Adapted from Park Sang-young’s acclaimed queer novel Love in the Big City, this film reimagines the emotionally resonant tale of urban queer life with a bold shift in focus. While the original novel centers on a gay man’s tumultuous love life, the movie adaptation spotlights the deeply intimate friendship between a straight woman and a closeted gay man.
Starring Kim Go-eun and rising actor Roh Sang-hyun, Love in the Big City transforms a personal journey of self-discovery into a celebration of platonic queer bonds in a modern metropolis.
Love in the Big City Official Trailer
Love in the Big City Summary | |
|---|---|
| Title: | Love in the Big City |
| Movies Info: | Korea (2024) |
| Length: | 118 minutes |
| Genre: | Drama / Comedy / Romance / Boy's love |
Plot
Ja-in (Kim Go-eun), an emotionally reckless woman scarred by romantic disappointments, and Heung-soo (Roh Sang-hyun), a guarded gay man struggling with self-acceptance, become unlikely roommates after a chance encounter. As they navigate Seoul’s chaotic dating landscape, their friendship grows stronger through mutual protection and vulnerability.
From drunken hospital visits and wild ex-boyfriends to accidental outings and existential crises, Ja-in and Heung-soo support each other with unconditional care. They become each other’s medicine (야크, “yak”), both literally and metaphorically—healing wounds that neither family nor lovers could. Through their friendship, the film redefines love not as a sexual or romantic conquest, but as a lifelong devotion to understanding and affirming the other’s truth.
Love in the Big City Cast
Charactor
A bold, impulsive woman who crashes through life in search of real connection. Ja-in drinks too much, dates too freely, but always returns to Heung-soo’s side.
Kim Go-eun
Kim Go-eun, known for Goblin and The King: Eternal Monarch, delivers one of her most nuanced performances yet. Her portrayal captures the complex contradiction of a woman who is both chaotic and caring, loud and deeply lonely.
A closeted gay man torn between societal expectations and his true self. Despite his quiet demeanor, he is fiercely loyal and emotionally intuitive.
Roh Sang-hyun
Roh Sang-hyun won Best New Actor at the 45th Blue Dragon Film Awards for this role. His sensitive portrayal of Heung-soo’s internalized fear and longing marks him as one of Korea’s most promising queer cinema talents.
Movie Highlight
Adapted from a controversial queer novel by Park Sang-young that was also turned into a hit BL drama series.
The film premiered amid protests and received a 19+ age rating in Korea, reflecting the country’s ongoing tension with LGBTQ+ representation.
Kim Go-eun became the first actress born in the 1990s to win Best Actress at the Blue Dragon Film Awards for Exhuma (2023).
Director Byun Sung-hyun is best known for his crime thrillers but showcases rare tenderness in this queer urban drama.
The song “Bad Girl Good Girl” by miss A, used in a pivotal scene, became a queer anthem symbolizing self-expression and defiance.
Love in the Big City Review
Review
Story ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
The story explores a unique emotional terrain—between platonic and romantic love, queerness and conformity, loneliness and liberation. It’s not a typical LGBTQ+ romance, but rather a poetic meditation on identity and chosen family in the modern city. Some viewers may find the narrative meandering due to its episodic nature, but the character arcs are sincere and richly layered.
Direction ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
The film is directed with exquisite emotional sensitivity. From quiet rooftop conversations to emotionally explosive confrontations, the director frames each moment with care. The transitions between comedy and melancholy are smooth, and the visual symbolism (such as repeated motifs of rooftops, medicine signs, and costumes) elevates the storytelling.
Impact ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ (5/5)
Love in the Big City doesn’t just depict a queer story—it challenges audiences to rethink the boundaries of love, gender, and societal norms. The film’s emotional honesty resonates beyond Korea, speaking to anyone who has ever felt out of place in a world that demands conformity. It’s the kind of story that lingers.
Production ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
While not a high-budget spectacle, the film makes excellent use of its urban settings, minimalist interiors, and personal spaces to evoke intimacy and tension. The soundtrack is a standout—subtle but thematically cohesive—and earned recognition at the Blue Dragon Film Awards.
Ending ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ (4/5)
The ending is warm but open-ended. It avoids the clichés of queer tragedy or forced catharsis. Instead, it presents emotional resolution through mutual growth and understanding. The final rooftop scene—free, absurd, and cathartic—feels like a well-earned exhale after a decade of shared chaos and healing.
Love in the Big City Information
🏆 Awards & Nominations
🏆 Best New Actor – Roh Sang-hyun (노상현)
45th Blue Dragon Film Awards (2024)
Recognized for his layered and emotionally resonant portrayal of Heung-soo, a closeted gay man navigating friendship, identity, and Korean societal pressures.🏆 Best Original Score – Love in the Big City
45th Blue Dragon Film Awards (2024)
The film’s music was praised for perfectly capturing the urban melancholy and emotional nuance of the story, blending contemporary rhythms with introspective tones.🎬 Nomination: Best Film – 61st Baeksang Arts Awards (2025)
Though it did not win, its inclusion among Korea’s top cinematic achievements signals critical recognition of its bold subject matter and heartfelt storytelling.
Where to Watch
Related Links
Explore More BL Content
🔙 Return to Trailer & Info Table
👉 Also explore: Korean Gay Movies