Love in the Big City (2024)

THE BEST AND MOST REALISTIC LGBTQ+ SHOW I HAVE SEEN!!

I already had pretty high expectations considering the cast, budget and the fact that this is based on an acclaimed novel but this show was so perfect!

Pros:
1. love the cinematography

2. LOVE THE CAST

3. IT IS SO REALISTIC LIKE OMG

4. real people with real problems

5. even though I am neither male nor gay I felt like i could relate to their issues on a very personal level

6. I could see love: Nam yoon soo is a great actor and his co stars are just as brilliant because every person played their role....The way he looked at his co-stars made me think he was in love with every single one

7. The depiction of his character: I love how his character incorporates certain stereotypically gay characteristics in a naturally and in-excessive ways (usually you get to see them being overly "girly" or extremely "manly" as an attempt to distinguish them but I like that he is a mix of both)

8. The way they brought up "kylie" (if ykyk) it felt so REAL...kylie was unwanted and he ignored her but she is an undeniable part of his life and I love how he showed his reactions

9. Mi-ae: after seeing mi-ae and go-young's friendship I felt like I NEEDED IT...The way their relationship progressed was also
extremely natural and her future is also a less talked of circumstance

10. NAM YOON SOO'S SMILE: THIS MAN'S SMILE BE SAVING THE UNIVERSE BECAUSE HE LOOKS LIKE A LITERAL ANGEL

Cons:
I didn't have any particular cons but I do wish they had a special OST that would remind me of the show every time I heard it.

Its high time that korean media had some diversity and I think rather than judging something based on the LGBTQ+ aspect we should see it as a show with great storytelling

All in all I loved this drama and I will recommend anyone and everyone who likes realistic shows (without any biases) to watch it...

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It is as real as it could be.

For start: Expect real life story - do not expect BL happy pinky love story.
This series is so real. Bitersweet.

THANKS:
Thank Nam Yoon Su for your excellent work. I first saw you on King's affection and liked you since then. You were soooo awesome, I believed every emotion you delivered. I loved every smile you gave with your cute dimples.
Thanks to Jin Ho Eun for the most real portration of Gyu Ho. Your smile was everything.
Thanks to Kwon Hyuk - I know I saw your already somewhere else, you know.
Thanks to Na Hyun Woo - I am sorry but you were so hot.
Thank other actors which created friendship that appeared so real.
Thank you for the full length episodes - that is unexpected from Korean drama for this kind and I am sooooo thankful for this!

Please be there season 2.
I really loved it. Thank you for your work!

*spoilers ahead*
GYU HO:
I was waiting for Gyu Ho to the last second of the last episode. I really am so heartbroken that it ended like that. But again - it is life. It is just I do not know how to get from this state again. Last time I was this heartbroken was after Stay with me. Gosh I have to rewatch this excelent series with Nam Yoon Sus' smiles once I get throught this.

KISS:
Let me talk about that hot sceen with the researcher. What the ****? I did not expect that. But it was so damn good. That was the hottest I have ever seen in kdrama so far. All kissing scene were much more better than some of the K-BLs. There are kbls where if there was no kiss it would be better. But Love in the big city it is something else. Something more. Something that will set the HIGH expectations for kdramas from now on. I love it so much. You were awesome and determined. Thank you.

Thank to the actors for your devotion to us viewers to deliver us this masterpiece series.

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BEST K-BL 2024

Nam Yoon Su undoubtedly delivered his most brilliant performance as an actor. From the beginning, I grasped the depth of the experience that awaited me. A show anchored in a raw, harsh, painful, but authentic reality. The work portrays with sublimated darkness the daily life of a young gay man in Seoul, exposing the inquisitive gaze of society and his family's opposition to his sexuality. He appears as a dynamic, playful figure, at the forefront of fashion, surrounded by a multitude of friends but carrying in him a sensitivity on the surface of the skin, chaining conquests without ever finding the chosen one of his heart. The true journey of our protagonist lies in his self-acceptance and his hopeless quest for love, a quest full of pitfalls. What particularly touched me was his kindness towards his mother despite her lack of support. I was receptive to solidarity between him and his roommate, who, on the contrary, gave in to family expectations. Despite divergent aspirations, their mutual support was unwavering, and I greatly appreciated their friendship, stronger than blood ties.

Each of his relationships had its charm, and each partner, in a somewhat strange way, revealed new facets of our heroes, creating a captivating dynamic where exchanges enriched them, sometimes without words, simply through a visually striking and disturbing carnal relationship for those used to seeing Nam Yoon Su in more reserved roles. I was fascinated by the wisdom of life transmitted through the dialogues of the characters, their erudition, their questions about identity and the quest for oneself. However, I would have a reservation about HIV prevention, sometimes addressed lightly: an approach like "okay for this time without protection" as if it were an option. On the cinematographic level, many scenes are distinguished by their remarkable staging. Although the entire BL is tinged with dark, often nocturnal or confined to the apartment, the shots always remain sublime. Nam Yoon Su has been able to create a synergy with each of his partners, carrying me as a time in his loneliness and pain. His interpretation deeply moved me, and I found this BL work of striking depth and realism. I can only warmly recommend it! 20/20.

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IM GONNA KILL MYSELF

At first, I felt a bit reluctant about Go Young because of some of his actions, but in the end, I completely understood his character. He was abandoned by his father when he was young, treated as if he was sick by his mother for being gay, and ended up contracting HIV from someone he trusted.

Gyu Ho was the love of his life. He had never told anyone about his illness, but shortly after meeting Gyu Ho, he felt comfortable enough to tell him, even knowing that Gyu Ho could abandon him. And even after knowing that Gyu Ho loved and accepted him as he was, Go Young still felt insecure and would often ask things like, “Do you think I’m dirty?” or “Are you disgusted by me?”

The most memorable moment for me was when he went to Bangkok with that businessman and started to remember everything he had experienced with his true love, Gyu Ho, in that same city.

In the end, i understood that he had come to terms with his reality. That last smile he gave in the final episode wasn’t one of happiness, but of acceptance.

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Eternal love, and how it's portrayed through its characters

This drama is not perfect but I can't help but rate it a 10. I had high expectations coming into this drama, and it didn't disappoint; when watching this drama I could easily relate to our main protagonist and the reason he fell in love with all his past lovers, I could help myself from following in love with their characters too, I understood his motive and this drama well portrays a 3 dimensional character that has flaws but those flaws don't make him insufferable. Through our the series I wonder to myself how can his life get worse and as it got worse I just couldn't stop thinking how he pitiful. I love the dynamics that all the characters showed in the show especially our main and gyu ho, and how in the last episode we get to see what happened in Bangkok and how that a big impact on our main character. The ending to me was sad but I loved it because he finally realized the meaning of love and what love is to him but in the lead up to that most of the people he grew to love had to be an example of sacrifice and that was portrayed so well. I love the drama as a stand alone I really don't want a season two because I believe it would leave the message that is being given the justice it deserves, because the protagonist story is over and he has developed through all the romances and the show.
I love how they didn't only show the romantic love of this drama but also platonic love between friend and as well as family love, this was a hard watch but not in a bad way but in a way where each scene made you want to burst into tears just hoping our main character would finally get his happy ending. The bittersweet ending that was given was so heartbreaking but so really fo many queer people, especially living in Korea at the moment.
The sound track was absolutely beautiful, and I love how they made reference to K will in the drama. Overall I would want people to watch this and create their own opinions about the ending what it ment to the viewer. This was an amazing watch and I would love to see more great works like this come from korea especially ones that are made by queer people themselves, Because this is understanding. I hope they win an award for this because you can't deny this is a huge step in the right direction for the queer community of Korea and maybe even all around Asia. So if you are conflicted if you should watch this or not please do because you surely won't regret it!!!!

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IT WAS PERFECTLY EXECUTED

This is my first ever review so bear with me,
I honestly dont know what to say, i just loved everything about it, especially how realistic it was compared to BLs. Obviously since its queer/lgbt its elements were different compared to our standard bls. Id like to say the acting the cast the story, everything was beautiful 😭 also warning spoilers ahead

The ending for me was perfect, i was scared to complete it after seeing people mentioning not being a happy end or so. But i loved it it was well made and just with the right amount of emotions. His journey to figure himself out, heal himself and find his perfect love. Eventho he found true love supposedly he had obstacles and insecurities to face, questions to answer. I so lowkey wished him just happiness and everything to get better. But realistically it was a fresh breeze of air for me getting something different. The ending wasnt sad rather open and seeing him, smile makes me so happy.

I lowkey still want to know how the other two of his main exs are doing especially Gyu Ho, cuz gurl i loved them so much together... There were ups and downs in their relationship and they hadnt met each other at the ideal time and all but it was perfect and beautiful. When gyu ho ran from home with suitcase i was worried but yh they were still figuring out. The relationship of theirs could have been better, but they were trying and they are humans, they were real rather than an idolized version nowadays. I was hoping to see towards tbe end of them encoutering each other and having maybe a rekindle or proper closure especially since the bartender guy did say he is coming to kr soon. Their relationship was so Pure overall compared to all the exes.

For the second guy was it Hamin??? I hate him but lowkey i understand him and his role, i hayed tgat he was a coward but honestly who wouldnt be, not many are able to open up about their sexuality especially due to how they were raised and the world we live in. Evebtho young had difficulties too but still he had passed and accepted him self more than hamin and was able to be a bit more open abt it. I believe one day Hamin will, be abke to go through it, but yh regardless it was disturbing for me thinking in youngs position especially when hamin was writing an article abt sins of homosexuality and using his time with young as a experience. That was really aghhhh for me, and young eventjo he was broke after reading it he still hoped haMin wouldn't be this bad or whatever. Anyways id like to know how or what he is doing in US now.

As for Mi Ae i was honestly hoping to see more of their friendship to with Young but i guess thats how life is realistically, people come people go, they both were their for each others important time and so but it shows people grow up people move on people forget. Even tho it was limited it was impactfull especially for young.

Nonetheless i am so in love with his three besties aghhhhh they made me want to scream their relationship was profound for me and pure, especially the hospital scream i cried hard like damm looking at them (happy tears), i aim to have frienship lile theirs, eventho they werent everywhere but they were very impactfull and important tbey helped him go through his toughest and best times, i so love themmmm.



Now about Young ahhhhh i have no idea what to say especially Yoon Su as an actor he really pulled it offff i seriously didnt expect to see this much difference or how he portrayed the character so welll. Idk if anyone else could have done a job as good as he did, a proud pat on his back plssss. His character was flawlessly done in my perspective especially how even if the end Eventho it wasnt what he wanted he still started accepting how things were and yh not all his feelings and worries were relieved but he was in a better understanding, ofc not the best he will still make mistakes but he is a step closer to having a proper figuring out of life.

I honestly dont know what else to say, i have alot to share but damn it was beautiful, i cried, i did cry but it wasnt as painful or emotionally draining of a cry as i imagined, it was sad but not too bad.
Finally will i REWATCH it... Yes i will

Pls forgive if any mistakes or offended you

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I went to find love but I didn't know how and where to find this "love" in this big city.

But, do I know what "love" is?
 
This is a story of a flawed person finding love and happiness in things that motivates him to write an award winning novel.
 
After a long time I had invested myself in something that makes me "think" of the consequences of the choices I make. It touched my heart in every episode as it felt like I was watching a person live through their ups and downs infront of my eyes.
 
✓What I appreciated:
 
• I loved how flawed, raw and realistic each and every character was. While watching them I was sure I know such people who would act this way.
• Supportive friends that everyone deserves! They were with him in thick and thin. Their bond was unbreakable!
• The pacing of the storyline was perfectly synced with characters. Each and every character was given equal importance to show their potential.
• Nam Yoon Su is the perfect cast this story can get! He made Go Young alive!
• This story shows, life is not a fairytale as you see in the kdramas. Sometimes it's fulfilling; sometimes you're barely making it through the day. You cry, fight, and curse your destiny, but you don't give up; you live on, even if this big, cold city fails you a hundred times.
• I can't believe how much power this story holds that a nation was trying to take this down.

✓Room for improvement:
 
• I was dying to know about Gyu. But the story didn't allow us to know more about him after his departure.
 
✓Thoughts on the ML:
 
Go Young didn't want to settle for normal and always wanted that "fluttering" feeling. That's why he's been reckless all his youth. He's looking for something he doesn't know. He wanted love, but when he got that, he overlooked that for something else he doesn't have. From my pov, he only loved one guy; others just made him "grow" in life. They were his mistakes and life lessons as well. When he said, "I want to cry, but I can't squeeze tears," I felt that. I swear I'm not a crybaby, but up until episode 4, I couldn't stop tearing up. But after a while, just like ML, I got used to the sorrows.
 
Overall, it's a realistic queer story that will make you realise if you found love, then you're the luckiest person because someone in the world is still searching for that but hasn't found it yet.

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Doloroso, real e comovente.

"Love the big city" foi o BL mais lindo, real e comovente que já assisti.

É uma obra dramática que explora temas complexos e profundos, levando-me a profundas reflexões ao longo da exibição.
Todas as performances do elenco foram excepcionais, mas gostaria de ressaltar a atuação do Nam Yoon-su.

Acompanhar a trajetória de Yoon-su como Go Yeong foi, em alguns momentos, frustrante e doloroso, mas também trouxe esperança em outros. Foi uma verdadeira montanha-russa de emoções, eu experimentei altos e baixos. No entanto, esses sentimentos não perduravam por muito tempo. Embora as vivências de Go Yeong sejam dolorosas, o drama não nos deixa exaustos ou sobrecarregados, pois alterna de forma eficaz entre momentos intensos e leves.
O desenvolvimento de Go Yeong durante a narrativa é lento e quase imperceptível, mas a resiliência do personagem é clara. A maneira como Yoon-su se apropriou do personagem foi surpreendente, fazendo com que parecesse uma extensão de si mesmo. As experiências do Yeong são dolorosamente reais, algo que Yoon-su conseguiu transmitir de forma impressionante, como se fossem suas próprias vivências. Nos seus olhos, era possível ver o peso das lutas de Go Yeong. E nas cenas ao lado de seus parceiros românticos, a sensação era de que ele vivia aquela paixão verdadeiramente.
Yoon-su me fez sentir uma verdade tão intensa que não consegui separá-los em ator e personagem; parecia que era a mesma pessoa lidando com aqueles desafios, questionamentos e descobertas.
A performance de Yoon-su foi, de fato, brilhante!

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Heartbreaking fr

So, the second I opened the first episode I knew it’s gonna be sad. I have this feeling for Korean bls. But I would say this was a real bl, more like a drama with gay people, can’t really explain. The first boy,the second one and the last one they all made me feel „he’s the right one“ but my opinions changed every time. I cried when die first one died, I was mad at the second one. And I miss the last one, I feel like it was the right person but wrong time. I hate the ending. I really wished for an happy ending couple, he deserved it, he will miss the last guy for probably forever.
I wouldn’t rewatch cause It’s to sad for me.
This drama was very different to other bls, it gave me another vibe, but I knew since the beginning I will cry and k will hate the ending. That’s why im always scared of Korean bls. It’s a must see show, it really touched me

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ROLLER COSTER RIDE OF EMOTIONS

The Storyline was one of the best LGBTQ+ series that depicts the reality of being one of the LGBTQ+. Finding true love while finding yourself. This series will let you see the shortcomings of the ML that somehow led to his own decisions in life. You will feel any certain kind of emotions (love, joy, pain, loneliness and etc.) in every episode. Also, as a bi this series lets me question myself if true love is even possible if I will love a man. The “what if” questions is also keeps coming through my head. This series might not be perfect, but it will let you see the reality of what LOVE truly is. Lastly, the friendship they had was the best.

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Feeling empty ? DO WATCH.

The drama portrays the emotions so well. The actors, directors and cinematographer did an amazing job at conveying the emotions. Most of the time I felt like I was a part Go Young's life.
One of the aspect I enjoyed the most would be how they showed the feeling of emptiness and loneliness. It was so on point and the incredible acting backed it up well.
Not your typical BL drama but an upgraded version I would say. (from economy to private jet kind)
I would certainly recommend to watch it. Give it a go people. It's an emotional rollercoaster which just hooks you on. ; )

PS. I kindly apologize for any grammatical or spelling errors and also this review is just my personal opinion.

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