Love in The Big City Review: A Look at the TVING Queer K-drama’s Worthiness

“Love in the Big City”is an engaging new K-drama that explores the complex themes of love, relationships, and self-identity, particularly within the LGBTQ+ community. Featuring Nam Yoon-su, Jin Ho-eun, and Kwon Hyuk, this series is based on the celebrated novel by Park Sang-young, which has attracted worldwide acclaim since its 2019 debut.

The series consists of eight episodes, structured in four acts that highlight pivotal moments in Go Young’s life (played by Nam Yoon-su). A film adaptation, starring Kim Go-eun and Noh Sang-hyun, premiered on October 3, 2024.

The narrative centers around Go Young, a gay novelist living in Seoul, who navigates various romantic relationships over several years. As he encounters different partners, the series reveals the varying facets of love, from brief flings to profound emotional connections. Nam Yoon-su takes on the role of Go Young, while Jin Ho-eun portrays Gyu-ho, one of his significant romantic interests.

The actors leverage their real-life friendship to amplify the depth and authenticity of their on-screen relationship. Additionally, Go Young has three close gay friends—Eun-soo, Ho-min, and Ji-tae—alongside Mi-ae, who defies societal norms through her late-night drinking and daytime smoking antics.

Despite following the global success of its film predecessor, “Love in the Big City”meets audience expectations. It stands out due to a unique multi-director approach, with each act directed by a different filmmaker—Hur Jin-ho, Hong Ji-young, Son Tae-gyeom, and Kim Se-in—offering a refreshing and varied perspective on each chapter of Go Young’s journey, thus enriching his character development.

DISCLAIMER: The views and opinions expressed in this drama review belong solely to the author.

“Love in The Big City”Challenges Stereotypes of the “Green Flag Lead”

This drama dismantles the popular trope of the “green flag”male lead typical of K-dramas. Go Young, portrayed by Nam Yoon-su, is far from ideal. He shares a kiss with Kim Nam-gyu (played by Kwon Hyuk) outside a nightclub but later feels shame towards him. Go Young mockingly comments on Nam-gyu’s love for old Korean songs, his reluctance to drive fast, and the promise ring he received.

Brutally, Go Young ends their relationship, calling Nam-gyu “boring,”an action that challenges standard K-drama portrayals of male protagonists. In an attempt to win Go Young back, Nam-gyu tries to reinvent himself, a quest that ultimately leads to his tragic end in a car accident, causing Go Young to reflect on his past cruelty.

Nam Yoon-su’s performance embodies the sassy, often self-centered nature of Go Young, showcasing a remarkable range that even reflects the body language of queer individuals. He develops Go Young into a carefree gay man, whose self-absorption prevents him from recognizing his mistakes until it’s too late.

In his second relationship with No Young-su (Na Hyun-woo), a philosophy scholar, Go Young experiences a stark contrast. Unlike his dynamic with Nam-gyu, he finds himself mistreated, as Young-su is ashamed to be seen with him in public, even refusing to share a plate of pasta.

Ultimately, Young-su ends their relationship during a dinner, claiming he never truly loved Go Young, leaving the latter shattered. This moment leads Go Young to a dark place, considering suicide by ingesting sleeping pills. The directors skillfully parallel these two relationships in the initial episodes, emphasizing Go Young’s evolution from selfishness to a begrudging acknowledgment of his flaws.

Across its eight episodes, “Love in The Big City”encapsulates a decade’s worth of Go Young’s experiences, enhanced by his voiceover that draws viewers into the subtleties of his emotional landscape. The latter half of the series shifts focus to his relationship with Shim Gyu-ho (Jin Ho-eun), who continues to love Go Young despite his HIV-positive status.

However, Go Young often projects his dissatisfaction with his mundane job onto Gyu-ho. Throughout their three-year cohabitation, the series illustrates Gyu-ho’s unwavering commitment, enduring Go Young’s whims and malfunctions. Gyu-ho’s dedication to maintaining their relationship, even with a career opportunity arising in Shanghai, starkly contrasts Go Young’s negligent attitude showcased with Young-su.

Ultimately, Gyu-ho proves to be Go Young’s true love, though the latter failed to recognize it until it was too late. The final two episodes delve into Go Young’s regrets about his past treatment of Gyu-ho, recollecting the countless sacrifices Gyu-ho made for him—working two jobs, maintaining their home, and offering unconditional love. “Love in The Big City”leaves viewers captivated by the lingering question of “what might have been.”

The poignant closing line encapsulates Go Young’s heartache, drawing audiences into his grief over Gyu-ho, the one person who embraced him wholly.

“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.”

“Love in The Big City”offers a contemporary, relatable slice-of-life narrative that defies conventional tropes prevalent in many Korean dramas worldwide. The series reinterprets these conventions with an innovative and insightful approach that challenges the status quo.

Moreover, this drama has ignited discussions around LGBTQ+ representation in South Korean media—a topic that has slowly gained prominence but still faces substantial hurdles. Despite its heartfelt and genuine depiction of love, “Love in The Big City”faced criticism, particularly from conservative factions opposing its LGBTQ+ narrative.

According to The Korea Times, promotional material for “Love in The Big City”was removed from certain platforms following complaints. Nevertheless, the creators and cast remained resolute in their advocacy for the story. Nam Yoon-su expressed hopes that this series would aid in reshaping public views and fostering wider acceptance.

As a K-drama worth multiple viewings, “Love in The Big City”offers a poignant exploration of authentic love stories and the complexities of human relationships. While it evokes cathartic heartbreak, it also features light-hearted moments filled with charm, friendship, and romance.

Streaming is available on TVING and Rakuten Viki.

Source