Love in the Big City (2024)

the best of the best korean bl

It is a story that from beginning to end is deep and cruel. shows how you don't necessarily have to share a blood bond with someone for them to be your family and refuge It shows us how life goes on and sometimes we are the ones left behind thinking about what we could have done well and what we couldn't. It shows us the prejudiced love that some parents have where, blinded by this, they end up hurting and damaging the lives of their children. They show us how a relationship can have love but that doesn't mean they will be together forever. They show us how people are going to come into our lives who are going to leave their mark on us, whether for better or worse, but who are going to help us develop as people.

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Love In A Big City: A Small World For A Big Love!!!

Love in the Big City moved me in a way that’s hard to put into words. It wasn’t just the kind of show you watch—it was the kind that wraps itself around your heart and makes you feel every beat of it. The way it portrayed love felt so deeply real, like it was telling a story for all of us—no labels, no boundaries—just love in its purest form. Watching the characters navigate their emotions, their fears, and their hopes felt like looking into a mirror, seeing the same vulnerabilities and desires we all carry. It’s rare to come across something that feels so human, so alive, that it shakes you to your core. I found myself holding my breath during the quiet moments, feeling the weight of their emotions in my chest as if they were my own. That’s the kind of show this is—the kind that lingers long after the screen fades to black, making you reflect on your own experiences, your own heart.

And then there’s the actor. I can’t express how much respect I have for him. It’s one thing to play a role, but it’s another to choose a role that you know could change everything for you. He didn’t just step into this character—he owned it, with every ounce of sincerity and passion he could muster. In a world that sometimes seems afraid of stories that break the mold, he stood there, unapologetically, and told this story with a vulnerability that left me speechless. The bravery it takes to not just perform but to stand behind something that could impact your future is beyond inspiring. He made me realize that sometimes the stories that matter most are the ones that challenge us, the ones that require us to step into the unknown and take a risk. And through him, I felt that—the courage to live fully, to love fully, even when the world isn’t ready. That’s what this show did for me. It made me remember that life isn’t about the endings we look for, but about the moments of truth we live through.

It's impossible to talk about this without acknowledging the groundwork laid by earlier shows, particularly "Where Your Eyes Linger" (2020), directed by Hwang Da Seul. That series marked the first significant step in South Korean media towards openly exploring stories of love between two men. The success of "Where Your Eyes Linger" allowed for a cultural shift, opening doors for more complex, genuine love stories to be told. Since then, the industry has been moving forward cautiously, and "Love in the Big City" feels like the culmination of those brave early efforts, bringing an even broader, more inclusive narrative to the forefront.

What stands out is the journey over these past few years—incremental progress that finally reached a point where a show like this could emerge with confidence. It's a testament to the courage of the creators, actors, and production teams, who have taken a step forward in expanding what love means on screen in a conservative society, showing that love itself transcends all boundaries. It's a show for everyone, capturing the beautiful mess of human emotions, with no need to categorize or define it.

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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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Finally, Love in The Big City is already out and I have been waiting for this show for such a long time now because a KDrama that is led with a gay character and I have been hearing the outrage that the show is getting just makes me want to watch it even more. I have not read the book or watched the film. I am planning to do all that after watching this series because this is the easiest to access but I am actually quite excited with this show. As I mentioned, I have been waiting ever since the conception of its idea an it was revealed online. I mean, a series in South Korea, an extremely conservative and outdated country, is showing a series led with a gay character. On top of that, the lead character is played by Nam Yoon-su who is a relatively famous actor and is someone that I have seen many works of. He is a really good actor and he is such a brave guy for doing this. I know that he is not gay in real life but he is a really good actor and he portrayed the character really well. I will not be considering this a BL because I feel like there is so much more to the story of the show and it is heavily focused on just one character. Basically, it is an exploration of how a gay man lived in South Korea. The story is set in modern times and what I like about it is that it is not just focused on showing one side of the society as it will be exploring a side of South Korea that we have never really seen before. The show is episodes and they are separated into 4 parts tackling different points in Go Young’s life. The first is the beginning of the story and it is focused on how he was able to build a lasting and friendly relationship with Mi Ae who is regarded as an outsider in their school as well. I love this storyline because it really showed us how good life can be if you have someone who you can truly trust and be friends with. It is such a sweet beginning to their friendship but you can also see the characters continuously grow as well as individuals. They are both labeled to be outsiders but they were able to find their footing in life and were both able to find solace in finding another person who can still be their soulmate even though it is not a romantic one. We also have the first boyfriend of Go Young that is presented in the story. It is a photographer named Kim Nam-gyu. He is a guy that seems more mature. To be honest, this is the kind of my guy that is usually my type but I can see why they were not perfect for each other since they are looking for different kinds of relationship at the time. Nam-gyu feels like someone who really is looking for his forever love and he is a splendid guy but he tends to move a bit too fast while Go Young is still trying to enjoy his young life as much as possible. I was a bit heartbroken with how Go Young broke up with him and how he just moved to someone who cannot love him as much. On top of that, he died and Go Young kind of realized that the kind of love that he offered him is what he might soon be looking for. I would want to have that kind of love actually. This is also a really good start for the kind of story that we are going to witness. It is immediately established that our main character will not be a clear cut of a good person but it also showed us his humanity. The second storyline focused on his mother and the man named Noh Young-soo that he met in a philosophy class or group. Shit is getting serious in this one and I was not expecting it. They are really going for the jugular in this one but let us start with the relationship that he had with Noh Young-soo. He is played by Na Hyun-woo and he seems to be the most good-looking out of all of them. The body is insane. The abs in fucking hot. I mean, I can understand why Go Young really fell in love with him. I feel like Go Young is more ready for a relationship now and he really fell in love with Young-soo but he seems to be someone who grew up differently from him. He tends to be more lowkey and I think that his story is focused more on internalized homophobia that some gay people have. Personally, I do have this as well when I was younger but Young-soo never really grew out of it as he is still someone who is not out to the people around him. You can sense how hostile things can be if the topic is being opened up and he changes. He is like two different individuals when he is outside the house and when he is in and the way that he handled it is just heartbreaking. The dinner scene was just sad to watch as Young-soo really loved him despite seeing the extremely homophobic paper that he is writing. I hated that scene so much and I have so many emotions that went in when I watched it. I am not sure if I hate Young-soo but I pity him so much. This is also happening when we got to finally meet the mother of Go Young, Eun-sook. It was already revealed that they do not have a good relationship but it was revealed here that she actually put him in a conversion camp or something related to it when he was younger after seeing him kiss another boy. This must have been heartbreaking for him and I disliked the religious mother in that scene. I think the best thing that came out of this portion is that he was able to have a more loving relationship with his mother which is something that he never had because of what happened. It is sad to see that things like this still happen to people out there and I can now understand the character of Go Young even better. Nam Yoon-su was able to really play this character well so far that he was giving us the range that is needed. He is such a good actor. I am so impressed with what he is putting into this role. The scene with him and his mother may seem like a very simple scene at the end but it was such a warm ending to a heartbreaking story. It is that mother’s love that he truly deserved so much. The next storyline involves the aftermath of his mother’s death and as he tries to start again by finding a job but it is really about him finding a more stable relationship with Gyu-ho who is a bartender in the bar that he and his friends go to. This is a different pace from all the relationships that he had so far as this feels more like a two-sided relationship as they have fallen deeply in love with each other but we also got introduce to another girl in his life named Kylie. I was so surprised to learn that Kylie is the name he gave his HIV when he was detected and how he admitted this to Gyu-ho is such an important part of his story. This show is tackling so many things at once but his relationship with Gyu-ho is representing gay people in a mutually loving relationship and how it sometimes grows stale as the time pass by. They ended up breaking up at the end and that hurt me so much because they really wanted to be together but they are kept on being pushed outwards each other with the decisions that they are making. Gyu-ho is like the one that got away and the man that he is destined to be with but it never worked because the timing is not just right and I really wished that they ended up together because they are so good. It is not a perfect relationship but I know that they could still fight for their relationship but they are doing unnecessary sacrifices so that they could save each other that it ended tearing them apart. This is where Go Young’s past experiences are haunting the hell out of him and being a relationship that is as comfortable as the one, he had with Gyu-ho scared him. Gyu-ho deserved so much more love. I think this story also highlights the fear of those living with HIV and how it affects so many things in their lives. It is such a sad story and there are more people who have this mindset. Unfortunately for Go Young, he never really got the support that he needed because he was so scared of the taboo from the society that it hindered him from having open conversations and to ask for help about it. It is just so sad. I was so heartbroken with the scene at the airport when they finally said goodbye to each other. There is something so raw about that scene and Nam Yoon Su and Jin Ho-eun gave exceptional performances. It is just beautifully heartbreaking. There is so much love between the two of them and they had a hard time to navigate alongside each other and I feel like I have seen so many relationships fall in that pit may it be a homosexual one or a heterosexual one. We got to watch the aftermath of this story in the last part of the show where Go young is now more successful with his writing that he got to resign from his work but he still remembers and misses Gyu-ho. We got to see him start a new relationship with Habibi but I don’t think they were able to do something here but what is interesting is that he is still in the process of moving on from the relationship with Gyu-ho so Habibi is more of a side character in this sense. I think at the end of it all, a part of me is wishing that he was able to find someone to love and I hope that he will be able to rekindle his relationship with Gyu-ho whom he really made a wonderful connection. On the other hand, I am happy that he is becoming more mature especially with how his story really went. I think it is easy to say that Go Young is a character that is not easily as likable as you want him to be. He tends to do things that are not what we would consider to be good or right but he is at an age where he is a bit more impulsive and we got to really see him improve and find his very own path in this crazy world as we explore loving someone in this big city called world. Nam Yoon Su is such a trooper for all the things that he did in this show. I feel like he gave a much believable performance from start to finish showing the character growth and development that his character needed. It is a good exploration of what love really means and how we sometimes tend to ruin it for ourselves. It is such a good story with a sad, perfect, individualistic, and I have so many more adjectives for this show. I think, at the end of the day, Love In The Big City is as what the title suggest, it is an exploration on love what is and what it can be. It might not always be what we are expecting or we might not be seeing it when it is there because we are all living in a world so big that it is easy to miss. It can be maternal love that learns to accept you for who you are. It can be a platonic love between friends that are meant to be together forever. It can be about the love you receive or the love that you take. It can be a love restrained for a certain amount of time. Love is just whatever you expect and don’t expect it to be. It can be anything. It can be found anywhere. It can be with anyone. You just have to learn to open yourself up to receive it and learn to give it as well to those who matter to you.

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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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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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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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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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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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A beautiful, painful, realistic story of growth

This show absolutely touched me to my core. I literally had goosebumps running down my spine every episode because it was so realistic.
The story, of love and pain and growth, and of the different partners of Yeong was so beautiful and written with so much intricacy.
The cinematography was breathtaking, telling a story of its own. The long, quiet shots were enough to make you lose your mind.
The acting was phenomenal. I could feel every character to my core, and every one felt like you'd just taken a real person from life, instead of an actor playing a character.

Most importantly, this did not feel like a Korean BL. This was an Oscar-worthy story of raw emotion, life, and relationships. There was zero chastity or holding back or romanticisation. This was not a drama, this was a story. And it was so worth telling, and so beautiful. Everyone deserves to watch this.

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