A COMFORT QUEER FILM THAT FEELS REAL
Love in the Big City captures the messy, beautiful, and painfully real side of growing up, loving freely, and holding on to the people who truly understands you. The two bestfriends, Jae Hee and Hong Su, whose bond feels so genuine that it mad me a little jealous of their friendship.Jae Hee is vibrant and strong willed yet deeply vulnerable underneath. Hong Su, on the other hand, is calm, gentle, and quietly emotional. The contrast between them makes their connection feel even more special.
Their chemistry feels effortlessly real, it's not over the top kind, but the subtle, comforting kind that say "you get me". Watching them share moments, fight, laugh, and support each other made the story heartfelt and personal.
I love how realistic the story feels, showing love, friendship, and queerness in a way that doesn't feel forced and idealized. It's honest and comforting.
And I have to mention the soundtrack, it's perfect. Overall, this is a comfort queer film that's easy to love.
Plot 8/10
Acting and Characters 9/10
Cinematography 8.5/10
Writing 8.5/10
Pacing 9/10
OST/Score 10/10
Overall 9/10
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ME ENCANTO DE INICIO A FIN!
Vi varios clips en tik tok y tenia tantas ganas de ver la película para saber porque tanto hype 👀Me pareció atrevido el modo en que hicieron una historia de este tema siendo que sabemos que la sociedad Kr. no tiene avanzando del todo el ser gay abiertamente, los actores que salen al ser reconocidos hace que el peso del mensaje sea mucho mas alcanzable que si no lo fueran me encantó que ahora se atrevan a tomar estos papeles y que es parte de la sociedad igualmente 😊
AMO LA DINAMICA DE AMISTAD de ellos es tan REAL y bella que me quedo con ese mensaje muchas veces se habla del AMOR de pareja pero el AMOR de amigos es igualmente AMOR ☝️☝️☝️... en todas sus facetas y el mas incondicional que puedas tener si tienes una amistad como la de ellos.
Los amigos son la familia que uno elige y los lazos son tan fuertes cómo los mismo de sangre...
SUPER RECOMENDADA💯💯💯💯💯 al final ver cómo una amistad madura junto con ellos en todas las etapas de la vida de un adulto joven me parece tan adecuado que la volveria a ver sin dudarlo, los que tenemos la dicha que tener este tipo de amistades creo que van a amar esta pelicula tanto como lo hice yo.
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This review may contain spoilers
One of the most beautiful queer friendship movie,
Everything about this movie was amazing. From the cinematography to the acting and story. Every scene is extremely strong. As a gay man myself I feel like Heung Su is extremely relatable and well portrayed, unlike many Korean 'bl's'. It's realistic, with actual representation and homophobia. I didn't know what to expect at first, but you know a show is good when Primary is the composer. This is my first time watching a movie that Lee Eon Hee has directed but I'm for sure tempted to watch more of her work.The opening scene was extremely strong, just like many other scene's. Their friendships had up and downs, just like every realistic friendship. I really like how Koo Jae Hui was protective over Jang Heung and how she did not let any homophobia slide. They clearly cared about each other without romantic feelings attached. When they fight, they make up and come together again. I really need a friendship like this.
One main problem I have with Korean queer movies/series is how unrealistic it is compared to the reality in Korea. Korea is not the most LGBTQ friendly country and I liked how this movie showed the reality instead. I don't like how the homophobia topic is often ignored, and this show just showed it amazing. I also like how they made Koo Jae have realistic experiences as a female. How she is being called a sl/t for sleeping with men for example.
I'm extremely shocked by the acting. Everything feels real, relatable and I really lived along with Jang Heung. I feel like he acted amazing. Whether Steve Noh is straight or not doesn't matter. Either way he portrayed being gay extremely well. As for Kim Go Eun, she acted extremely well aswell. I love how she played the crazy friend. I'm gonna be honest but I wasn't super interested in her love life since she always ended up with red flags and honestly, I'm surprised Jang Heung was able to keep up with her, because I wouldn't. The homophobic mother being extremely absent was also a nice detail.
The whole French made my rating drop a bit because, as someone who is half French, this was extremely weird. Like sure Jae Hui has lived in Paris but the stereotypes were kinda crazy. I would've loved if they had chosen another city and less stereotypes. Also the French is a bit weird to listen to but that's okay. Calling her French because she lived in France made it confusing for me in the beginning.
I like how the movie had an open ending. You can make whatever you want to with it. I'm defiantly interested in seeing the actors and directors in/with other projects involved and I'm just extremely impressed. Just really happy about the actual representation and not just what the media shows you about Korea.
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This is a love story—a love that doesn’t always need romance to be meaningful.
A friendship that feels like home. Nothing loud or dramatic, just steady and real. Almost love? No… I think it is real love.
One true best friend is all you really need… but what are the odds of ever finding one?
Probably not great—but that’s kind of the point. Finding a friend like that—the kind built on trust and loyalty, who understands you fully and chooses you consistently—is rare, but not impossible. Heung Soo and Jae Hee make it feel possible.
They’ve been through ups and downs, both literally and figuratively, yet they still choose to be each other’s confidants. Who and what they are to each other feels so powerful—it exists in that in-between space where labels don’t fully capture it.
Most love stories come with “I love yous” and “I dos,” but this one had neither—yet it’s still one of the greatest I’ve ever seen. And for the record, it’s my favorite. What Heung Soo and Jae Hee have is a kind of platonic love—a love that doesn’t need romance to be profound—and it’s something to be envied.
I know the movie wasn’t marketed as a love story, but that’s what I felt throughout—it quietly screams true love in another form. Because of that, I had to write my first review. This film made me do it, lol.
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Unconditional friendship.
The best thing there is, unconditional friendship. I may call myself lucky to have several of this kind of friends.A story about a gay guy and a girl who encouter in life en become best friends for life.
It's beautiful, funny and a bit sad.
The visuals and music are good.
The actors are amazing and great dynamics between the leads.
Definatly a must watch!
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A woke movie
i though this would be a good movie, but it turned out to be a woke story of a mentally deranged slut and a gay justifying their actions. I guess now i know why this has such a high rating: aggressive push by the gay and woke community.i though this would be a good movie, but it turned out to be a woke story of a mentally deranged slut and a gay justifying their actions. I guess now i know why this has such a high rating: aggressive push by the gay and woke community.
i though this would be a good movie, but it turned out to be a woke story of a mentally deranged slut and a gay justifying their actions. I guess now i know why this has such a high rating: aggressive push by the gay and woke community.
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Even if u don't end up with loved one still love is love
If u r not obsessed with someone then u haven't love someone. I haven't read the book till today but I didn't want watch movie after watching series but today i watched it and it is quite good. Unlike in series Heung su liked him till the end even though they didn't end up together. Unlike im series he went to meet him in end. So i liked movie more than series. I thought series was one of finest gay themed series ever watched but i was wrong. This is movie thousands times better than series on everything. Acting, music, romance, love, everything on the top level. Yeah we all have different opinions but living as gay guy is fucking hard especially being poor. Anyway i loved it. I liked when Jae Hui ending with someone who is supporting her. Enjoy this movie.Was this review helpful to you?
A Story That Understands What We Don’t Say About Friendship
I really loved this movie, and what stayed with me the most is how real it felt. The female lead is beautifully written, not perfect, not always easy but deeply human. She makes mistakes, she feels things intensely and she moves through life in a way that feels honest rather than polished. That’s what made me connect with her so much.What truly touched me, though, was the relationship at the center of the story. It felt genuine in a quiet, almost familiar way.
I’ve always believed that friendship breakups can hurt even more than romantic ones and this film captures that feeling with so much care. It hit something very personal for me, especially since I haven’t always been lucky when it comes to friendships. Watching it felt comforting and a little painful at the same time like it understood something I’ve never really been able to put into words.
I also loved how grounded everything was especially the ending. It didn’t try to force anything dramatic or overly neat. It just let things exist as they are, and that made it feel even more sincere.
It’s a beautiful film that touches on so many things without ever going too far in one direction, not too heavy, not too light, just the right amount.
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Watching for the Queer Narrative
Based on the celebrated novel by Park Sang-young, the Korean cinematic version of Love in the Big City (2024) is a refreshing, modern look at youth and urban life in Seoul. To be completely honest, my main motivation for hitting play on this movie was purely to follow the gay protagonist and see how South Korean cinema handles a prominent queer storyline. While the film balances a unique platonic friendship, it is the struggles, hidden life, and emotional journey of the gay lead that completely anchor the experience and make it a highly rewarding 8/10 watch.The absolute standout element of the film is Jang Heung-soo (played beautifully by Noh Sang-hyun), a closeted university student trying to survive in a deeply conservative society. The movie shines when it explores his perspective—the anxiety of keeping his identity a secret from his mother, the dual life he leads in the clubs at night versus campus by day, and the exhausting effort it takes to stay hidden. His vulnerability, quiet loneliness, and gradual steps toward self-acceptance provide the strongest emotional beats of the entire narrative. Watching his character navigate love, heartbreak, and identity is incredibly moving and rings profoundly true.While the queer storyline is the main attraction, it is beautifully complemented by Heung-soo’s relationship with his chaotic, free-spirited roommate, Jae-hee (Kim Go-eun). After she accidentally discovers his secret, instead of judging him, she becomes his ultimate confidante and shield against rumors. Their dynamic is refreshing because it never forces a fake romance between them. Instead, they act as each other's platonic soulmates through their 20s and early 30s. Having that fierce female ally by his side makes Heung-soo’s journey feel less tragic and gives the film a warm, comforting tone.Ultimately, Love in the Big City earns a solid 8/10. If you tune in strictly for the gay representation, you will find a highly respectful, realistic, and touching portrayal that avoids cheap stereotypes or forced drama. Steve Noh delivers a stellar performance that carries the emotional weight of the film effortlessly. It is a beautiful, slice-of-life comedy-drama that proves why queer narratives in mainstream Korean media are becoming absolutely unmissable.Was this review helpful to you?
The movie just hits the spot....
I know I’m ridiculously late for this, and honestly it probably feels pointless with thousands of reviews already out there… but after watching this masterpiece, I just couldn’t stop myself from putting my feelings somewhere.This one feels like home. I’m actually a little disappointed in myself for not watching it sooner, because now that I have, it’s settled itself so deeply in my heart. I already know that whenever I feel low, this is what I’ll come back to for comfort.
Outstanding story, and truly outstanding performances by Steve Noh and Kim Go-eun. What they portrayed together was so raw and beautiful that I’m genuinely at a loss for words.
What I really loved is how it stayed grounded in reality. It didn’t sugarcoat anything, especially the struggles faced by a gay man or a free spirited woman like jae hee...It felt honest, real, and quietly powerful.
This wasn’t just something to watch… it was something to feel. ❤️
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Actor is hot. Main idea is good. Subplot is boring.
Gotta admit I come here for the ML after watching "Perfect Crown". He’s still hot in this one, but in "Perfect Crown", he's hotter with that restrained, mysterious vibe.The FL is good too. But honestly, neither of their roles is that demanding in terms of performance, so there isn’t much for them to really show. That also makes things less interesting. So it’s up to the story to be interesting, but...
Let me first say that I can see what the main plot is trying to do. It’s aiming at gender issues in Korea - things like homophobia and patriarchy - which are serious topics. So I do give them credit for that. There are also some moment that lands well at the right time, like the ML’s dance scene which I actually enjoy.
But the subplots, which probably take up around 75% of the movie, feel mundane, repetitive and nothing new. It’s just another retelling of familiar stories that once you’ve consumed enough media, it starts to feel dull. And it leads you to the point that you'd rather detach from it all rather than sit through it again.
So yeah, to sum it up: good actors, extra points for a hot ML and a meaningful intention behind the story. But overall, still quite boring. Definitely not something I’d want to spend money on or sit through for two hours in a theater.
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Note 1 :
If the full score is 10 - it's 5.5 from me.
But when the full score is 5 - it's 2.5 from me.
There's still much room for this movie.
Note 2 :
Someone on Douban said they liked the drama version more, so I gave it a try. But for me, the movie version is more engaging and easier to sit with.
𓂃 ✦ 𓂃
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Contemporary & Cute
Love In The Big City is a contemporary coming of age flick, and its interests are decidedly commercial with an intent to shift audience perspectives. As a fan of the novel I had to switch my lens while watching this, and I think if youre one of those people that only wants to see what was on page put to screen it might be better to skip. Despite that, I quite enjoyed this movie. It was reminiscenf of those early 2010s office movies about characters struggling through their twenties and the filmmaking style was reminiscent of kdrama, even shooting flashbacks similarly. It has great performances, especially from Kim Goeun, and the central friendship was a beating heart that kept the story alive and from feeling too saccharine. It is still pretty over the top though, a film manufactured to be rewatched over and over on a laptop as you go about your day. In watching the movie I initially found it to be a bit generic in appeal, but that criticism seems a bit harsh as time passes. Its commerciality seems to work in tandem with the bitterness of the upcoming series, this movie works great when watched with friends and family in theaters, to help a closed off audience empathize and care for queer characters. Its not exactly revolutionary, but its ambitions lie in creating a feminist and queer narrative in a neat clean package. It wants to be a hit, and the promotion for it is insistent on it as Korea itself becomes increasingly polarized and unkind to women and minorities.Was this review helpful to you?
