The friends-to-lovers trope has an enduring appeal, offering a familiar yet heartwarming journey of companionship blossoming into romance. From shared laughter and support through life’s challenges to the thrilling realization of mutual affection, the evolution of such relationships captivates audiences. Love Next Door is the latest K-drama to tap into this beloved formula. Starring Jung So Min and Jung Hae In as Bae Seok Ryu and Choi Seung Hyo, respectively, the drama reunites childhood neighbors who parted ways in pursuit of their dreams. As they reconnect, the series promises a nostalgic exploration of their shared history and the potential for a love story to unfold. Love Next Door premiered on August 17, 2024.
Love Next Door Review: Jung So Min and Jung Hae In bring fresh take on the friends-to-lovers trope in new heartwarming K-drama
Bae Seok Ryu is a successful project consultant at a popular firm in the US and she is about to settle down too, but she leaves all of that and returns home to South Korea. Choi Seung Hyo is a successful architect who has won a great amount of fame. He is successful and handsome too, making him quite the eligible bachelor. Seung Hyo moved next to Seok Ryu when they were toddlers and since then they have been the best of friends. But after they grew up, they grew apart owing to their profession. Now that Seok Ryu is back in Korea and the two friends are living next door again, it is time for past differences to be filled up and love to blossom between the two.
Speaking of the second lead couple, we see a diverse range of characters again. Kim Ji Eun as Jung Mo Eum is a dedicated paramedic and Seok Ryu and Seung Ho’s childhood best friend. Then we have Yun Ji On, whom we recently saw in Serendipity’s Embrace, as a lithe and demure journalist named Kang Dan Ho. Dan Ho and Mo Eum’s run-in is nothing less of a meet-cute. With Mo Eum, we see a strong female character who is headstrong, diligent, and honest in her profession. As a woman, she would have been subject to scrutiny by society but she does not let it affect her any longer. Dan Ho is a contrast to Mo Eum. Where she seems all mighty, he is just a softie.
Bae Seok Ryu has a younger brother, Bae Dong Jin (played by Lee Seung Hyub), last seen in this year’s sleeper hit Lovely Runner. He is very concerned about having a toned physique and dedicates a good amount of time to training and physical exercise as he wants to become a trainer. He and Seok Ryu are ready to fight at the tip of the hat and their dynamic is that of any sibling.
Seung Hyo is estranged from his own parents. His relationship with them is strained. From these two episodes, we see that his parents have been more focused on their career than their son which has led Seung Hyo becoming more close to Seok Ryu’s family than his own. People often mistake Seok Ryu’s mother Mi Suk as Seung Ho’s mother. Seung Hyo’s mother Seo Hye Suk (played by Jang Young Nam) is a foreign diplomat and his father Choi Gyeong Jong (played by Lee Seung Joon) is a busy professional too.
Seok Ryu has a strained relationship with her mother Mi Sook (played by Park Ji Young). Her mother tries to fulfill her dreams through her daughter. Seok Ryu’s return from the US badly shakes her mother. Mi Sook fails to see why her daughter left a life that looked so rich and fulfilling. Here we see how heavy expectations from a parent can cause immense mental pressure on a child. Seok Ryu did all that she could to lead a life her mother dreamt for her. When she asked for a break from all that she had been doing so far, she was met with hostility. But we see that Mi Sook sees that her daughter might be hurting somewhere to take such a big step. While it is difficult for her to come to terms with this reality, she is slowly finding her way to her daughter. Seok Ryu’s father Bae Geun Sik (played by Jo Han Chul) is more understanding of his daughter’s struggle and is quite the comic relief for the tension between his daughter and his wife.
In recent times, we have seen dramas portray a healthy worldview on the parent-child dynamic. Instead of showing a family that is either completely estranged or completely in love, the makers of the show are beginning to show stories that are as close to reality as possible. Each of us will have some differences with our parents, regardless of how mature the relationship is. The time and generation gap is a good enough factor. But that does not mean there is something wrong. Having a dialogue over these differences and trying to understand each other is what makes any relationship a good one.
With Seo Ryu’s character, we see how immense stress in both personal and professional life can lead to burnout. She hasn’t had sound sleep in a long time, and after ditching her life in the US she finally finds a moment of respite back at her home in Korea.
Despite speaking and squabbling so much with Seok Ryu, Seung Hyo is quite reserved. He chooses to keep his struggle to himself despite seeing through Seok Ryu’s and trying to help her. Seung Hyo’s strained relationship with his parents is proof enough of the lack of parental support and love he had growing up. He found a mother figure in Mi Sook, but it would not fulfill his need to be close to his own mother.
Jung So Min’s versatility as an actress is on full display in her portrayal of Baek Seok Ryu. From the effervescence of her early role in Playful Kiss to the nuanced depth she brings to each subsequent character, So Min has consistently captivated audiences. Her effortless transition into the quirky yet endearing Seok Ryu is a testament to her growth as an artist. Paired with Jung Hae In, the on-screen chemistry is undeniable. Their partnership feels natural, given this is their first collaboration. Hae In’s return to the romance genre after a hiatus focused on action and noir is a refreshing change of pace. His portrayal of Seung Hyo is a delightful blend of chaos and charm, creating a perfect counterbalance to Seok Ryu’s exuberant spirit.
Director Yoo Je Won and writer Shin Ha Eun, who previously worked together on the hit rom-com Hometown Cha Cha Cha have come together to deliver another endearing story in the form of Love Next Door. The drama is paced at around 75-80 minutes per episode, leaving ample time and space for the story to run its course. The modern setting of this drama makes it much more relatable to the audience because many of us might be suffering from burnout without realizing it. Sometimes it takes a third-party view of things for us to realise what is happening with ourselves.
At the end of episode two of Love Next Door, we see that Seok Ryu and Seung Hyo’s friendship will be rekindled as the two have moved back to their homes in Korea. In the first two episodes, the two childhood friends push and pull at each other, squabbling around. In the preview for episode three, we see that they slowly begin to truly rekindle their friendship as they resume their lives in Korea, living next door to each other.
Love Next Door is a breath of fresh air in the rom-com landscape. The familiar friends-to-lovers trope is given a modern twist, making it feel both comforting and exciting. The show’s strength lies in its ability to balance humour, heart, and genuine emotional connection. What makes this trope particularly compelling along with the family drama and friendship as core element is the depth of understanding that precedes love. These characters have been privy to each other’s vulnerabilities, triumphs, and failures. Their bond is forged in the crucible of shared experiences, creating a foundation of trust and camaraderie that is often lacking in whirlwind romances.
Love Next Door has certainly captured this essence in its initial episodes. As the romantic tension builds, one can’t help but root for the characters, eager to witness the moment when friendship evolves into something deeper.
Watch the trailer for Love Next Door here:
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