“Love in the Big City” is a captivating new K-drama that explores the complex themes of love, relationships, and personal identity, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. Starring Nam Yoon-su, Jin Ho-eun, and Kwon Hyuk, the series is adapted from Park Sang-young’s critically acclaimed 2019 novel, which has gained international recognition.
The eight-episode series is structured into four acts, each focusing on pivotal moments in the life of Go Young (played by Nam Yoon-su). A film adaptation, starring Kim Go-eun and Noh Sang-hyun, was released on October 3, 2024.
The plot follows Go Young, a gay novelist in Seoul, as he navigates a series of romantic relationships over the years. Each relationship unveils different facets of love, from fleeting infatuations to profound emotional connections. Nam Yoon-su delivers a nuanced performance as Go Young, while Jin Ho-eun portrays Gyu-ho, one of his key love interests. Their real-life friendship adds a layer of authenticity to their on-screen chemistry.
Go Young’s circle includes three gay best friends—Eun-soo, Ho-min, and Ji-tae—and a close friend, Mi-ae, who rebels against societal norms by indulging in excessive drinking and smoking on campus.
The series distinguishes itself through its innovative multi-director approach, with each act being directed by a different filmmaker: Hur Jin-ho, Hong Ji-young, Son Tae-gyeom, and Kim Se-in. This method brings a unique perspective to each stage of Go Young’s journey, enriching the character’s development and the overall narrative. “Love in the Big City” delivers on the high expectations set by its cinematic predecessor, offering a fresh and insightful portrayal of modern love.
Love in the Big City shatters the idealized notion of the “green flag lead” often seen in K-dramas and presents a more authentic portrayal of life’s harsh realities. Go Young, played by Nam Yoon-su, defies the stereotypical image of a perfect male lead. Far from being a “green flag,” his character is flawed and complex. One striking moment occurs when Go Young kisses Kim Nam-gyu (played by Kwon Hyuk) outside a nightclub, only to later feel ashamed of him. He mocks Nam-gyu for his love of old Korean songs, his reluctance to drive over 50 mph, and for giving him a white gold promise ring.
Go Young’s cruelty reaches a peak when he harshly dumps Nam-gyu, calling him “boring,” a moment that breaks from the usual K-drama mold where leads rarely this cold-hearted. Nam-gyu, desperate to win Go Young back, tries to change himself but tragically loses his life in a car accident. It is only after Nam-gyu’s death that Go Young comes to realize how badly he mistreated him.
Yoon-su’s portrayal of the sassy, selfish Go Young is remarkable. His performance captures a wide range of emotions, even mimicking the body language of a queer person with precision. He brings Go Young to life as a carefree gay man so consumed by his own desires and frustrations that it takes him an entire lifetime to acknowledge his mistakes.
Go Young’s second relationship, with No Young-su (played by Na Hyun-woo), a philosophy researcher, is a stark contrast to his time with Nam-gyu. This time, Go Young is on the receiving end of the mistreatment. Young-su is embarrassed to be seen with him in public and refuses to share a plate of pasta in a café, distancing himself emotionally. In a cruel twist, Young-su breaks up with Go Young at a fancy restaurant, admitting that he never loved him and that Go Young was never his type.
This rejection shatters Go Young, leading him to attempt suicide by taking sleeping pills. The directors skillfully mirror Go Young’s two relationships in the first four episodes, highlighting how his character moves from being selfish in one relationship to selfless in the next. It’s a raw and powerful depiction of growth, heartbreak, and self-reflection.
In its eight episodes, Love in the Big City spans a decade of Go Young’s life, chronicling his journey through love, loss, and self-discovery. Go Young’s voiceover as the narrator guides viewers through the emotional complexities and subtle nuances of his experiences. The last four episodes focus on his relationship with Shim Gyu-ho (played by Jin Ho-eun), a man who loved Go Young deeply, despite knowing that he was HIV-positive.
Despite Gyu-ho’s unwavering love, Go Young’s frustration with his mundane job often spilled over into their relationship. Throughout their three-year live-in relationship, the drama poignantly highlights how Gyu-ho endured Go Young’s nagging and mistreatment. Gyu-ho’s dedication—balancing two jobs, maintaining their home, and caring for Go Young—even when he received a life-changing career offer in Shanghai, contrasts sharply with Go Young’s earlier selfishness in his relationship with Young-su.
Though Go Young’s greatest love was Gyu-ho, he was too blind to recognize it until it was too late. Episodes 7 and 8 are filled with Go Young’s regret for pushing Gyu-ho away, realizing only after their breakup how much Gyu-ho had sacrificed for him. He recalls how Gyu-ho tirelessly worked, cleaned, cooked, and loved him unconditionally, while Go Young remained self-absorbed and indifferent to his efforts.
As the series concludes, Love in the Big City leaves viewers with a lingering sense of “what could have been.” The final scene, in which Go Young reflects on his missed opportunities, delivers a profound emotional punch. He mourns the loss of Gyu-ho—the one person who truly loved and accepted him for who he was.
The drama’s closing line, spoken by Go Young, encapsulates the depth of his sorrow and regret:
“None of them was what I really wished for, so I crossed all the words out. That was how the lantern ended up with a hole, I bet. In the end, I left just two syllables on the lantern. Gyu-ho. My only wish.”
This final reflection resonates deeply, leaving viewers to grapple with the painful reality of lost love and unfulfilled wishes.
With its contemporary, relatable, and seductive characters, Love in the Big City stands out as an emotional slice-of-life drama that defies the typical conventions upheld by many Korean dramas. However, rather than merely rejecting these norms, the show reinterprets them in such a fresh, insightful, and invigorating way that it elevates the genre, casting a critical eye on much of the popular K-drama landscape.
The series has also sparked important conversations around LGBTQ+ representation in South Korean media, a subject that, while gaining more attention, still faces significant cultural hurdles. Despite its tender and realistic portrayal of love, Love in the Big City faced backlash, particularly from conservative groups who opposed its LGBTQ+ themes. According to a report by The Korea Times, the show’s trailer was even pulled from some platforms following complaints. Yet, the creators and cast remained firm in their support of the story. Nam Yoon-su expressed his hope that the series would help shift public perceptions and foster greater acceptance.
Love in the Big City is the kind of K-drama that invites multiple viewings, offering a candid exploration of realistic love stories and the evolving dynamics of human relationships. As heartbreaking as the story can be, it also makes you smile with its charming moments, wholesome friendships, and romantic scenes. The drama captures both the joy and pain of love, leaving a lasting impact on viewers with its blend of emotional depth and heartwarming moments.