Popular K-Drama Actor Responds To Homophobia By Laughing

When 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 LGBTQIA+ K-Drama Love in the Big City, many many netizens 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 (Boy Love) fans especially have been eagerly anticipating the K-Drama’s release across X (formerly Twitter). Nam Yoon Su has been praised 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 brainrot (@kitaewanie) 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

Despite many netizens’ excitement, religious groups have recently begun protests, calling out CJeS for “supporting the production of a drama that glorifies and encourages homosexuality.”. Their demand is the K-Drama’s cancellation.

Inspect the Korea Contents Association as the Ministry of Tourism, Sports, and Culture wastes tax-payers money to support a homosexual drama!

— Protest banner

Today 14/10 – These people from conservative party protested in front of the ministry building??!! Demanding Love In The Big City to be cancelled!!!!

Read the banner, i wanna throw up ☠️ pic.twitter.com/4fQNBW1do8

— Litbc 21/10 (@booger_cereal) October 14, 2024

Supporters of the K-Drama were outraged when it appeared that religious groups had reported the K-Drama’s trailers and had them removed. Yet, Love In The Big City writer Park Sang Young  recently revealed that the production company, TVING, removed the trailers and halted promotions due to content complaints. Despite this, Sang promised that Love In The Big City would be released no matter what.

Love In The Big City trailers in all official site is currently removed EVERYWHERE after a mass complain from some Koreans conservatives group.

SHAME ON THEM BECAUSE THEY JUST GIVE US MORE REASON TO SUPPORT THE DRAMA HARDER.

LOVE IN THE BIG CITY OUT THIS OCT 21! pic.twitter.com/0REvueTsMn

— mikey / 🏳️‍🌈 (@beansxooo) October 12, 2024

드라마 대도시의 사랑법 모 단체에 좌표 찍히고, 관련 부서 민원 폭탄 들어간 덕분에 결국 공식 예고편을 모두 내리게 됐습니다. 드라마 오픈 9일 전인데 아무 홍보도 못하는 말도 안 되는 상황에 부아가 치밀어 올라 밤새 한 숨도 못 잤어요. 작가 생활 8년 하면서 이런 일 익숙해졌다고 생각했는데 pic.twitter.com/yLTuhc2kTc

— 박상영 (SangYoung Park) (@novelistpark) October 12, 2024

Due to a certain organization targeting the drama ‘Love in the Big City’ and the flood of complaints filed with the relevant department, we ended up having to take down all the official trailers. It’s just nine days before the drama’s premiere, and we’re in a ridiculous situation where we can’t promote it at all. I’m so frustrated that I couldn’t sleep a wink all night. I thought I had gotten used to these kinds of things after eight years as a writer.

— Park Sang Young

얼마나 잘되려고 이러는거야 ><

— 박상영 (SangYoung Park) (@novelistpark) October 12, 2024

But no. The ugly face of hate is something I can never get used to, no matter how many times I experience it. I’m looking for ways to resume advertising. No matter what happens, we will definitely premiere on October 21st. Everyone, please enjoy it to the fullest! In the end, we will win!

Must be a sign this is going to be huge.

— Park Sang Young

Even before the protests began, actor Nam Yoon Su, who has been widely popular, began receiving an influx homophobic comments on his Instagram from self-proclamed “fans.” Still, he continued to promote Love in the Big City.

Now, Nam Yoon Su addressed his reaction to the homophobic comments in a new press conference interview promoting Love in the Big City.

Nam Yoon Su revealed that he laughs at such comments. He recognizes that the positive responses far outweigh the negative, and that’s what he focuses on.

Nam Yoon Su shared that he just laugh at homophobic comments he gets for playing a gay role.

“I didn’t care about them. I just laughed it off when I got malicious comments. Those people were actually 1 in a 100. I got a lot of messages of support.

THE EYEROLL.THIS DIVAAA pic.twitter.com/ubTsitrU8Z

— mikey / 🏳️‍🌈 (@beansxooo) October 16, 2024

Fans were impressed with Nam Yoon Su’s refreshing and mature response.

the way nam yoonsu wanted yall to know so bad that he did not give a single FUCK about your homophobic comments he said next question im screaming 😭pic.twitter.com/9paYELqUS3

— n (@rvinpeaxe) October 16, 2024

nam yoonsu you will always be iconic 🙂‍↕️pic.twitter.com/PxTj06uTAH

— 𝐚𝐥𝐢 🪐 love in the big city era (@blwemlng) October 15, 2024

Another fan sent Nam Yoon Su a DM to encourage him amid the homophobia. Nam Yoon Su reportedly responded, reassuring them that he wasn’t concerned about others’ opinions of him.

"Thank you!! From the moment I was introduced to Love in the Big City, I stopped caring about other people's gaze " naam yoon su FOR THE PRESIDENT https://t.co/s0fRn3qHdR

— neo (@acdgojo) October 15, 2024

In another interview promoting the K-Drama, Nam Yoon Su revealed his true feelings about playing a gay character and responded to the public’s reactions to his portrayal of the role.

Read more below.

Popular Actor Addresses Backlash And Homophobia For Starring In New BL K-Drama