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TVING's new drama Love in the Big City (Korean title: 대도시의 사랑법) premiered on October 21, 2024, with all eight episodes released on the same day. Apart from the coming-of-age story focusing on the growth and development of the male lead, Go-yeong, viewers of the newly released series have also been in high praise of the heartwarming dynamic between Go-yeong and Mi-ae.
Based on the novel Love in the Big City by Park Sang-young, which was longlisted for the International Booker Prize 2022, the story follows a gay man, Go-yeong (Nam Yoon-su), and his straight roommate, Mi-ae (Lee Soo-kyung).
Go-yeong is an aspiring writer whose encounters with various people teach him about love and life. Mi-ae, who witnesses his love story, gives him confidence to embrace his identity, and grows a deep friendship with him.
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As was already evident from the several teasers, the two share a mutual trust, which leads them to share their thoughts with each other. The official teaser previously provided a glimpse of their heartfelt bond when Go-yeong and Mi-ae were being goofy, and the subtitle read,
"As you live, there are times when you meet a friend who is a natural fit." (Per Google Translate)
While Go-yeong enters various chapters in his life through love and tragedies, Mi-ae herself faces changes and improvements in the course of their friendship. The synergy between these two characters has seemingly been well received by the audiences. Those who have already tuned into the series have dashed over to social media to discuss the one-of-a-kind friendship.
One viewer said,
"go young and mi ae’s friendship and dynamics are everything to me… we love you platonic soulmates."
More praise keeps coming in for the pair's story,
"I really love this friendship. Miae improved her life Got a job And decided to settle down Goyoung and Miae cared for each other, fought with each other but eventually they both came around," a netizen noted.
"literally obsessed with the way they just became besties and could gossip like this," another stated.
"they’re so real for this. luv them already!" one agreed with the post above.
Here are some more reactions,
"“Through each other, we learned many facts of life. Through me, Mi Ae learned that being a gay man sucks and through her I learned that being a woman equally sucks.” This drama is so raw," an X-user stated, quoting from the show.
#LoveInTheBigCity is so good like damnn Mi Ae and Young friendship is what im looking for rn, i love them so muchhh," another comment said.
Some more details on TVING's new series Love in the Big City
Park Sang-young's bestselling novel saw two consecutive adaptations this year releasing within the same month. Also called Love in the Big City, the film, which came out on October 1, is based on the chapter titled 'Jaehee' in the book, starring Kim Go-eun and Noh Sang-hyun in the lead roles. While the film focuses on that one chapter, the series combines all episodes of the novel.
Notably, the author Park Sang-young himself penned the script for the TVING OTT adaptation, dramatizing all four parts of the original novel—'Jaehee,,' 'A Bite of Rockfish, Taste the Universe,' 'Love in the Big City,' and 'Late Rainy Season Vacation'—into eight 50-minute episodes.
Screenwriter Park maintained the traditional touch of the drama genre, adding nuances to the structure and development process and sprinkling in fun elements originally missing from the book. This last development was to enhance the charm and atmosphere of the characters, considering how readers imagined them.
The drama's production was backed by Merry Christmas and Big Stone Studio.
The show itself is inspired by the Hollywood style of differently directing each segment, being presented as a two-part drama by four directors showcasing their unique perspectives. Episodes 1 and 2 were directed by Son Tae-gyeom, who earned third place at the Cannes International Film Festival's Cinéfondation for his short film Fly by Night (2011).
Episodes 3 and 4 were helmed by director Heo Jin-ho, known for his Korean melodramatic films, notably for Christmas in August (1998). Director Hong Ji-young of New Year Blues (2021) and Will You Be There? (2016) is responsible for episodes 5 and 6. Love in the Big City's final segments, 7 and 8, were taken on by renowned director Kim Se-in of The Apartment with Two Women (2021).
What's noteworthy is that all the directors are from the Korean Academy of Film Arts, and their team-up was to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the prestigious film academy.
Actor Nam Yoon-su, who plays the role of Go-yeong, revealed during a Love in the Big City press conference that while acting, he drew inspiration from the experiences of love in his life, combining it with Go-yeong's story. Grateful for the love he received for his character, he expressed hope for the future.
At the same time, in Love in the Big City, Go-yeong embarks on a journey of self-discovery while recalling memories of good old days gone forever. While he collides with unmatchable pure love in Gyu-ho, the two have to eventually part ways. Go-yeong takes a chance and goes to Thailand and spends a late monsoon vacation with a stranger, taking steps toward his personal development.
Meanwhile, apart from TVING, Love in the Big City can be streamed on Rakuten Viki.
