Completed
Clover
1 people found this review helpful
Oct 28, 2024
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.5
This review may contain spoilers

Bitter sweet

Beautiful, the story and the acting. Everything
about this series was beautiful. It felt so real, the dialoge and the struggles Go Yeong had. The way we could see his growth, slow but steady. Nam
Yoon Su truly is a amazing actor and although its not the ending I had hoped for this will be on my
favourite list.

The relationships he had where all different and everytime we could see the way he had learned from the last relationship. The way he grows over the years from a student who drinks and goes clubbing and sleeps around to a person who knew that he will maybe never find love but who tries to be okay with himself.
My favourite relationship he had was with Gyu Ho, them breaking up was sad and the flashbacks made it bittersweet.

His friends were amazing (which is an understatement) and seeing his mother change after all that happened felt real to me.

All in all an amazing series.

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Completed
eveey
1 people found this review helpful
Oct 24, 2024
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.5
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 9.5
wow! everything about this drama was so raw and pure. kudos to everyone involved in putting out this art. this drama hits you in a way that you find comfort and pain through the realistic experiences of the characters. it made me laugh, cry, throw up... one of if not the most beautiful and realest bls i’ve ever watched. touched on so many real life issues, both societal and personal. incredible watch. highly recommended!!
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Completed
Caits
1 people found this review helpful
Oct 22, 2024
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 7.0
This review may contain spoilers
Now this is what we wanted when we were begging for Korean bls. Maybe not something quite so sad and riddled with heartache, but something with so much depth and amazing story telling. As we followed along with Go Youngs story, every step had me captivated and on the edge of my seat anxious to now what happened next. The relationship between him and every partner was a new and anxious experience for the watcher and his friendships were so heartwarming to watch. The different dynamics in every relationship and the underlying narratives were truly captivating.

I'm embarrassed to admit how much I cried at the end of Go Young and Gyu Ho's story at episode 6 and then again at the end of ep 8. Really the whole thing had me fully locked in.
I would love to see more from this director, and the cast did a fabulous job as well. Truly a splendid piece of work.

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Completed
Bulldozer26
1 people found this review helpful
Oct 28, 2024
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 5.5
Rewatch Value 3.5

Not just a BL drama

I m not trying upset people with my headline but really the drama is the lifestory of Ko Yeong ( Nam YoonSu ) more than just a love story. It is no doubt that love played a big part on his life but the actions he took and the way he internalized his thoughts and actions made the story so interesting yet beautiful and realistic. His relationship with his mother and friends made the drama more relatable, people grow apart and changes even if we never felt like they would. But fr this is just a love story, I m not avid BL drama watcher because I prefer reading manhwa than watching. I was just bored when starting this not really having any expectation but it really will be on my list for my fav dramas I watched for this year. Def gon’ recommend to watch this to everyone!

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Ongoing 1/8
WolfSoul
9 people found this review helpful
Oct 21, 2024
1 of 8 episodes seen
Ongoing 0
Overall 9.5
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0

So far so good

It's a shame that a few people had to complain about this and protested to get it cancelled in south Korea when there's nothing wrong with it. There are movies full of sex violence torture abuse etc, but just because it's guys kissing they came pointing the finger at, while thinking to have the right to do so they're actually the ones behaving in a bad way, causing harm to others who are not harming anyone around them, also it's still a work of fiction, see it as you want but let other people be as well. While watching at the beginning I was already feeling like there was nothing about it that needed cancellation, if anything it quickly faced some aspects of reality that we should be more open, safe and comfortable to talk about. Acting is top notch, music just fits like a glove, picture, pacing, all fantastic. Let's focus on what really matters and support this work and the people that have it all for it, also isn't the protagonist the guy that donated his kidney to his father?! Hats down, they've done outstandingly well in the king's affection before, the whole cast seem to have been accurately assembled. Looking forward to the next episodes

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Completed
krisenya
0 people found this review helpful
Oct 22, 2024
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 9.0
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 9.0
This review may contain spoilers

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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Completed
Jjong299
0 people found this review helpful
Oct 26, 2024
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 6.5
Rewatch Value 5.0
This review may contain spoilers

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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Completed
prettiest
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 17, 2024
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.0
This review may contain spoilers

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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Completed
Paunitka
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 19, 2024
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10

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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Completed
HealingVibes
0 people found this review helpful
29 days ago
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 10
This review may contain spoilers

Speechless-ly good!

Just WOW! It hits every spot, seriously. The plot, acting, storyline, pacing, execution are all amazing.

No scene is wasted. Every part is needed to make up the whole storyline, whether its the sad scene or the s*x scene or everything in between. It's not your typical fluffy BL- yes- it does have cute romantic sweet moments, but there's more to it

It is really raw and deep- really touched me on heart level. I must say the acting plays a big role- I can feel the expression of the actors done really well.

I really love Ko Yeong and Gun Ho chemistry so much- but it is what it is, I guess.I hope for a S2 or spin-off where I get to see KO Yeong finally fulfil his deepest wish of Sa Rang.

Bonus point for showing us how Kylie affect his life- hence, promoting safe sex indirectly

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Completed
wooheartsan
0 people found this review helpful
Nov 17, 2024
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 10
Acting/Cast 10
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 10

Beautiful, raw and real story telling - did not expect this to hit so close to home!

Literally got my account back to leave this review. One of THE BEST shows I've ever watched and I've watched a lot, the story of Go Young is so so real not just in South Korea but many for many queer men. I am just absolutely shocked at how real this story is - EVERY. SINGLE. SCENE, SO REAL.

I'm gonna rewatch and do a cartwheel off a cliff :)
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Completed
Jillyj
0 people found this review helpful
Oct 22, 2024
8 of 8 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 10
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 9.5

Omg amazing

Iv just finished binge watching this series and i know it was gonna good but it was more than good it was brilliant, Nam yoon su iv watched in many kdramas but seeing him in a KBL this is were he belongs he excelled im soo in love with this character and hope so much for a season 2 , all the actor's in this series were amazing and played excellent roles, ❤️ this deserves to be at the top its been a long time since iv watched anything as good as this 💙
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Love in the Big City (2024) poster

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