In the new romantic comedy Love Next Door, Netflix invites viewers to explore the themes of rediscovery and rekindled connections. Starring Jung Hae-in (Snowdrop) and Jung So-min (Alchemy of Souls), the series follows the lives of childhood friends Choi Seung-hyo (Jung Hae-in) and Baek Seok-ryu (Jung So-min), who have both moved on from their shared past but find themselves drawn back to their hometown under unexpected circumstances.
Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu were inseparable from the age of four, brought together by their mothers, Seo Hye-sook (Jang Young-nam) and Na Mi-sook (Park Ji-young), who shared a friendly rivalry fueled by the success of their children. Seung-hyo became a celebrated architect, while Seok-ryu pursued a high-powered career in America, seemingly on the verge of marriage.
However, Seok-ryu’s life takes a sharp turn when she abruptly ends her engagement and quits her prestigious job, returning to Korea without informing her family. Seung-hyo, who quickly notices something is amiss, discovers her secret and offers support as she faces her parents’ inevitable disappointment. Seok-ryu retreats to the comfort of her childhood home, where she seeks solace in rest, Korean food, and aimless activities like riding the bus to its final stop.
While Love Next Door isn’t set in the countryside, it shares the essence of healing dramas like Welcome to Samdal-ri and Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, where burned-out professionals return to simpler lives to find peace. The show also echoes the familial tensions seen in Doctor Slump, as Seok-ryu struggles with her parents’ expectations and the pressure to maintain the success they sacrificed so much to help her achieve.
Though Seok-ryu’s character is well-developed, Seung-hyo’s portrayal initially lacks the depth that made other characters in similar series more compelling. Despite his good looks, successful career, and kind nature, Seung-hyo’s character doesn’t yet face the flaws and challenges that typically drive emotional engagement in such stories. Nevertheless, his unwavering support for Seok-ryu, from redecorating her room to moving back next door to keep an eye on her, adds a layer of warmth to the narrative.
Jung Hae-in and Jung So-min bring charm and charisma to their roles, with Jung Hae-in’s strong screen presence and Jung So-min’s endearing performance reminiscent of the tomboyish energy of a young Jun Ji-hyun. The series also finds humor and drama in the interactions between the vibrant matriarchs, while childhood friends Jung Mo-eum (Kim Ji-eun, One Dollar Lawyer) and Kang Dan-ho (Yun Ji-on, Serendipity’s Embrace) are set to add further depth to the story.
Love Next Door is a promising romantic drama that explores the idea that sometimes the love and fulfillment we seek might be closer than we think, hidden in the familiar faces and places of our past.
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