Love Next Door, the hit weekend drama on tvN, is captivating viewers with its heartfelt rom-com storyline. The show has been resonating with audiences, setting a new personal ratings record with episode 4, achieving an average of 7.2% in the metropolitan area and 6.6% nationwide (according to Nielsen Korea). The drama also soared to number 5 on Netflix’s global TOP 10 series (non-English) within just two days of release, and in its second week, it ranked second with 3 million views and 14.8 million viewing hours. The series has topped the charts in 36 countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
While the plot and characters are undoubtedly a draw, fans are buzzing about the unique subtitles that appear in each episode’s opening and closing scenes. Each episode features two subtitles that mirror each other, with the opening subtitle often transforming into the closing subtitle by the end, leaving viewers intrigued and entertained.
Episode 1: “Comeback” and “Comeback, Home”
The opening subtitle “Comeback” sets the stage as Bae Seok Ryu (Jung So Min) boards a flight to Korea, marking her return. Despite her outward excitement, her internal monologue reveals a mix of anxiety and dread about reuniting with her family. The episode ends with Choi Seung Hyo (Jung Hae In), who brings Bae Seok Ryu back home after she tries to run away from her furious mother. As Seung Hyo laughs and says, “Now that she’s back, it’s going to get noisy again,” the ending subtitle “Comeback, Home” appears, bringing a clever twist to the episode.
Episode 2: “Hatred” and “Heart”
Bae Seok Ryu’s declaration of becoming a “happy free-timer” shocks her mother, Na Mi Sook, who had always been proud of her daughter’s achievements. After a heated exchange, Seok Ryu finds herself deep in thought at a playground, only to be comforted by Seung Hyo. He tells her, “Did you know? Just like the moon orbits the Earth, hatred also has a satellite.” This line captures the sentiment that feelings of hatred come from expectation and trust. The moment when the word written on the night sky transforms from “Hatred” to “Heart” leaves viewers with a sense of warmth and anticipation.
Episode 3: “Stopping Line” and “Starting Line”
This episode revisits the high school days of Choi Seung Hyo, Bae Seok Ryu, and Jung Mo Eum (played by Kim Ji Eun), revealing the tragic accident that ended Seung Hyo’s swimming career. As Seok Ryu embarks on her new life as an unemployed woman, she feels left behind while others move forward. The tension between her and Seung Hyo builds when they clash over their thoughts on reality and dreams. As the episode ends, young Seung Hyo’s letter to his future self is revealed, with an old heartfelt confession: “By then, I must have confessed to Bae Seok Ryu, right?” That’s when the opening subtitle “Stopping Line” changes to “Starting Line,” symbolizing a fresh start for both their dreams and budding romance.
Episode 4: “Past Perfect” and “Present Perfect, Progressive”
Past memories are brought to the forefront with the unsealing of a time capsule. Seung Hyo, who had been denying his long-forgotten feelings for Seok Ryu, is forced to confront them once more. At the end of the episode, when Seok Ryu embraces Seung Hyo, his long-held emotions are revealed, aligning with the shift from “Past Perfect” to “Present Perfect, Progressive.” This suggests a continuation and evolution of their feelings, teasing viewers about the story to come.
Writer Shin Ha Eun explains the thought process behind the creative subtitles, stating, “I wanted to use the subtitles to represent the starting and ending points of each episode. By showcasing the initial state of characters’ situation or emotion with the opening subtitle and then reflecting the transformation with the ending subtitle, I hope it adds depth and a subtle expectation for viewers, enhancing the overall experience of the drama.”
Looking ahead to episode 5, titled “Go Back,” anticipation is building. “The upcoming subtitles will delve deeper into Seok Ryu’s hidden secrets, the evolving feelings between Seung Hyo and Seok Ryu, and most importantly, the changes in their relationship. I hope viewers will enjoy following their journey,” adds the writer.
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