It says 4 chapters 4 directors.
I don't know how they're going to develop the other three storylines, but CH1: Mi Ae was more fun and thoughtful that I was expecting.

The conversation about friendship and eternal love and feeling lost and lonely, was very relatable.

Love in the Big City was a very good drama, although it suffered like so many dramas with a weak conclusion that belied the strength of its start.

The first six episodes set up a pattern--in each pair of episodes (capably directed by three separate people) there was a man, a woman, and a song. Each sub-story then followed Go Yeong as he confronted his own, and other people's, unresolved relationship issues around Seoul (and Thailand).

The final pair of episodes was the least satisfying to me, not only because it broke the man-woman-song triplet that had been so effective, but also because it became more retrospective and wistful...but not about the entirety of Go Yeong's past that we had come to know, just the last relationship with Sim Gyu-ho.

Granted this seemed to be the most significant relationship for Yeong, but the other few that we were privy to see also had lessons for him, I feel sure--given his, frankly, self-centered approach to love up until that point--but it was disappointing that the narratives of the first four episodes were dropped, as it would have been fascinating to see what Young pulled from all of his former experiences to "live more completely as himself."

It wouldn't surprise me one bit if other K-dramas shift a little grittier after this drama, so gripping were many of the scenes and situations. Even if it didn't hit it completely out of the park in terms of narrative coherence, Love in the Big City didn't shy away from how hit-or-miss finding someone to love can be.

I haven't watched it but I saw clips on twitter and I was surprised by how much was shown. I don't watch BL dramas so I don't know what's the norm in them and I did see that actors knew and agreed to the levels of skin being shown. That being sad, I didn't expect tub scenes haha.

Like I've said many times (or at least I've thought it many times), it's always surprising when people are shown or alluded to having sexual or sensual relationships in kdramas.

I know folks will get defensive over this phrasing but it really was brave of the lead actors and his co star (maybe the other actors involved too) to sign on for this. I assume he thought/knew he could get some hate for it but thinking or imagining it probably still can't prepare you for it actually happening.

I don't think the idea to use different PDs was a good idea. It felt disconnected. One relationship was over, they moved on to the next very fast. It was weird that his best friend / roommate wasn't there for him for his mother's death, she didn't know for the HIV, for his tentative of suicide... I undestand she was married and showed she wanted another life but she could keep her friendship.

The last episodes were confused mixing the past relationship with the new one.

It was really great how they weren't shy to show real relationships (even for straight couples, we don't get realistic ones). The characters felt like real persons and not clichés. There were little bomb drops they deserved a little bit more focus or discussion about them. The actors did great.

Before I dive into my essay, I just want to say that it makes me happy to see people write mini essays on a drama. It always means that they thought about it a lot either good or bad. I loved it. I binged watched it on Monday and I have been thinking about it since then, trying to figure out my thoughts before writing anything on this hangout thread. So here we go.

I was scared that the four different directors would be more obvious. I feared that it would not be cohesive. I was wrong. As someone who has read the book, the way the drama is filmed is exactly how the book is written. The same humor which I found hilarious in both formats, the separation of the chapters and even the revelations.
I really believe that having the story told in this format really helped add to its realism. It is almost like a series of journal entries. It is completely in Young's perspective which means we don't know anything that Young does not know or choose to tell us. It is all on a need to know basis, the way you would write in a diary, listing only the important things that happened that way. In a way, we are barely given anything. We are all just temporary spectators to his life.

Episodes 1-2: In these two episodes, Mi ae was really important to Young at this stage of his life. The way they just seemed to connect immediately was so sweet. While I do think her outing him was a terrible thing to do, I can understand her desperation. I loved the singing at the wedding. Nam gyu was so tragic. Young was not ready for him , he was not matured enough to handle that kind of relationship or love. Nam gyu was way too invested and Young could not and would not meet him halfway.

Episodes 3-4: Someone said something online that they could not understand why Young fell for Young soo. I think I get it. I don't think that Young would have fallen for Young soo if he had not met him when his mother was sick. He was drained and taking care of someone who he had such complicated feelings for. He needed something else to focus on. Then, Young soo walks in with his talk of the universe: such sweet and complicated words. I wanted to hate Young soo but at the end, I just felt sorry for him. I can only imagine the things going through his head.

Episodes 5-6: Would it be fair if I said that Gyu ho is my favorite character? He was just so sweet and considerate all the time. I'm sure it stemmed from growing up with a brother like that. He must have spent so much of his life, apologizing and putting others first. Maybe, that's why Young felt safe enough to tell him about Kylie. I liked how the show showed their relationship ennui. Most shows stop at the honeymoon phase and call it a happy ever after. The break up, which I expected after reading the book but I still teared up a little. It still hurt.

Episode 7-8: Young was so miserable in these episodes. Under all the drinking and running up the stairs, it felt like he was just avoiding his issues ( AKA heartbreak)...

I was rooting for Go Young's every relationship (2nd one not so much), It proves you don't need 16 eps, you need 2 solid episodes with great acting and solid moments, I felt the same while watching the love story of Han Hyo Joo and Zo In Sung in Moving they only have 2 eps for their love story but it was really great.

I really loved how I was smiling through out the without even realizing, there are so many moments I chuckled and many more moments felt like crying.

I like Mi Ae most, her wedding scene was really great. I love how Go Young acts so gay when he is in his room or with his gay friends, I loved his gay friends approving/ disapproving boyfriends and talking about sizeee.

I really like Kim Go-Eun and very looking forward to seeing her version of Love in the big city.

EP 3-4: these two episodes were the most complicated for me.
I didn't know how to think or feel about it.

Wanting to be there for his mom, but also wanting to run away from her. Feeling her love but also discontent.
And then meeting someone who was supposed to take him away from all that, but instead, reminded him of wounds caused by her.

When Yeong asked Young Soo to meet his mom, I felt that it was out of hatred for both of them. Young Soo would have to tell/show someone that he's gay and his mother would have to accept that her son is.
He couldn't stand their aberration for who he is (a gay man), and he wanted to make it clear.

Thankfully, even though they both hurt him at some point, they seemed to have learn something. YS said in his letter that he wouldn't be a coward anymore, and his mom seemed to have accepted him quietly at some point (I'm glad he found the pic before she was gone).

EP 5-8: Gyu Ho. T.T I hope you found someone who appreciates you and loves you well, my boy.

Anyway, it seemed like Yeong was ready to let Gyu Ho go,—even though he didn't wanted to—for a while. Which broke my heart.

I feel like that's connected to the lesson he learned from his first chapter about love with Mi Ae. Or maybe it was just a result of all the loss and confusion he has been collecting over the years. His insecurities because of Kylie, the lost of his mom, etc, it could be a result of everything.

At the end, Yeong talks about how he didn't appreciate GH and his love for him, which is true, but he doesn't seem to know why he couldn't appreciate him... Or does he?

When he talks about being himself, does it mean that he's going to start accepting and understanding himself?
I like how he finally moved out of that house. I want to believe that he's ready to start letting himself feel wtv he feels, and accept the love others give to him. And be comfortable giving love too.

This was definitely not a happy ending, and Yeong doesn't have all the answers about anything. But at least he closed this chapter in his book, and is ready to start another one and learn from it.

This was a very human story. This has a completely different vibe than Yu Mi's Cells, but "writer trying to figure out their life" is one of my favorite genres in kdramaland LOL so I loved this.

After procrastinating this binge-watch, I finished it today. I just found it intriguing that the first thing the military doctor asked Young was "Are you in the bottom or on top?" before showing him the HIV results. It seemed like a prejudiced opinion that because a man got HIV, it's because he's gay.
Young is like any other person, looking for love but finding them in the wrong people because of our expectations. Some people pattern their lives to their partner's while the others do the opposite.

I finished this drama 2 days ago and I just can't get over it. To say that it was very moving and thought provoking is an understatement. I laughed, I cried, and I am still feeling the pangs of heart break. Nam Yoon Su was incredible and you felt every emotion he had. All of the cast should be proud of their brave work.
I hope that more people watch and enjoy this drama. I had to watch it on TVING on my phone (I wasn't able to download it on my laptop) and wasn't ready to upgrade to Viki Plus - I wonder if this is also a problem for others. When it comes on Viki basic I will definitely rewatch. I know the subject matter is concerning for some, but I would hope that true K drama fans can watch with an open mind to appreciate this beautiful work. Loved every minute and sad it is over. Thanks for this hang out page!