“Celebrating Platonic Soulmates”— Love in the Big City Audiences Adore the Friendship Between Characters Go-yeong and Mi-ae

The highly anticipated drama Love in the Big City (Korean title: 대도시의 사랑법) launched on TVING on October 21, 2024, with all eight episodes available for streaming on the same day. This coming-of-age narrative centers on the journey of the male protagonist, Go-yeong, but viewers are equally enamored with the touching relationship he shares with his roommate Mi-ae.

Adapted from Park Sang-young’s acclaimed novel Love in the Big City, which was longlisted for the International Booker Prize in 2022, the story revolves around the experiences of Go-yeong (played by Nam Yoon-su), a gay man, and his straight roommate Mi-ae (portrayed by Lee Soo-kyung).

Go-yeong, aspiring to be a writer, navigates love and life through his interactions with different individuals. His roommate, Mi-ae, provides emotional support as she observes his romantic entanglements, fostering a deep and transformative friendship between them.

The numerous teasers showcased their strong bond, characterized by trust and understanding. One particularly poignant teaser highlighted their affection for each other as they shared lighthearted moments, featuring the subtitle:

“As you journey through life, you sometimes encounter a friend who feels just right.”(Per Google Translate)

As Go-yeong experiences various highs and lows in his love life, Mi-ae also undergoes significant personal growth throughout their friendship. The chemistry between these two characters has resonated well with audiences, leading many to flock to social media to discuss their unique connection.

One viewer expressed their feelings, saying,

“Go-yeong and Mi-ae’s friendship and dynamics are everything to me… we adore our platonic soulmates.”

Further accolades for their narrative continue to surface:

“I absolutely cherish this friendship. Mi-ae blossomed professionally and made strides in her life. They faced conflicts but ultimately always found their way back to each other,”noted one netizen.

“I’m literally obsessed with how they became the best of friends and could talk freely like this,”another user commented.

“They feel so authentic! Already loving them!”agreed a third user.

Additional responses include:

“Through each other, we uncovered many truths about life. Mi-ae learned that being a gay man can be challenging, while I learned that being a woman also has its difficulties.”This drama feels so genuine,”wrote an X user, quoting the series.

“#LoveInTheBigCity is remarkable! Mi-ae and Go-yeong’s friendship is exactly what I need right now; I adore them!”said another commentator.

More Insights into TVING’s New Show Love in the Big City

Park Sang-young’s bestselling novel has seen two adaptations debuting this year within the same month. The film, also titled Love in the Big City, released on October 1, focuses on the chapter “Jaehee”and stars Kim Go-eun and Noh Sang-hyun. In contrast, the series encompasses the entire narrative from the original novel.

Penned by the author himself, the script for the TVING adaptation features four parts of the original work—’Jaehee,’ ‘A Bite of Rockfish, Taste the Universe,’ ‘Love in the Big City,’ and ‘Late Rainy Season Vacation’—transformed into eight episodes, each lasting approximately 50 minutes.

Screenwriter Park expertly preserved the essence of the drama while enriching the narrative’s structure and character development, infusing it with humor that the original text lacked, ultimately enhancing the characters’ appeal as envisioned by readers.

This drama saw production support from Merry Christmas and Big Stone Studio.

Inspired by a Hollywood approach, the series unfolds through the distinct visions of four directors, divided into two segments. The initial two episodes were directed by Son Tae-gyeom, who garnered acclaim with his short film Fly by Night (2011) at the Cannes International Film Festival’s Cinéfondation.

Episodes three and four were shaped by Heo Jin-ho, a director renowned for his melodramatic works, particularly Christmas in August (1998). Meanwhile, episodes five and six were helmed by Hong Ji-young, known for New Year Blues (2021) and Will You Be There? (2016). Finally, episodes seven and eight were directed by the esteemed Kim Se-in, recognized for The Apartment with Two Women (2021).

It is noteworthy that all directors hail from the Korean Academy of Film Arts, collaborating in celebration of the academy’s 40th anniversary.

During a press conference for Love in the Big City, actor Nam Yoon-su shared how he drew inspiration from his own past romantic experiences to portray Go-yeong authentically. He expressed gratitude for the love his character has received and hopes for continued support.

In equal measure, Love in the Big City follows Go-yeong as he embarks on a quest for self-exploration, reflecting on cherished memories from a time that has slipped away. Although he encounters a pure love with Gyu-ho, circumstances force their separation. In pursuit of personal growth, Go-yeong takes a leap and travels to Thailand, where he spends a late monsoon vacation with a stranger.

In addition to airing on TVING, Love in the Big City is also available for streaming on Rakuten Viki.

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