Love in the Big City

Creating a movie or series based on a novel always comes with risks. How do you convey a story from hundreds of pages into a few hours, will the readers depiction of the characters align with the casting, and how far can you sway from the thread of the original story and still make it work?

Being gay myself, and spending some time in Seouls gay area of Itaewon, my mind already had very clear images while reading the book. Spending time in Korea also made me understand the culture and social constructs more. Understanding these things made reading the book a joy, but it also made me a bit sceptical of this production. Considering above mentioned, I feared that a series would be dull and lack details not seen as "appropriate" for Korean TV. But I was wrong: this is a total homerun!

The series conveys the story of the novel in a beautiful way. It's packed with details and direct quotes, only leaving out things that really does not impact the thread of the story. Even tho I did not really recognize the main characters physical features from the novel, it did not matter one bit. His bright but somewhat melancholic energy is on point, and all the other characters were depicted amazingly well. I found myself feeling a lot more watching this compared to reading the novel, which to me is quite unusual. I wouldn't call it a masterpiece when it comes to cinematography, but it does punch way above most other LGBT productions. Well done, hats off!

Firstly,the plot gives the feeling combination of romance ,realistic , good chemistry and acting. The actor is also one the reasons to watch this serie. It may not overwhelm with only romance, you can also see the nature of gay dating and struggles of be a gay. While watching this serie, the reversible cycle of relations the lead actor had made us to think of ourself. Seeing the friendship between him and his roommate, is heart-touching. I wanna finish my review with the line in the serie I adore most" The things those we thought together-eternal is apart at last".

If you wanna watch a movie on holiday, the serie should be ontop of the list.

RAW. REAL. UNFILTERED. GAY LOVE, FRIENDSHIP, and LIFE in the BIG CITY

This kdrama is unfiltered, raw, and completely genuine. It conveys the feeling of being broken, mended, and then broken again. Each emotion resonates deeply, capturing the full spectrum of human experience.

The narrative is lyrical and brutally honest, drifting through life's different moments to intimately depict emotional peaks and valleys. At its heart, this is a profound exploration of love, identity, and perseverance in a world that often enforces strict limitations on personal freedom. It examines what it truly means to love and be loved while grappling with the difficult reality of being gay in Korea. There's no sugarcoating, no idealized portrayal-it's just reality, presented boldly.

Go Young's journey is full of hardships, and like many, we rooted for him to have the happy ending he deserved. However, life isn't always kind, especially for women or gay men. The fact that the Korean culture ministry invested public funds in this production is commendable; it's more than just entertainment-it's a form of education. And because this isn't a typical BL drama, there is no neatly packaged happy ending for Go Young, though he undoubtedly deserves one.

Despite some flaws in the storytelling-certain subplots, like the relationship between Go Young and his mother, could have been expanded-the show remains one of the best gay dramas ever made. The performances, especially by the lead actors who had never portrayed gay characters before, were outstanding. The visual direction was stunning, and without question, this is the most realistic K-drama portrayal of gay life I've seen in a long time. It authentically depicts the relationships, friendships, and struggles within the queer community.

Go Young's life was a whirlwind, always in search of lasting love. The series covers four significant relationships in his life, two more casual, and two serious. He even found his soulmate in one of them, making it all the more heartbreaking when they had to part. Life, however, goes on, and so does Go Young's quest for love. While I hoped he would reunite with Gyu Ho in the end, we were at least given beautiful moments between them in the final episode.

Nam Yoon Su's portrayal of Go Young was exceptional, making his character feel authentic and relatable. The series struck a fine balance between light and heavy themes, with emotional moments giving way to lighter tones in the following episodes, crafting a complex emotional experience. What I admired most about Go Young was his resilience. Despite the loneliness and longing he faced, he remained hopeful, always searching for genuine love. While he found that love with Gyu Ho, their relationship was not destined to last. Their chemistry was undeniable, and they both lived life fully, overcoming obstacles together until Gyu Ho eventually left for Shanghai.

Apart from his romance with Gyu Ho, Go Young's friendship with Mi Ae and his close-knit group of gay friends stood out. I was disappointed that Mi Ae disappeared after the first two episodes, especially since her absence was felt during key moments, such as when Go Young's mother passed away. Their bond felt so deep that I wished she had been there for both his highs and lows. His three gay best friends were among the most memorable characters in the show. They supported him through everything, and one of my favorite scenes was when they caused a playful commotion at the hospital during his recovery. The show captured the reality of gay life in Seoul with a lot of authenticity.

I hope this series isn't reduced to being categorized as just a BL, it is a GAY series, It's so much more-a narrative about growth, loneliness, and the complexities of life. Even those who might not typically be drawn to the genre should give it a chance.

Love in the Big City is hands down the best series to come out this year, capturing the full spectrum of emotions across its eight episodes. From love and passion to heartbreak and redemption, the show takes you on a journey that feels as real as life itself. The blend of romantic, spicy, and heartbreaking moments keeps the viewer emotionally engaged, ensuring that no episode feels lacking.

What sets Love in the Big City apart is how it handles love and intimacy. The romantic and spicy scenes are beautifully done, adding depth to the characters' relationships without ever feeling gratuitous. Every kiss, every intimate glance, and every heated moment between the characters feels earned, making the love stories in the series compelling and intense. These moments highlight the chemistry between the characters and make their love stories feel both passionate and genuine. It's rare for a series to handle romantic scenes with such a balance of emotion and sensuality, and Love in the Big City gets it just right.

Beyond the romance, the series delves into some deeply sad and emotionally charged scenes that hit hard. Moments of heartbreak and loss are portrayed with a rawness that feels authentic, pulling you into the characters' pain and struggles. There were episodes that left me in tears as the characters faced personal challenges and societal judgments that felt all too real. The exploration of these heavier emotions made the lighter moments of love and joy feel all the more precious, creating a powerful contrast that kept me hooked throughout the entire season.

The emotional depth of the show is further amplified by its soundtrack, which perfectly captures the mood of each scene. Whether it's a tender love scene or a moment of crushing sadness, the music enhances the emotional impact, drawing you even deeper into the story. The score plays a key role in making every scene feel more intimate and real, whether it's the quiet moments between characters or the more dramatic confrontations.

What truly stands out is how the series balances these intense emotional moments with humor and lightness. There are scenes that make you laugh, moments that fill you with joy, and then, in an instant, you're hit with a wave of sadness as the characters face the realities of their lives. This constant shift in tone keeps the series dynamic and unpredictable, making it impossible to turn away.

The cast did an incredible job bringing their characters to life. Every performance felt genuine, and the chemistry between the characters was palpable, particularly in the romantic scenes. The actors succeeded in making their relationships feel layered and complicated, which only heightened the emotional stakes. Watching them navigate love, desire, and heartbreak felt like an emotional workout in the best way possible.

The spicy scenes in the show are handled tastefully and effectively. Rather than simply being there for shock value, they are woven into the fabric of the characters' stories, enhancing the emotional connection between them. They add a layer of intimacy that makes the relationships feel more grounded and real, something that's often missing in many series that try to balance romance with more physical expressions of love.

In summary, Love in the Big City is a perfect balance of emotional highs and lows. It takes you from the heat of passion to the depths of sadness, leaving you completely invested in the characters' journeys. With its stunning storytelling, beautiful score, and unforgettable moments of love and heartbreak, this series has set a new bar for romantic dramas. It's the kind of show that leaves you thinking about it long after it's over-a true emotional experience from start to finish.

Gosh, i love how this drama is really broke me mentally, and i also love how realistic this drama is, unlike other bl that's dont reveal the real life of being a queer in this society. Love in the big city also show some sort of things real gay people do like having another gay friend, having an ally girl bestfriend, hookup culture (not a nice thing to do tho), and having a religious parent (i cried a lot during some episode since its so relatable to me) yep, that's what you got from a story that written by a real gay man, pain and suffer... I need more realistic queer drama like this tbh, an absolute masterpiece 11/10.