“Where can I watch ‘Love in the Big City’ for free?” This film adaptation of a Korean literary bestseller is making waves. The moving story starring Kim Go-eun and No Sang-hyun is finally about to hit theaters in Japan! However, many may wonder, “Is there a way to watch it for free?” In this article, we’ll thoroughly explain how to watch Love in the Big City legally and cost-effectively. We’ll also cover the current status and forecasts for popular streaming services like Netflix, U-NEXT, and Rakuten Viki. We’ll include a beginner-friendly explanation of how to watch with a VPN as well!
What is Love in the Big City?
Love in the Big City is a moving human drama film based on the novel of the same name by popular Korean author Park Sang-young. The film delicately portrays a gay young man’s loneliness and love, his family relationships, and the difficulty of living, and drew widespread empathy in Korea, being hailed by many as a “life-changing film.” The leads are Kim Go-eun, known for “Little Women,” and No Sang-hyun, who drew attention in Netflix’s “Glitch.” It’s slated to open in Japan on June 13, 2025, and expectations are high not only among fans of the original novel but also among film lovers.
Basic info and production background
“Love in the Big City” is a film adaptation of a novel highly regarded in Korea as LGBTQ+ literature. Directed by Jang Jeong-min and produced by CJ ENM. Set in Seoul, Korea, it realistically depicts a young person struggling to find their place amid the clamor of the city. Author Park Sang-young also helped with the script during production, resulting in a faithful visualization of the novel’s world.
The original novel and reception in Korea
The original novel “Love in the Big City” was published in Korea in 2021 and became a bestseller. Candidly portraying the social loneliness and anxiety faced by a young gay man, it was hailed as “a new literary voice” and was nominated for numerous literary awards. News of the film adaptation trended on Korean social media, with many in their 20s and 30s saying, “I can’t wait to see it.” By presenting a realistic perspective of a sexual minority, the work has also drawn attention in the Korean film industry as a thought-provoking piece.
Synopsis & film information
Love in the Big City is a moving human drama that depicts a young man struggling to find his place in the city. The story delicately follows a gay young man as he confronts his identity through love, loneliness, and his relationship with his mother. While handling a minority perspective in Korean society with care and strong messaging, its poetic images and direction leave a lasting impression.
Characters and cast
The protagonist “Young” is a man in his 30s living in the big city. His complicated love life and conflicts with his family are central to the story. Young is played by Kim Go-eun, known from “Little Women” and “Guardian: The Lonely and Great God.” Young’s boyfriend “Jae-ho” is played by No Sang-hyun, internationally noted for “Glitch” and “Pachinko.” Veteran actress Moon Sook plays Young’s mother, adding depth to the narrative.
Highlights and themes
The biggest highlight of Love in the Big City is its deep psychological depiction of the protagonist’s inner life and its realistic portrayal of urban loneliness. In particular, the relationship between Young and Jae-ho quietly yet powerfully expresses “love beyond gender.” Furthermore, themes of “forgiveness” and “rebirth” through reunion with his mother resonate strongly with many viewers. The film goes beyond a simple romance to earn high marks as a social drama that illuminates life choices and the complexity of human relationships.
Streaming services most likely to carry Love in the Big City
Love in the Big City is a Korean film slated for theatrical release in Japan on June 13, 2025. It’s not currently available on major Japanese streaming services (Netflix, Amazon Prime Video, U-NEXT, etc.). However, on the overseas streaming platform Rakuten Viki, it’s available with English subtitles. If accessing from Japan, you can watch it by using a VPN service.
Current status & forecasts for major streaming services
| Service | Estimated Start | Price | How to Watch for Free |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rakuten Viki | From May 2025 | Free (with ads) / Paid plans available | Free viewing possible with VPN |
| Netflix | From Dec 2025 | From ¥990/month | No free trial |
| Amazon Prime Video | Around Oct–Nov 2025 | ¥600/month | 30-day free trial |
| U-NEXT | Around Sep–Oct 2025 | ¥2,189/month | 31-day free trial |
Rakuten Viki already offers it, and a VPN is required to access from Japan. For other services, based on the trend of streaming about 3–6 months after theatrical release, we’ve listed estimated dates. In particular, U-NEXT and Amazon Prime Video have a strong track record with Korean films, so expectations are high.
FAQs about watching Love in the Big City
As the release approaches, here are clear answers to common questions and high-interest info from viewers about Love in the Big City. We’ll address the film’s reputation and reviews, as well as safe viewing with a VPN to resolve common doubts.
What are the impressions, word of mouth, and ratings?
Since its theatrical release in Korea, many reviews have been posted on social media and review sites, with high praise especially for the following:
- Outstanding performances: Kim Go-eun and No Sang-hyun deliver natural, delicate acting
- Visuals and direction: imagery symbolizing urban loneliness and love is striking
- Strong messaging: highly rated as a social drama delving into LGBTQ+ and family issues
On Korea’s review site “Naver” and international platforms, it holds an average score around 4.5 out of 5, indicating very strong support.
Is it safe to watch with a VPN? How and what to watch for
To watch “Love in the Big City” on Rakuten Viki, you’ll need a VPN (Virtual Private Network). If you access from Japan, playback may be unavailable; switching to an IP address in a supported country like the U.S. or Canada enables viewing. Keep the following in mind when using a VPN:
- Choose a reliable VPN service (NordVPN, ExpressVPN, etc. are recommended)
- Confirm the viewing isn’t illegal (Rakuten Viki is a legitimate service)
- Check for speed limits and connection stability
After watching, turn off the VPN to return to normal internet use. Even first-timers can easily enjoy overseas streams with simple setup.
コメント