Popular Actor Addresses Backlash And Homophobia For Starring In New BL K-Drama
Since it was announced that actors Jin Ho Eun (All of Us Are Dead, Revenge of Others, Nevertheless, and Sh**ting Stars) and Nam Yoon Su (Extracurricular, Birthcare Center, Beyond Evil, and The King’s Affection) were cast as Kyu Ho (also romanized Gyuho) and Go Young, respectively, in new BL (Boy Love) K-Drama Love in the Big City, many fans have been looking forward to the release. The K-Drama is adapted from Park Sang Young‘s best-selling novel of the same name, which was Sang’s first work published in English as it was translated by Anton Hur, who also worked on BTS‘s Beyond the Story.
An audacious tale of two roommates, one a gay man and another a straight woman. Through the eyes of Mi Ae begins Go Yeong’s clumsy love story. Stories of laughter, tears, and wounds between a mother in denial of her son’s sexuality and his being unable to escape societal judgment. Go Yeong finally meets a pure love like no other, Gyu Ho, but has no choice but to let him go. With Gyu Ho gone, Go Yeong follows a stranger to Thailand and spends a late monsoon vacation. Reminiscing about the good old days that can never be retrieved, he achieves complete personal growth.
— ktalpha.kr via MyDramaList
BL fans have been promoting it across X (formerly Twitter), hyping it up as it will be released next month. Nam Yoon Su has especially received praise as a mainstream actor who bravely accepted a gay role.
if you told me years ago that we will see nam yoonsu kissing men, i would never believe you pic.twitter.com/FzlATcxtoD
— ttof spoilers!! (@hodonghee) August 30, 2024
Nam Yoon Su revealed to be going to kiss a total of 15 different guy in the drama.
WHAT AN ICON. pic.twitter.com/0i9WkoDe9F
— mikey / 🏳️🌈 (@beansxooo) September 24, 2024
other popular mainstream actor is either NOT doing it because of fear of ruining their market and popularity or their company will talk themselves out of it.
yoonsu, the actor and man that you arepic.twitter.com/aP5jaJ2e0x
— mikey / 🏳️🌈 (@beansxooo) August 30, 2024
Nam Yoon Su has also been busy promoting his new K-drama for the past couple of months. He has shared many back-to-back Instagram posts advertising Love in the Big City.
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Unfortunately, as soon as Nam Yoon Su began sharing posts about Love in the Big City, he was met with many hate comments. Netizens and so-called former fans expressed their “disappointment” and outrage in him for portraying a gay character.
Consequently, numerous homophobic comments were left on Nam Yoon Su’s posts. Some included vomiting and middle finger emojis; others were insults and angry paragraphs.
Still, some loyal fans jumped to his defense. Many commended his work as a professional actor.
Fans are really proud of him and hope he won’t become discouraged due to the negativity.
Now, Nam Yoon Su has addressed the response he has received for taking on the role in a new interview.
Nam Yoon Su and co-star Kwon Hyuk were interviewed by Allure Korea. Nam Yoon Su revealed that taking the role was not a hard choice for him to make.
For me, it wasn’t a difficult decision or a challenging project. I’ve had queer friends since I was young, and I’ve been open to it from the start. I thought I could just follow the script and the director’s instructions. I viewed Go Young as an ordinary person. Just someone who loves, eats, and sleeps like anyone else. Interestingly, after the casting was announced, I received a lot of DMs thanking me. That was really surprising.
— Nam Yoon Su
He confessed that he had received many messages. While he has received some hateful ones, he received so many from persons who thanked him for taking on the role of Go Young.
People from various nationalities expressed their gratitude for my participation. Of course, I also received some criticism, but there were far more messages of thanks. I know people are arguing about it in the comments. I’m just staying out of it.
— Nam Yoon Su
Later in the interview, the interviewer said, “This is a highly anticipated work. The original ‘How Love Works in a Big City’ is described as ‘a very ordinary queer story.'” While love shouldn’t differ based on sexual orientation, some still view it as groundbreaking.” Nam Yoon Su responded, “It’s the same love story.”
Life goes on, and it’s just a matter of gender differences. So I hope people will see it for what it is. It’s not about Go Young being gay; it’s just a portrayal of everyday life. However, considering that we’re only releasing it on OTT, it seems that Korean society still has some issues. I don’t know how the editing turned out, but there are many explicit scenes, which might have made it difficult for broadcast networks. I play the bottom in the story, but I do both later. There are clear actions as well as implied ones, but it’s definitely mature content.
— Nam Yoon Su
The interviewer asked, “There hasn’t been a drama like this in Korea until now?” Nam Yoon Su answered, “No, there hasn’t been.” He explained that he chose not to be concerned about “image,” although he filmed what some might feel was “racy” or “unconventional” K-Drama.
Every time people ask me if it could affect my work negatively, I say no. I don’t think about that at all and won’t ever in the future. I don’t want to act considering what reputation I get out of it. That’s what I believe being an actor means.
— Nam Yoon Su
Fans are so happy to hear such a refreshing and open-minded perspective on BL roles in Korea.
nam yoon su the man that you are pic.twitter.com/CQJEPNs0cB
— mir (@gvnsthetic) September 24, 2024
When asked by people around him if playing a gay lead role could affect his career negatively, Nam Yoon Su replied "YES, but i dont want to be an actor that think about it at all… i want to be an actor that do what he want and create good works"#LoveInTheBigCity pic.twitter.com/5Tr3fILEHR
— mikey / 🏳️🌈 (@beansxooo) September 24, 2024
Hoeun and Yoonsu said that they read all the comments.
"I got a lot of DMs saying, "I support you." They said this kind of work is needed in the world and im so grateful. I also received a lot of booing and smirk emojis. Yoon Soo hyung probably gets the most." #LoveInTheBigCity pic.twitter.com/QyqIBruyxL
— mikey / 🏳️🌈 (@beansxooo) September 24, 2024
#NamYoonSu calls out the homophobia in his interview
"The love story is the same, only difference is the gender. I hope you see it as it is, not just GoYoung sexuality, but seeing that the drama is only released on OTT i think Korean society is still like that"#LoveInTheBigCity pic.twitter.com/6mVHeUdDYJ
— mikey / 🏳️🌈 (@beansxooo) September 24, 2024
Love in the Big City premieres on October 21.
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