Writer Exposes TVING For Halting New LGBT+ K-Drama’s Promotions

A K-Drama has been receiving backlash for its LGBTQIA+ storyline.

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 especially have been hyping it up across X (formerly Twitter), as it will be released soon. 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 netizens’ excitement, religious groups have recently begun protests, calling out CJeS for “supporting the production of a drama that glorifies and encourages homosexuality.”. They are demanding for 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

Fans 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  has now 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 to 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

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 open on October 21st. Everyone, please enjoy it to the fullest! In the end, we will win!

How well do they want this to do to act like this? ><

— Park Sang Young

Netizens are disappointed that TVING has given in to pressure from homophobic groups. They feel that we shouldn’t have to be concerned about homophobic censorship in 2024.

He said the drama will still be released NO MATTER WHAT and that we will win in the end, period! pic.twitter.com/nC6eshiBjG

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

tving deleting love in the big city from all their channels like to my star wasn’t the biggest debut on their platform is actually so funny so much that they started adding more kbls after how well it did pic.twitter.com/Az4fjTKBiu

— n (@rvinpeaxe) October 12, 2024

The protest was infront of TVING & CJ building. They even threatened to boycott all CJ products if Love In The Big City continued to air. Seems TVING tried to quell the protest by taking down the trailers. But these ppl want whole series to be cancelled

Guys what should we do :( https://t.co/E7aNHsWk74 pic.twitter.com/OHDGxMMkR8

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

The Love in the Big City film, starring Kim Go Eun, also based on the book, recently premiered, and the K-Drama will premiere on October 21, 2024. Read more about Nam Yoon Su’s response to homophobia below.

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