“I spent my whole life searching for love in the big city. I didn’t realise I was looking for myself all along…” Go Young
Welcome to ‘Love in the Big City,’ the 2024 TVING melodrama that redefines the coming-of-age genre. Based on the acclaimed novel by Sang Young Park, the series stars Nam Yoon-su and Lee Soo-kyung in a raw, tender, and unflinching portrait of a gay man navigating life, love, and acceptance in Seoul. The series is directed by four renowned directors, each bringing a different approach to the story: Hur Jin-ho, Hong Ji-young, Son Tae-gyum, and Kim Se-in.
Starring: Nam Yoon-su, Lee Soo-kyung
Director: Hur Jin-ho, Hong Ji-young, Son Tae-gyum, Kim Se-in
Writer: Sang Young Park
Episodes: 8
Network: TVING
Where to Watch: Viki (selected regions)
The Plot
Go Young (Nam Yoon-su) is a gay young man navigating the complexities of life, love, and identity in Seoul. He lives with Choi Mi-ae (Lee Soo-kyung), his straight female best friend from university, and together they form an unlikely but unshakeable bond, becoming each other’s anchors in a city that can feel impossibly lonely.
Young’s journey spans a decade of self-discovery. He faces difficulties in his relationship with his mother, who denies his sexual orientation, and is compelled by social pressure to break up with his lover, Sim Gyu-ho (Jin Ho-eun). The weight of society’s expectations, family rejection, and the constant struggle to live authentically push him to his limits. While recovering from his breakup, Young travels to Thailand with a stranger named Habibi, where he discovers more about himself and what he truly wants from life.
‘Love in the Big City’ is a tender, melancholic, and ultimately hopeful portrait of a man learning to accept himself and finding love in its many forms along the way.
The Characters
Go Young (Played by Nam Yoon-su)
A gay young man who becomes a writer, Go Young is portrayed by Nam Yoon-su, who delivers a career-defining performance as a vulnerable, searching, and achingly human character. His journey from self-doubt to self-acceptance forms the emotional core of the series.
Choi Mi-ae (Played by Lee Soo-kyung)
Young’s straight female best friend from university. Lee Soo-kyung brings warmth and complexity to Mi-ae, whose friendship with Young transcends labels and becomes a lifeline for them both.
Sim Gyu-ho (Played by Jin Ho-eun)
Gyu-ho becomes one of the most significant romantic relationships in Young’s life. Their relationship captures both the excitement of falling in love and the painful reality of trying to maintain that love under the weight of social expectations and personal circumstances.
Why This Drama is Your Next Binge-Watch
- Based on a Critically Acclaimed Novel – Sang Young Park’s novel is a beloved work of Korean literature, and the adaptation captures its tenderness, humour, and unflinching honesty.
- A Landmark LGBTQ+ Story – ‘Love in the Big City’ offers one of the most authentic and sensitive portrayals of gay life in Korean drama. It doesn’t shy away from the pain of rejection while also celebrating the joy of found family.
- Nam Yoon-su’s Breakthrough Performance – The actor brings remarkable depth to Young, capturing both his vulnerability and quiet strength. It’s a performance that stays with you.
- The Power of Friendship – At its heart, this is a story about friendship and love. Young and Mi-ae’s relationship serves as the anchor of the series: messy, supportive, and utterly real.
- A Slice-of-Life Gem – Unlike plot-driven dramas, ‘Love in the Big City’ unfolds like a collection of memories—fragmented, beautiful, and deeply human.
A Deeper Look
At its core, ‘Love in the Big City’ explores the search for identity in a world that demands conformity. Young loves men, but his mother denies his sexual orientation, while society pressures him to hide who he is. His journey is not just about finding love; it’s about finding the courage to be himself.
The drama also examines the many forms of love. Romantic love, friendship, self-love, and the love between a parent and child are all explored with nuance and honesty. The series suggests that love is not just about who we hold onto, but also about who we allow ourselves to become.
Through its portrayal of Seoul, the drama also asks what it means to be young and searching in a city that can feel both liberating and isolating. The big city offers anonymity, but it can also bring loneliness. Young’s journey is a reminder that sometimes the most important journey is the one we take to find ourselves.
The Final Verdict
‘Love in the Big City’ is one of the most important dramas of the year, offering a raw, honest, and deeply moving portrait of a gay man’s journey toward self-acceptance. Nam Yoon-su delivers a career-defining performance, and the series never shies away from the pain of rejection or the joy of found family. While its episodic structure may not appeal to those seeking a plot-driven drama, viewers who appreciate slice-of-life storytelling will find this series unforgettable. It’s a love letter to everyone who has ever felt different and a reminder that we all deserve to love and be loved exactly as we are.
A gay man searching for love in Seoul. A best friend who anchors him. A decade of heartbreak, healing, and finding himself. Sometimes, the biggest love story is the one we have with ourselves.
Written by: Trisha Deka
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