Edited by Seo Hayne
Translated by Kim Hoyeun
tvN’s new series Love Next Door paints a story of childhood friends who grew up sharing their embarrassing pasts, now reconnecting at age 34. The drama reunites director Yoo Je Won and writer Shin Ha Eun, who previously teamed up for Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha, creating buzz for this latest project. The premise intriguingly mirrors “the story of a successful woman who leaves the city she was thriving in.” It also drew attention for pairing Jung So Min, a beloved romantic comedy queen who delivered hits like Alchemy of Souls and Love Reset, with Jung Hae In, who is making his rom-com debut after ten years. Known for his endearing younger man roles in Something in the Rain and One Spring Night, Jung Hae In‘s realistic romance with peer Jung So Min has sparked great anticipation.
The Korean title is “mom’s friend’s son,” a term in Korean society for the “perfect man” who meets various criteria. This reflects parents’ desire to show off or compare their children, highlighting how they are perceived by others. Seung Hyo (Jung Hae In), a recognized head of an architectural firm, is the quintessential “mom’s friend’s son.” As a child, he moved back to Korea from France where he had lived with his diplomat mother and struggled until he met Seok Ryu (Jung So Min), who helped him adapt to the new environment. Now in their 30s, Seok Ryu, who has returned to Korea secretly, bumps into Seung Hyo in their neighborhood, and despite the long separation, they interact as if they had met just yesterday.
Seok Ryu’s current mission is to reboot her glitchy life. For now, she just wants to sleep to her heart’s content. When she opens her eyes, her only task is to take the bus to the last stop and back. Previously, Seok Ryu was the exemplary K-oldest daughter who went to the States on a full scholarship and earned enough to cover all her living expenses. However, life in America did not go smoothly. Not only did she face problems at work, but her fiancé also cheated on her. Desperate for words of comfort like “It’s okay to rest” and “You’ve had it tough,” Seok Ryu eventually chooses to return to Korea.
However, her family fails to understand her feelings. Particularly, Seok Ryu’s mother, who has always boasted about her children, is displeased with her returned daughter. Seok Ryu realizes her mother is ashamed of her being jobless and having broken off her engagement. Seung Hyo is the only one Seok Ryu can rely on. They understand each other without needing many explanations. The two sit together in the rain on a jungle gym they used to feel was too high when they were children. Seok Ryu laments having to be her mother’s “gift wrap” rather than pursuing her own happiness. That’s when Seung Hyo comforts his long-time friend with profound words: “The feeling of relying on someone, wanting to trust, and cherishing them comes as a package. If you didn’t care in the first place, there would be no hard feelings.”
That doesn’t mean the two are always 100% honest about their feelings. The drama captures the subtle emotions that come back and forth between them. For instance, at the end of episode two, a moment of teenage infatuation flits between the two now-neighborhood friends. How will these feelings, unrecognized or ignored at the time, approach them now in their thirties?
Seung Hyo’s way of comforting Seok Ryu in a manner that plays to his strengths also stirs excitement. Initially unable to accept her daughter’s current situation, Seok Ryu’s mother eventually has a change of heart and asks Seung Hyo to restore her daughter’s room to its former state. Seung Hyo meticulously recreates everything, including the arrangement of the bed and wardrobe, down to the glow-in-the-dark stars that used to twinkle from the ceiling. The story of comfort and excitement exchanged between two people, who have drifted apart from their past and led busy lives, is eagerly awaited. (8/10)
>> ‘Love Next Door’ Ranks 5th in Netflix’s Global Top 10 Non-English Series
Editor Seo Hayne: I like actors as they faithfully lead through their long running-time. I also like idols who accomplish everything on stage within 3 minutes.
