Kathryn_51

I know nothing about Hae-in. Didn't know anything about him before this drama.

Amusing (to me) side note: when I was in Korea, the promos for his new movie (Veteran 2??) were everywhere - in the subway, in the shopping malls, on the street video screens and non-stop on television. I didn't even realize he was in it until the 3rd or 4th time I saw the promo and I told my husband - I think that's the guy in "Love Next Door". 😊

When I was in Korea (a couple of weeks ago), LND was frequently #1 on Netflix Korea - very popular w/in the country. This was in addition to Nielsens which are only for the specific first release.

Good news. LND hit its highest Nielsen ratings for the Sunday finale.

E16 2024.10.06. 8.4 (nationwide) 9.4 (Seoul)

Although I've criticized the drama and I can't recall a single scene I would re-watch (the "morning after" scene was TOO cringey/unimaginative), I was hoping this charming little drama would hit 10 - and it came close. 😊😊😊

They were still filming in late August! So, yes - definitely rushed and missing the great cinematography (I'm thinking the pool scenes especially) of the earlier episodes.

In Korea, this was marketed as a "neighborhood romance". I only talked to one Korean who had some insight into the show and he said his wife watched it because it was all about love. Not just the main couple (who she adored), but love between the adult neighbors, siblings, children.

I was looking forward to this drama for months (when JSM’s role was announced) and around the 30% point (ep. 6), I rated this 9⭐, hoping it would get 10⭐. The writer seemed to have a plan for weaving the stories together and all of the characters (except Seok-ryu at that point) were well-developed and not mere k-drama stereotype characters. I especially enjoyed the back-to-back scenes between past childhood scenes and how they repeated as adults.

But it began to get muddled around Ep 10. Cliffhangers were contrived/meaningless as they were quickly resolved. A cliff-hanger should be a CATALYST for moving the story forward or a significant plot twist. Other scenes were mis-leading (example: the implication that ML's mother was having an affair) and were nothing more than filler - they didn't add anything to the story arc. And, saddest of all, the childhood scenes disappeared - until the last episode and those scenes were the best part of Ep. 16.

I don't know how or why certain dramas are 16 episodes and why others are 12 or 14. If 16, there's usually a murder plot or family empire battle or government corruption or a spell book to create and maintain the tension. This could have been a tightly written charming/feel good 12 or 14 ep. drama. Instead, it was a very muddled charming drama that I began to FF through certain parts.

In the end: characters are still believable and loveable. The neighborhood connections continued and a new beginning for all of the "seniors". I didn't need to see a wedding (and what kind of cheat was it for the preview to show Seung-hyo in a tux at the very moment he is talking about their wedding??!!), but the "new beginning" for SH/SR should have been the newly married couple walking into the house he designed and built for her.

Cast/Acting: 10⭐
Characters: 10⭐
Cohesive writing/memorable dialogue: 6⭐
Re-watch value: 2⭐ (which saddens me because Jung So Min is my favorite kdrama actress 😥😥)

Overall: 8⭐

He wore Thom Browne for the entire show and then those different shirts at the end. 😊

Please spoil. Watched thru Ep. 8 or so and traveled for 3 weeks and haven't returned yet to the drama. Did father and mother reconcile in the end or not. I won't waste time on unhappy ending. about my favorite characters. Thanks in advance.

Well, I HOPE THIS IS true. Because Kang Hoon paired with Jo Hye Joo (if it happens) will be magic 10. With FL actress???? Can't contemplate.

I'm going to wait for at least 4 episodes to release before I dip my toes into this.

Korea Nielsen - Love Net Door Ep. 15 posts its highest Saturday rating. 😊🥰😊

October 5, 2024 6.065% (Nationwide) 6.987% (Seoul)

Seok-ryu says that they are "already married" and certified [registered, I assume].

Big surprise spoiler in the pre-release??? I put it below for those who want to be surprised - but then, don't watch the pre-release.

Eng Sub: https://kisskh.at/758259-mom-s-friend-s-son

Re: the PPL is a mainstay of Korean dramas but at least they didn't try and insert it earlier during emotional or traumatic scenes. And as far as I recall, we haven't seen one scene at Subway or Kopiko coffee candy.

Jo Han Chul is one of my favorite kdrama actors. Loved him in "Stealer: The Treasure Keeper".

thanks for clarification. 🥰

"neighborhood love story" or "neighborhood romance" - that's how it was marketed in Korea.

Netflix categorized it as "charming, feel-good, romantic".

I said I am enjoying this drama and that I was looking forward to Ep. 15.

Did you read my comment otherwise?

Why do I enjoy this drama? Many flaws - in fact, too many to count.

But Choi Seung-hyo and Choi Gyeong-jong (dad) and Seo Hye-suk (mom) - they've had my freakin' heart from the first episode. Hopefully this is truly an Ep. 15 episode. I will set my alarm for early morning wake-up because I cannot wait to watch this scene. 💕💕💕

Thanks for sharing @pinktulips69. 🥰

I agree with your analysis of the two women's characters - but it means the writer isn't really interested in them. Many MDL viewers praise the writer because misunderstandings or arguments/anger are quickly resolved.

But that results in contrived cliff-hangers and no real evolution or development or growth for many of the characters. Seung-hyo's growth has been front and center from the beginning. His parents have gradually evolved.

But others? Mo eum's mother was the "please get my daughter married and out of the house" until she suddenly wasn't and then suddenly she was. Seok-ryu is still stuck in her post-cancer depression [I still don't understand why the invite to the architect award event wasn't used as a catalyst for her to evolve]. And Mi-suk's insecurities have been front and center from the beginning - and Nothing Changed for her - her daughter's return and the revelation about her cancer - that shoulda/coulda been a pivot point for her - but it wasn't.
Thus, her insecurity continues to be nothing more than a plot device. I actually enjoyed the fight between Mi-suk and Hye-suk - but it should have happened 2-3 episodes earlier if the writer was interested in character/relationship development. Instead, it happened only as a cliff-hanger for SH/SR's relationship.

I'll wait until the drama ends before I change my rating - but it's definitely going down because the writing doesn't deserve a high rating.

it's more slice-of-life with strong romance foundation. Humor is amusing and charming but rarely "rolling on the floor". Occasional tears but no major trauma/sadness/tragedy.

No murders, serial killers, corporate intrigue or fantasy/spell books.

In Korea, it's marketed as a "neighborhood love story" - and the love is not only between the main couple but also between friends, neighbors, family.

To me, it's probably one of the least stressful kdramas of the last year. Hope this helps.