Amor na Cidade Grande (2024)

when love leaves you, but loneliness stays

This drama? It’s not just a story—it’s an emotional gut-punch from start to finish. From the very first scene, it pulls you into Ko Yeong’s messy, heartbreaking life. He’s the guy who’s always out, chasing the nightlife—bars, dancing, drinking, and one-night stands. On the surface, he’s carefree and fun, but deep down? He’s terrified of being alone. His life feels like this endless loop of trying to drown out the silence, and it’s painful to watch because you can tell he’s running from something he can’t escape.

Let’s address the elephant in the room: Ko Yeong is a walking contradiction. He craves connection but pushes people away. He wants love but fears what comes with it. It’s like he’s caught in this perpetual tug-of-war between what he needs and what he thinks he deserves.

And isn’t it funny how the grass is always greener on the other side? He surrounds himself with noise, people, and distractions, hoping it’ll fill the void, but you can tell he’s longing for something quieter—something real. Yet, when he gets close to it, he bolts. Fear of commitment, fear of rejection, fear of being seen for who he really is—it’s all wrapped up in the way he navigates relationships.

His parents’ messy divorce didn’t do him any favors, leaving him with a skewed idea of what love looks like. Add Kylie—his nickname for HIV—into the mix, and it’s no wonder he struggles to let people in. Kylie isn’t just a condition for Ko Yeong; it’s a shadow that follows him everywhere, whispering that he’s not worthy of love or stability.

Mi Ae, his roommate and best friend, is like his emotional anchor. She’s the one constant in his life, the person who knows him better than anyone else. But let’s not sugarcoat it—anchors don’t float. When she gets married and moves on, Ko Yeong is left to sink or swim. Spoiler: he starts sinking.

Then there are his relationships. Nam Gyu, bless his old-soul heart, was a shot at something tender and genuine. But Ko Yeong wasn’t ready, and Nam Gyu’s tragic end only adds another layer of guilt to Ko Yeong’s already complicated life. Then there’s Youngso, who deserves a medal for Worst Human Ever. He uses Ko Yeong, hides their relationship, and has the audacity to call homosexuality a sin. The betrayal cuts deep, and you can feel how it makes Ko Yeong retreat even further into himself.

And finally, Gyu Ho—the love that could’ve been the love. Their relationship starts off sweet, almost hopeful, like maybe this time it’ll work out. But life doesn’t work that way, does it? The spark dims, the fights start, and the weight of reality crushes them both. Even their trip to Thailand, a place meant to rekindle their connection, is overshadowed by Kylie and all the baggage that comes with it.

Here’s the kicker: Ko Yeong’s life isn’t about grand epiphanies or neatly tied-up endings. It’s about the slow, painful crawl toward understanding yourself. After Gyu Ho leaves for China, Ko Yeong throws himself into writing. It’s his way of processing, of making sense of the mess. But even when he revisits Thailand with someone new, it’s clear he’s still haunted by what he lost.

Love in the Big City doesn’t hand you closure on a silver platter. It’s raw, messy, and brutally honest. It captures the discomfort of being stuck between who you are and who the world expects you to be. It’s a reminder that love, no matter how fleeting or complicated, leaves its mark. And sometimes? The grass isn’t greener—it’s just a different shade of heartbreak.

Heartbreaking, unforgettable, and absolutely worth the emotional wreckage. Watch it. Feel it. Then sit with it, because it’s the kind of story that stays with you, whether you like it or not.

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This is NOT a typical BL

I wanted to watch this show real bad because of Nam Yoon Su. I had already seen him as a devilishly evil teenager and as a heavenly saint of a prince, so I had known how versatile he is. In this series, he is supposed to be a realistic person, sometimes good, sometimes bad, and a gay. He is perfect in every aspect.
As the title already suggest, this is not a fluffy love story between two innocent boys. It's a story of the MC's life, how he was hurt and healed by other people, and how he hurt and healed others. There is lots of sadness and some happiness, both met with Nam Yoon Su's disarming smile. There are serious issues, there is entertainment. You really get inside the character's world, because it is so true to life.
Some suggest that the characters of MC's bfs aren't real in the plot - we just follow his creative process when he writes his consecutive novels. I didn't think about it when watching the series, but it sure is an interesting view.
As for music - I was never annoyed by it, which is what really matters to me when watching a drama.
I probably will rewatch it - we learn important details in later episodes that cast a totally different light at what happened first,
Overall - loved it.

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Love more this drama

I’m always suport this drama, i like the couple 1, 2 and 3 . I dont know i like the couple in the eps 3 and 4 so hot.
But i like more the couple and i’m enjoyed this watch a drama. I absolutely LOVED this drama- the story way amazing- I never got bored- ugh it was just amazing.
I believe I'm not exaggerating with my 10/10 rating. This series is so good it made me get a subscription to a streaming service, I mean if that doesn't sell you idk what will.
I honestly like the cast of this drama especially the main cast. with a good story and chemistry from them is also good. It's really a worth to watch series, highly recommend it. Success for love In The Big City.

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Speechless-ly good!

Just WOW! It hits every spot, seriously. The plot, acting, storyline, pacing, execution are all amazing.

No scene is wasted. Every part is needed to make up the whole storyline, whether its the sad scene or the s*x scene or everything in between. It's not your typical fluffy BL- yes- it does have cute romantic sweet moments, but there's more to it

It is really raw and deep- really touched me on heart level. I must say the acting plays a big role- I can feel the expression of the actors done really well.

I really love Ko Yeong and Gun Ho chemistry so much- but it is what it is, I guess.I hope for a S2 or spin-off where I get to see KO Yeong finally fulfil his deepest wish of Sa Rang.

Bonus point for showing us how Kylie affect his life- hence, promoting safe sex indirectly

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the best of the best korean bl

It is a story that from beginning to end is deep and cruel. shows how you don't necessarily have to share a blood bond with someone for them to be your family and refuge It shows us how life goes on and sometimes we are the ones left behind thinking about what we could have done well and what we couldn't. It shows us the prejudiced love that some parents have where, blinded by this, they end up hurting and damaging the lives of their children. They show us how a relationship can have love but that doesn't mean they will be together forever. They show us how people are going to come into our lives who are going to leave their mark on us, whether for better or worse, but who are going to help us develop as people.

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just .. wow

This was such an emotional rollercoaster, but damn what a ride. I knew going into this, it had to be something special, because Nam Yoon Su was so adamant he wanted to play this role, you won’t go all out on a whim. And dang he was right.
The story grabbed me by the throat and never let go. There were moments I laughed so hard, others that made me cry. But the writing was so good, I’ll be out looking for the book now.
And Yoon Su.. thank you. For being willing to translate the words and ideas of this character into this beautiful drama. I hope you win many awards for this one cause you deserve it.

Now all I need to know is… do we get a season two? 🥹🥹🥹

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Simply remarkable

Finally an intelligent series/drama! With a real story. With real dialogues. With an exceptional acting, Nam Yoon Su in particular. When he smiles, all of Seoul lights up. Love is the permanent quest but the extraordinary faithful friendship is there. And on the top of all these emotions, there is the humor. We laugh often. but never at the expense of certain characters like in Thai or Filipino series. There are no caricatures, just the real life of a young queer man in Seoul, Just the real life of a son facing his dying mother but still reluctant to accept the life of his only son. And the emotion that underlies the whole episode 7, the escapade with a passing lover, totally highjacked by the imperishable and joyful memory, in love with his story with his great love, Gyu Ho and their stay in this same city.
Addictive and deep, brilliant, radiant and funny.
I will now read Sang Toung Park's novel and wait for the film to come out on American screens... It's hard to leave this character of Ko Yeong.

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