Love in the Big City

My top 3 of 2024!

I have to admit, this is easily one of the best Korean BLs I’ve ever watched. And that’s saying a lot, because most KBLs lean into the same cheesy, lovey-dovey tropes. This series? Totally different. It didn’t feel like a fantasy or a sugar-coated romance, it felt raw, real, and honestly a little painful at times. I even had to double-check that it was really Korean because I’ve never seen this kind of vibe from the genre before.

What stood out most was how unapologetically honest it was about identity, family, and love. Ko Yeong’s struggles hit me hard, the push-and-pull between wanting acceptance and dealing with rejection, the complicated love he had for his mom, and the heartbreak of chasing connections that weren’t always right for him. His love stories weren’t just about who gets the happy ending, but about timing, growth, and the scars we carry. Nam Gyu was the “what if,” Youngso was the betrayal that cuts deep, and Gyu Ho… he was the one that felt like home. Watching those relationships unfold felt messy but so beautifully human.

I also loved how Mi Ae (his roommate) became such an important part of the story. She shows what chosen family really means, sometimes the people who stand by you aren’t blood relatives, but the ones who choose to be there when you need them most.

And seriously, the acting? Next level. Every emotion came through so raw that I forgot I was watching fiction. The cinematography and narration gave it this moody, introspective vibe that made me feel like I was living the story with him.

This isn’t your typical BL, it’s not about fluff, it’s about feeling everything. Messy, heartbreaking, hopeful. Easily one of the most powerful shows I’ve seen in the genre.

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”Im tired of being tired“ - Go Young

A very beautiful, realistic series. It shows how much queer people suffer in society and how much they hide because they are afraid. I had to cry a lot because it really moved me a lot im bisexuel and a part of the Community, I also have homophobic brothers, and I can relate to Go Young sometimes. I really recommend this series to everyone, even people who are not queer or people who have something against queer people. Maybe this series will change your view of queer people because they are also only human. Overall, I think everything about this series is perfect there's nothing to complain about.

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A LOT OF PLOT TWIST

I got a lot of realization after watching this, at first i thought It was gonna be a happy ending, sadly it all went downhill, I was literally crying about the death of his first lover I thought they are gonna be endgame and I was hoping because they look good together, honestly the second lover is so off for me idk why then there goes the last lover I thought It was really them in the ending their chemistry, their dedication, love and everything. Sadly It wasn't and this series gives out moral and lesson stories a lot actually because the series can happen in real life. Best kbl for me I will never forget this series.

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Top Notch Acting, but too much hype

The Story, I appreciated the effort to stay faithful to the book, with an almost 1:1 adaptation. However, I found myself wishing for more creative freedom in certain areas by producers, directors and actors, to make it more cohesive on-screen adaptation. This is very paradoxical for me, because I love faithful adaptations, but there was something uncanny for the series.

This became especially apparent in two episodes that seemed to lack direction entirely. The storyline and acting in those episodes felt heavily improvised, which disrupted the flow and made those episodes stand out, but in the worst possible way, from the rest of the series.

The acting and music were definitely the highlights of the show. The performances were strong, passionate and full of life. The soundtrack complemented the series beautifully, adding a emotional tone that made all the sequences powerful. Kudos for choosing T-Ara.

However two points, the series lacks significant rewatch value, I would never rewatch it. And lastly, the hype, I was skeptical over the series, and ultimately the show fell short of my expectations.

Overall, Love in the Big City had its moments but struggled to deliver a consistent experience, leaving me a bit underwhelmed. It’s worth a watch for fans of the book or those curious about the buzz, but it didn’t quite live up to its full potential.

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So far so good

It's a shame that a few people had to complain about this and protested to get it cancelled in south Korea when there's nothing wrong with it. There are movies full of sex violence torture abuse etc, but just because it's guys kissing they came pointing the finger at, while thinking to have the right to do so they're actually the ones behaving in a bad way, causing harm to others who are not harming anyone around them, also it's still a work of fiction, see it as you want but let other people be as well. While watching at the beginning I was already feeling like there was nothing about it that needed cancellation, if anything it quickly faced some aspects of reality that we should be more open, safe and comfortable to talk about. Acting is top notch, music just fits like a glove, picture, pacing, all fantastic. Let's focus on what really matters and support this work and the people that have it all for it, also isn't the protagonist the guy that donated his kidney to his father?! Hats down, they've done outstandingly well in the king's affection before, the whole cast seem to have been accurately assembled. Looking forward to the next episodes

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Love In A Big City: A Small World For A Big Love!!!

Love in the Big City moved me in a way that’s hard to put into words. It wasn’t just the kind of show you watch—it was the kind that wraps itself around your heart and makes you feel every beat of it. The way it portrayed love felt so deeply real, like it was telling a story for all of us—no labels, no boundaries—just love in its purest form. Watching the characters navigate their emotions, their fears, and their hopes felt like looking into a mirror, seeing the same vulnerabilities and desires we all carry. It’s rare to come across something that feels so human, so alive, that it shakes you to your core. I found myself holding my breath during the quiet moments, feeling the weight of their emotions in my chest as if they were my own. That’s the kind of show this is—the kind that lingers long after the screen fades to black, making you reflect on your own experiences, your own heart.

And then there’s the actor. I can’t express how much respect I have for him. It’s one thing to play a role, but it’s another to choose a role that you know could change everything for you. He didn’t just step into this character—he owned it, with every ounce of sincerity and passion he could muster. In a world that sometimes seems afraid of stories that break the mold, he stood there, unapologetically, and told this story with a vulnerability that left me speechless. The bravery it takes to not just perform but to stand behind something that could impact your future is beyond inspiring. He made me realize that sometimes the stories that matter most are the ones that challenge us, the ones that require us to step into the unknown and take a risk. And through him, I felt that—the courage to live fully, to love fully, even when the world isn’t ready. That’s what this show did for me. It made me remember that life isn’t about the endings we look for, but about the moments of truth we live through.

It's impossible to talk about this without acknowledging the groundwork laid by earlier shows, particularly "Where Your Eyes Linger" (2020), directed by Hwang Da Seul. That series marked the first significant step in South Korean media towards openly exploring stories of love between two men. The success of "Where Your Eyes Linger" allowed for a cultural shift, opening doors for more complex, genuine love stories to be told. Since then, the industry has been moving forward cautiously, and "Love in the Big City" feels like the culmination of those brave early efforts, bringing an even broader, more inclusive narrative to the forefront.

What stands out is the journey over these past few years—incremental progress that finally reached a point where a show like this could emerge with confidence. It's a testament to the courage of the creators, actors, and production teams, who have taken a step forward in expanding what love means on screen in a conservative society, showing that love itself transcends all boundaries. It's a show for everyone, capturing the beautiful mess of human emotions, with no need to categorize or define it.

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This is NOT a typical BL

I wanted to watch this show real bad because of Nam Yoon Su. I had already seen him as a devilishly evil teenager and as a heavenly saint of a prince, so I had known how versatile he is. In this series, he is supposed to be a realistic person, sometimes good, sometimes bad, and a gay. He is perfect in every aspect.
As the title already suggest, this is not a fluffy love story between two innocent boys. It's a story of the MC's life, how he was hurt and healed by other people, and how he hurt and healed others. There is lots of sadness and some happiness, both met with Nam Yoon Su's disarming smile. There are serious issues, there is entertainment. You really get inside the character's world, because it is so true to life.
Some suggest that the characters of MC's bfs aren't real in the plot - we just follow his creative process when he writes his consecutive novels. I didn't think about it when watching the series, but it sure is an interesting view.
As for music - I was never annoyed by it, which is what really matters to me when watching a drama.
I probably will rewatch it - we learn important details in later episodes that cast a totally different light at what happened first,
Overall - loved it.

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A journey thru life and love

I absolutely love dramas that portray real life. It's like watching someone else's story unfold before your eyes. Just like all of us, the characters are flawed. They make mistakes, and sometimes, we don’t fully appreciate the value of someone in our lives until they're no longer there.

In this drama, at first, I was confused about why he didn’t believe in happy endings, settle down with someone he loved, or why he seemed to sabotage his past relationships. But after learning about his background, I thought, "Yeah, that makes sense." Our traits and approaches to love are often influenced by other factors, such as family issues or past relationships.

I love that they didn't create this series for people to fantasize about or romanticize the life of a gay person, because it was NEVER easy for them. I admire how they made it so realistic. One thing that made me love this drama was not the Gyu Ho and Go Yeong pairing, but Go Yeong's gay friends. The drama shows that while love may come and go, good friends will stay until the end.

I also want to mention that Go Yeong's relationship with Mi Ae was superb, but in the later episodes, we rarely heard about Mi Ae. Sometimes we have friends like that: we were really close in the past, but now they’re focusing on their own lives. There’s no beef or something, just new priorities.

It was nice seeing Go Yeong go through different kinds of problems and heartbreaks in life. Each of the guys he dated taught him something new. I really appreciate how flawed he was.

There were many topics addressed in this series, such as parents being in denial about their son's sexuality, the aftermath of sex, the idea that people can always change and grow, depression, and watching someone you love go through something. I loved it so much. I really hope there will be more series like this in the future, showing us that life isn’t always about being happy—and that’s okay. Life keeps spinning, and you just have to learn to navigate it.

Not everyone will like this, but if you can relate to Go Yeong—whether you're scared of coming out of the closet, or even if you're straight and enjoy watching someone go through different stages in life, sometimes lost, happy, or annoyed—then you'll probably appreciate this. It's not that sad, at least for me, but it's not exactly happy either. But one thing’s for sure, it somehow comforted me in an odd way.

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A masterpiece to help you accept reality!

What a beautiful show! This was a show about loneliness, loss, friendship, companionship, and disease, than about love and finding it. It's about coming to terms with life even without love in it, and what an important message that is to spread!! I think we live in a world where we end up lonely when we don't find someone to share our life with, and this is a show about accepting that reality many around the world live in. And I think it's so emotionally validating watching this show during a phase of your life when nothing seems stable.
Absolutely adored the story, and the message this show conveyed.
Nam Yoon Su is a legend for pulling this off!

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