This review may contain spoilers
Fun and Flawed
Heroes Next Door clearly tries to build on the same foundation as The Fiery Priest; a mix of comedy and action, with random people coming together as a squad. It’s funny, chaotic, and warm in its own way, even if it doesn’t reach the same highs.
One of the biggest strengths of the show is its cast. Yoon Kye-sang is especially well suited for comedic roles; he feels natural and effortless, never forced. The drama is filled with familiar supporting actors, and it genuinely feels like a show where supporting characters finally get their moment to shine.
What really makes the drama work, though, is the dynamic between the characters. There’s a strong sense of community throughout the show; these are ordinary people living boring lives, yet they have so much heart that they’re willing to risk themselves to protect others. That warmth is what carries the story.
Choi Kang slowly becoming an integral part of the group was especially heartwarming to watch. His friendship with Byeong-nam is hands down the best part of the show. They start off constantly at odds, but watching that turn into a sibling-like bond by the end felt very earned and emotional.
I also appreciated that the show opted for just 10 episodes. It knew its limits and wrapped things up without unnecessary dragging, which worked in its favor.
That said, the drama doesn’t really have those “I need to watch the next episode right now” moments. The pacing feels monotone at times, and while the show works with its limited possibilities, it doesn’t offer much beyond its core premise. Some storylines felt completely unnecessary, making you wonder why they were even included, and certain sections dragged more than they should have.
Sullivan’s revenge arc, in particular, didn’t make much sense and felt all over the place. On top of that, the “Khamas” mention and the decision to portray a brown Pakistani character as a suicide bomber was honestly wild and poorly thought out. It’s hard not to question whether anyone in the writing room stopped to think about how problematic that was.
Overall, Heroes Next Door is character-driven drama with a lot of heart, good chemistry, and decent humour. It’s not groundbreaking or particularly memorable, but it’s sincere and enjoyable as long as you go in with tempered expectations.
One of the biggest strengths of the show is its cast. Yoon Kye-sang is especially well suited for comedic roles; he feels natural and effortless, never forced. The drama is filled with familiar supporting actors, and it genuinely feels like a show where supporting characters finally get their moment to shine.
What really makes the drama work, though, is the dynamic between the characters. There’s a strong sense of community throughout the show; these are ordinary people living boring lives, yet they have so much heart that they’re willing to risk themselves to protect others. That warmth is what carries the story.
Choi Kang slowly becoming an integral part of the group was especially heartwarming to watch. His friendship with Byeong-nam is hands down the best part of the show. They start off constantly at odds, but watching that turn into a sibling-like bond by the end felt very earned and emotional.
I also appreciated that the show opted for just 10 episodes. It knew its limits and wrapped things up without unnecessary dragging, which worked in its favor.
That said, the drama doesn’t really have those “I need to watch the next episode right now” moments. The pacing feels monotone at times, and while the show works with its limited possibilities, it doesn’t offer much beyond its core premise. Some storylines felt completely unnecessary, making you wonder why they were even included, and certain sections dragged more than they should have.
Sullivan’s revenge arc, in particular, didn’t make much sense and felt all over the place. On top of that, the “Khamas” mention and the decision to portray a brown Pakistani character as a suicide bomber was honestly wild and poorly thought out. It’s hard not to question whether anyone in the writing room stopped to think about how problematic that was.
Overall, Heroes Next Door is character-driven drama with a lot of heart, good chemistry, and decent humour. It’s not groundbreaking or particularly memorable, but it’s sincere and enjoyable as long as you go in with tempered expectations.
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