“Love Next Door” was a romantic-comedy K-drama that made its prime time debut on August 17, 2024. With 16 episodes, each about 70-80 minutes long, it ran through October 6, 2024. The series aired on tvN and streamed on Netflix in selected regions.
Cast with Characters
- Jung So-min played Bae Seok-ryu – a former top professional who returned home after a job loss.
- Jung Hae-in played Choi Seung-hyo – an expert architect who moved next to his childhood friend.
- Kim Ji-eun portrayed Jeong Mo-eum – Seok-ryu’s reliable friend.
- Yoon Ji-on played Kang Dan-ho – Seung-hyo’s quirky coworker.
- Park Ji-young played Na Mi-sook – Seok-ryu’s caring mother.
- Jo Han-chul played Bae Geun-sik – Seok-ryu’s humorous father.
- Jang Young-nam played Seo Hye-sook – Seung-hyo’s strict mother.
Plot Summary
“Love Next Door” is about Choi Seung-hyo, a famous architect, and Bae Seok-ryu, who used to be successful at work. As kids, they were pushed into funny situations because their moms were close. After losing her job, Seok-ryu moves back home and finds Seung-hyo next door. As they reconnect, old memories come back, leading to funny and sweet moments. The series explores whether their shared past will bring them together or push them apart.
Why Is Bae Seok-Ryu Afraid To Return Home?
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Bae Seok-ryu is really scared to go back home. She knows her parents are going to be angry, not just because she came home without telling them, but because she also called off her engagement. Knowing this, she gathers all the courage she has to step inside, fully expecting her mother to lash out at her. To protect herself, she puts on extra layers of clothes from her trolley. Hoping for a way to avoid trouble, she tries to convince Choi Seung-hyo to stay the night, thinking her mother might hold back if he’s there. She admits to him that she’s really made a mess of things. She came home planning to tell her mom and deal with whatever happens, but now she’s too afraid to face her. Choi Seung-hyo asks what she did so he can help. After some hesitation, she finally admits she called off her engagement. But just as she’s about to explain more, her parents show up with Choi Seung-hyo’s mother, and a big argument starts right away.
Why Does Seok-Ryu Confront Her Mother After Returning Home?
At home, Seok-ryu always felt like she was treated differently, especially by her mother, who kept her at a distance and showed little warmth. Her mother was upset, mainly because Seok-ryu refused to tell her why she ended the engagement. One day, they attended a gathering with her mother’s old high school friends. There, her mom started bragging about her job at GREIP, fully aware that Seok-ryu had no plans to return to that job.
This led to a huge argument once they got home. Seok-ryu finally confronted her mother, asking why she always had to be her pride and joy. She asked why she couldn’t just be her daughter, flaws and all, instead of feeling the need to live up to her mom’s expectations. She also questioned why she had to keep covering for her mother’s life choices. Her words hit hard, making her mother realize how strained their relationship had become.
When Seok-ryu first came home, her bedroom hadn’t even been prepared—it was being used as a storage room. But after the fight, her mother asked Seung-hyo to redecorate the room, making it look just like it used to. This moment was a turning point for them, changing how they saw each other.
Why Does Choi Seung-Hyo Jump Into The Water With The Time Capsule?
When they were kids, Choi Seung-hyo, Bae Seok-ryu, and Jeong Mo-eum were close childhood friends. They wrote letters to each other and sealed them in a bottle they called their “time capsule,” making a promise to open it in about ten years.
In the present, the time capsule is now in Choi Seung-hyo’s possession, which causes tension between them. He reads her letter but refuses to let her see his, feeling too embarrassed. This leads to another argument, particularly in their high school’s swimming pool area, where they’re surprised to find each other. When Seok-ryu sees the time capsule in his hands, she runs toward him, but he quickly jumps into the pool, knowing she’s afraid of water.
In a flashback, we see Choi Seung-hyo suffering from an injury that forced him to quit swimming. Despite wanting to be left alone, Seok-ryu kept barging into his room, checking on him, even though he didn’t want to talk to anyone.
Back in the present, as he jumps into the water with the time capsule, it’s the first time in a long while that he’s been in the water.
What Was Inside Choi Seung-Hyo’s Letter?
Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu finally open the time capsule, only to discover two letters inside, revealing that their other friend had betrayed them by taking out a letter. Before anything further could happen, he snatches his letter and runs home.
Once at home, he’s shocked by what he wrote in the letter during his high school days. He struggles to convince himself that the feelings he had for Seok-ryu are in the past and not relevant anymore. Overwhelmed by emotions, he can’t bring himself to look at the letter. One line in particular stands out: “You probably told Seok-ryu how you felt.”
He admits to himself that he did have those feelings, but how could he leave behind evidence of them? He tries to reason with himself, insisting he was just momentarily out of his mind and that those feelings are long gone. He tells himself he feels nothing now, repeating that she had those feelings too, but not anymore.
As he grips the letter, he crumples it repeatedly, each time feeling more disbelief at what he wrote.
What Does Choi Seung-Hyo’s Ex-Girlfriend Notice About His Sensitivity Toward Seok-Ryu?
Choi Seung-hyo’s ex-girlfriend enters the scene while Seok-ryu is at his workplace, and their introduction becomes awkward for him. The two ex-partners meet for work-related reasons, and his ex is quite a mature woman.
During a work outing with Seok-ryu and his colleagues, they visit her workplace, where Seok-ryu seems to be having a great time. She gets along well with Seung-hyo’s ex-girlfriend, but when she accidentally breaks something, Seung-hyo yells at her, asking, “How can you not even take care of yourself?” His ex-girlfriend tries to defend herself, explaining that Seok-ryu was only trying to help.
Seok-ryu quickly apologizes and offers to clean up the mess, but Seung-hyo pushes her away, telling her not to touch it and not to cause trouble again. His ex notices that he becomes unusually sensitive whenever Seok-ryu is involved.
What Does Choi Seung-Hyo Confess To Seok-Ryu About His Feelings?
Seung-hyo finds himself in a dilemma about his feelings and tries to ignore Seok-ryu. However, he reaches a breaking point, especially when her ex-boyfriend shows up. Realising he needs to take action or risk losing her again, he rushes to her family’s restaurant, where she often practices her cooking. When he arrives, he tells her to hear him out.
He starts by saying he won’t wait any longer. He admits that he had previously told himself he would wait until later, pretending to be considerate, but he realizes that was a lie. Deep down, he’s scared. He struggles to express what he really means, finally admitting that she drives him crazy and that he’s losing his mind over her. Ultimately, he confesses that he likes her—that’s all there is to it.
How Does Seung-Hyo React When He Learns About Seok-Ryu’s Cancer Diagnosis And How Does Her Mother Find Out?
Seung-hyo discovers Seok-ryu’s hospital papers and learns about her cancer diagnosis. The truth hits him hard, leaving him shocked and speechless. Seok-ryu tries to downplay the situation, insisting that it’s just a diagnosis and not a big deal. Filled with confusion and fear, he questions why she didn’t tell him.
Seok-ryu responds that she knew he would react this way, leading him to ask again how she could dismiss her health so casually. Ignoring him, she walks away, mentioning that she’ll ask Mo-eum to get him some porridge. As she heads down the stairs, Seung-hyo follows her, pleading, “How could you do this to me?”
Their conversation about her cancer is interrupted when both their mothers arrive at the scene, and everyone overhears what’s happening. Seung-hyo’s mother is more than shocked; she embraces Seok-ryu tightly as they both break down in tears.
How Does Seung-Hyo Process His Parents’ Divorce After Holding Onto His Fears Since Childhood?
Seung-hyo’s parents decide to get a divorce due to a misunderstanding and lack of communication. He had been looking forward to a family meal, but when the news breaks during dinner, he feels an overwhelming sadness. Struggling to manage his emotions, he excuses himself from the table. Deep down, he had always feared this outcome and sensed it might happen.
Afterward, he goes out for a drink and ends up passing out. The owner of the bar, concerned for him, uses speed dial to call Seok-ryu. When she answers, he tells her it was the first time since graduating that his family had shared a meal together. He reveals that his parents are getting a divorce and admits he has been scared this day would come since he was six or seven.
Now, at eighteen, he realises that, although he had hoped the divorce would come later, it still hurts just as much. He wonders why, even as an adult, his parents’ divorce affects him so deeply. While his parents have their own lives and should be happy apart, he still wishes they could find happiness together.
Do Seok-Ryu And Seung-Ho’s Parents Find Out About Their Relationship?
Seok-Ryu and Seung-Hyo’s parents find out about their relationship in an unexpected way when they catch the two hugging. Seung-Hyo quickly admits to his parents that they’re dating, and Seok-Ryu backs him up by saying they’re very serious about each other.
The moms have strong reactions, with Seung-Hyo’s mother even telling him to “shut up and come home” in French, which adds to the tension. However, the fathers take a more supportive stance and would likely give their blessing if it weren’t for the feud between the mothers.
How Does Love Next Door End?
In the final moments of Love Next Door, Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu not only resolve their differences but also make heartfelt promises to each other. They agree on how to handle any future disagreements, vowing to communicate openly and find ways to resolve conflicts together. This adds depth to their relationship, showing growth and a commitment to understanding one another. Walking hand in hand towards their shared future, they symbolise a fresh start built on trust and understanding.
Is Love Next Door Suitable For Younger Audiences?
Love Next Door carries a TV-14 rating, making it generally suitable for viewers aged 14 and up. This rating means the show might include some mild language, suggestive themes, or brief moments of violence—things that might not be ideal for younger kids.
