Love in the Big City (2024)

10/10

I have nothing negative to say about this drama. It's a well-written coming-of-age story with realistic plotlines and emotions. It made me reflect a lot on life, relationships, and the idea of a 'happily ever after.' I appreciated seeing different types of love portrayed and how a breakup can happen without any major conflict, which felt very authentic and a valuable lesson for everyone.

I've watched many Korean BL dramas, and most have disappointed me, but this one didn’t. It had depth, genuine romance, and solid storytelling. I’m glad they didn’t give in to the pressure from Korean netizens who wanted to cancel the drama, allowing us to enjoy this amazing story.

Leia Mais

this show just knows how to capture attachment to material things, to your friends, to the people you love, to your house, to your fucking mattress and the stains on it... and how it soon turns into love, occupying your memories and what happens when u end up losing them or are forced to give them up, and the emptiness that follows.
it felt like a long film even tho it was a series, each chapter directed by a different director and i think that's what made it unique, felt as if i was fully immersed into his journey consisting of different phases. i cried i giggled i blushed cried again because why and how are they able to capture loss, nostalgia, romance, friendship, grief, and most importantly queer loneliness in one drama??? it felt relatable, raw and real but not in a way that made your heart heavy. truly loved the ending as well.

Leia Mais

Excellent drama, that stole my heart and my tears.

[no spoilers] This is the first BL drama i have ever watched and though I identify as a straight female, I' ve always had an open mind about queer/LGBTQ in real life.
So I gave it a try... also partly urged to watch because of Gyuho and Goyoung's clips on X/Twitter that went around haha.

WHOLE- HEARTEDLY, I can say watching this series was the best decision I made lately ... I think I got to witness the life of those who may relate to Goyoung's character in real life... Not many dramas/movies have made me cry in my life but Gyuho and Goyoung's story in Episodes 5-8 especially made me break down pretty badly in tears several times out of sympathy? sorrow? I also got super butterflies watching their relationship during the good too though so not all was lost 😄 I felt everything in this dramas honestly...
Would highly recommend to try this series! Amazing cast, acting, writing and production in my opinion! This work really touched on the reality of life deeply in several ways too... even ones that anyone could relate too... the life of ordinary people and love... So just prepare a tissue box! rating it 1000/10!
(ps. I wish Nam Yoonsu and Jin Hoeun get another project together again or season 2 because they had nice chemistry :))

Leia Mais

Обычно я не пишу отзывы, но после просмотре этой дорамы было столько мыслей, что мне захотелось описать их в тексте. Сейчас достаточно мало фильмов и дорам приносят сильные впечатления. Некоторые кажутся однотипными, у других слишком легкий смысл, без шанса задуматься над проблемой. Однако те, что запали Вам в душу, оставили то самое приятное послевкусие, которое Вы будете вспоминать еще долго.
Так произошло со мной после просмотра "Любовь в большом городе". Хочу отметить естественность дорамы. В ней не было наигранных эмоций, не было случайных неслучайностей. Все происходило как в жизни. Дорама в меру тяжелая, но это не помешало затронуть очень серьезные темы жизни. Думаю каждый кто смотрел, нашел в ней что то свое. Какую то свою боль, свои секреты или обиды, нереализованные планы или проблемы в семье. Кто то возможно даже примерил роль главного героя на себя.
В этих всего лишь 8 сериях показано целое десятилетие. Это на самом деле очень грустно. Время мимолетно, оно летит так быстро что даже страшно оглядываться назад.
Мне почти 30, как раз тот возраст на котором остановился главный герой. Флешбеки в последней серии и рассуждения на крыше заставили вспомнить уже свои пролетевшие 10 лет. Были моменты в которые я была по настоящему счастлива, были и тяжелые времена в которые хотелось опустить руки и все бросить. Были и потери с которыми приходилось справляться.
Грустно признавать тот факт, что отражение себя в главном герое я нашла именно в одиночестве и страхе настоящей любви. Но выводы, сделанные в конце, помогают и мне жить по полной. Вера в то что все будет хорошо спасает, а близкие люди дарят жизни краски.
Однозначно советую посмотреть Дораму не на фоне, а уделить ей время и задуматься.

Leia Mais

the love we think we deserve

Before its release, Love in the Big City faced a lot of pushback and controversy. I admire the production team’s dedication in bringing this story to life despite the challenges.

South Korea, like many places, still harbors prejudice toward LGBTQ+ themes, and BL dramas often face additional scrutiny. But it’s disappointing that this artistic expression, which reflects real experiences for so many in the LGBTQ+ community, would encounter so much resistance. This is the reality for countless people, and I can’t understand why two men sharing a love story on screen is any different from the heterosexual stories we’ve seen for years. Why should it be restricted when it’s simply another story about connection, pain, and growth?

Nam Yoon Su’s performance is a standout and exceeded my expectations. His portrayal was nuanced, layered, and showed a clear dedication to understanding and honoring his character’s experiences. It’s refreshing to see a character like Go Young evolve in multifaceted ways, allowing us to see vulnerability, strength, and a journey to self-understanding that isn’t one-dimensional.

Nam Yoon Su didn’t just bring Go Young to life; he made him feel relatable and genuine, and it’s clear he did his homework preparing for this role.

I’d been keeping Love in the Big City on my watchlist for a while, anticipating what the series would offer. When it was finally released, it delivered the satisfaction I expect from a well-made Korean drama. I’m not someone who often reads the original source material, but judging from feedback and reviews, it seems like the production team really respected the story’s roots. They captured the essence of the characters and crafted a realistic, engaging portrayal that felt true to the lives and relationships it was representing. I’m glad they paid attention to the finer details that make characters feel real, without compromising or simplifying their struggles.

The storyline can be complex and might feel a bit chaotic to those who prefer a straightforward plot. In reality, though, the mixed pacing and emotional highs and lows added a raw authenticity. Love in the Big City is definitely a roller-coaster of emotions, from heartfelt to heart-wrenching, with steamy and even uncomfortable moments mixed in. This range, I think, is part of its charm—it doesn’t sugarcoat relationships or emotions. Each of Go Young’s love interests brings their own traumas and past scars, adding depth to the plot and enhancing the storytelling. Their baggage isn’t there just for drama; it plays a role in their development and helps paint a fuller picture of who they are.

Despite initial expectations that it might lean into a sex-driven narrative, the series proves itself to be far more meaningful. It balances intimacy and substance thoughtfully, presenting a story that is about much more than physical attraction. As someone in the LGBTQ+ community, I found certain elements hit home, especially in how Mi Ae and Go Young’s partners portrayed their relationships and the complexities within them.

There’s a rawness here that resonates, particularly in Go Young’s romantic pursuits, which examine the universal truth that overfamiliarity can slowly erode relationships. His interactions with both Gyu Ho and Nam Gyu show how desire and boredom intertwine, a reality that often mirrors many modern-day relationships.

The chemistry among the actors was undeniable; nothing felt forced or out of place. Even the sensual scenes were handled delicately, with genuine connection in their kisses—a refreshing change from the lackluster, “fake” kisses we’ve seen in the past.

One of the most profound themes Love in the Big City explores is the idea of “the love we think we deserve versus the love others are actually able to give.” We often go through relationships looking for something specific, believing in an ideal form of love. But at the end of the day, real love is about mutual understanding, and we have to learn to accept the love that aligns with who we are. My only disappointment is in Go Young’s character arc; while he found solace and support among friends, I wanted to see a more resolved arc for him—a deeper, more satisfying exploration of self-love and fulfillment beyond friendship. The series does so much right, but leaving Go Young’s development open like that left me wishing for a bit more closure.

Leia Mais

this is the best show i have ever seen wtf

i hate this show in a good way. this show is so good and the ammount of tears i shead is insane. i cried so much and i keep crying thinking about it. especially when thinking about goyeong and gyoho. they are literally soulmates wtf. this show is so good, the way its so realistic is actually amazing. it really shows the life of a gay guy. The fact that Gyuho still accepted and loved Goyeong even when he found out he had HIV (Kylie) was such a beautiful moment and i honestly cried so much. this show portairts so many important topics like self acceptance, religious parents/unaccepting parents, the struggels of being gay etc- the actors were so good aswel wow. the acting was absolutely fantastic and it couldn't be any better.

best drama i have ever seen.

Leia Mais

The series of the year!

Overly hyped about the series release! Right off the bat in episode one not even five minutes in they already had me laughing. I went into the series knowing it would stir up some buried feelings, but it did not disappoint. I felt bad for Mr. Kim, but their relationship is a prime example of liking someone but not being compatible with them or not being on the same page.

Episode 2 reminded me of one of life’s biggest lessons: cherish, love, and treasure the present and the people in it, because you can lose everything in the blink of an eye. Episode three was such a bittersweet ride of emotions. His mom is truly a trooper, and so is Ko Yeong. Despite everything his mom did, he managed to move forward, still loving her. Also, I feel that No Yeong Su and his mom share a striking similarity in their characters; they both loved him deeply yet caused him so much pain.

And holy moly, episode four was unbelievably amazing! The hospital scene hit on so many levels. I don’t have a very strong bond with my family, so seeing his friends rush to the hospital for him resonated deeply with me. Also, where was Min Jae? I read on a forum that the book and series differ somewhat regarding Min Jae and Yeong’s relationship, which might explain why she wasn’t there when he needed her most.

If you strip away the actors and focus on the story itself, you'll see the most accurate reflection of life’s path: love, discovery, grief, anger, and acceptance. This is definitely the BL of the year! I don’t think I’ve ever related to a character as much as I did with Ko Yeong. I know the book is written in four parts, so I wonder if there’s any chance for continuation. But I doubt it, given the final scene and Ko Yeong’s explanation.

I’m no expert, but it’s clear how well written this series is. It made me reflect on my own life and relationships, which is just one of the many reasons I love it. Many flowers to all the actors their portrayals were magnificently amazing.

The series was funny, joyful, sad, bold, honest, educational, and sexy. It captured friendship, loss, and the beauty and pain of life. I hope people approach it with open eyes, ears, mind and heart because there's so much you can take away from it.

Leia Mais

I never expected a drama like this to come out of Korea

What can I even say? This was just superb. it’s not really a BL in the conventional sense - and I don’t say that to disparage BL because I do love a good BL - this is just a bit different.

This drama delves into all the beauty and messiness of a young gay man’s life and relationships in a way I haven’t seen in a BL before. It doesn’t feel like anything is done for the purposes of “fan service” or like the intention is to make sure a couple is together at the end of the series at all costs. To me, those are hallmarks of even really excellent BL - the main couple supersede the story itself. Their romantic relationship is the most important thing. This drama isn’t like that. It’s definitely more of a character study than a romance.

I was impressed by the previews for this series so I’ve been looking forward to it for weeks, but it exceeded my expectations. I could probably nitpick some bits of the story or characters that could have been more fleshed out…but ultimately I was incredibly satisfied with it in every way.

Excellent acting, writing, cinematography, directing, characterization - just everything.

Leia Mais

Engaging story centred around realistically flawed and endearing characters. No BL tropes here.

This show packed a lot in to 8 episodes but managed not to feel rushed, however I wish this show had been longer so we could have spent more time with the characters through their ups and downs. The passage of time was sometimes confusing for me but this did not ruin my enjoyment of the story. The characters were realistically flawed but endearing, and the acting was fantastic all around. You will not find any of the typical BL tropes in the series so if that is something you require then give this one a miss, likewise if you are not interested in stories about same sex relationships. However, if you enjoy realistic well written stories performed by great actors then this is definitely worth a watch.

Leia Mais

Finally proper BL Korean drama!

It was the first real-life BL drama I had seen, and it was so good. It's not a typical, idealized love story; instead, it portrays people with flaws and the ups and downs of a relationship. In some scenes, you can recognize small details that can be found in any relationship.
The acting was great, especially Yoon Su, who did an excellent job.
I am glad that, finally, a Korean production company has made a proper BL drama, even though some people tried to boycott it. Well, it's a first step.

I loved the story of his loved ones throughout his life. Yeongs life was bot easy at first he had to deal with his mother as she would.not accept his sexuality and after that we can see his ex partners and his straggle but lucky he has a great group of the friends who are there for him.

You can feel the emotion in the last episode as we see flashbacks of his memories with Gyu Ho. He realizes that Gyu Ho was his true love, but he hadn't recognized it. It must have been so hard for him to live with Kylie, especially since he only told one person about it. I was rooting for Yeong and Gyu Ho and was hoping until the last minute that they would meet again. I think he finally realized what he lost and moved out of the student apartment, as he was never ready to do that since it was his happy place with Mi Ae and Gyu Ho.

Leia Mais