Love Next Door: The Eye-Opening Human Connection will make you ponder
What is love if not true human connection?
My weekends got a little empty as Saturday and Sunday were for sinking my teeth into the new Korean drama “Love Next Door.” Previously known as “Mom’s Friend’s Son," it follows the love story of two souls who met when they were kids.
Director Yoo Je Won and writer Shin Ha Eun are the masterminds behind the upcoming romantic comedy drama with a dash of realism. You may not be familiar with this director, Yoo Je Won, but you must have watched his projects. He is known for hits like “Crash Course in Romance,” “Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha” (which is a must watch, as I adored the series), and “The King: Eternal Monarch." (This show is on my watchlist because of Woo-Do Hwan, as I fell head over heels after watching Bloodhounds, who has a tragic new k-drama set to debut this month titled “Mr. Plankton.”).
On the other hand, talented writer Shin Ha Eun is in charge of scriptwriting for the new drama. She is known for successful works like “Hometown Cha-Cha,” “The Crowned Clown,” and "Argon," and her writing has captured the audience with the highest television rating as evidence.
The complete cast of Love Next Door at the Table Read/Soompi
Moreover, the main leads of the “Love Next Door” Korean drama, Jung Hae In, Jung So Min, Kim Ji Eun, and Yun Ji On, are just adorable groups of friends who met as their mothers are friends (this is why mothers need friend groups, smooth transitions to lifelong friends for their children, and even find some life partners and support each other through life’s highs and lows; I have friendship envy so bad, feeling too lonely as I hate this individualistic society; I want a non-judgmental loving community to envelope me). While the supporting cast members that made the show a roaring success include Park Ji Young, Jo Han Chul, Jang Young Nam, Lee Seung Joon, Jun Suk Ho, Kim Geun Soon, Han Ye Joo, Lee Seung Hyub, and Shim So Young.
The main lead characters of this heartwarming show are Bae Seok Ryu and Choi Seung Hyo. He is a famous young architect in Korea and returns to his hometown to showcase his skills and charm. Despite his external perfect image, he has a troubling past, especially involving his childhood friend Bae Seok Ryu. Their strong bond that is the stuff of dreams stems from precious shared childhood memories.
As adults, they reunite to find their lives have taken every different paths. Bae Seok Ryu, once successful but at a huge personal cost as a project manager in the US, suddenly quits her job due to a very heart-breaking reason (I sobbed but also saw myself in her character as I too am guilty of overworking at the expense of my health), leaving her unemployed but free to find her next act. Their fateful reunion evokes old memories and uncovers new twists, revealing past connections and unknown shared futures. Oh, I have said too much!
“Love Next Door” Character Breakdown
Character Posters for Choi Seung Hyo, Bae Seok Ryu, Jung Mo Eum and Kang Dan Ho/Soompi
Jung Hae In as Choi Seung Hyo
Choi Seung Hyo is a perfect son with a flawless external image, personality, and abilities. However, when Bae Seok Ryu returns and disrupts his peaceful daily life, he faces intense internal emotional turmoil.
Jong So Min as Bae Seok Ryu
Bae Seok Ryu is a daughter who has shortcomings due to intense internal pressures and tries to start her life over again. Her decision to start a new life despite her broken and heartbreaking past will evoke deep-rooted empathy from the audience as endless people suffer in silence due to toxic work environments.
Kim Ji Eun as Jung Mo Eum
Jung Mo Eum is a first responder paramedic who believes she carries the DNA of Spiderman within her. She is one of the three childhood friends. She knows the fateful history of Choi Seung Hyo and Bae Seok Ryu.
Yoon Ji On as Kang Dan Ho
Kang Dan Ho is a warm and calming journalist (I have never met a journalist who is as calm as him, as we are overworked, underpaid, and overstressed, especially in the age of AI), who interacts with the characters in “Love Next Door” as more than just a neighbor.
Park Ji Young and Cho Han Chul as Bae Seok Ryu’s Parents
As Bae Seok Ryu’s parents, they contribute to the heartwarming atmosphere that reminds me a lot of my parents, especially the unconditional love and support.
Jang Young Nam and Lee Seung Joon as Choi Seung Hyo’s Parents
As highly accomplished but inattentive parents of Choi Seung Hyo, they enrich the dynamic atmosphere of the neighborhood.
Jeon Suk Ho as Yun Myung Woo
Yun Myung Woo is Choi Seung Hyo’s senior in college and one of the representatives of an architectural firm who adds comedic moments sprinkled throughout the show.
One of the most compelling aspects of this show was the hopeful ending that mirrored real life, but someone please find me someone as pure and innocent as Jung Hae In is portraying Choi Seung Hyo, making the internet swoon over him with thirst.
Please stream this show as its one-of-a-kind experience of exploring love, friendship, and family in depth. For more, click on this trailer to get a sneak peek: