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 😥😥)
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.
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.
Episode 15 pre release with subshttps://x.com/lalisalvr22/status/1842361829936234629
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. 💕💕💕
What is worse than being pitied? Pitying yourself. That is why Mi Suk is having a hard time throughout the series.…
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.
Hey guys, Does this have many sad or melodramatic scenes? I hoping for a romcom with slice of life type of thing…
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.
Very close to last Sunday, but a bit disappointing because I was hoping they might go over "10"
Something to keep in mind: There are many repeats on tvN. If Korean viewer also subscribes to TVIng, they can stream at any point.
And if they subscribe to Netflix, they can also stream at any point. In fact, when I was in Korea, this drama was frequently listed as Number 1 drama on Netflix in Korea.
The comment section feels like QOT 2.0 here just a bit calmer .
QOT was the Roller-coaster of all dramas and I loved every minute (well, 90%) of it.
This charming neighborhood (Love NEXT DOOR) drama is on a different level.
I really enjoy reading the various comments (provided noone gets personal with "y'all"or "you people") because after all, what a truly boring world this would be if we all agreed on everything.
Parents are certainly against the dating because the two mums beefing😂😂 What a bad timing to find out. It'll…
I think it's one of the best plot twists of the entire series! It perfectly fits with the "neighborhood" part of the drama - I would have been even happier if the Mom Battle had occurred a bit earlier - perhaps during the "dating" era before he proposed.
I just wish he hadn't proposed so quickly because now THAT issue (her rejection) is double complicated by the Moms. But I really like the
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⭐
I'm going to wait for at least 4 episodes to release before I dip my toes into this.
October 5, 2024 6.065% (Nationwide) 6.987% (Seoul)
Eng Sub: https://kisskh.at/758259-mom-s-friend-s-son
Netflix categorized it as "charming, feel-good, romantic".
Did you read my comment otherwise?
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. 🥰
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.
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.
Park Shin Hye is. . okay. Kim Jae Young. . . .meh.
But then I looked at the supporting cast and it's full of veterans so. . on my watchlist.
National: 7.110
Seoul: 8.179
Very close to last Sunday, but a bit disappointing because I was hoping they might go over "10"
Something to keep in mind: There are many repeats on tvN. If Korean viewer also subscribes to TVIng, they can stream at any point.
And if they subscribe to Netflix, they can also stream at any point. In fact, when I was in Korea, this drama was frequently listed as Number 1 drama on Netflix in Korea.
This charming neighborhood (Love NEXT DOOR) drama is on a different level.
I really enjoy reading the various comments (provided noone gets personal with "y'all"or "you people") because after all, what a truly boring world this would be if we all agreed on everything.
I just wish he hadn't proposed so quickly because now THAT issue (her rejection) is double complicated by the Moms. But I really like the