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TIFF 2024: ‘Love in The Big City’ — finding soul in Seoul 

Steve Sanghyun Noh and Kim Go-Eun’s stellar performances in ‘Love in The Big City’ narrate a tale of maneuvering friendship, identity and relationships in a sprawling metropolis

A still from 'Love in the Big City' featuring the two lead perfomers.
(Photo courtesy of TIFF)

By Teresa Valenton

To be metropolitan is to emulate the characteristics of a metropolis. For the city of Seoul, where some say creativity thrives, every corner tells a story of resilience and boundless possibilities. However, youth — a time of self-exploration and countless questions — can be profoundly different amidst the city’s relentless hustle. 

Adapted from Park Sang-young’s novel of the same name, Love In the Big City follows Jae-hee (Kim Go-Eun) and Heung-Soo (Steve Sanghyun Noh) through the flows of youth in a sprawling city where their identities are intertwined with urban life. 

Directed by E.oni, this blindsiding film made its world premiere at the Toronto International Film Festival on Sept. 13, 2024. Her highly received debut feature …ing (2003) was seen as the epitome of Korean romance cinema. Since then, the director has explored various genres, including suspense, crime and comedy. Making her way back to her romance roots, this film explores the everyday lives of two best friends whose relationship can be explained solely through the definition of serendipity.

This is not to say that this film is a cliche. The film stars Kim-Go-eun and rising star Steve Sanghyun Noh, who effortlessly depict a form-fitting dynamic antonymous to the frigid ideals of South Korea. There’s Heung-Soo, a closeted gay man who internally battles with his sexuality and societal pressures and Jae-hee, a confident, witty and outspoken woman whose attitude overcomes all. 

When these two opposing souls first meet at age 21, their tether is undeniable. Set at a university, what appears to be a friendship of convenience turns into much more. Over bowls of ramen and soju bottles, the two character’s lives become intertwined beyond means. Battling with societal, parental and interpersonal struggles, the two realize they are much more similar than each initially imagined. 

In the bustling city of Seoul, where conformity and convenience are at play, it is undeniable that this film is a refreshing portrayal of what may be viewed as “unconventional.” It touches on sexuality, workplace harassment, 2SLGBTQIA+ expression and an ongoing struggle to accept your own identity. Gracefully weaved into the story, viewers cannot help but identify with the collective feelings of uncertainty and the realization that time is never stagnant.

Despite changes in their lives as time passes onwards, the relationship between the two characters never falters. Even in the face of a heated argument where Jae-Hee returns hurt from a night out, Heung-Soo quickly realizes the dire need for reconciliation. On top of every fight, scream and exchange of faltering words, the two remain understanding at heart. 

While the term metropolitan combines a variety of people, ideas and cultures, the term cannot exist without embracing individuality. The scattered floors, empty bottles and photographs littering the walls of Jae-Hee and Heung-Soo’s apartment convince viewers that a life without an unwavering friendship will always feel bleak. Even in large cities where possibilities are boundless, this film is proof that the pulse of a metropolis is no different from the vibrancy of friendship. 

Love in The Big City’ runs for 118 minutes and made its theatrical release in South Korea on Oct. 1, 2024. Unfortunately, there is no set Canadian release date just yet.


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