An okay drama that could've been better
My first impression of "Love in the Big City" wasn't entirely favorable (the drama was too depressing for me to handle); however, I was impressed by the cast's performances. One standout was Nam Yoon Su. He took a courageous stand against the homophobic attitudes that plague society by playing a non-straight role and partaking in same-sex intimacy without any reservation. Each kiss, each moment of physical closeness, was an act of trust, a man's willingness to open himself up to another man. The directors' attention to detail and depth was evident in every frame, and it was impossible not to be moved by the beauty of it
Yoon Su deserves the utmost praise for bringing warmth and sincerity to his scenes. He held nothing back, conveying raw passion and vulnerability in equal measure. His performance left a lasting impression on me, one that was haunting and memorable
Having paid due attention to the positives, I'll analyze the elements that require improvement, as "Love in the Big City," even with its noble efforts to redefine "queer" storytelling, remains short of fulfilling its promise. Among its flaws, none are as detestable as the violation of a gay male space (a gay club) by a "straight" identifying woman (31:07 of episode 1). The sanctity of a gay male space is not to be disturbed, it's a space for men of like mind and heart to be unabashed in their same-sex desires, away from the harsh gaze of the heteronormative society. Entering a single-sex space with the intention of pursuing someone of the opposite sex to carry back to one’s bed reveals a lack of understanding of, and respect for, the space's true purpose
What was that sudden, unceremonious reference to HIV? HIV isn't a gay disease and a character's (homo)sexuality doesn't warrant the inclusion of HIV in a storyline. The doctor's assumption that the main character's HIV was sexually transmitted is inconsistent with his assertion that the chances of transmitting HIV through sex are low (39:50 of episode 5). The main character's life was unaffected by the disease, and there was no reason why he should be among the rare cases of sexual transmission. HIV is being used for dramatic effect
The narrative device of "straight" identifying female characters befriending gay male characters and becoming the medium through which gay stories are told is tiresome and troubling. Why a "straight" identifying woman, and not a gay woman, a fellow member of the community who shares the same struggles and experiences of discrimination? Can't a gay woman and a gay man get along and be depicted as friends for once?
The conclusion of the story was an anticlimactic question mark, tinged with the bitterness of an uncertain future. Sad or open endings are a trademark of most "queer" stories, and their writers seem to have a vendetta against gay happiness. Time and again, the main character experienced the crushing revelation that the men he believed to be his perfect match were either prejudiced against his (homo)sexuality or not a good fit. It pained me to see him isolated and dejected. I find greater comfort in happy BLs/gay stories that celebrate the joy of the romantic fulfillment and validation denied to gay couples. They surpass their sad or open-ended "queer" counterparts
The depiction of a gay person's life prevents me from rating "Love in the Big City" too low. I've decided on a score of 8 that acknowledges the value and the flaws of the story
Yoon Su deserves the utmost praise for bringing warmth and sincerity to his scenes. He held nothing back, conveying raw passion and vulnerability in equal measure. His performance left a lasting impression on me, one that was haunting and memorable
Having paid due attention to the positives, I'll analyze the elements that require improvement, as "Love in the Big City," even with its noble efforts to redefine "queer" storytelling, remains short of fulfilling its promise. Among its flaws, none are as detestable as the violation of a gay male space (a gay club) by a "straight" identifying woman (31:07 of episode 1). The sanctity of a gay male space is not to be disturbed, it's a space for men of like mind and heart to be unabashed in their same-sex desires, away from the harsh gaze of the heteronormative society. Entering a single-sex space with the intention of pursuing someone of the opposite sex to carry back to one’s bed reveals a lack of understanding of, and respect for, the space's true purpose
What was that sudden, unceremonious reference to HIV? HIV isn't a gay disease and a character's (homo)sexuality doesn't warrant the inclusion of HIV in a storyline. The doctor's assumption that the main character's HIV was sexually transmitted is inconsistent with his assertion that the chances of transmitting HIV through sex are low (39:50 of episode 5). The main character's life was unaffected by the disease, and there was no reason why he should be among the rare cases of sexual transmission. HIV is being used for dramatic effect
The narrative device of "straight" identifying female characters befriending gay male characters and becoming the medium through which gay stories are told is tiresome and troubling. Why a "straight" identifying woman, and not a gay woman, a fellow member of the community who shares the same struggles and experiences of discrimination? Can't a gay woman and a gay man get along and be depicted as friends for once?
The conclusion of the story was an anticlimactic question mark, tinged with the bitterness of an uncertain future. Sad or open endings are a trademark of most "queer" stories, and their writers seem to have a vendetta against gay happiness. Time and again, the main character experienced the crushing revelation that the men he believed to be his perfect match were either prejudiced against his (homo)sexuality or not a good fit. It pained me to see him isolated and dejected. I find greater comfort in happy BLs/gay stories that celebrate the joy of the romantic fulfillment and validation denied to gay couples. They surpass their sad or open-ended "queer" counterparts
The depiction of a gay person's life prevents me from rating "Love in the Big City" too low. I've decided on a score of 8 that acknowledges the value and the flaws of the story
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