REVIEW: ‘Love Next Door’ Is A Heartwarming Tale Of Romance And Self-Discovery

Love Next Door (Eom-ma Chin-gu A-deul), the latest Korean drama to grace Netflix has arrived with a new romantic comedy-drama story. The series’ leading couple stars Jung Hae-in as Choi Seung-hyo and Jung So-min as Bae Seok-ryu. Some supporting cast members include Kim Ji-eun as Jeong Mo-eum, Yoon Ji-on as Kang Dan-ho, Park Ji-young as Na Mi-sook, and Jang Young-nam as Seo Hye-sook. The show is written by Ha Eun Shin and directed by Je Won Yu, known for his work on other renowned series like Crash Course in Romance and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha.

At first glance, Love Next Door seems like it is set up to be a typical childhood friends-to-lovers story, but it surprisingly subverts expectations by introducing elements of rivalry or enemies-to-lovers trope. The story revolves around Bae Seok-ryu, a young woman who appears to have the life anyone would dream of. A degree from a prestigious university abroad, a thriving career, and is engaged to a loving fiancé. However, one day, Seok-ryu abruptly calls off her wedding and returns to South Korea, to the surprise of both her family and friends.

Upon her return him, she unexpectedly crosses paths with her childhood friend, Choi Seung-hyo. The two were inseparable in the past, with Seok-ryu often bossing and dragging Seung-hyo around everywhere,  but they gradually drifted apart over the years. Now, their sudden reunion sparks the possibility of rekindling some old affections and navigating the evolving changes in their relationship.

Despite being a romantic comedy-0drama, the romance in Love Next Door takes a bit of a back seat at the start of the series. Instead, the show takes its time developing romance, opting to focus more on other challenges for the main and supporting cast of characters. The show expertly balances a large cast of characters, as it highlights each character grappling with their own battles. Although love is ultimately the core theme in this series, it does not overshadow the broader issues and challenges in the show. Thankfully, the show’s pacing across its 16 episodes is superb, allowing for the tension and drama to unfold over time, along with well-timed humor to help create a well-balanced, entertaining show.

The on-screen chemistry in Love Next Door is simply palpable, especially when it comes to the performances of Jung Hae-in, Jung So-min, Kim Ji-eun, and Yoon Ji-on. The actors do a fantastic job of bringing their evolving relationships to life and making them more compelling to watch with each episode. Jung Hae-in’s portrayal of Seung-hyo’s guarded and vulnerable moments mixes well with Seok-yru’s fiery and headstrong personality. Their performances help elevate the story and entertainment value.

Love Next Door thrives in its sweet cinematography.

Additionally, the cinematography of Love Next Door is another element that elevates the show’s storytelling. Using colors and contrasting set designs helps convey the atmosphere of different locations. Seok-ryu’s family home displays a lot of warm colors and slight clutter to display it as a more casual and welcoming place. At the same time, Seung-hyo’s family home has a more pristine, modern, and sterile appearance. This reflects the family’s wealthy status and shows how isolated they are from one another.

One of the show’s strongest aspects is the authenticity and relatability of its characters. Seok-ryu and Seung-hyo embody traits and family dynamics that audiences can see in themselves. For example, Seok-ryu, as the eldest child in her middle-class family, is a source of immense pride for her parents but carries the burden of living up to high expectations. She has spent most of her life prioritizing other people’s expectations and aspirations for her over her pursuing her own dreams.

Whereas Seung-hyo on the other hand, comes from a wealthy family that seems to have it all together, but they are emotionally distant, and lack a certain level of warmth and support. These traits and family dynamics are all to real for many people who may come from cultures and families that put more importance on success and appearances.

The relatable characters extend beyond the main characters to other supporting characters, who are equally well-developed. For instance, Seok-ryu’s mother, Na Mi-sook, struggles with her own inferiority complex, which she projects onto her daughter and, in turn, puts a strain on their relationship. Na Mi-sook’s relentless pressure stems from good intentions, such as the desire to see her daughter achieve the success she has never attained. Thus, it creates a complex, relatable, and poignant mother-daughter dynamic.

Love Next Doors keeps multiple storylines in harmony and with equal wieght.

Love Next Door stands out for its ability to balance and weave together multiple storylines while addressing broader societal issues. Throughout the series, the show delves into themes such as burnout, mental health, grief, and self-discovery. Seok-ryu’s character arc touches on self-discovery along with the psychological impact of burnout and cancer survivorship. The show highlights how someone like Seok-ryu can seem fine and put together on the outside, but on the inside and in private moments, an internal struggle rages within herself.

Following her battle with cancer, she realizes that she wants to start living for herself and rediscover her true dream instead of living for other people’s expectations of her. Although Seok-ryu is healthy and she is in remission, the fear of her cancer reoccurring looms over her like a dark cloud. This results in her anxiety, keeping her from getting too close to anyone, including Seung-hyo, as she is determined not to be a burden to her loved ones or let her health put a strain on their relationships.

Another beautiful aspect of this show is how we see Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu’s relationship and love for one another develop and evolve throughout the series. What once started as a one-sided affection and puppy love, gradually evolves into a fully realized relationship for both characters. Granted, their love story is not all about butterflies and rainbows. The couple undergoes their own challenges, like any other relationship, which adds a level of authenticity to this heartwarming story that audiences can’t help but root for a happy ending.

Love Next Door explores love, family dynamics, and personal growth. The series highlights the complexities of human emotions, evolving relationship dynamics, and the silent battles individuals face. Through compelling storytelling, authentic characters, and stellar performances, this drama delivers a beautiful story of how love and our connection to others can help us find our purpose and make our dreams come true. Whether you are a fan of K-dramas or simply looking for a good show, Love Next Door is a great pick that will leave you feeling warm and hopeful in the end.

Love Next Door is streaming now on Netflix.