THE BEST AND MOST REALISTIC LGBTQ+ SHOW I HAVE SEEN!!
I already had pretty high expectations considering the cast, budget and the fact that this is based on an acclaimed novel but this show was so perfect!Pros:
1. love the cinematography
2. LOVE THE CAST
3. IT IS SO REALISTIC LIKE OMG
4. real people with real problems
5. even though I am neither male nor gay I felt like i could relate to their issues on a very personal level
6. I could see love: Nam yoon soo is a great actor and his co stars are just as brilliant because every person played their role....The way he looked at his co-stars made me think he was in love with every single one
7. The depiction of his character: I love how his character incorporates certain stereotypically gay characteristics in a naturally and in-excessive ways (usually you get to see them being overly "girly" or extremely "manly" as an attempt to distinguish them but I like that he is a mix of both)
8. The way they brought up "kylie" (if ykyk) it felt so REAL...kylie was unwanted and he ignored her but she is an undeniable part of his life and I love how he showed his reactions
9. Mi-ae: after seeing mi-ae and go-young's friendship I felt like I NEEDED IT...The way their relationship progressed was also
extremely natural and her future is also a less talked of circumstance
10. NAM YOON SOO'S SMILE: THIS MAN'S SMILE BE SAVING THE UNIVERSE BECAUSE HE LOOKS LIKE A LITERAL ANGEL
Cons:
I didn't have any particular cons but I do wish they had a special OST that would remind me of the show every time I heard it.
Its high time that korean media had some diversity and I think rather than judging something based on the LGBTQ+ aspect we should see it as a show with great storytelling
All in all I loved this drama and I will recommend anyone and everyone who likes realistic shows (without any biases) to watch it...
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Worth the watch and this is the perfect KBL of this year.
It's worth the watch. I've just watched the first episode tonight and I already knew this will be the best BL I'll ever watch this year. The duration is already a plus for me since I really really yearn a BL with a packed plot and dialogues. And it DELIVERED. First episode and I already saw how this is a well produced work. From the art, the cinematography, there were no dull moments, perfect comedic timings, nice dialogues, well written characters and all that real shit. This much things to say and I've just been in the first episode 😂Was this review helpful to you?
one of the BEST bls I've watch so far!
Fantastic,I don't even know where to begin...I relate to this series on a very personal level and I'm sure many others do to,unlike most bls who shy away from problems queer ppl GENUINELY face love in the big city shows it and in a realistic way,it also tackles down the subject of the fact that you may not find the right person for you immediately....I was first doubtful but I watched it bc a lot of my fav actors were in this and don't make the mistake of being doubtful JUST WATCH IT💙💙💙Was this review helpful to you?
A journey to self-acceptance
In the Korean queer drama sphere, this is unlike anything I've watched. This is a series holding the weight of emotions, love, trauma. There's so much packed in 8 episodes that you can miss out on the little details, but regardless it holds a message: self-acceptance.The pacing isn't perfect. Time doesn't always work nicely when you have a large story to pack into eight 45-50 minute episodes. Nevertheless, with what they had, they made it mostly work.
Nam Yoonsu isn't just an actor, he's also an advocate. His performance in the drama and his persistence afterwards is something I admire. It's not often you see an actor being proud of their work, let alone in Korean queer media. Sadly, conservatism prevails in a rapidly developing society, I can only hope Yoonsu's advocacy is recognized under a mostly positive light. He committed to his role as a young adult maneuvering in between different realities and brought life to Goyoung. Additionally, the entire cast in this were fantastic.
The humour comes in great bursts. I was genuinely laughing during some scenes. To the scriptwriter, thank you for bringing in humorous jabs during tense scenes.
Flawed characters. Goyoung isn't perfect, Mi Ae isn't perfect, Gyuho isn't perfect, etc. But they make it work navigating as outcasts in society. I love how the writers weren't shy in expressing imperfection. It leaves you feeling discomforted, but in a way, it reflected in a lot of my life stories.
Themes of being an outcast. Goyoung is a gay man with something holding him back from love, navigating under a religious guise ironclad to Korean society. I loved the subtle ways in which the story shows the effects of being an outcast from character to character. There's so much I would discuss with this, but it would end up being a boring novel. In the many layers of Goyoung, he finds his eventual acceptance as a difference to the "norm". I appreciate his development as a character.
Cinematography is incredible. It's as if the words taken from the novel have been firm-pressed into animate scenes. The movement, the subtle tune of music, the careful blur to focus on a character. I could go on, it's just spectacular.
Watching Love in the Big City made me reflect on my own life, and the last time a show had that effect on me was I Told Sunset About You. This is going to be something that I will likely go back to, as it's unlike anything I've seen in a long time. It felt like a cinematic reflection on a young queer man going through a portion of his life to self-acceptance. I hope this review sparks a tick on your watchlist; you don't want to miss watching this.
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Honestly the best series that came out this year
Love in the Big City is an absolute gem, delivering a perfect 10/10 in every aspect. From the captivating storyline to the flawless performances, everything about this production feels deeply authentic and engaging. The cast is phenomenal, each actor embodying their character with such depth and nuance that you can’t help but get emotionally invested in their journey. The chemistry between the leads is electrifying, adding layers of charm and realism to the narrative.. i felt so many emotions watching it.
The direction and cinematography are equally impressive, capturing the vibrant energy of the city while reflecting the intimate struggles and joys of modern relationships. The soundtrack fits seamlessly, elevating key moments without overpowering the story.
What truly sets Love in the Big City apart is its ability to balance humor, heartache, and hope in a way that feels relatable and refreshing. It’s rare to find a show that hits all the right notes, but this one delivers on every front.
In short, Love in the Big City is a masterpiece that sets a new standard for romantic dramas, and it’s a must-watch for anyone who appreciates top-tier storytelling, outstanding performances, and heartfelt moments.. I cried a lot.
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Prepare your heart
I messed up… I somehow got into my head that this was going to be a light-hearted comedy (yes, I was lucky to not see any spoilers!) but how wrong was I… you definitely need to prepare your heart and feelings for a drama like this. The plot kind of threw me off slightly, I don’t think we saw Young’s love journey through the eyes of Mi Ae, I think we saw his love journey through his own eyes - his trauma, his love and his heartbreak. He really had it all and we had to witness it all. I do think some of his actions weren’t the right actions to take but he really did go through so much. I definitely think the saying of ‘You don’t realise something until it’s gone.’ Is definitely true for Young and the drama. I really loved this drama from start to finish and it’s definitely on the shelf for one of the best Korean BL dramas in my opinion. Yoon Soo did such a great job acting as Young, in fact all of the actors did a good job. Would I like to see a little bit more? Maybe with the two reuniting? Yes. I don’t think it will happen but to keep my mind at peace, it will happen someday.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
It is as real as it could be.
For start: Expect real life story - do not expect BL happy pinky love story.This series is so real. Bitersweet.
THANKS:
Thank Nam Yoon Su for your excellent work. I first saw you on King's affection and liked you since then. You were soooo awesome, I believed every emotion you delivered. I loved every smile you gave with your cute dimples.
Thanks to Jin Ho Eun for the most real portration of Gyu Ho. Your smile was everything.
Thanks to Kwon Hyuk - I know I saw your already somewhere else, you know.
Thanks to Na Hyun Woo - I am sorry but you were so hot.
Thank other actors which created friendship that appeared so real.
Thank you for the full length episodes - that is unexpected from Korean drama for this kind and I am sooooo thankful for this!
Please be there season 2.
I really loved it. Thank you for your work!
*spoilers ahead*
GYU HO:
I was waiting for Gyu Ho to the last second of the last episode. I really am so heartbroken that it ended like that. But again - it is life. It is just I do not know how to get from this state again. Last time I was this heartbroken was after Stay with me. Gosh I have to rewatch this excelent series with Nam Yoon Sus' smiles once I get throught this.
KISS:
Let me talk about that hot sceen with the researcher. What the ****? I did not expect that. But it was so damn good. That was the hottest I have ever seen in kdrama so far. All kissing scene were much more better than some of the K-BLs. There are kbls where if there was no kiss it would be better. But Love in the big city it is something else. Something more. Something that will set the HIGH expectations for kdramas from now on. I love it so much. You were awesome and determined. Thank you.
Thank to the actors for your devotion to us viewers to deliver us this masterpiece series.
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Feeling empty ? DO WATCH.
The drama portrays the emotions so well. The actors, directors and cinematographer did an amazing job at conveying the emotions. Most of the time I felt like I was a part Go Young's life.One of the aspect I enjoyed the most would be how they showed the feeling of emptiness and loneliness. It was so on point and the incredible acting backed it up well.
Not your typical BL drama but an upgraded version I would say. (from economy to private jet kind)
I would certainly recommend to watch it. Give it a go people. It's an emotional rollercoaster which just hooks you on. ; )
PS. I kindly apologize for any grammatical or spelling errors and also this review is just my personal opinion.
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IM GONNA KILL MYSELF
At first, I felt a bit reluctant about Go Young because of some of his actions, but in the end, I completely understood his character. He was abandoned by his father when he was young, treated as if he was sick by his mother for being gay, and ended up contracting HIV from someone he trusted.Gyu Ho was the love of his life. He had never told anyone about his illness, but shortly after meeting Gyu Ho, he felt comfortable enough to tell him, even knowing that Gyu Ho could abandon him. And even after knowing that Gyu Ho loved and accepted him as he was, Go Young still felt insecure and would often ask things like, “Do you think I’m dirty?” or “Are you disgusted by me?”
The most memorable moment for me was when he went to Bangkok with that businessman and started to remember everything he had experienced with his true love, Gyu Ho, in that same city.
In the end, i understood that he had come to terms with his reality. That last smile he gave in the final episode wasn’t one of happiness, but of acceptance.
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ROLLER COSTER RIDE OF EMOTIONS
The Storyline was one of the best LGBTQ+ series that depicts the reality of being one of the LGBTQ+. Finding true love while finding yourself. This series will let you see the shortcomings of the ML that somehow led to his own decisions in life. You will feel any certain kind of emotions (love, joy, pain, loneliness and etc.) in every episode. Also, as a bi this series lets me question myself if true love is even possible if I will love a man. The “what if” questions is also keeps coming through my head. This series might not be perfect, but it will let you see the reality of what LOVE truly is. Lastly, the friendship they had was the best.Was this review helpful to you?
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This review may contain spoilers
Now this is what we wanted when we were begging for Korean bls. Maybe not something quite so sad and riddled with heartache, but something with so much depth and amazing story telling. As we followed along with Go Youngs story, every step had me captivated and on the edge of my seat anxious to now what happened next. The relationship between him and every partner was a new and anxious experience for the watcher and his friendships were so heartwarming to watch. The different dynamics in every relationship and the underlying narratives were truly captivating. I'm embarrassed to admit how much I cried at the end of Go Young and Gyu Ho's story at episode 6 and then again at the end of ep 8. Really the whole thing had me fully locked in.
I would love to see more from this director, and the cast did a fabulous job as well. Truly a splendid piece of work.
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