freshness.
'Love in the Big City' does not shy away from explicit language or images, which is rare in the Korean entertainment scene and brings an advantage to the BL scene. On the contrary, he takes care of every last detail and leaves nothing to chance.
He also exudes beauty, capturing picturesque moments with a well-thought-out, bulletproof script, in which at times, his autobiographical narrative becomes very obvious, but apart from that, it provides a new perspective on the life of a writer.
And we arrive at the space where the stars live: To translate the convoluted climate of loves and heartbreaks, secrets and hopes, desires and obsessions, longings and frustrations, an extraordinary cast was required. Despite accusations from a section of South Korean homophobic society that the series aims to "glorify and promote homosexuality", despite threats to Nam Yoon Su from conservative viewers, anti-LGBT+ groups and some of his followers, who claim to be disgusted with the actor for his decision to appear in a gay role, even though this could damage his future career and that of some others involved in the series, 'Love in the Big City' reached a histrionic level awesome.
Some exceeded expectations, surpassing the high levels of professionalism to which we are accustomed: Nam Yoon Su once again reveals himself to be exceptional playing a closeted young gay writer who is HIV positive and is drowning under his family's expectations, dealing with the constant judgment of society and also struggling with the kind of love that consumes you but may never be enough. He is convincing in playing a person who masks the sadness of existence with his innate vivacity. He is undeniably charming and conveys many emotions as the main protagonist.
This actor, recognized for his participation in the 2020 Netflix series 'Extracurricular', which earned him recognition both inside and outside South Korean borders and was nominated for Best New Television Actor at the 57th edition of the Baeksang Arts Awards, He plays Go Young with emotional restraint, reflecting, in addition to his happy and outgoing character, the nostalgia and conflict that his character carries and that he must hide from everyone. Her performance brings depth and authenticity to a character who challenges gender norms, in search of self-acceptance and in the midst of fighting for her place in the world as the central axis of her story.
For his part, Jin Ho Eun embraced unbridled histrionics already seen before, and took risks in an acting style where moderation and restraint prevail, to offer us Go Yeong's true first love.
Both this actor and Nam Yoon Su have obvious and compelling chemistry and are fascinating characters.
With the intensity of allegro vivace they pulsed with their characters Jung Chan Young, Byun Jun Seo and Lee Hyun So, as Jeon Eun Soo, Park Ji Tae and Han Ho Min, respectively, Go Yeong's three friends; while Kwon Hyuk, Na Hyun Woo and Kim Won Joong knew how to personify the first as an immature man in love who cannot distinguish between obsession and love, the second as a person who has difficulty accepting himself and makes even those who love him They love sit alone, and the last is the love that comes when pure love is gone, and must have the ability, or not, to serve as a balm to heal the wounds.
This series is one of two totally different productions of the novel (the other is a film version), also released in October 2024.
The eight-episode series is directed by four filmmakers, each directing two episodes respectively.
The four stories in the original novel: "Jaehee" (told in episodes 1 and 2, directed by Son Tae Gyum), "A Bite of Rockfish, Taste the Universe" (episodes 3 and 4, Hur Jin Ho), "Love in the Big City" (episodes 5 and 6, Hong Ji Young) and "Late Rainy Season Vacation" (episodes 7 and 8, Kim Se In), illustrate how the queer community, since the beginning of the century, has lived under a dual system of being "privately out and publicly in the closet," as South Korean society has not fully recognized LGBT+ rights.
As the social backdrop of 'Love in the Big City', this setting reflects the characters' constant tension between pride and shame. Taken together, the four stories offer a raw and detailed portrait of Seoul and the gay meeting places in the South Korean capital, where the tall buildings and wide, illuminated streets and alleys contrast with the turbulent inner lives of the characters. The scenes are meticulously crafted, with a balance between the poetic and the emotionally complex, adding layers of meaning to the plot.
As the narrative addresses these questions, it does so with an air of inquiry rather than sermon. This series is full of questions and leaves each of us to come to our own conclusions.
The series shows us that there is still a long way to go when it comes to fighting prejudice, stopping hate and fighting discrimination for being "different".
Go Yeong's growth is slow; sometimes frustrating. The pressure to fit into the "normality" imposed by society and family is always present, and the series keeps the tension alive. In his journey of self-improvement, the character expresses what many people are feeling right now and in many settings in the world: The struggle of trying to discover where you fit when the world rejects you for being who you are, and when who you are is in question. direct conflict with who everyone expects you to be. But the beauty of it all is at stake.
'Love in the Big City' manages to be introspective and deep without falling into melodrama, and leaves us with small moments of humor like flashes of light that remind you that even in the darkest times, there is still room for joy and hope.

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Real

At first i thought oh this will be a typical kdrama where the love interests don't feel natural but unrealistic. But that was the point. The main character goyoung is discovering love and dating. The first boyfriend didnt fit quite well because goyoung wasnt ready for the commitment. My favourite parts were the parts with his bestie, too bad that ended early, and the second love... For obvious reasons 😏.
I do think the directing choices for the last 2 episodes were quite weird. I kinda wanted to turn it off actually cause it was messy and kinda uninteresting. The constant flashbacks could've been better with better timing and transitions.

This series made me laugh, cry and horny.
The boyfriends really made me feel all kinds of emotions. The cast did amazing. I 100% stand behind the casting choices.

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WAOUH

Love in the Big City is nothing short of revolutionary! This series is a breathtaking representation of the queer community, and it dares to delve into themes that so many others shy away from. With its exploration of complex issues like homosexuality, depression,"Kylie" 😉...., it stands as a powerful testament to the real struggles and triumphs of love and identity.

After waiting over a year for its release, I can confidently say it has exceeded all my expectations. The performances are absolutely phenomenal—each actor brings a depth and authenticity that pulls you into their world. This show doesn't just tell a story; it challenges the narrative of what LGBTQIAA+ series can be, offering a raw and honest portrayal of relationships that is rarely seen.

Love in the Big City is poised to change the landscape of how we depict queer stories on screen. I truly believe it will set a new standard for future series tackling similar themes. I'm crossing my fingers for a season 2, but even if we are left with a bittersweet ending, the impact of this show will resonate for years to come. This is a landmark series that deserves to be celebrated!

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Un show hecho con tanto amor

Es muy evidente cuando las personas que trabajan en un show lo hacen con pasión y amor, este es uno de ellos. En cada episodio puedes sentir cuanto cariño y esfuerzo hay, no sólo por la historia y las actuaciones, sino desde las diferentes tomas, las luces, la música, etc.

Había estado tiempo sin poder una serie que me enganchara, love in the big city hizo qué no pueda despegar el ojo de la pantalla, una historia tan realista, con el toque dulce y amargo que nos da la vida, con personajes con los que puedes relacionarte en diferentes aspecto y dando perspectivas de situaciones que tal vez no entendemos. Una historia llena de emociones donde ni un personaje es el villano o el héroe, sólo personas normales aprendiendo a vivir a través de sus experiencias. Nuevamente, es un trabajo hecho con tanto amor que realmente puedes verlo através de la pantalla.

No está de más reconocer el trabajo de los actores por tener una presentación tan maravillosa de cada personaje, no puedo imaginarme a ningún personaje siendo interpretado por otras personas y creo que eso ya dice demasiado sobre lo increíble que han sido al hacer suyo cada papel.

Para mi, es el mejor show lgbt que he visto y sin duda, se ha vuelto de mis favoritos, vale totalmente la pena y tengo por seguro que se convertirá en uno de los clásicos dentro de la comunidad.

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I knew this was the gay year!!!

Finally! Finally a 2024 kdrama worth 10 stars! And it's such an atypical, unconventional drama! I had been waiting for a drama with a gay lead that wasn't just a low-budget. web drama for ages. We've had some really good short, low-budget dramas like Sematic Error and The Eighth Sense but they were still very basic BL shows. Now, we finally get a quality drama with queer characters that is on par with the best-produced kdramas out there. I love it. While the show is still shorter than the usual 16-episode kdramas, this is unlike any "BL" content we have seen from Korea, so far.

First of, as always, I don't like calling this show BL because...I don't know, I associate that tag with a very specific kind of storytelling: no significant female characters, laser point focus on one conventional (sometimes toxic, sometimes overly heteronormative) romance, no plot or character development beyond fluff or whump. This is not that!
We have a very touching story here, following a young gay man in modern South Korea, who appears to be cynical about the probabilities of finding love in the modern age but who is secretly a hopeless romantic, desperately hoping that he can find love. Only to fail over and over. And then when he finds it? He can't recognize it for what it was: rare, imperfect, precious love.
Our main character here is imperfect, messy, and so real. There is no euphoric character development but you can see his personality and world-view change as the story progresses and his experiences shape who he is. Just like real life. I love the whole cast of characters as they are all well-thought-out and developed, in such ways that make the world of the story richer.

Acting: The acting in this is so good. Still, none of the cast members stands out as much as Nam Yoon Su himself who truly knocked it out of the park here. He went out and beyond bringing the character of Ko Young to life. He was so perfect, it didn't even feel like he was acting. He was just so natural that you would think he is Ko Young and has been for all his life. That said, everyone else was so good. I can't pinpoint any cast member who didn't do their part. Everyone was great. Just A+ performances. Jin Ho Eun makes you fall in love with his sincere and open-hearted Gyu Ho, too. So devastating!

Production: Finally! Finally, we get a queer drama with good lighting and camerawork! I could shed tears! Oh, how I have waited for this! The production level in this show is great and I truly appreciate it. It really adds to the watching quality.
The music choices were very specifically designed to match the storytelling and so while I didn't always like every song, I thought everything fit perfectly in the scenes they were used in and that's a bigger compliment than "I liked the song" in my book.

Overall: If you like good shows, watch it! It's a sort of slice-of-life drama with imperfect characters and heartbreaking plots that are beautifully brought to life thanks to the high-quality production, good writing, and stellar performances.
(And honestly? 16-episode dramas are overrated! They all sucked this year, anyway!)

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Finally Real Life

Episode 1-8 the narrative of Reality never relents . Whatever the sexual orientation this speaks to Love universally . How we get it, keep it, accept it & appreciate it. It is a hard hitting, funny & totally relevant story. Shows the judgements and preconceived notions that people have. It also shows so effectively how each person has a whole lot of hurt & they carry it with them though life, no one isn't marred by social issues and prejudices. This is especially in the LGBTQ+ community. My heart broke when Go Young saw on his lover Noh Young Soo computer his research paper on Homosexuality. You could see in Go Young 's eyes the total bewilderment & then the realization of who this guy truly was. The fact that a person could be such a total hypocrite , what I loved about this series it showed people up for who they were. The series didn't make anything precious & for some it will give a true understanding of what people go through. It was funny, I mean just chuckling at so many of the scenes, especially with his friend Mi Ae. Loved this series!!!! It is a definite watch for sure 3 thumbs up

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Queer Representation Done Right

Nam Yoon Su’s acting was absolutely jaw-dropping; he portrayed Go Young’s character perfectly. The drama was extremely realistic from beginning to end. It shows how a group of queer youth in their early twenties live their lives. Moreover, Mi Ae and Go Young’s bittersweet friendship, which is at times funny and at times touching, made the drama even more enjoyable to watch. I literally cried for their friendship.

I would like to add that if you’re starting this expecting a typical BL series, I would advise against it. Most BL dramas focus on the love between two men, but this drama is more about how real queer people live their lives, and if you’re not queer yourself, it might be hard for you to fully understand or relate to it.

Each episode carries its own emotions and lessons, offering something for everyone to connect with. It’s a perfect queer drama that shows love isn’t always rosy like in the movies.

Overall 10/10

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No tears left after this one >.<

This is a very realistic, thought-through, and provocative K-drama. A TV series like that was honestly very needed these days. Did I cry all my tears? Yes. But did I come out of this journey of a series so much more enriched? Also yes. So did I regret watching it? Absolutely not. I'm so happy that this series also sort of embodied the queer community's fight against a still so homophonic Korea, and may I say, we definitely won this battle because this is a gem of a show, and I hope as many people as possible will watch it.
Ps. I really admire Nam Yoon (the ML actor) for taking on this role; not only is this his first gay role (for an already affirmed actor), but it is also a hell of a gay role. I bet many, many other "BL actors" wouldn't have the guts to accept a difficult and delicate (also carrier-wise) role like this one.

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This is NOT a typical BL

I wanted to watch this show real bad because of Nam Yoon Su. I had already seen him as a devilishly evil teenager and as a heavenly saint of a prince, so I had known how versatile he is. In this series, he is supposed to be a realistic person, sometimes good, sometimes bad, and a gay. He is perfect in every aspect.
As the title already suggest, this is not a fluffy love story between two innocent boys. It's a story of the MC's life, how he was hurt and healed by other people, and how he hurt and healed others. There is lots of sadness and some happiness, both met with Nam Yoon Su's disarming smile. There are serious issues, there is entertainment. You really get inside the character's world, because it is so true to life.
Some suggest that the characters of MC's bfs aren't real in the plot - we just follow his creative process when he writes his consecutive novels. I didn't think about it when watching the series, but it sure is an interesting view.
As for music - I was never annoyed by it, which is what really matters to me when watching a drama.
I probably will rewatch it - we learn important details in later episodes that cast a totally different light at what happened first,
Overall - loved it.

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This is one of the best series I've ever watched. The acting, the script, the cinematography, the music, everything was literally perfect. It was so real, so raw, it portrayed love and relationships so lifelike. I could relate to the mc so hard, it made me cry a few times. All characters were so layered, their motives were all so human. It opens the door to conversations about love, queerness, coming out and outing someone, the sexism and homophobia people have to face sometimes daily, childhood and adoult traumas, one's relationship to their family, death, living with HIV, safe sex, relationships, mental health, ect. It is a really complex story, I can not recommend enough.

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