xuehua

THIS!! with such revelation some people act as if she's already been put in a 'death sentence'. For sakes, why are some people so impatient with everything about LND storyline. To the point they are nitpicking almost every single thing. Like, ep 8 alone is the last episode of the drama when in reality we still have a lot more episodes to go, 8 whole freaking more episodes haha

IKR!! It was the same scene from the same day Seokryu came back to Korea. Makes me wonder how people come up with such theories while overlooking that fact alone lol

That clip was at the very beginning you can watch it, it is also the same day when Seokryu returns to Korea, the same outfit plus their mothers conversations says it all. SO, I really doubt such theory lol

Exactly this! Everything you said is on point. It's funny to me how there are still 8 more episodes left before this actually ends, we still have a long way to go. We are at the part where the storyline is beginning to dive deeper and uncover the hidden layers among each of the characters, most specially 'Bae Seokryu', yet some people act as if the storyline is merely constricted to the revelation of her having cancer alone, even to the extent of making it seem like she has been put in a 'death sentence' with such revelation. They seem to forget how there is still a lot more room for 'growth' and 'progress' with the storyline, like I don't get why some people are in so much rush with the storyline. The amount of negativity in this comment section is rather turning into something toxic than a positive environment. Sure, some people can vent their frustrations and disappointment, respect that, but I find it so unnecessary that some had gotten to a point of making comparisons and even labelling this as a 2.0 version of QOT. When both dramas are completely different from each other.

This is why I am loving 'Love Next Door' because of how realistic and relatable it is. I find dramas like this as a complete rare gem. I honestly think that the writer and director did a great job by not solely focusing on 'rom-com' alone, and as you had said balancing it with healing and slice of life elements because with such I was able to find the storyline meaningful. There is a very impactful line in episode 8 which Choi Seunghyo said to Bae Seokryu. It is the first time I have heard a line from a drama that was so so real and it healed me in some way. I really appreciate the writer for adding that line. Knowing how promising and talented both Jung Haein and Jung Somin truly is, I like how this drama gave justice to their skills and talents as actors by giving them characters such as Choi Seunghyo and Bae Seokryu who are both so realistically flawed and have emotional depth in them rather than the typical 'ever so perfect and overly green flag main characters' that are completely fictional. I would find it a complete waste of both their talents if their characters were dumbed down because of the storyline focusing solely on romcom. So, I'm really glad that romcom is not solely the focus and there is ACTUAL SUBSTANCE in this storyline as both of the actors are so capable of drawing viewers in with their delivery of raw emotions. This is one of the reasons why I am very much looking forward to next weeks episode because of the angst and heavy scenes that would surely give us an emotional roller coaster ride but at the same time would highlight their peak performance at delivering such raw emotions through screen.

Another thing that I like about this drama is how both of the main leads do not have a perfect family. They both come from a very flawed family with different circumstances. Once again, allowing us to truly relate with them and even at some point allow us to broaden our perspective because of how realistic it is. The generational trauma, the dream standard, workplace bullying, the overlooked eldest daughter struggles, and even how the 'rich' and 'successful' family have their own hardships too, it doesn't exempt them from the struggles of life. The way the storyline of LND is currently tackling all of that alone speaks volumes of how much emotional depth and connectivity this drama has. Especially for those who are able to empathize, connect well and relate to each of the characters in the story, this brings more than just healing alone but at the same time a sense of comfort because of how the storyline makes us feel 'seen'. Like, we're not the only ones who are actually going through such and it is not a punishment but a normal life struggle that some are experiencing as well. This again reminds me of why I started to love k-dramas. Plus, I love the pacing of this drama, how they are marinating their character development along with unpacking their emotional baggage rather than getting it all in one simple 'go'. It allows time to savor in every single complex layers of the characters, specially with both main leads, so by the time they get together at latter episodes we would be more appreciative of it and find it more meaningful because of what they will go through to get to that point.

I also agree with everything you said about her stomach cancer and I am honestly one of those who didn't find it as 'lazy writing'. It actually gives emphasis to all the struggles she had gone through whilst carrying all the expectations of her family on her shoulder, to the point she had neglected herself. I also think that it was an 'eye-opening' moment for her when she went through all that. That is why she became very firm and more determined about her life decisions, she must have realized then that she can't keep living the life her parents wants her to. IMO, ep 8 wasn't that awful as some people actually project it to be. This drama is seriously more than just episodes 8 revelation, there is so much more to it. I believe all emotions that will be spent on both ep 9 and 10 would be so worth it when ep 11 comes up to the end (thanks to spoiler haein).

Omg yay! Tysm!

Thank you for this info! Appreciate it!

I am on the same boat as you! I am loving LND even more and can't wait for next weeks ep. The angst and heavy scenes, i'm all signed up for an emotional roller coaster ride, feel every emotion they will deliver as they unpack emotional baggage, before we get to the heartfluttering scenes. I just know all emotion spent will be so worth it by the end.

I died laughing at that part, I love their drinking scenes too they are both so funny! they make a good tandem...I can't wait for their reactions once they find out about their children dating haha

I am on the same boat with you, I appreciate this show so much. It's so realistic and relatable.

Regardless, I am still enjoying this drama and would definitely watch next week's episode. I sort of expected something like this would happen. The casts had been warning us about it ever since their interviews, so I wasn't that surprised at the revelation of Seokryu having experienced gastric cancer before, plus it's TVN after all. Although, I did feel emotional during that scene, as I once again was able to relate to her. My dad is a cancer survivor, my life had changed ever since that experience and that exact scene just awakened some dormant emotions resting at the deepest corners of my heart. So for me, I do not see her having 'cancer' before as a 'lazy' writing.

I liked how Seokryu stood up for herself when it came to her dream of being a cook. The 'eldest daughter standard' and the 'dream' standard is so real. Generational trauma still exist today, clearly, SR family is unknowingly passing all their traumas and past regrets on her shoulder truly leaving her with no room to be completely 100% herself, so I kinda get why she is closed-off about certain things towards them. I'm so glad that her dream is to be a 'cook', this drama truly gave emphasis to the fact that 'no dream is too small, whatever they may be'. Just because she wants to become a cook, doesn't mean she is considered a failure.

They are starting to reveal more about Seokryu's experience in the US. We are getting to see more layers of her character. One thing that annoys me so much is her ex, I hate his thick-face and attitude. I wish he would be gone sooner but he is still sadly needed to help reveal more about SR past. Also, they haven't gotten to the part where they address him cheating. I hope they do so next week. Plus, with what had happened to Seunghyo's family has yet to be revealed as well. I am starting to think that Seunghyo's mom might have had an affair with the vice minister before, they seemed too close to be just working colleagues and with what SH dad said as he returned to the hospital. I still hope it is not the case because I felt sad for her, she seems so lonely. They all seemed so aloof with each other. She is like a stranger to SH. He clearly doesn't know her that much when he gifted her that necklace.

After seeing the preview for ep 9, I think that SR wearing a ring which her ex gave her was merely a flashback. While the scene which SH asks her why she can't trust him even as a friend might be SR's revelation about her gastrectomy. I'm sure next week is going to be an emotional roller coaster ride, I am all signed up for the angst, I think this is one of the perks of liking both romcom and melodramas. We're finally building up on the plot. I still like the pacing of their romance, I prefer they got together at latter episodes. They both still have a lot of emotional baggage to unpack. I wanna savor all the emotions they will go through so when the time comes that they are finally together, all that will be left is bursting happiness for the both of them.

Loving how they actually went to a store to purchase a food merely for the purpose of setting an expiration date for when SH will be receiving SR answer. I couldn't stop laughing at him when he picked the shortest expiry date and seemed so proud of himself for doing so.

And they're now comparing this to QOT calling it 'ver 2.0'. I agree with you, just because someone has been diagnosed with 'cancer', doesn't mean it is a death sentence. I honestly can't grasp all the hate coming from some, it's not like Seokryu is on her deathbed dying like Haein in QOT who clearly had limited time left. Seokryu on the other hand is a different case, she got treatment and was even able to continue her work....and is now in midst of starting a new life.

I hope he does! they were drinking buddies after all too haha it would be so cute to see him being so supportive of them!

I can't wait to see Seunghyo going into a life crisis after his confession plus their now awkward moment with each other, it's time to get the tension between them to tension haha

I have my doubts about her still being in love with Seunghyo throughout all the years she was in the US. She already even had a boyfriend (not sure if it is her ex) when Seunghyo visited her. In addition to that, she and her ex had gotten to a point of being 'engaged' and I doubt she is such a type of person who would casually get herself involved in such matter if she knows she still loves Seunghyo, so she must have loved her ex. To me, it is more of, she and her ex fell out of love with each other as their relationship turned into nothing but 'convenience' or 'habit' (her conversation with moeum and her ex at the cafe hints this). Also, about her being guilty, I feel the reason is because she got too focused on her work that she barely had 'time' to give to her ex during their relationship hence they fell out of love with each other and he decided to cheat on her. I think her ex cheating did impact her a little but it was at the time she already fell out of love with him, so she must have not brought it up as it seems her ex doesn't have any idea that she saw him cheating on her. She's using the 'she cheated' as an excuse as she might not want her family to find out how dirty her ex did her. After all, what she truly wanted was a peace of mind after losing both her career and relationship and sometimes, some things are better left unexplained to family, especially things that mentally and emotionally exhaust you.

You're not alone! I am enjoying it so far and loving the pace so much as it allows me to savor more emotions brought by each of the characters

Do you guys think we will get a 'kiss scene' for tonights episode 8? I am thinking otherwise just like how I didn't expect his confession for ep 7 but it's the magic ep 8 in kdramaland after all and it might turn out differently again haha

I hope so too! I feel we will be left crying buckets when they reveal about it!

I also don't think it is related to her being 'terminally ill' as well, aside from her working for 3 more years after that break, she is also very determined and hopeful about finding her real dream. Like, if that were really her case, I doubt she'd be searching for that dream to begin with. I am thinking either she got into a bad accident herself or involved in it, as someone she knows got into it. OR she might have just suffered depression without any accident happening.

Jealous Seunghyo is a whole different breed, I need more of him haha I'm laughing at how petty and sulky he kinda gets

ahaha ikr but I love that he confessed already !!