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).Was this review helpful to you?
you have been warned...
This drama isn’t that special. It’s got an amazing cast, but the story isn’t doing anything new or having anything else to offer for it other than the cast that portrays what is happening. I fear this one is one of those cases of being hyped up for the cast, and it’s not me discrediting them, but all the pieces have to fit together for this to really be that good.. and the ratings on here are waaayy higher than this deserves. It’s a bit maddening, just because of how normal this drama is, and how the good reviews make me wonder what I’m missing?I can’t find the specialness here? The first episode is really boring, and sets up what we know in the trailer. It’s a drama that doesn’t need nearly this much time to tell a childhood friends to lovers.. unless it adds something else.. but my attention isn’t being grabbed nearly that well to fully want to get myself into this drama.
The supporting casts drags this story through the mud, and it’s frustrating to see. I really don’t like the mother characters hitting their children and for that to be played off as a joke? Just because the FL isn’t engaged anymore or doesn’t have a job.. the mother is horrible to her. I don’t get why people would want to watch something that frustrating. The FL doesn’t stick up for herself and drags the ML into it for some reason.. a lot of little plots here and there don’t make sense. The writing is below average because of this, and it gets quite annoying seeing these seasoned actors say such things.
Like Alchemy of Souls had romantic comedy elements and it was great! So it’s not Jung So-Min, it’s her character and the attitude given to the character. I get development is one thing, and you need to start from somewhere.. but to start her off it’s just written so poorly and wastes its time then. She is someone who can’t explain herself and is a bit annoying because it’s frustrating to have someone sit back and run away. The flashbacks shown are with her and her childhood friend, whose relationship seems so lonely. Like you see them interact as children and with other characters that just aren’t character? the children characters are filler and it makes this drama seem all the more like a set cast and not real people. I get that it’s not real, but it is portraying a story in a realistic setting so come on. Match things up here and there, and maybe that’s too much to ask for the first handful of episodes.. I just have seen dramas have stellar first episodes and instead this is just so boring and cliche.
Female lead comes back after years, meets childhood friend.. it goes from there. Her brother is pretty fun, I always like sibling relationships.. but it’s immature to me seeing how they act with eachother and they are both adults. It just is unfunny.
The ML I can’t say much of his character besides the intro that his mother had for him. It’s honestly so laughable that’s all I got. I doubt this one will get better and people will flood it with good ratings just because it’s pretty? But the cinematography isn’t amazing, and for a romantic comedy it’s just not doing anything new or interesting. I’m really serious with that, this drama is frustrating and I dislike all the characters because of the fact they are caricatures of tropes without being self aware. It is hard to watch but here I am.
To fix this it could have more heart, and not be so blatant with the parts it wants to tug are your heartstrings. Everything here panders to the audience. Like I’m too stupid to sit and think why something is sad or why it’s funny, the effects and music are over the top and the directing is as well. The characters are so unrealistic with their actions, especially with how immature they are as people, with each other.. goodness. Do people act like this? Do people tug at each others hair and tackle eachother? Adults? No… like maybe in a high school drama, but this is about adults? Not that adults can’t have fun but people have consciousness and the general knowledge to not act stupid, have some sense of shame.. stuff like that.
Instead here it is nonsensical, poorly written, over acted, not my cup of tea. I just don’t find this funny, instead I’m frustrated at the idea of how a drama with this premise is being told like this? Is it an unrequited love, childhood friends to lovers.. the direction they took it is comedy and it’s just not funny and instead boring and pandering to be funny. It sets up the relationship too quickly so it drags out because of that. I’d rather have balance here and there, where they pause and reflect seeing eachother again, instead of the out of touch reactions to get a laugh. They are just way too comfortable after not seeing eachother for years..
For a romantic comedy it’s got to have some ‘drama’, fantasy element, something over the top hilarious to make it fun. Here there is nothing that is that funny to me. I’d prefer a story like this told from another perspective where it’s more grounded. The FL sees the reality of a failed marriage and lost job, reconnects with her friends and family realistically without forced conversations and comedy. Extraordinary Attourney Woo would be a better approach, have a slice of life with methodical story beats, the woman comes back and has a process to regain some balance in her life. Coming back to her family for their stability and love she didn’t get from abroad, have it go by each day and separate story and she meets her childhood friend through chance instead of him just being there.. like make the guy swoon worthy. Make the ML a puppy dog that is loyal and believes in her when her ex didn’t. Goodness, I can’t believe this drama but I’ll keep watching!!
Yet unfortunately but not surprisingly the writing gets worse every episode. They have subplots for the sake of filling time, make characters do stupid things.. nothing amounts to anything in this drama. So in the end it gets worse each episode and is just plain dumb! Don’t ask for more reasoning. I spite myself for giving this drama any time of day after the first twenty minutes. LA DOES NOT HAVE SEASONS
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A mediocre drama at best
I started off with high expectations for this drama as it seemed promising with the case and the writer. However to my shocking disappointment, I was proven wrong within the first week of its release. The plot was lacking material and it felt like I was watching something with no substance. Nonetheless I endeavoured to continue due to lack of options with other kdramas at that time. And still I was left disappointed with each upcoming episodes.The main characters have no chemistry between them. What is supposed to be portrayed as fun banter comes across as sibling energy and constant yelling. It doesn't help that the story doesn't give them many opportunities to explore deeper perspectives and truly get to know the characters. I have by some miracle watched up to episode 14 and till now I wish I dropped it in episode 1.
One positive thing I will acknowledge is the lovely romance progression of the second leads. They have HEAPs more chemistry compared to the main leads and honestly both characters are refreshing to watch as it gives the audience to be exposed to a new portrayal of love. It surpassss all the bs yelling and childish behaviours and only focuses on central ideas. Special shout out to Kim Ji Eun whose acting skills were top notch. I will definitely make sure to watch out for her future projects.
If this was not enough to save you from wasting your time, here is a list of things I found that gave the drama the mediocre rating:
-lack of personality of main characters
-poor storyline. I feel like every week they decide to pick up a completely different issue and drag the whole drama long. They touch on a lot of big and intense issues (without giving spoilers) and then only to ditch them after two episodes like it miraculously fixes everything
- the FL is kind of annoying as each episode progresses. It's sad because I started off quite fond of her and then everything about her character didn't make sense and her personality that they tried to make outgoing and childish-cute only appeared to be exhausting and low-key red flags.
- the ML is portrayed as a green flag who just seems to be a doormat for the FL. I would have loved if the drama got to explore more of his experiences rather than gloss over them.
-the FL's parents are also quite annoying. The constant yelling and hitting gets old when you have to sit through it every episode. I eventually found myself skipping those scenes because they are such an eye roll. But I will give them the acknowledgement that I found some of the interactions between the FL's parents cute in ep 14.
- I feel like they have so much potential to explore the FL's brother in terms of his experiences and also success. I sometimes forget she has a brother because of how limited screen time he gets.
- something about them being childhood friends to lovers still doesn't sit right with me. But then again, I don't have a childhood male friend so I wouldn't know. It doesn't help that the actors kind of look similar.
- the kdrama has the best exes one can with for. And I feel, IN MY OPINION (plz don't come for me), both exes were done dirty by the main leads. And that is a whole another conversation
I honestly don't see where this drama will go in the next two episodes and I'm not even interested. I will still keep watching just for the sake of completion but can say that I bet it won't be worth the time. The drama lacked both the romance and the comedy in romcom. Would I recommend you watch this drama? No. But if you still want to pursue watching it, I can say that you will enjoy the second leads way more than the main ones. And even the FL's and ML's parents romance more than theirs.
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This review may contain spoilers
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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Love Next Door means much more than romance-people recovering from emotional trauma, family bonding, and developing their personality. This drama is about flawed people needing to heal with complicated relationships formed by the past they will face in building a new beginning. What sets this drama apart, in particular, is the peacefulness of the pacing, and that may not rush the romance but allow the characters to naturally flow into it.
Some of the most appealing factors of Love Next Door would be how this show is going to air the lead characters' emotional journeys. Their chemistry is organic, building up little by little, not from contrived plot devices angling to make interactions between the leads pop. Refreshing, especially in this genre, where so many authors try to get those sparks flying quick. Satisfyingly, it sustains the interest in its second half without going the melodrama way of surprising plot twists.
We also have a decent ex backstory that adds layers to the narrative and makes the leads' eventual union feel even more earned. The fact that the wedding date was delayed may have been irritating for some, but it really fit with the drama's message about emotional growth. It did make a lot of sense for the characters, considering that they said love is not about timing, but about being in tune, and about their healing processes. And though it felt conclusive, it was also sort of a new beginning, leaving that bittersweet note while hopeful.
The acting performances were superb, especially from the lead actors; they created their characters in such a realistic way that it felt like real people evolving on screen. All the vulnerabilities that build to frustration and eventual breakthroughs are told with such nuance that you really can't help but root for them.
Love Next Door is not just about love; it's about family, healing, and finding one's way back toward people who matter. It is a drama that works to the beat of its own rhythm, creating a world that is so real-where every step toward recovery is celebrated and where love finds its way, slowly yet so meaningfully.
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Healing family/romance series
PLOT: 2 childhood friends (ML & FL) meet again when FL returns to Korea after leaving work and fiancé in the USA. He will little by little heal her from her traumas and help her find her way. Their friend (FL2), a rescuer, meets a journalist (ML2), a single father. The return of exes and complex family situations will complicate things.+++ Jung Hae-In & Jung So Min in CL = magical!
+++ Family series with complex, well-developed characters, played with talent.
+++ superb OST
+++ Dynamic production, with the right mix of romance, drama, humor.
### I hate this trend of “long neck” haircuts for men :(
=> Very nice, great performance of the CL, to watch again.
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PLOT: 2 amis d'enfance (ML & FL) se retrouvent qd la FL rentre en Corée après avoir quitté boulot et fiancé aux USA. Il va peu à peu la guérir de ses traumas et l'aider à trouver sa voie. Leur amie (FL2) secouriste, rencontre un journaliste (ML2) père célibataire. Le retour des ex et les situations familiales complexes vont compliquer les choses.
+++ Jung Hae-In & Jung So Min en CL = magique !
+++ Série familiale avec des personnages complexes, bien développés, interprétés avec talent.
+++ superbes OST
+++ Réalis° dynamique, avec le bon mix de romance, de drame, d'humour.
### Je déteste cette mode des coupes de cheveux "nuque longue" pour les hommes :(
=> Très sympa, belle performance du CL, à revoir.
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Enjoyed the ride but will not make it into my top favorites rom-com if I'm honest
This rom-com series features one of my favorite trope: "friends-to-lovers". I really enjoyed the romance and all the build up that was made around the main couple, they successfully managed to make convincing the shift from friendship to romance. In terms of writing, the first half of the series is the most substantial one and clearly the most heavy.There are a lot going on in the life of the various characters and I think that some stories have a strong resonating power and will not leave the viewer indifferent for sure. I enjoyed to dip my toes into slice-of-life territory with the characters but I regret also some shortcuts taken by the writing regarding some storylines. Despite that feeling, I think that pacing could have been tighter (with definitely shorter episodes) and that the overall drama could have benefited from some streamlining. I feel that the mix of genre between rom-com and slice-of-life elements could have been better balanced and spread through the duration of the series.
The acting was very good with solid chemistry from the two main leads. I really loved Jung Hae In and Jung So Min pairing, I will keep catching up on their respective works. The ensemble cast was pretty great as well: the actors and actresses playing the parents and neighbors really insufflated life in all the family background of the main characters. In terms of production and filmmaking, it is quite standard for a rom-com. I found it pretty and colorful but not really impactful. I have similar feeling regarding the OST, it is already fading away from my memory.
I would recommend this to people that are looking for a rom-com with substance and good acting. If you enjoy slice-of-life stories, this might as well be a good fit for you. It is more heavy in terms of topics it approaches than the poster and title would left supposed. So if you are looking for simple fluff and light romance, it might not necessarily the one to pick. In my opinion, it is definitely worth a try despite some weaknesses in the writing.
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it could not get any better than this
i think i can confirm that this drama is PERFECTION itself. i am usually very critical but i couldn’t find any flaws in this drama. from the main leads to the supporting characters, everyone played their roles extremely well to the point i started feeling like i belong in the same neighbourhood as them. also, im a huge fan of the trope “childhood friends to lovers” and not every drama does this trope justice. for this trope you need the the right amount of tension and hidden feelings. and this drama perfectly portrayed every emotion of loving your childhood best friend. the osts, the cinematography, the costumes were amazing as well. basically, the vibes were perfect.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
need to just get this review out
Just finished force-feeding myself episode 13 - I am committed to finishing this drama, but BOY is it one of the worst.Don’t know who wrote and directed this, and I barely care to look it up, because it’s shocking how much of a step back in the modern rom com scene this is. Poor writing, farcical acting, nonsense plot, and terrible characters. It’s a really lame take on progressive themes, and honestly only brings us backwards in its message about relationships.
To be fair, I’m tuning in for the pretty people, to turn my brain off after work, and the bask in the glory of Jung Somin, but BOY does this drama not give her the wings to fly as she usually does. The directing, plot, script, character is so weak that I’m not surprised that even her performance falls flat.
The characters are absolutely nonsensical and awful, the writing is confused with itself, and all the directing is this weak attempt at being deep at exposing actually important concepts like career, esteem, social inferiority, and family.
The themes are right. The execution is wrong. I only kept watching for Moeum’s story, but even that one fell flat too.
It’s watchable if you just want to relax I guess, but it’s really Not Good. Also, the Netflix subtitles are not really exact translations, so not sure what’s going on there.
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A mix of many Kdramas nothing new
It’s plain boring the main leads have no chemistry, the side characters don’t add anything to the already boring plot. It’s like watching a mix of a lot of Kdramas combined. Other shows airing currently are far better. This show is unnecessarily overhyped. Good actors and their potential is wasted on a below average story. The FL character is annoying while ML has the same expression throughout while Somin is a good actress her character is written very poorly. Not sure how will the show move upto 16 episodes. Disappointed!!Was this review helpful to you?
the chaotic one
this drama is incredible, if you have a childhood friendship like this, the drama will surely bring back nostalgia to you, some episodes are very heartbreaking but at the same time some episodes are heartwarming. both the ml and fl are chaotic. i personally love this drma because it brings me back to my past. some dramas have such an effect on me and this is one of them. i hope you like this one🤞♥️Was this review helpful to you?
