On October 21, 2024, the adaptation of the Korean film and novel Love in the Big City premiered, bringing to life a heartfelt same-gender romance featuring the character Go Young, who is living with HIV. The eight-part series boasts performances by Nam Yoon-su, Jin Ho-eun, Na Hyun-woo, and Kwon Hyuk, capturing the essence of love and acceptance. Viewers have taken to the internet to express their excitement over the series, particularly its romantic and poignant moments.
In Episode 4, a passionate scene between Go Young (Nam Yoon-su) and No Young-su (Na Hyun-woo) captivated audiences, leading to widespread acclaim for the actors’ authentic representation of their characters’ affection. Fans around the globe shared their thoughts on social media, enthusiastically applauding the chemistry between the two actors.
One viewer shared their experience on X:
“OMG, Oh God, forgive me for liking this.”
Many netizens humorously suggested that this particular scene could serve as a guide for other K-drama actors looking to improve their romantic portrayals. Additionally, some fans expressed how the scene represents a significant step forward in challenging the societal stigmas surrounding LGBTQIA+ narratives in South Korea.
“Need to send this to every kdrama actor; like this is how you kiss,”one user posted.
“In a misogynistic and homophobic South Korea, #LoveInTheBigCity’s bold depictions of male desire serve as more than just fan service. It’s a political statement against the media’s heteronormative biases. This represents #BL at its finest,”another commented.
“This kiss is something special. The slowness, the intentionality of each touch—it created an atmosphere of longing that enveloped the scene,”another added.
Further praise was directed at the direction and cinematography, with fans commending both the cast and the crew behind Love in the Big City.
“Netizens are probably crying, shaking, and losing it; I love it,”one user remarked.
“Just finished watching this scene… wow, they nailed it! I need a moment to collect myself,”another user expressed.
“This scene is absolutely stunning—so romantic and beautifully executed. The entire episode is fantastic, with remarkable dialogue, dynamic character interactions, and cinematography that’s truly impressive,”another viewer praised.
Love in the Big City Captivates Global Audiences with Its Engaging Storyline and Direction
For those unfamiliar, Love in the Big City is inspired by the internationally acclaimed novel authored by Sang Young Park and translated by Anton Hur. The series narrates the protagonist’s journey of self-discovery as he encounters various men throughout different chapters of his life, exploring the complexities of love. A film version featuring Kim Go-eun and Noh Sang-hyun was released earlier on October 8, 2024.
The drama chronicles Go Young’s university experiences, including his relationship with Kim Nam-gyu (Kwon Hyuk), a photographer. This romance falters as Go Young seeks more adventurous companionship, finding Nam-gyu’s deeper love unexciting.
Eventually, Go Young meets No Young-su (Na Hyun-woo), a philosophy scholar, but their passionate affair sadly ends due to Young-su’s reluctance to publicly embrace his sexuality, leading Go Young into a deep crisis.
After a tumultuous break, Go Young crosses paths with Shim Gyu-ho (Jin Ho-eun) over a year after a life-altering attempt on his own. He falls for Gyu-ho, who offers steadfast support through their relationship’s ups and downs. However, Go Young’s issues cause him to push Gyu-ho away, realizing only after Gyu-ho leaves for China how much he had taken their love for granted.
Love in the Big City presents a poignant, yet true-to-life depiction of love, encapsulating the struggles within the broader societal context. This gripping series features eight episodes and can be streamed on TVING and Rakuten Viki.
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