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In an interview with Allure Korea on September 24, 2024, actor Nam Yoon-su addressed the issue of homophobia related to his upcoming drama, Love In The Big City. While promoting the upcoming drama, he discussed the backlash he received for portraying a queer character:
“It’s the same love story. Everyday life goes on, and the only difference is gender. So I hope you see it as it is. However, the fact that [the show] is released only on OTT shows that Korean society still has some ways to go.”
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The trailer for Love In The Big City, featuring Nam Yoon-su and Jin Ho-eun, was released on August 30, 2024. It showcases a Boy Love (BL) storyline between the two characters. After promoting the trailer on his Instagram, Nam received a mix of negative comments and supportive messages. Many fans expressed their encouragement for the representation of queer narratives in Korean media.
Nam Yoon-su Discusses Queer Representation in Upcoming Drama Love In The Big City
Further in the interview with Allure Korea, actor Nam Yoon-su spoke about his role in the upcoming drama, Love In The Big City. He highlighted that the story revolves around a universal theme of love.
Nam expressed his hope that audiences will view the narrative as a reflection of everyday life. However, he acknowledged that the show’s exclusive release on OTT platforms indicates ongoing challenges with queer representation in South Korea.
He also mentioned that the drama includes several explicit scenes, which may have made it difficult to air on terrestrial television. Reflecting on his decision to take the role, Nam said it was not difficult for him.
He said that he has had queer friends since childhood and approached the project with an open mind. He felt confident in his ability to portray the character based on the script and direction authentically. He described Go Yeong, his character, as an ordinary person who loves, eats, and sleeps like anyone else.
"For me, this was not a difficult decision or a difficult project. I had queer friends since I was young, and I was open-minded from the beginning. I thought I could do whatever the script said, whatever the director said. I thought Yeong-i was a very ordinary person," he added.
After the casting announcement, Nam was surprised to receive many direct messages from fans expressing gratitude. While some comments were negative, most were supportive. Fans from various nationalities thanked him for his role and even defended him in online discussions
"People of various nationalities thanking me for participating in this work. Of course, there were some curses, but there were more thanks. They even fought in the comments. I was just sitting still," he noted.
When asked about the possible negative impact of this role on his career, he acknowledged it could be a concern.
“There has never been a character like this in Korea until now.”
However, he emphasized that he does not focus on such issues. He has no intention of letting them influence his future choices.
“I don’t want to act with that kind of 'image' in mind. To me, that’s what it means to be an actor,” he said
Love in the Big City: the plot, Nam Yoon-su and more
Based on the novel by Park Sang Young, the drama centers on Go Yeong. He experiences a deep and unique love with Gyu Ho but is ultimately forced to let him go. After Gyu Ho departs, Go Yeong travels to Thailand with a stranger. He embarks on a late monsoon vacation. He undergoes significant personal growth as he reflects on cherished memories that cannot be relived.
The plot explores themes of love, denial, and self-discovery. It highlights Go Yeong’s transformative relationship with Gyu Ho before circumstances lead to their separation. The drama stars Nam Yoon-su and Jin Ho-eun in the lead roles. The supporting cast includes Lee Soo-kyung, Lee Se-he, Oh Hyun-kyung, and Kwon Hyuk.
Love in the Big City is set to premiere on TVING on October 21, 2024. The drama will feature a total of 8 episodes.
