“The Ending Broke Me” — Fans React to Nam Yoon-su and Jin Ho-eun’s Relationship Dynamics in ‘Love in The Big City’

The much-anticipated series *Love in The Big City*, featuring Nam Yoon-su and Jin Ho-eun, premiered all eight episodes on TVING on October 21, 2024. This drama, inspired by Park Sang-young’s acclaimed 2019 novel of the same name, intricately explores the journey of Go Young, a gay man searching for love while grappling with life’s complexities.

Warning: This article contains spoilers.

This slice-of-life K-drama authentically depicts love and interpersonal relationships, showcasing how affection can sometimes fade as emotions approach their limits. In an unexpected twist, the series finale concluded on a poignant note. Following a series of romantic ups and downs, Go Young (played by Nam Yoon-su) finds himself in a heartfelt relationship with Shim Gyu-ho (Jin Ho-eun), leading to them cohabitating.

However, a year into their romance, things take a significant turn for the worse, as Go Young increasingly nagged and lashed out at Gyu-ho. Feeling stuck in a monotonous job, Go Young’s frustration mounted, while Gyu-ho, who juggled work at a nursing home and bartending, dedicated himself to maintaining their home — cooking, cleaning, and eagerly waiting for Go Young to return so they could share meals together.

Unfortunately, Go Young began to take Gyu-ho’s unwavering love for granted, leading to more frequent disagreements. Nonetheless, Gyu-ho consistently sought reconciliation, despite Go Young’s apathetic attitude towards whether he stayed or left. Ultimately, Go Young ended their relationship just as Gyu-ho received an exciting job opportunity in Shanghai, later regretting how poorly he had treated Gyu-ho.

The devastating conclusion of their love story left fans reeling, especially since Gyu-ho made every effort to cherish his time with Go Young. One user on X expressed their frustration, saying:

“I can’t believe the ending shattered me.”

Discussions erupted among viewers regarding the emotional final scene of *Love in The Big City* episode 8, where Gyu-ho and Go Young wrote wishes on a paper lantern to celebrate Chinese New Year. The lantern ignited and quickly burned out, especially after Go Young accidentally rubbed off the wishes he’d made for material things like a car.

Fans described it as one of the most poignant moments in the series, as Go Young ultimately comes to understand just how deeply he loves Gyu-ho and laments taking him for granted.

“I just completed the series and I’m utterly devastated, my heart aches, the tears were endless; it was the most beautiful yet heartbreaking experience ever.”a viewer shared.

“Nooo, the impact of this ending surpassed that of the book. Earlier in the episode, Young mentioned he still doesn’t understand love, but later, his only wish was ‘love’—which he actually inscribed as ‘Gyu-ho’ on the lantern,”another viewer noted.

“There’s never been a more truthful depiction of lost love or transient queer romance in visual storytelling than this,”a different fan added.

Many viewers reminisced about the heart-wrenching breakup scene in episode 6, where Go Young urges Gyu-ho to pursue other romantic interests in China, leaving Gyu-ho teary-eyed as he walked away. Some fans emphasized how, despite Go Young’s mistreatment, Gyu-ho remained loyal and committed, as their bond was simply too pure to be tainted by the challenges of the world.

“THEY DESERVED THE HAPPIEST ENDING EVER—IT’S SO UNFAIR,”a fan exclaimed.

“The break-up at the airport was devastating. Go Young pretended not to care, hoping to nudge Gyu-ho towards a better future. While everyone is emotional about the lantern scene, this moment hit hardest for me, especially when reading the book,”commented another viewer.

“Even after enduring Young’s poor treatment, Gyu-ho never harbored any resentment. Each time he attempted to leave, he returned because of his genuine affection for Young. Now, alone, Young realizes how much he truly misses Gyu-ho.”another fan concluded.

A Deep Dive into Love in The Big City: An Exploration of Love, Heartbreak, and Realizations

*Love in The Big City* offers a fresh perspective on contemporary urban life, exploring relationships and the distinct challenges faced by young adults navigating the vibrant chaos of a city. Starring Nam Yoon-su as Go Young, this drama masterfully intertwines romance with a sense of melancholy, highlighting the often harsh realities of modern love.

The narrative delves into emotional intricacies, queer identity, and the intrinsic human desire for connection, crafting a compelling storyline that both celebrates and critiques urban existence. It follows Go Young (Nam Yoon-su), a young adult finding his way in Seoul, with his queer identity adding complexity to his romantic escapades.

Go Young grapples with fleeting relationships, a sense of disconnection, and the unrelenting quest for meaning in his daily life. In contrast to conventional K-dramas that often conclude with neatly tied love stories, *Love in The Big City* presents a more fragmented yet authentic portrayal of love’s unpredictable and transformative nature.

The series addresses profound themes such as loneliness, the repercussions of casual dating, and the stigma surrounding queer identities in South Korea, along with the difficulty of establishing emotional and physical intimacy. It juxtaposes the dazzling cityscape, filled with opportunities, against the personal isolation that often accompanies such vibrant environments.

Nam Yoon-su’s performance serves as the emotional backbone of the series. His portrayal of vulnerability during moments of reflection on past relationships or confronting feelings of solitude serves as an authentic exploration often overlooked in standard K-drama narratives.

What distinguishes *Love in The Big City* is its fearless representation of LGBTQ+ relationships and queer experiences in South Korea. The series ambitiously normalizes queer identities in a society where such depictions are still scarce, turning the city into a character in itself, with its bustling streets and brilliant lights symbolizing both the charm and emptiness the characters encounter.

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