Love in the Big City (Korean: 대도시의 사랑법) is a 2024 South Korean comedy-drama directed by E.oni. The film tells the story of Jae-hee, a lively and free-spirited woman, and Heung-soo, a man with a hidden secret. They become best friends and roommates in Seoul, navigating life’s joys and challenges together.
The movie adapts only Jae-hee’s story from Sang Young Park’s collection of short stories. It premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 13, 2024, and hit South Korean theaters on October 1, 2024, starring Kim Go-eun and Noh Sang-hyun.
K-Movie Profile
- Movie Title (English): Love in the Big City
- Movie Title (Korean): 대도시의 사랑법
- Revised Romanization: Daedosiui sarangbeop
- Director: E.oni
- Writer: Kim Na-deul
- Based On: Love in the Big City by Sang Young Park
- Producer: Park Joon-sik, Kim Hye-sung
- Starring: Kim Go-eun, Noh Sang-hyun
- Cinematographer: Kim Hyung-joo
- Editor: Kim Sun-min, Lee Hyun-mi
- Composer: Primary
- Production Company: Showbox, Tale Farming
- Distributor: Megabox Plus M
- Release Date: October 1, 2024 (South Korea)
- Running Time: 118 minutes
- Country: South Korea
- Language: Korean
- Platforms: Netflix, Watcha, Coupang Play
- Rating: R-15
Plot Synopsis
Jae-hee, a bold and free-spirited woman who never cares what others think, meets Heung-soo, a quiet man hiding a secret he never wants revealed. When Jae-hee accidentally discovers his secret, the two unlikely roommates form an unexpected bond. Though they may not be each other’s ideal type, they share moments only they can understand. Ignoring gossip and judgment, Jae-hee and Heung-soo start living life and love their own way, navigating friendship, laughs, and self-discovery together.
Main Casts
Kim Go-eun (as Jae-hee)
- Name (English): Kim Go-eun
- Name (Korean): 김고은
- Revised Romanization: Gim Goeun
- Birthdate: July 2, 1991
- Age: 34
- Birthplace: Seoul, South Korea
- Nationality: South Korean
- Occupation: Actress
- Debut: 2012
- Agency: BH Entertainment
- Height: 167 cm
- Blood Type: B
- MBTI: ***P
- Social Media: Instagram
- Website: Official site
Kim Go-eun is a popular South Korean actress known for her work in both films and TV shows. She made her debut in the film Eungyo (2012) and won several Best New Actress awards. She is best known for TV hits like Cheese in the Trap (2016), Guardian: The Lonely and Great God (2016~2017), Yumi’s Cells (2021~2022), and Little Women (2022), as well as movies like Coin Locker Girl (2015) and Hero (2022). In 2024, her performance in Exhuma earned her major awards, including the Baeksang Arts Awards and Blue Dragon Film Awards.
Noh Sang-hyun (as Heung-soo)
- Name (English): Noh Sang-hyun
- Name (Korean): 노상현
- Revised Romanization: No Sanghyeon
- Birthdate: July 19, 1990
- Age: 35
- Birthplace: South Korea
- Nationality: South Korean
- Occupations: Actor, model
- Debut: 2017
- Agency: Echo Global Group
- Height: 181 cm
- Blood Type: B
- MBTI: INTP
- Social Media: Instagram
- Website: Official site
Noh Sang-hyun began his career as a model in 2010 while studying in the U.S., appearing in magazines like GQ, L’Officiel Homme, Esquire, and Arena, as well as in music videos and commercials. He started acting in 2015 and landed his first lead role in the web drama Today, the Brothers Are Peaceful (2017), which gained over 15 million views on YouTube. He rose to wider fame in 2022 with his role as Baek Isaac in Pachinko, earning the nickname “delicately sexy” and capturing audiences both in Korea and abroad. In 2024, he starred in his first lead film, Love in the Big City, winning multiple Best New Actor awards and establishing himself as a rising star in Korean cinema.
Ratings & Reviews
| Platform | Score |
| Watcha | 3.8 / 5.0 |
Love in the Big City is one of South Korea’s first modern queer commercial films and has received positive reviews for its engaging story and strong performances. Kim Go-eun and Noh Sang-hyun are praised for their natural chemistry, while the film’s fast-paced, bold style reflects the main character Jae-hee’s personality. Critics note some overly direct dialogue and simplistic portrayals of certain characters, but the unique relationship between Jae-hee and Heung-soo, close friends who understand each other deeply despite different orientations, resonates with young audiences. Marketing initially downplayed the queer themes, sparking debate, yet the film has been recognized for its honest exploration of identity and self-discovery. Audiences responded positively, with ratings recovering to 95%, and international acclaim followed after its premiere at the 49th Toronto International Film Festival, where it was praised for its fresh, emotional, and visually compelling portrayal of youth, identity, and love.
Awards & Achievements
| Award Ceremony | Year | Category | Nominee | Result |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2025 | Best Film | Love in the Big City | Nominated |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2025 | Best Director | E.oni | Nominated |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2025 | Best Actress | Kim Go-eun | Nominated |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2025 | Best New Actor | Noh Sang-hyun | Nominated |
| Baeksang Arts Awards | 2025 | Gucci Impact Award | Love in the Big City | Nominated |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2024 | Best New Actor | Noh Sang-hyun | Won |
| Blue Dragon Film Awards | 2024 | Best Music | Primary | Won |
| Buil Film Awards | 2025 | Best Director | E.oni | Nominated |
| Buil Film Awards | 2025 | Best Actress | Kim Go-eun | Won |
| Buil Film Awards | 2025 | Best New Actor | Noh Sang-hyun | Nominated |
| Buil Film Awards | 2025 | Best Music | Primary | Nominated |
| Cine21 | 2024 | Best Actress | Kim Go-eun | Won |
| Cine21 | 2024 | Best New Actor | Noh Sang-hyun | Won |
| Director’s Cut Awards | 2025 | Best Actress (Film) | Kim Go-eun | Nominated |
| Director’s Cut Awards | 2025 | Best New Actor (Film) | Noh Sang-hyun | Nominated |
| Korean Film Producers Association Awards | 2024 | Best New Actor | Noh Sang-hyun | Won |
| Women in Film Korea Festival | 2024 | Best Actress | Kim Go-eun | Won |
| Women in Film Korea Festival | 2024 | Best Director | E.oni | Won |
Viewership
Weekly Box Office Summary
| Week | Dates | Daily Attendance | Weekly Total | Rank | Daily Revenue | Weekly Revenue |
| Pre-release | – | 9,053 | 9,053 | – | ₩88,187,900 | ₩88,187,900 |
| Week 1 | Oct 1 ~ Oct 7, 2024 | 19,838 ~ 52,683 | 274,855 | 2 ~ 4 | ₩180,611,960 ~ 498,975,310 | ₩2,623,166,270 |
| Week 2 | Oct 8 ~ Oct 14, 2024 | 17,853 ~ 53,180 | 235,891 | 2 ~ 3 | ₩167,745,910 ~ 516,375,140 | ₩2,267,104,490 |
| Week 3 | Oct 15 ~ Oct 21, 2024 | 10,199 ~ 30,747 | 128,197 | 2 ~ 4 | ₩95,959,500 ~ 300,969,380 | ₩1,195,035,350 |
| Week 4 | Oct 22 ~ Oct 28, 2024 | 9,676 ~ 24,005 | 102,412 | 3 | ₩80,346,300 ~ 228,931,700 | ₩950,741,870 |
| Week 5 | Oct 29 ~ Nov 4, 2024 | 5,676 ~ 15,691 | 76,933 | 3 ~ 4 | ₩52,987,700 ~ 152,045,700 | ₩708,116,070 |
| Week 6 | Nov 5 ~ Oct 11, 2024 | 2,649 ~ 6,588 | 32,317 | 4 ~ 7 | ₩25,323,100 ~ 64,189,250 | ₩310,635,050 |
Cumulative Performance (as of November 11, 2024):
- Total Audience: 874,109 viewers
- Total Revenue: ₩8,257,632,210 (~$6.2M USD)
- Break-even Point: 1.3 million viewers
- Source: Korean Film Council (KOFIC)
Love in the Big City had a challenging start at the box office, opening alongside strong competitors like Joker: Folie à Deux, Veteran 2, and the popular animated film The Wild Robot, which made it harder to attract audiences initially. However, positive word-of-mouth quickly boosted its popularity. By the second weekend, the film drew even more viewers than during its opening week, showing early signs of long-term success. It stayed within the top 5 at the box office for over a month and continued screening in theaters for more than two months. The film was released on VOD on December 2, 2024, and while its theatrical earnings were moderate, its queer-themed content is expected to perform well on streaming platforms, likely helping it recover costs.
Watch Love in the Big City on Netflix
