Great potential to be the best of the year
This is a good start. It's fresh, spontaneous, funny, entertaining.The leads: there's tons of chemistry and they look SO good together which is a plus.
Jung So Min is mastering this kind of sassy, strong and energetic girl who is quite witty too. She is like a magnet to the male lead.
Jung Hae In is refreshing because even though it's impossible not to notice his amazing looks, he also has this calm and deep vibe (without being pretentious) that makes him more attractive and interesting.
In regards to the story, despite the premise is simple, I think that may be because the focus is going to be on the characters and their development and pressure to become functional and successful adults in complicated Korean families. Also, the dinamic and pace of the story so far makes it much more enjoyable.
So, everything is promising and makes me think this could be a huge hit.
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A Beautifully Written Story That Warms The Heart & Brings Comfort To Those Exhausted In Life
'Love Next Door' or also known by its native title as 'My Mom's Friend's Son' is not your typical romantic comedy k-drama that is a no-brainer and whose plot is only filled with the usual fluff, cliches, and scenes that will make you cringe to the core, while having the typical one-dimensional perfect romcom main lead characters. This drama offers a whole lot more which had completely exceeded my expectations.The storyline of Love Next Door is simple yet very thought-provoking as it captured the essence of real life in its full color, not just merely black and white, but the greyness of it. It is not poorly written but rather well-written, and should be perceived well as it has a lot of depth to it. The story does not solely focus on the romance aspect alone but tackles real life struggles which most viewers — especially, those who come from an asian family or culture, can relate to. Apart from that, the storyline highlighted the importance of relationships in any forms and how certain life decisions or perceptions greatly affects it. The pace of the storyline might seem slow but it is at perfect temperature which burns the slow-burn romance trope in this drama satisfyingly. This drama will give you the slice of life feels, with some melo and bearable angst that blends together with the romance and comedy in just the right amount. Love Next Door might not fit certain peoples' cup of tea which is normal as everyone has a different taste. Fortunately for me, it filled my cup to the extent it overflowed.
Some of the tropes in the storyline might seem overused, however, this has long been a norm in all dramas and doesn't necessarily equate to them being carbon-copies of each other. The execution of such tropes is what sets them all apart. This is where I would love to praise the writer of Love Next Door because of the way she had used and executed such tropes in a new and refreshing way, it is definitely not lazy writing on her part. The cancer trope which almost everyone had dreaded the most actually turned out to be a cancer survivor trope that adds depth to the storyline, and clearly it stands out differently from all the other k-dramas that had used the same trope in this aspect. For the first time such illness is not being linked to instant death but rather the after effect of it, the impact it had on the lives of both the person who had experienced cancer themself and the loved ones who stood by their side along the battle. Another notable thing which I would praise the writer for, is how the issues or problems aren't dragged all throughout, instead are resolved either by the same episode or the next. They were also not merely just brought up out of the blue, most scenes had already foreshadowed them, the characters dialogues or simply who they are as a character gave the hints away too. The writer laid out certain life challenges as a pivotal element for the storyline and characters development. The neatness in how each loose ends (hardships & struggles) are woven together (resolved) as the storyline progresses leaves a meaningful impact and conveys life lessons, therefore, bringing comfort and healing too.
The characters here are realistic and definitely not one-dimensional, they are all flawed in their own ways. The realism of the characters in the storyline depicted the rawness of human emotions and the different ways certain people in real life deal with life itself. The characters reactions are animated, exaggerated, immature, ignorant and expressive making them very complex with lots of layers. Yes, the characters who are in their 30s had acted immature and this is something which can be considered realistic too. Maturity is not set on age, there is no such thing as the older you get the more mature you become, in reality it has to do more with ones life experiences and lessons, the same applies to these characters. The storyline gave these realistic characters a lot of space to make mistakes, be confused, be miserable, to learn valuable life lessons and grow, while also allowing them to hold on to what they want in life despite not being at their best selves. This is exactly what I found beautiful about Love Next Door, because I was able to find the entire range of human emotions in this drama alone. I was able to relate, understand, sympathize and empathize with the characters. It had also opened my mind to certain things that I might have not known before. Just exactly like what Jung Haein had said, we have to see the characters in Love Next Door as real people not simply as characters. We also have to open our mind and allow ourselves to step into the shoes of each characters in order to get a full grasps of who they are and why they made such decisions in life, because each of the characters here come from a reasonable stance.
Bae Seokryu is the character whom I relate to the most in this drama. She is a character written to be the 'eldest-daughter of an asian family household'. She had always been ambitious ever since she was young and she takes pride in her achievements. She values her mother's opinions and had always tried her best to be a filial daughter to her family. She is strong-willed and had shown her mature side since she was young. The flashbacks when they were children had shown sides of her maturity with how she takes care of Choi Seunghyo. She is an extremely selfless person who cares too much about her loved ones to the point she often neglects herself as an expense of trying to carry everything around her shoulder for the sole purpose of not becoming a burden or worry anyone whom she holds dear to her heart. Her questionable and easily misunderstood life decisions at certain times are due to her selfless-ness. Her cancer, workplace bullying and depression which she had suffered from made her hit rock bottom. It was an awakening for her that finally made her realize that she wasn't truly living for herself. To Bae Seokryu who fell into a slump, Choi Seunghyo became her compass that helped her navigate to the new life she had decided to live for herself. For Bae Seokryu, Choi Seunghyo is the rainbow in her life. Choi Seunghyo on the other hand is a character written to be the complete opposite of Seokryu. He has his own selfish side and may have had flaws due to his abandonment issues. He lacked familial love but still was able to grow up successfully into a kind and loving person. He isn't a completely immature character, he has his mature side too which he often brings out when him and Seokryu have their serious moments, away from the banters. His character never once annoyed me. Instead, I felt for him. While he might not have been the typical romcom male lead, he is a green forest in his own way I must say. To Choi Seunghyo who lacks familial love as a child, it was Bae Seokryu who helped him get through life as she was always there for him in his sickness and important life events. For Choi Seunghyo, Bae Seokryu is the gold medal in his life.
Their love story had never felt one sided to me as I was able to understand where both of them was coming from and how they both have a completely different way of loving. Seunghyo is more expressive with his love and Seokryu is the silent lover type. Seunghyo is willing to go through rock bottom with Seokryu no matter how uncertain their future is, while Seokryu is willing to carry all the pain to lessen the damage for Seunghyo, both are very selfless acts of love. The resilience of Seunghyo's love for Seokryu that withstood all the storms truly speaks volumes of how he is the right person for her. Seokryu's braveness to open the doors to her heart to allow love in her life again despite her past traumas and fears tells how Seunghyo really means to her. No love outweighs the other. Sometimes when life knocks you down, it isn't about who pulls you back up, it's more about who stays with you in the dark, who lets you cry and rant and rage. Accepting you in all your life's phases, even the ugly and worst one but still wholeheartedly loving you in every way. Sometimes love isn't only about building things up but about gathering the broken glass and making sure none of the pieces get lost. Their love story and many of their moments will surely remain unforgettable for me.
The transition of their romance from being childhood friends to lovers was done smoothly in a well-detailed manner. I love how it wasn't rushed and they showed the awkward phase in their relationship. They gave justice to the childhood friends to lovers trope by giving it a proper execution. Although they had a rough start due to certain past misunderstandings and the unresolved traumas each of them still carried. What I love even more about the development of their relationship is the fact that they were only brought together when they are already in the phase of healing rather than hurting. Their relationship wasn't always smooth sailing, through the moments of their arguments we got to see them slowly growing and showing maturity with how they handle their problems together as a couple. I especially love the way Seokryu and Seunghyo had both professed their love to each other. It was done in a unique way that is tailored for the two of them only, the details to their confessions makes it even more romantic. Their confessions sounded so poetic and the fact that their token of love for each other weren't merely wedding rings but things that connects to their childhood and holds sentimental value to them. I cannot pick a favorite dialogue or scene from their confessions, as I love everything including the banana milk expiration scene.
This is Jung Haein's first romcom k-drama and I have so much praise for the spectacular performance he had delivered. His micro expressions and how his eyes act alone is enough to move me. It is so refreshing to see this new side of him and this will definitely go down as one of my favorite roles of his. I would absolutely love it if he ventures more into this type of genre. Jung Somin gave a wonderful performance too. I love her. They both did great at bringing life to their characters as Bae Seokryu and Choi Seunghyo respectively. Without a doubt the two of them had delivered the childhood friends to lovers trope convincingly. Their chemistry is truly insane and the best of the best, either on or off screen. As for the heavy and emotional scenes, their performance and ability to portray a wide range of emotions didn't fall short and surely left an impact as they stirred up my emotions too and made me cry with them. Every other actors in this drama are deserving of praise too. I am so thankful that Jung Haein and Jung Somin were casted in this drama.
While watching Love Next Door, you have to completely allow yourself to be immersed in its storyline. To sit back and enjoy the flow of where the story is taking you, not where you want the story to be taken. Which I am glad I did because I was fully able to appreciate and enjoy watching this drama. The storyline might have some minor flaws but the amount of good qualities it had made me overlook such flaws. I love almost every single thing about this drama. From the story about their families, friendship and neighborhood to the wholesome friendships portrayed here between Seokryu, Seunghyo, Moeum, Danho, Yeondu...their dads and the lavender group. There were so many memorable and note-worthy dialogues and scenes that easily became my favorite. It is sad that the nuances in most dialogues had been lost with translation errors because it definitely has a deeper meaning in Korean. The title and its changes after each episode is something which I liked too but again, lost its deep meaning due to translations. The ending might have been left open-ended which I usually don't prefer, but for the first time I found myself satisfied as it was meaningful and very SeungRyu coded. A heartwarming happy ending indeed. This drama left a deep emotional impact and valuable message about ordinary human life through each of the characters experiences.
Overall, Love Next Door is the best romcom k-drama that had been released this year for me. The amount of happiness, comfort, tears, healing and warmth it brought to me with its beautiful storyline makes it all worth it. I agree when Jung Somin said that there is something heartwarming about the way the writer sees people. I don't think I will ever get this attached to a drama ever again. It will be so hard for me to move on from this. I wish Jung Haein and Jung Somin could reunite in another drama again and maintain the friendship they have. I have so much love for Love Next Door.
"Just find what's valuable to you in your life. That's more than enough" — Bae Seokryu
"Who cares if we fall? who cares if things crumble? we can hit rock bottom together. Then we can get back up again" —Choi Seunghyo
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Reconnecting and Growing from Childhood Friends to Lovers
Love Next Door, the new hottest romcom, isn't exactly a "romcom". It leans more over to the melodrama side, which can be misleading. This features the classic childhood lovers to friends trope. We dive into the main leads' complicated pasts and how they rediscover each other.The ML, Choi Seung-hyo, is not your classic pure male who's never touched another female in his life. He has past relationships, though it seems like they weren't very deep. However, it's cliche that he fell first, and liked her for majority of his life. His whole family is kind of on the outs, at first. They barely talk to each other so ML ends up spending more time with FL's family.
I believe many people weren't quite happy with the FL, Bae Seok-ryu, at the start of the drama. Don't be discouraged in the first few episodes at the fact she seems so easygoing, and uncaring. It seems to be her coping method. I was starting to not like her, but then a lot was revealed.
She struggled. She struggled so much, always trying to be perfect and never allowing herself to make mistakes for her parents. But it's too hard to always be "perfect". So when she was sick, she couldn't bare her parents hurting because of her. She's one of those people who take on everything themselves, and never ask for help because they don't want to burden, disappoint or hurt anyone else but themselves. That was so relatable to watch because I'm the same. I always struggle with telling people who are close to me about things like this because I don't want to see them hurt and I don't want it to impact their lives so I'll just deal with it myself. Her character was relatable for me, and it was healing when she finally got the support she needed from her friends and family.
She was burnt out and at a loss while other people might just see this as pure "laziness" which was what was depicted in the first few episodes.
It was a really realistic touch to see this portrayed so well. o +1 point. It's very reassuring to see the FL eventually discover her dream and excel at it while being happy. She became my favourite character from this drama.
There's a lot of family dynamics going on in this drama too. Obviously, ML's family heals and everyone's happy lol. The main dynamic, is Seok-ryu vs her mother.
The acting skills are undeniable. Jung Hae-in and Jung So-min, top actor and top actress. Hae-in and So-min can speak through their eyes, and they have diverse ranges in emotions.
The crying, hurt and guilt felt so real? They can really channel emotions into their acting. I think they were the only ones who could've played Seokryu and Seunghyo so well. Honestly, they are perfect for these roles. The characters' interactions all feel genuine.
Kim Ji-eun and Yun Ji-on were perfect for the second lead couple too! Honestly in this drama, everyone was played out their characters quite well. This is an amazing cast with star names! Yeon-du is really cute :).
Seunghyo and Seokryu are the absolute, perfect match for each other. They bicker, fight, but they're the only ones who can heal each other ultimately. They just get each other. They know each other so well, no one can beat that type of relationship. There's metaphors hidden in the show. They're very subtle but they show that no matter what, they're there for each other.
The two leads have great chemistry, imo. I've watched all the cast content and behind-the-scenes on youtube, and honestly they look like great friends IRL and I'm glad this drama brought them together.
I liked all OSTS played in this drama, but honestly "Words I Could Not Say" sang by Jung Hae-in, HIMSELF, tops the cake! His voice sounds so angelic and expresses so many emotions.
DISLIKES:
- The mother was undoubtedly my least favourite character. She really had no emotional growth the whole drama. She has an inferiority complex and believes everyone's making decisions to spite her. There were many chances for potential character development but we never got any. It was like placing a seed, and it sprouts just for it to die before it can grow any bigger. It was just painful whenever she was arguing with literally anyone. It might have been an attempt for a realistic portrayal of an "asian mother", but it was just frustrating when this is meant to be a healing drama and she had literally no character development.
- The SML, is introduced to us as a single father. However, later we learn he's actually the uncle of the child. That was annoying because I was really hoping we could see a single father heal, and open himself up to a new relationship. Though he did lose his whole family and obviously did have to heal from it, it's just not the same yk :(.
- The FL and ML, mostly the ML, did act like teenagers in quite a few of the scenes. They're in their 30s but act like teenagers sometimes. There's a scene where the ML mentions he has "dirty thoughts" that he's not allowed to think of, but he's literally 30? I found it a bit weird, but it's nothing major.
- The writing often relies on injuries/diseases/accidents for emotion breakthroughs and communication to occur.
- The ending was a bit underwhelming, often an issue in kdrama land, I was really expecting them to get married especially cause they built the story up to marriage!
OVERALL:
I really did enjoy this, apart from the cons lol, it's a good watch. It tells a beautiful story, with a lot of healing and growth. I wouldn't list this as a romcom, but more of a melodrama, romance, slice of life with a side of comedy. Overall, it's more like an 8/10, but I gave it an 8.5 because the cast is amazing! I hope you all give this drama a try :). And, let's all remind ourselves that we are all entitled to have different opinions that can coexist.
If you do decide to watch this, I hope you enjoy it!
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DEF MUST WATCH perfect balance of melodrama and romcom, The actors chemistry carried this drama
so, i just finished the last chapter and here are my thoughts.chemistry of absolutely all the couples on the show: 10/10 (ofc, the main couple is superior).
Story and direction: 8/10, the story is certainly not innovative but it is well executed, important themes are touched upon and you can be quite familiar with the dynamics of a Korean family, the problems that there are in real life, good slice of life.
My biggest criticism will be that when the main couple is official, the fl feelings are somewhat ignored, we don't know much about what she thinks or feels, they focus more on the ml being a loser in love,Many times the FL is seen as someone cold who doesn't care that much about the ML (you'll notice in the small details) it would have been nice if they showed more from her POV not only through the diary they published on social media showing her thoughts, a casual viewer will never know about that, I think we can def only see way more of her in the last 2 chapters.
The direction was very well done, the shots are very good and aesthetic and focus on small details, there are many references to past situations between the protagonists, The way they played with the chapter names was very creative, they gave them a good meaning (wordplay in Korean, hard to keep in translation, Netflix really did a terrible job, they missed a lot of details because of this).
characters: I think the characters are REAL, there is not only black and white, there are grays, and that is something that I think many of you do not know how to accept, if it bothers you it is because clearly there is a good job involved, I think they all had a good development and a realistic ending
The actors were excellent, there was great casting work and clearly great chemistry between the entire cast (Somin and Haein mentioned it a lot)Haein's acting never disappoints, he is one of the few actors who can convey everything with just one look, Somin also excelled, although she is an expert in romcoms, I think she stood out in scenes of drama and angst, and they were both a very funny duo, I think someone who didn't know them from other projects would think that they had actually been friends for a long time in real life
I personally liked LND a lot, you can resonate with some of the the topics that are discussed, you can laugh because even though many try to say otherwise this is ROMCOM, of course it has some melodrama, but it is necessary for development and a "happy" ending
I still think that a better job could have been done from the writing and direction, but it is a kdrama that is totally worth it, It's a solid 9/10, healing drama, one of my favorite kdramas this year, along with Queen of Tears, Lovely Runner and The Atypical Family (do you notice anything in common? Yes, fools in love are the trend?)
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When I first started watching *Love Next Door*, I didn’t have high expectations. I thought it might just be another light-hearted friends-to-lovers story, but from the very beginning, it completely surprised me. What set this drama apart was how effortlessly it wove in deeper themes like family, friendship, and illness, giving the story much more emotional depth than I anticipated.
The dynamic between the characters was especially captivating. The transition from friends to lovers was handled so smoothly that it felt natural and refreshing. Despite their growing romance, the characters never lost the core of their friendship, which is rare in similar dramas. I was honestly surprised when some viewers mentioned they didn’t feel the chemistry between the leads because, to me, it was definitely there. Their bond felt authentic, and the way they supported each other through personal challenges made their love story even more compelling.
The family and friendship relationships were another highlight. They felt genuine, adding emotional layers to the drama that made it more than just a romance. The drama's slow-burn nature allowed these relationships to develop gradually, giving each character space to grow in a realistic way. This slower pacing didn’t drag at all but rather built the tension and deepened the emotional stakes, making the eventual romantic payoff even more satisfying.
As for the ending, I have no complaints. It wasn’t just a happy ending, but one that felt like the start of a new chapter for the characters. It gave me a sense of closure while leaving space for imagination about what comes next. Now that it’s over, I know my weekends are going to feel a little empty without it.
In conclusion, *Love Next Door* was an unexpected gem. It wasn’t just about romance—it was about life, family, and the importance of relationships. Despite its minor flaws, it left a lasting impression, and I’m grateful for the connections I’ve made with others who enjoyed it just as much. Oh, and yes, I even changed my profile picture to remember it!
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One of the Best RomCom of 2024
Love Next Door is one of the best romcom k-drama that has been released this year. It easily became my number one favorite drama of the year. I will never forget the emotional rollercoaster ride this drama had made me sit through with each of its episode. It is not a typical romcom k-drama because of the realism of its storyline and characters. It is a wholesome romcom drama that will reach to every deep corner of your heart and touch you because of its beautiful storyline. There were a lot of lessons in this drama alone, aside from that there were no hate-able characters which is why I have been immensely hooked to this drama. Although one may find some tropes familiar at first, but as you watch further, you will realize there was no similarity at all to begin with because of how well and fresh they were executed and used as plot devices in the drama. I also love how the characters are easily relatable, I relate the most to Bae Seokryu and her character had comforted me in many ways. This drama is not perfect but I love almost everything about it. The family, friendship and neighborhood stories aside from the romance that were told here were definitely not filler scenes but adds so much substance to the storyline, therefore, making it even more meaningful and heart moving. I watched this for Jung Haein as it is his first romantic comedy and I commend him because of his excellent performance yet again, he amazed me with his talent and he obviously can pull through romcom genre dramas, so I want to see him in more romance dramas. Ofcourse, I fell in love with Jung Somin too. As someone who had witnessed Haein with his other FL's, I must say that for me, his toptier chemistry is with Jung Somin. They gave me so much butterflies even if their characters weren't in a romantic relationship at the beginning but I already felt the impact of their chemistry. The main leads and all the other characters' performances deserves an applause and writernim is well appreciated for giving us a wonderful storyline that I will never forget. I will definitely rewatch this again next month.Was this review helpful to you?
Youthful Bonds to Lasting Love: Love Next Door Delivers a Heartfelt Tale of Family and Friendship
Love Next Door is not just a drama; it's an intricate tapestry that weaves together threads of family, friendship, and romance. Since the very first episode, I have been hooked enough to make me replay the last three episodes--definitely my favorite. What a brilliant job the cast did, as one could barely envision anyone else for these roles. They lent meaning to these characters in such a way that even after the credits roll, the connection between them would remain intact.
The emotional journey of Bae Seokryu intertwines seamlessly with her childhood friend Choi Seunghyo as they reconnect and navigate the intricacies of their developing relationship. How it transitioned from friends into lovers was done with such nuance; almost refreshing and real, for a change. Every single interaction had tangible chemistry in the air, and the development of their relationship really moved at a pace that kept me glued to the screen. But what really worked for me in this tired drama genre was the avoidance of overused tropes; we get to witness the building up of two faulty characters sans umpteenth girlfriend from hell or over-the-top conflicts.
The family dynamics themselves gave fullness to the story, too. Subplot: Choi Seunghyo's parents rediscover their love for each other-just about like he sees them fall in love all over again-is beautifully done. It added depth and warmth, indeed, to remind me that love can change and be reborn at any age. Moreover, the Lavender Ladies-those bright friends-were a bit different than in friendship. The way they all stood up for each other is just the type of relationship I hope to have someday in my life.
Equally engaging were the mothers in the story. It was deep to see them put aside their differences for the sake of their children; it showed how relationships can sometimes turn for the better whenever we let go of pride. This thread of forgiveness and personal growth courses through the entire series, reminding one that love has many faces: familial, platonic, romantic.
Then there is the ex story arc, which was also really good without relying on the usual melodrama of jealousy and fighting. Rather, it involves plausible characters making poor choices, which lends an air of realism to the series. The writing, though imperfect, pulled off telling a realistic story with relatable characters and heartfelt scenes.
Speaking of pacing and structure, I would liken Love Next Door to a well-constructed "horse chart": yeah, perhaps it had some bumps along its path, but the overall trajectory was meaningful and satisfying. The lack of a clear villain or melodramatic plot twists ultimately made for a very down-to-earth experience, reminding us that not all love is about over-the-top performances; more often than not, love exists in quiet-indeed, very soft-spoken-moments of contact and comprehension.
Ultimately, Love Next Door is not just romance; it is a celebration of growth, connection, and the messiness of human relationships. While perhaps not to the taste of every audience, for the viewer who hopes to find in a story something over and above the typical tropes of romance, this series offers a fresh viewpoint that will linger in heart and mind long after the final scene.
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Rollercoaster of emotions - from love to lulls
To start off, I wouldn’t say Love Next Door is the best drama I’ve ever seen. However, it’s certainly enjoyable, with some highs and lows along the way.(MAJOR SPOILERS AHEAD ❗)
Likes:
I was initially really excited during the first few episodes, especially with the classic friends-to-lovers trope. Jung So Min and Jung Hae In delivered solid performances that kept me hooked, even when their constant bickering started to feel a bit repetitive (as they're people in their 30s). Their chemistry with each other was very good (atleast for me).
A refreshing aspect of the show was its take on past relationships. Rather than portraying exes as toxic, it showed how some can still be supportive. For instance, Seokryu’s ex remained by her side during her chemotherapy, which added a heartwarming and mature layer to the story. Seunghyo's ex even supported the leads getting together and wished them good luck by gifting Seunghyo her handmade ongi (hopefully the spelling is right).
Despite not being the eldest daughter myself, I really connected with Seokryu's struggles of being the eldest daughter. Her line "It feels like everybody is moving forward and I’m the only one stuck" resonated deeply with me!! As someone who has faced similar feelings recently for so long, this scene really struck a chord :')
Moeum was definitely my favorite character! She embodied strength and warmth, especially in her relationship with Danho and his daughter, Yeon Du. Her scenes brought an extra layer of enjoyment, particularly when she found amusement in the lead couple's bickering and their hesitance to acknowledge their feelings for the past 2 decades. One of the funniest moments was when she opened the time capsule on the same day they buried it, rather than waiting the expected 10-15 years—talk about impatience lmao!!
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NOW, its time to point out my dislikes (it's my opinion so I would appreciate it if someone didn't come to literally fight with me if they read my review)
After Seokryu's fiancé was introduced, the plot felt like it was dragging. At one point, I almost considered dropping the series. I was hoping the romance would pick up between the leads after an ep or two about the ex BUT NOPE they just had to drag it out so much. Seokryu not flat out rejecting her ex's advances again and again had me pissed. Like pls tell him to get the hell out firmly if you don't wish to be with him any longer??
Her mom too became insufferable during this time period, she was already shown as the typical mom who places expectations on her daughter too much while seemingly going easy on her son, because of his illness that he didn't even have a problem with while growing up? But it started becoming more unbearable when she was sneakily trying to set Seokryu up with her ex again just because.
There were moments when the writing seemed a bit off. For example, when Seokryu thought she was being followed late at night, only to discover it was Seunghyo, the scene didn’t play out well. His response felt like victim-blaming, which didn't fit his character.
It would have been more heartfelt if the story had kept Yeon Du as Danho's biological daughter. However, the reveal that she is actually his niece felt cliché, Moeum’s unconditional embrace of her role as a mother figure would have been even more impactful without that twist AND Moeum herself didn't have any problem with it before finding out the truth.
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In conclusion, Love Next Door had its shining moments, but there were also parts where the story dragged. I ended up taking a break until it finished airing (after ep13) allowing me to binge watch the last few episodes. While I enjoyed the finale, I wished there had been more closure, like some wedding scenes or an epilogue scene with both the main and lead couples married ><. Overall, despite its flaws, the drama was nice and i liked it.
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The Best RomCom K-drama of 2024
As to what the title says "Love Next Door" is the best romcom korean drama that has been released this year 2024, in my opinion. For once, I never found a single episode boring but instead I completely got sucked in into the storyline. I do not skip or watch in fast-pace mode so I got to really know the details and subtle hints which the writer wanted to show in specific scenes. This has been worth all the time I spent staying up all night waiting for its new episode and the patience I withheld while I wait for weekend to come.The storyline of this drama is not flawless, there were some scenes in particular which I wished could have went in a different direction but that is maybe just me and my expectations talking. Just like anybody else, I got frustrated with some of the characters like Seokryu's mother who had annoyed me so much in every episode. However, it does not stop me from continuing to watch this drama because the storyline is realistic and truly relatable. I loved how we got to see different stories not just between the leading characters but we also got to discover touching stories about their family, friends and everyone around Hyereungdong neighborhood.
The chemistry between Jung Haein and Jung Somin is not only explosive offscreen, when you watch this drama you can see for yourself how their chemistry is really chemistry-ing. They act so well I am speechless in most scenes because of their amazing acting.
I am so sad that this drama is ending so soon. I am thankful that they gave us Love Next Door.
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Like Seok Ryu, maybe I deserve to cry too, maybe I deserve to heal too
Often times, we live in this world inside a big tall wall that we build ourself. We lock our dirtiest secret, most painful stories, our vulnerability inside of it. I lock the door from inside, then guard the key with my soul. I let nobody peek what I hide inside,But it always harder to hide what inside from a person that lurking around me even before I build that wall. They always accidentally see what shouldn't be seen. They always curious what hidden inside. They always know I inside, and if they care enough, they will knock the door, or in extreme, bam the door, break the wall.
That is a story of Bae Seok Ryu and Choi Seung Hyo. Two person that in one time of each their life decide to break each other wall.
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Review is always subjective in nature, but I always try to put objective perspective and technical perspective as much as I can. But for this one, I'll skip most of it (I believe there is hundreds of review waiting to tell this perspective). I think this story is important to be told even with all the flaws it has.
There is a lot of Seok Ryu exist in this planet. Some of us lucky enough to have a Seung Hyo to break our wall, but a lot doesn't get to be that lucky. Maybe, just maybe, you can consider to make a little window for yourself. Let the sun shining on you. Let yourself watch when the rain pour outside.
And maybe, just maybe, a secret seed inside your heart can grow into a beautiful pomegranate tree.
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best 2024 friends zone to lover, slice of life vibes
heartwarming, blooming in kind of way, no up and down, characters are not toxic and stable, they have their own stand points which bring out the good characters between their personalities (I guess the MBTI plays a big part in this plot)throughout the story, Jung Hae In and Jung So Min never disappoints, they sure delivered! they did such a great job while bringing out the best of both sides of stories, I praise them for that. Director has got vissionaire that helps run the story smoothly (which made me finish the whole series in one day)
the pictures/scenery are really nice, I enjoy all the pictures frame and colors working in different scenes a lot
well done ?
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Poetic Review
Blossoming Lavender and Silent Bonds The Beauty of Love Next DoorLove Next Door is a drama full of understatement at moments and the small joys of everyday life. It isn't the story of fireworks and at-the-roof dramatic confrontations but one of quiet healing from time, love, and community. Centering on the main plot: Bae Seokryu returns home after a decade, while Choi Seunghyo has never quite left her heart.
But what really makes this drama shine is in embracing the warmth of its side characters, mainly the Lavender Ladies and the family of Seokryu's father. Community is what this little quirkily caring group of neighborhood ladies brings into the story. Reconnecting with their wisdom, humor, and support really reminds one just how important it truly is to have a group that lifts you up. At the same time, the father's family epitomizes stability and that kind of unconditional love that can weather the years to give Seokryu a base on which she can heal and reconnect.
Their romance is unhurried. Soft and deeply set in their shared past, it blossoms like lavender in a field-growing quiet and beautiful without forcing its own pace. And that's what makes Love Next Door so good: it's one steeped in realism. It is a love story for people who believe in second chances and find comfort in places and people they are familiar with-in the idea that love does not need grand gestures to be profound.
Besides romance, it covers meaningful relationships through family and friends. The dad's family is that cornerstone to which one clings for a sense of belonging, while the lively presence of the Lavender Ladies keeps light-heartedness within reach. Every interaction feels organic to add to the larger theme of love and support that can be found not only in romantic love but in the community that surrounds us.
As I was watching, I found myself searching for poems that fit their narratives as well. Certain lines resonated deeply with the characters' journeys, capturing their emotions and inner struggles. It was like finding fragments of poetry that mirrored their quiet moments, unresolved feelings, and the gradual healing they experienced throughout the story. It added an extra layer of connection for me, making the drama feel even more meaningful.
Without a wedding scene, the ending doesn't leave us hanging in any way. Rather, this was a beginning, not an ending. This is a reminder that not all true loves have to culminate into a ceremony with rings and vows sometimes; it's about the quiet moments between two people. Seokryu and Seunghyo's journey goes past the screen with a promise of a future filled with love, family, and deep connections they've rebuilt.
Love Next Door stands out because it takes us back to the essential things-family, community, and love that heals in due time. It reminds one that the most beautiful stories are not told in broad strokes but in the subtle, lavender-scented moments of everyday life.
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