Love Next Door

Defying the Odds: Navigating Friendhsip, Life, Love, Grief & Growth

***Disclaimer: This is just my opinion. We don't have to agree and I'm not here to argue with anyone.***

TLDR: My review is long so if you don’t have time, just skip to the final thoughts section.


OVERVIEW:

The FL, Seok Ryu (Jung So Min), unexpectedly returns to Seoul, hinting at a complicated past. She is portrayed as a disorganized and emotional character, contrasting with the ML, Seung Hyo (Jung Jae In) who seems apathetic and aloof yet driven. Seok-ryu's life takes a downward turn when she quits her job leading to her return home, seeking refuge and facing her family's reaction. We follow her on this journey as she faces life's challenges and reunites with her family and childhood friends. Love Next Door combines various tropes and drama elements, drawing on past shows for inspiration. The key to its success lies in offering something unique and charming, with a focus on contrasting family dynamics, captivating chemistry and bonds between the characters.


COMMENTARY (SPOILERS AHEAD!):

I adore this drama as it leans more toward slice of life and melodrama rather than a traditional rom-com. The writers skillfully blend happy and sad moments, allowing a deeper understanding of the characters, family dynamics, and traits as the story unfolds. It offers a perfect balance of emotions and insight into how they navigate relationships and the world around them.

Seok Ryu's life has not been easy. It's been long and difficult because she comes from a low-income family and is the eldest child (typical eldest daughter syndrome) Seok Ryu faced immense pressure to fulfill her parents' high standards, leading to success but also fostering hyper independence and perfectionism. Eventually, she quits her job and returns home, displaying how these pressures negatively affected her mental health, causing her to face burnout. It becomes clear that she struggles with the guilt of wanting to pursue her own dreams instead of conforming to her parents wishes. We are led to believe this coupled with her broken engagement is the main cause of her depression, however it is revealed that she hid her cancer from her loved ones. Her silence exemplifies the gravity of the situation.

On the outside, Seung Hyo seems to have a perfect family, but his parents are often absent due to work. He was raised by Mi Suk (Seok Ryu's mom) and they spent a lot of time together. Seung Hyo is reserved and tends to suppress his emotions, but his abandonment issues and jealousy surface occasionally due to lack of parental support. Seung Hyo's hidden feelings for Seok Ryu become apparent early on, but his efforts to conceal them make him seem arrogant and uncaring. It's not until later in the drama that he faces these emotions, leading to intense angst / tension that captured my interest. At some point on their individual and joint paths, they both recognize their sheer fondness for one another, blurring the lines a bit.

Love Next Door marked Jung Hae In's stellar debut in the rom-com genre, setting him apart from his other more somber romance dramas like Snowdrop and SITR. While some may find his character arrogant and overbearing towards Seok Ryu, it's clear that his actions stem from a place of deep care for her. Seung Hyo may not be vocal about his feelings, but his actions speak volumes, as he helps Seok Ryu with everyday tasks and supports her dreams. Despite Seung Hyo not fitting the typical mold of romantic leads nowadays who tend to be either a loser/simp or a green forest, his unique way of expressing affection sheds light on a different perspective on love.

Similarly, Jung So Min did an excellent job portraying Seok Ryu, making her struggles and triumphs feel relatable. The chemistry between the two characters is palpable, making their interactions seem genuine. Seok Ryu's unwavering support for Seung Hyo adds depth to their relationship, showing a genuine understanding of each other. Through small gestures and meaningful actions, Seung Hyo and Seok Ryu's relationship blossoms into something special, proving that love comes in many forms.


MIXED EMOTIONS:

The banter that forms the basis of Seok Ryu and Seung Hyo’s relationship felt childish at times rather than a mature adult relationship, considering their ages. Nonetheless this unique dynamic between them is still cherished.

I appreciate the unique portrayal of exes in this drama, avoiding the typical villain stereotypes. Seo Ji Hye nailed her role and her character, Tae Hui stood out because of her strong performance and charisma. She recognized the boundaries in her relationship with Seung Hyo, acknowledging the differences in his behavior towards her and Seok Ryu. Many viewers, like myself, were drawn to her relatable journey from seeking passion in her youth to desiring comfort as she grew older.

On the other hand, I disliked Seok Ryu’s ex, particularly his persistence and stalker-like behavior when he was introduced. His eating of her mother's food and his lack of awareness were irritating. Seok Ryu's attempts to end the relationship were futile as he refused to accept it. I believe he came to Korea due to guilt, as shown by a harsh argument where he brought up her illness and mental health. Seok Ryu’s cancer drained her physically and emotionally, but her ex seemed emotionally unintelligent when it came to her depression. For someone who claimed to love her, he failed to understand or empathize with her struggles. He disregarded her needs and made her feel like a burden.

It was the fact that he went along with the lies about her illness that raised a red flag for me; I believe if he truly cared, he would have told her family the truth and found a gentle way to break it to them so that Seok Ryu would have people to lean on and support her. While he appeared to care during her treatment, afterward Hyeon Jun failed to provide the support she desperately needed, leading to their breakup. I found his behavior selfish and felt he would have cheated on her if given the chance. His insensitivity was evident in his inability to empathize with Seok Ryu’s needs, resulting in their failed relationship. Despite this, Hyeon Jun is not irredeemable, as their breakup was handled maturely, with an appreciation for the good times shared. Even though he was not the right person for her, their relationship ended amicably. Seung Hyo, while protective, allowed Seok Ryu closure, showing maturity. Some relationships end, but her growth from it shows its value despite the breakup.

I think the cancer storyline was kind of unnecessary as conflict could have been created between the main characters in other ways, such as showcasing gender roles and expectations in society or exploring her ex’s toxic behavior (cheating) due her depression etc.

Controversial take, but I also think Seung Hyo was justified in confronting Seok Ryu for hiding her cancer. He expressed the thoughts many of us had - calling her selfish and saying she was only thinking of herself. Although his words were harsh, her silence for 3 years was even more painful. I believe his anger also stemmed from his guilt for not recognizing her struggles and pushing her away while dealing with his unreciprocated feelings (ignoring her texts and calls) Seok Ryu's reluctance to burden others is understandable, but her friends and family would have supported her. Her ex initially agreed to help with her illness, but later switched up, focusing only on her therapy and medication so they could “move on”. Because he lacked empathy for her emotional struggles she felt isolated and alone despite his supposed assistance.

I had mixed feelings about the emotional journeys these characters took us on. It was overwhelming and frustrating, yet added to the authenticity somehow. This mix of reactions brought relief and humor, reminding us of their humanity. Her family's dramatic responses, though exaggerated, show their care and reveal unhealthy coping mechanisms. Everyone handles tough situations differently so I think that breaking down those walls & being vulnerable is what led to them healing and mending their relationship.


DISLIKES:

The first 4 eps. moved slowly due to establishing the scene and characters with a focus on the uninteresting architecture company. The workplace scenes seemed like filler and didn't appeal to me.

Seung Hyo's mood swings and unpredictable behavior were challenging to handle, especially when he would quickly switch from being affectionate to distant toward Seok Ryu.

Seok Ryu has low self-esteem and always apologizes even when she’s not at fault. It was concerning because she did not choose to get cancer. During her reconciliation with Hyeon Jun, his failure to stop her and assure her she did nothing wrong was disappointing. He seemed oblivious to the fact that she wasn’t in control of her cancer or depression.

Seok Ryu's behavior with Seung Hyo's ex revealed her tendency to people please and seek approval from others. It is interesting to note the contrast between her reactions to seeing her ex in a compromising position with a woman in America compared to Seung Hyo with his ex and other women. I suppose this inconsistency suggests a stronger emotional connection with Seung Hyo, leading to increased jealousy.

I didn’t like how persistent they made Mo Eum's character in befriending Yeon Du, and felt that Dan Oh setting boundaries was crucial. Her jumping straight to wanting to be a mom seemed unrealistic to me. She skipped so many steps, it gave me a headache. Also, the delay in revealing that Dan Oh was Yeon Du’s uncle, not her father could have been clarified earlier on. The writers misled me to believe he was still grieving his wife, or assuming blame for his family’s accident.

Dong Jin's storyline was lacking, but I enjoyed episode 13 where he expressed feeling overshadowed by his sister and inferior as a son. I wanted to see more of his development and romance with Na Yun.


LOVES:

The emotional toll of this drama took me by surprise, evoking tears in both intense and tender scenes. The confession moments were especially romantic, thanks to the talented directors and actors involved. While the portrayal of an Asian mother may be exaggerated, it resonated with me on a personal level. The argument scenes in ep. 2 and then the big reveal in ep. 8 made me cry buckets. Episodes 11-15 stood out as particularly impactful. Episode 14 brought tears of joy, while episode 15 left me devastated. It was incredibly well-executed, breaking and healing my heart simultaneously.

The chemistry and banter between the leads was exceptional, despite their frequent arguments. I came to appreciate their dynamic and accepted it as part of their relationship. As a couple, they are becoming more comfortable, especially now that everyone knows and approves of them.

The side characters: Mi Seok, Hye Seok, Geun Sik, Gyeong Jong, Mo Eum, Dan Oh and Yeon Du added depth and emotion to the story so much so that I became invested in how their arcs would play out. When the main characters frustrated me (which was often) I found solace in rooting for Seung Hyo and Seuk Ryu’s parents, their friendship with eachother and the side couples. Dan Oh and Mo Eum’s relationship had ups and downs, but when they embraced their feelings, they won over my heart completely.

One of my favorite dynamics were the relationships between the parents. Mi Suk and Hye Suk's rocky relationship highlighted the challenges of misunderstandings and feelings of inadequacy in friendships. I also enjoyed Seung Hyo's parents' storyline, anticipating the cheating plot to be a misjudgment. Their relationship reflected the reality of marital ups and downs, ultimately bringing Hye Suk and Gyeon Jeong closer.

The dads stole the show with their amazing rapport. Jo Han Chul and Lee Seung Goon, the actors that you are! Their brotherly bond was heartwarming and I could not get enough. I also liked the contrast between the two parental couples and how they showed coexistence is possible from two very different families. I appreciate that Love Next Door showcases a messy yet intimate family dynamic that is impossible not to love, flaws and all.

I love the parallels and inverted moments that we saw as the drama progressed. This is shown by Seung Hyo finding Seok Ryu at the same beach she ran away to in the past, mirroring the past when Seok Ryu brought him out of his cave when he was depressed. The Jungle Gym represents shifting emotional dynamics, with Seung Hyo now expressing his feelings openly. Mo Eum's wingwoman tactics added humor, with a role reversal in her kiss with Dan-Ho. Seok Ryu reading Seung Hyo's letter brings their secrets into the open in the same way that she read the letter he placed in the time capsule years ago. The neighborhood community's gossip highlights the pros and cons of living in a small town, showing both the lack of privacy and the strong sense of support in times of need. These full circle moments and evolving relationships add depth to the story as characters navigate personal growth and romantic entanglements.

I also admired the characters' efforts to compromise with each other, even if they didn't fully understand. Their reconciliations moved me to tears. LND delves into themes like love, family relationships, grief, friendship, identity, isolation, determination, change versus tradition, and more. The drama exceeded my expectations with well-developed characters and a complex plot. 

While the pacing could improve in some areas, conflicts were resolved swiftly, maintaining an engaging storyline throughout. The natural conversations added realism, and the progression from friendship to romance felt beautifully executed, with a perfect balance of slow burn and tension leading up to a poignant kiss in episode 11.

The cinematography was also stunning, particularly during the pool scene, bike ride, and the romantic kiss in the flower field. The evolution of Seok Ryu and Seung Hyo's relationship, from initial awkwardness to genuine connection, was portrayed beautifully. Small details like Seok Ryu calling Seung Hyo "babe" added a cute touch to the storyline, making this drama truly memorable.

The OST is amazing, with standout tracks like "Wall" by Kwon Jin Ah, "The Truth" by Jung Hae In (which imo is so impressive!) and “What are We” by Ha Sung Woon. Honorable Mentions are “Fantasy” by An Da Eun, “Reach For You” by ZEROBASEONE and “Any Day With You" by Muzie which built anticipation for the next episode.


FINAL THOUGHTS:

Overall, this drama deeply touched my soul. Love Next Door is more than just a feeling, it's a genuine experience that shouldn't be missed. This drama healed something in me and I’m grateful that I committed until the end, as the characters made me cry, smile, and laugh all at once. LND strikes a perfect balance between seriousness and lightheartedness, handling tough situations with care while also bringing humor into the mix. I appreciate how it doesn't downplay hardships but still conveys meaningful messages.

One thing that struck me was the idea that being understood is more important than being loved. It is possible for someone to love you without truly understanding you, as shown with their ex’s Hyeon Jun & Tae Hui. 

It reminded me of the quote “To love is to understand but to be loved is to be understood." Love may develop naturally over time, but making the effort to truly understand someone is a conscious and deliberate choice. It involves putting your own needs aside to focus on the other person, which is far more valuable. Real and unwavering love means knowing someone inside and out, accepting their flaws, and STILL choosing to stand by their side. Seok Ryu and Seung Hyo’s 30-year friendship laid the foundation for their romantic relationship, which ultimately led them to be woven into each other's lives and hearts forever.

The drama may have begun with some clichés, but I found it endearing for its heartfelt moments, emotional depth, and intricate relationships. This drama may not be suited for everyone, as it requires a certain kind of endurance and perceptiveness that may not be immediate. The complexity of the characters and their realistic portrayal can be frustrating yet captivating. Around ep. 7 or 8, you'll likely know if it's the right fit for you.

Would I rewatch this? Yes, in a heartbeat! I can see LND becoming a comfort drama for me. I’m so attached and I don’t want to let them go. Not gonna lie, I’m kind of salty we didn’t get the wedding however, I like the non-traditional ending that gives us a glimpse into post-credit scenes that we don’t usually see between the main couple. Imo, it added realism to the drama. The open-ended conclusion feels more like a new beginning, leaving the possibility of a season 2 or a spinoff which is different from typical dramas. A drama with Mo Eum & Dan Oh as the leads or Lavender travelling during retirement would be something I would watch.

I believe words aren’t enough so just hold on for the ride! If you appreciate heartfelt stories, you will like this. I also think mature audiences will connect with this more.

Despite some flaws, I rated this drama an 8/10, though I feel it's closer to an 8.25 or 8.5, primarily due to its emotional impact. It truly made me feel a lot, unlike anything in a while. I appreciated every character’s complexity in addition to the sincerity and warmth the actors brought to their roles. Love Next Door is a drama I won’t be forgetting for a while!

Thanks for reading & happy watching!

˚ʚ♡ɞ˚

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로코퀸 & Tteokbokki

It's loud. Warm. Messy. Viciously human. A story about choosing your own life and the people who love you enough to argue you back into it. I've watched this at least five times now and only now feel like I can start writing about how this show buried itself in my chest the second I saw it. It's still in me, planted from the very first second, and it hasn't moved. I don't think it ever will.

Jung So-min… my bias… my chaos… my 로코여신… my 국민 첫사랑… I would follow her into hell if she asked, so seeing her burn everything down as Seok-ryu just to keep herself warm felt like someone ripped the air out of me. She is transcendent in this role. Watching her here doesn't feel like watching a performance. It feels like being dragged directly into her nervous system. When she feels anything, I feel it immediately. When she loves, I love. When she laughs, I laugh. When she cries, I cry. When she is sad, I am sad. She doesn't act emotions. They explode out of her. Tiredness, irritation, grief, relief. She makes exhaustion feel specific. It is that heavy Reiner Braun/AOT energy. The psychological exhaustion of being consumed by a role so long you don't know where the character ends and the person begins.

Her letting feelings exist before they are named assaults my psyche in the best possible way. Angry before it's reasonable. Soft before it's safe. Hurt before she's willing to admit it. Her body tells the truth first. When Seok-ryu is pretending she's fine, I feel that lie sit heavy in my chest. When she finally snaps, it feels like pressure releasing that I was holding. She isn't unraveling for spectacle. She's burning down the version of herself built to please everyone else. Surviving matters more. She spent years in the US like Tanjiro, carrying kindness and endurance while suffering alone, dragging the weight those that loved her should have cared about.

I love that when Seok-ryu finally comes back to Korea, she and Mo-eum just seem to fit right back together. No manufactured drama, no "why didn't you call" for ten episodes, just the immediate reality that they are together again. Pure friendship.
No one's a villain here. Sure, there are a couple of assholes. The co-workers in the US. The fiancé. But the people who matter, the ones this show is actually about, they just exist, make choices, hurt and confuse and fail in ways that feel unapologetically human. And the more you watch, the more you see it. Sometimes no one is wrong. Sometimes people just don't match. The timing is off. Life is heavy and messy. You can't meet the expectations. You can't fix the impossible. You just… live through it.

Families here are a mess. Both Seok-ryu and Seung-hyo grow up carrying invisible backpacks stuffed with expectation, longing, and enough trauma that was always going to add some weight. Seok-ryu’s mother is loud, demanding, certain about what a good life should look like, and those expectations press straight into her daughter’s spine. Seung-hyo’s parents are mostly gone, a mother chasing a version of herself overseas, a father always working, so he drifts next door and grows up under Seok-ryu’s roof without ever fully belonging to it. The Korean title says it outright. Mom’s Friend’s Son (엄마 친구 아들). A label that freezes him in place long before either of them gets a choice. He is fed, watched, worried over. Loved. And that is exactly the problem. To her mother, he is a child she helped raise, not a boy who could ever stand beside her daughter. That misalignment sits at the center of everything. It is why love feels dangerous before it ever feels romantic. The parents orbit each other awkwardly, the fathers trying to keep the ground steady, the mother unable to see past the shape she assigned him years ago, and the kids stumble under the weight.

That cussing scene in the room is everything I love about this show. Seung-hyo is sitting there in the dark, romanticizing his own misery, clinging to the wreckage of his swimming career like it's a moral obligation. She doesn't soothe him. She explodes. She knows exactly what he's doing. Loves him too much to let him lie to himself. The anger is sharp. Intentional. She knows where to aim it. That isn't chaos. It's control. She isn’t trying to hurt, she is trying to heal.

Watching her carry the reality of fighting stomach cancer alone, far away in the US, while still reaching out again and again and being ignored, is brutal and it wrecked me. She fought and defeated the cancer on her own, and that loneliness put her halfway in a coffin instead. She survived the cancer but was still dying inside. Then add her co-workers. They weren't overtly racist, but wow… the stereotyping, the assumptions that because she was hardworking she'd do anything, the way they never took her intellect seriously, the way they took advantage of her. It is infuriating. It's humiliating. It is exactly the kind of quiet cruelty that makes her perseverance feel even more impossible. She doesn't dramatize it. She doesn't ask for sympathy.

The hurt just exists. Heavy. Unresolved. Like something she learned to live around. It gave me that Kaori/ Your Lie in April vibe. That desperate, frantic energy of wanting to leave a "good" impression and smiling through the absolute wreckage of her health so she wouldn't be a burden to the people back home. What makes my blood boil is the fiancé. He was there for the surgery, sure, but he checked out the second things got messy. He treated her cancer like a project with a deadline, and when she didn't just "get over it," he grew impatient. He was at work parties and moving on with his life while she was drowning in the depression of her recovery, basically asking her why she wasn't "fixed" yet. That emotional abandonment is a different kind of rot. The show doesn't sensationalize it. It just lets the loneliness fester.

When Seung-hyo learns the truth, the story doesn't collapse into excuses. The reality is that while she physically survived, she was mentally and emotionally dying, reaching out to him over and over, pleading and begging over text, and he just never responded. He takes the hit for that. He stays with the guilt. He doesn't center himself. It is like Frieren realizing the weight of the years she wasted while someone was waiting for her, but unlike Frieren, he thankfully gets the chance to fix it. He finally understands the gravity of his silence while she faced the end of her world alone.

And because of that history, their relationship doesn't suddenly turn soft and poetic. It stays sharp. Their bickering is the heart of the show for me. It's healthy. It's earned. It's intimate. They insult each other because that's how they're honest. It hits like legendary Inuyasha and Kagome energy, where all that loud, constant yelling is just a massive shield to hide the fact that they are the only people who actually understand each other's trauma. That rhythm, that trust expressed through irritation, is everything I want from a romance.

The relationships? They're everything. Parents who love in completely different ways. Childhood friends who drifted apart and somehow find each other again. Neighbors. Colleagues. People you meet as adults and immediately recognize as part of the rhythm of life. Every connection feels alive. All of it has weight. All of it matters.

Jung Hae-in acts the part perfectly as Seung-hyo. His energy, presence, and choices play off Seok-ryu and the world in exactly the right way. He's a foil, a chemistry partner. Another perfect casting.

Her dad, Jo Han-chul as Bae Geun-sik, is completely magnetic here. The way he wants to provide for his family, the way he has been making tteokbokki for decades, and how he kills himself working those extra delivery app hours just to recover from being scammed. He is steady, warm, human in a way that makes my chest ache. Watching him is like watching someone live with love fully, quietly, and stubbornly. I want to be near that energy forever.

Her mom on the drums is ridiculous and glorious. Watching her hit every rhythm to process her chaos is absurd and hilarious but it works. It is like a tiny explosion in the room that makes everything feel alive, human, and uncomfortably joyful.
The second couple is chaotic, alive, and impossible not to adore, and Kim Ji-eun as Jeong Mo-eum is the engine that makes it work. She first encounters him in the park on a medic call and doesn't see his face. Later she realizes he is the same Mudfish-nim she had a tiny crush on and she is embarrassed, stunned, and can't believe it. The tiny moments like Mo-eum finding a young girl searching for four-leaf clovers in the park and jumping in to help, not even knowing yet that the girl is the niece he is raising as his own, are absurd, funny, and sweet. They make every second feel alive. Every awkward flinch, every ridiculous "oh no I like him" moment hits me in the chest. They are living, breathing magic.

The Lavender Club is a typhoon. They fight, they laugh, they argue, they plan, and somehow all that chaos makes the neighborhood feel alive without ever stealing the spotlight. The mothers? God, the mothers. Subtle, quiet, perfect. They fight, they bicker, they drive each other crazy, but when one of them needs something, the others are there without a second thought. No speeches. No drama. Just instinct. Just care. It hits you in the chest every time.

The dynamic dad duo? Their drinking sessions were among the funniest things about this show. Watching them huddle over soju to escape the torrent of the Lavender Club provided the perfect, ridiculous relief. They were the steady, quiet ground that held the neighborhood together while everyone else was exploding.

The ending is existential. She does not just choose herself. She drags her whole history into this moment and says I am done apologizing for surviving. The way Seung-hyo works with her father to surprise her with Rainbow Kitchen in her dad's old spot is beyond sweet. It is them taking the wreckage of her past and building a physical space where her passion can finally live. And when he starts talking about designing their actual house, it's the cherry. It's a blueprint as a love language.

But the show knows better than to end on a sunset. It ends on a bicker. Of course it does. She says that whenever they argue, they have to hold hands. So there they are, clutching each other in the neighborhood while she sarcastically adds "honey" after every jab just to follow the rules while still being herself. It is a loop. They haven't fundamentally changed into different people. They've found a way to be themselves together.

They grew up next door to each other. Their families were neighbors then, still are now, and life just sent them in different directions. That history is the only thing sturdy enough to hold all the silence and resentment and distance. The pain mattered because it happened. Not because it was fair. Not because it was good. Not because it was required. Not because anyone told them it had to. It's just what they lived through. Just what they survived. Everything they lost mattered. And it made them who they are here, now, together.

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