Love Next Door

A true Slice of Life drama at it's heart

One thing to know about me, is that slice of life is not really my genre, i usually view them as palate clensers. However I was blown away by this one, it was such a pleasant surprise. I absolutely fell in love with the characters and their story from the first episode, it was the perfect frenemies/childhood friends to lovers show. The main leads were really phenomenal, in terms of character writing and acting aswell. Jung so-min and Jung hae in killed it honestly, the chemistry between them was insane, and it was very fun to watch their interactions with each other, and it looked like they were having a lot of fun aswell. I also really loved that the show focused a lot on developing the relationship between the ML and the FL, and they had a lot of scenes together which i really appreciated. Whoever told you that it's a sunshine and grumpy trope has LIED to you. Cheossong is just as much of a goofball as seok-ryu if not more, I cannot stress this enough. I really liked the story structure aswell. How the story worked in this one is that it wasn't throwing 6 storylines at you at the same time. It was only a handful at best, and they were completing them one after the other mostly so that the viewer wouldn't get overwhelmed, which I really appreciated. They were decently written aswell and made it so that the main leads have even more screen time. The only side story i didn't really liked was Dong-jin's, it felt like a drag everytime he came on screen. I felt like his character was poorly handled, they could've included him in the story more, and explored the theme of being the sibling that is not much expected of, which was kind of explored but in only one short scene. I also love how the secondary leads were handled, they had a really cute storyline, but it really felt like they were secondary leads in this one which i really liked, because there's a reason why people prefer the secondary leads in a lot of dramas, which shouldn't be the case all the time. It is also worth to keep in mind that the show is slowburn, probably even by kdrama standards, but I think it made sense because of the story and the personalities of the main leads. Stuff I didn't liked was probably the OST, which was only decent at best, and the VERY early bed scene. I don't know what is netflix's obsession with bed scenes, but they really didn't do it well this time. Now I don't mind bed scenes, but I feel like if there is one, it should be kept to the last or the second to last episode, I feel like it's a milestone in a relationship, and when we look at the trope of a kdrama, it really emphasizes the milestones of relationships like holding hands, kissing, bed scenes. Overall, I really enjoyed my time with love next door, and I was really sad to have to say goodbye to these awesome characters. So if you like a good slice of life drama, it's a must watch!

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Episode 9&10 are Game changer.

Just watched 9th and 10th episodes. The story now makes much more sense. The writers were trying to keep things in suspense until now without revealing too much of the plot/events. Now that things aren't scattered and presumably clear, I feel this drama is making me stay. I've never seen a drama with Female Lead having a very important past relationship. Here she is trying to get over it. Usually Kdramas don't show Lead's love for the Ex, but this one did. Its nice to watch a real case scenario. I recommend atleast watching till 10th episode. Don't know where it'll go but I hope it exceeds my expectations( which are already pretty high).

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LND

Uhhh non ho le parole giuste per iniziare questa recensione finale...di solito mi si stampa in viso un bel sorriso che conclude il percorso del drama che ho seguito lasciandomi piacevolmente felice...ma a sto giro mi ha lasciato a metà... anzi mi sento come se non avessi visto la fine sconclusionata!

Non volevo finisse così volevo una vera conclusione! E soprattutto volevo vedere l'amica che tornava dal polo sud!!! Per non parlare almeno del matrimonio o della stessa casa che stava costruendo!!

Sono felice solo del ristorante..avevo pensato giusto ma non credevo sarebbe partita dal padre l'idea...dolcissimo uomo fino in fondo ❤️

Dicendo questo comunque il mio voto è un 8...perché? Bhe ho apprezzato tantissimo il valore che hanno dato all'amicizia...e come hanno evidenziato rendendoli veramente reali i problemi familiari che si possono incontrare nella vita, facendoceli vivere in prima persona e coinvolgendoci con le gioie e i dolori dei protagonisti ...

Questi piccoli e significativi momenti sono la parte che ha salvato questo drama per me.

Concordo sul fatto che sia stato più intenso e coinvolgente all'inizio... che la lunghezza infinita degli episodi potevano evitarla e forse tagliare anche qualche pezzo....

Lo rivedrei? No... se non lo avessi visto on air ...non so se lo avrei finito tanto presto ...

End

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What to know before watching this drama

The drama was really good for my tastes. It contained a really story, the actors did an amazing job and it was so funny at moments it had my laughing really loud and so sad and touching i was several times on the verge of tears. Something really good also was how the moment the story seemed like its was nearing its end they found a way to make it so it was interesting and captivating till the end . There were some really good plot twist and some shocking answers to some of the questions, so if you want something funny, serious and cute, then thats the show for you. (For me the beginning of the first episode was i little cringe, but thats something ican look over.)

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The realistic portrayal of adult life struggles

I find the series very realistic especially on the woman's side.
Woman tend to experience more difficulty in life especially if you are the first born (male or female a like) in Asian families.
Some are fortunate enough to have a good life and some have a lot to struggles to be an apple of the eye of the parents.
Gas lighting was also shown here which is sometimes disregarded at our workplaces because we don't want to be involved to the victim.
The portrayal of the family dynamics here shown 2 sides of family, a family with no communication can really destroy the family within and a family that would like to be seen by the society as a good family puts a lot of pressure to the children.
For the love aspect, its the closest to reality but I do hope there where would a real man like the main lead.
The relationship of the best friends going to lovers really happens to some with a good or even a bad outcome. The transitioning of friends to lovers' was well portrayed. Kudos to the actors.

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In the abundance of roses, you're my sunflower!

Childhood friends to lovers bickering story done right. From the announcement to the release, it was much hyped and created a lot of anticipation among the drama fans. Was it worth it?
 
Definitely worth it. It is a family-orientated love story with which everyone can relate. What makes it different than any other drama is its's dynamics of characters.
 

✔️Likes:
 
• spotless chemistry between the leads. Single-handedly, they hold the series together.
 
• Sismance! Lavender Group's friendship is something we all aspire to. From school friends to neighbourhood moms, they've always stayed together and supported each other.
 
 
❌Dislikes/Room for improvement:
 
•The episodic length; oh my my... 1hr 20mins X 16 eps?! That's too damn long! I had lost all my patience waiting for it to finish.

• Resolving problems because of medical conditions. I know they love their family to death, but was illness the only thing that could vanquish all their problems and unite them again? Even if it was, then when they were so sick, why put so little importance on it? The issue came up all of a sudden and resolved too quickly.
 
Sometimes the characters were too childish and selfish at times, but I get it. As an adult, you think you can fix all your problems on your own without any help, but sometimes a reassurance is all you need to carry on in life. 
 
It wasn't something phenomenal and over the top, but something you watch when you're craving some fluff with a lot of angst and adults whining like children in frustration. It was not bad not good either, but just ok.

I think for me it comes once in a while that I fall in love with the rom-com kdrama; unfortunately, this is not the one.

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First few episodes are comedic. But after introducing their relation the comedy aspect dropped of significantly. Cast was good.
The direction was good. Even gave the side couple adequate screen time and story. ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎ ‎

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Lively start. I love these two main protagonists. One is fantastic as a black panther model, the other "rebel way" with a naive air. Truly a beautiful pairing.
He acts superior but it's clear he cares a lot about her. He advises her, protects her from her mother's blows, meanwhile she is like a wounded, soaked puppy who wants to make it seem like she doesn't feel bad and everything is OK.
Really good tune.
But also their friends and the journalist are good characters too.
The series could have ended with the tenth episode.
First 8 episodes are more dinamic with querrel beetween the 2 old friends than the story become more "serious" with issue like cancer, divorce, rejected proposals...
Then when women push things too hard I get impatient and lower my rating. This poor boy....

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Jung Hae In x Jung So Min superiority!

What a cute show!! This is the first kdrama in a looong time that I found myself hooked on week after week. I lapped up all the bonus Youtube content too (that Elle interview had chemistry off the charts). So Min's "Because this is my first life" is my favourite drama of all time, and Jung Hae In is SUCH a treat to watch in romcoms (One Spring Night is probably my favourite of his).

Strangely, it took me a little while to get to the last episode, which felt like pure fluff. I liked the push-and-pull early on, and I didn't even mind the most melodramatic plot lines (which were usually tidied up within an episode or two, much like an American sitcom). I laughed and I cried, which is all I can really ask for.

I was particularly pleased with the exes in the story — I'm glad that they weren't annoying recurring characters, and the way their past relationships played out felt fresh and mature. I wish Seok Ryu's reason for leaving the US weren't so complex though — the burnout would've been enough, and that would've made for a stronger and more realistic statement than all the other circumstances that were revealed afterwards. Another choice that I didn't love was Dan Ho's family circumstances. This is a drama with Jung Hae In, for crying out loud! Erase the stigma and become more accepting of death, divorce, etc. instead of presenting the most tragic backstories ever.

Another thing that disappointed me (surprisingly!) was the chemistry. There was so much potential early on (that pool scene? omg!), and weirdly, even more chemistry in some of the interviews. But when the love really got rolling, we were treated to some awkward closed-mouth kisses. The teasing and banter evaporated, and was replaced by overly sweet honeymoon-phase talk. At least we got glimpses of the couple coming back to earth by the end.

The set was pretty, and the foreshadowing was good. I enjoyed the drama overall, but I wouldn't call it a memorable, all-time great... which is too bad, since these two actors have the chops to provide that kind of impact. The script was a bit.of a let-down in that regard (or maybe some of the directorial choices were off). Either way, this drama was solid and satisfying, but with minor adjustments, could've soared to another level.

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