For me, it is Nam Yoon-su as Go Yeong in Love in the Big City. I’ve never cared for a character so much while simultaneously resenting, almost detesting, his self-centered callousness. Nam Yoon-su was utterly transcendent in this role.
For much of the drama Yeong is a devil-may-care sprite, always (only) there for a laugh and a good time. He starts the drama this way, and more-or-less ends there, and it’s heartbreaking to see how very, little he chooses to learn along the way.
I say chooses to learn, as it becomes eminently clear over the eight hours we spend with him that Yeong has plenty, PLENTY of opportunities to see how his actions are a form of self-sabotage. As above, sometimes he even feels it too, even as he destroys the evidence of his despicable decision. You aren’t already dead, young man. I promise. What you write and who that you love does indeed matter. You can be loved in turn.
My final scene selection (below) is actually the earliest clip I’ve chosen from the drama, but it needed to be shown for a full 30 seconds, hence the sound clip (also available here). This moment is simply priceless in terms of understanding the needle that Nam Yoon-su was threading with this character. He encourages the audence to both absolutely hate the way that Go Yeong is behaving, but also…we sort of weirdly get it? This man is pouring his heart out to you, Yeong! Be more sympathetic!! But also…uh, dude? What are you saying right now in this casual restaurant to a boy you don’t really know all that well? Amazing work.
And now, for something completely different. Nam Yoon-su in Dog Knows Everything. I figure we all need a little brightness as well.
And, finally, if you’ve also not seen NYS in Beyond Evil he does a great job there as maknae cop (and it was the place he first caught my attention)! Truly endearing.
While it suffered from the 2024 habit of not ending as strong as it began, Love in the Big City is an amazing drama filled with characters you are not likely to soon forget. Like Mr. Plankton, it is gut-wrenching and joy-filled in equal measure. In fact, I put those two dramas in their own category of (potentially) “new school” romance-forward K-dramas that move away from the traditional focus on “fantasy” to instead offer more nuanced takes on what it means to live and love in the mid(!!) twenty-first century.
3
0
Modal title
Modal title
Modal title
Modal title
A verification email has been sent to your new email address.
Please click the link in that email to complete the email change process.
Modal title
Lorem ipsum dolor sit amet, consectetuer adipiscing elit,
sed diam nonummy nibh euismod tincidunt ut laoreet dolore magna
Seon-ha
December 3, 2024 at 4:35 AM
2024 Roundup, Day 3: Favorite Male Lead
For me, it is Nam Yoon-su as Go Yeong in Love in the Big City. I’ve never cared for a character so much while simultaneously resenting, almost detesting, his self-centered callousness. Nam Yoon-su was utterly transcendent in this role.
For much of the drama Yeong is a devil-may-care sprite, always (only) there for a laugh and a good time. He starts the drama this way, and more-or-less ends there, and it’s heartbreaking to see how very, little he chooses to learn along the way.
I say chooses to learn, as it becomes eminently clear over the eight hours we spend with him that Yeong has plenty, PLENTY of opportunities to see how his actions are a form of self-sabotage. As above, sometimes he even feels it too, even as he destroys the evidence of his despicable decision. You aren’t already dead, young man. I promise. What you write and
whothat you love does indeed matter. You can be loved in turn.My final scene selection (below) is actually the earliest clip I’ve chosen from the drama, but it needed to be shown for a full 30 seconds, hence the sound clip (also available here). This moment is simply priceless in terms of understanding the needle that Nam Yoon-su was threading with this character. He encourages the audence to both absolutely hate the way that Go Yeong is behaving, but also…we sort of weirdly get it? This man is pouring his heart out to you, Yeong! Be more sympathetic!! But also…uh, dude? What are you saying right now in this casual restaurant to a boy you don’t really know all that well? Amazing work.
Seon-ha
December 3, 2024 at 4:36 AM
And now, for something completely different. Nam Yoon-su in Dog Knows Everything. I figure we all need a little brightness as well.
And, finally, if you’ve also not seen NYS in Beyond Evil he does a great job there as maknae cop (and it was the place he first caught my attention)! Truly endearing.
wonhwa
December 3, 2024 at 5:44 AM
I’m so grumpy Viki made this show Plus-only because I’ve heard such good things about it and would really like to watch it.
Seon-ha
December 3, 2024 at 6:17 AM
While it suffered from the 2024 habit of not ending as strong as it began, Love in the Big City is an amazing drama filled with characters you are not likely to soon forget. Like Mr. Plankton, it is gut-wrenching and joy-filled in equal measure. In fact, I put those two dramas in their own category of (potentially) “new school” romance-forward K-dramas that move away from the traditional focus on “fantasy” to instead offer more nuanced takes on what it means to live and love in the mid(!!) twenty-first century.