There isn’t a lot of story per se with tvN drama Love Next Door, so it rests on the characterizations, interactions, and chemistry. And so far 4-episodes in it’s still a mixed bag for me. I want desperately to love it and find myself working hard to merely like it, if the leads weren’t Jung Hae In and Jung So Min both of whom I like so much this would probably be a drop by now for me. We know the leads are meant to be together and the joy is watching them get together, it’s so simple and if done right so satisfying. Even peeling back why they aren’t together yet after growing up together should be fun, but I find the female lead still so difficult to like. There is a easter egg coming up with K-actress Seo Ji Hye guest starring as Jung Hae In’s ex-girlfriend, and I do love top stars doing these fun fly bys. No matter what kind of character it feels meta and entertaining and I could be more of that here. And in a totally unconfirmed but also rumored cameo appearance, there is a rumor that Kim Soo Hyun may be playing Jung So Min’s asshole ex-fiancee in a guest appearance.
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The main couple’s way of communicating (at their age!) is getting tiresome but I am chalking it down to childhood habits and coping mechanism. Also it’s still early in the drama and we are beginning to see why she became so brittle. And life has not been easy for him too.
Yea agree with you, I like to like it… was excited about this pairing but her character is not so likeable so far… I find the character too noisy, too much chatter between them… like doing a skit instead of real acting.
4 eps in, the story has not progressed that much. I am still waiting for the catalyst why they need to be together.
Still hanging on because of the leads. But 2 eps per week don’t help either. This is why cdramas are much better you always have an ep most days.
They don’t have chemistry. The ML has always been great with Romcoms. The FL is too lax? too laidback?, no feistiness, no sparks? I don’t really know what words to use to describe her. She is like giving up and handing the baton of responsibility to the ML for him to the work.
In my opinion.
Jung So Min had great chemistry with her co-stars too. Her couple with So In Guk is one of my fav. And there Lee Joon, Lee Min Ki, Kim Young Kwang, Kim Hyun Joong.
I still didn’t watch that drama, but wrote comments before airing that I have doubts in their chemistry. Basing on harmony of their looks, I don’t see chemistry.
Maybe some actors just not chemistring with each other even if they’re chemistring with others.
@Olesya1
I wonder what affects chemistry though? I don’t think they’re that bad but it does feel like I’m not really rooting for them to get together. They really felt like they’re just friend. Maybe it’s the writing or directing, but nothing gives off that feeling of tension
@Yuhui
I don’t know tbh, I still didn’t watch that drama.
But judging by their looks and acting in other dramas I hardly imagine them together. I don’t know why, they’re like unharmonious to me. Something similar I feel about Song Hye Kyo and Gong Yoo pairing. They’re both great, but by now I doubt their chemistry in the future drama.
Also maybe it’s writing or directing, or actors see their characters and couple in the different way, idk.
There are one drama “The Secret Life of My Secretary” that got recognition not for the plot, but for actors and their amazing chemistry, so sometimes couple works without strong script.
What are Seo Ji Hye and Kim Soo Hyun’s links to the drama? Usually when actors make little cameos like this it’s because they know the cast/writer/director from another project or they are friendly with them.
Kim soohyun seems to be close friends with jung haein.
@Nicklous: Thank you. I didn’t even know they were friends. I just googled to learn more and see they met on the set of DP and like to play golf together (I’m always surprised by how much Koreans love their golf! In my country it is seen as such a boring old man’s sport)
I think I have answered my own question about Seo Ji Hye as I just rememebred she is in the same agency as Jung So Min so that could be how they know each other.
I love Seo Ji Hye since Jealousy Incarnate and CLOY, so excited to see her cameo. It’s a pity I spoilered it to herself before watching though.
What about Kim Soo Hyun, if this is true then it’s great, at least I can see him next with Jung So Min not as main leads but like that. And more excited if his role would be an “asshole” guy.
I really like this drama even if I struggle to fully love it. I guess it has something to do with not loving both lead characters. But I have no strong opinions either way. I’ll stick around unless it gets progressively offensive (the violence is sort of doing me in slightly lol)
Also lolz would LOVE for KSH to be an asshole for once in a drama as I doubt he’ll never get to play it full fledged. I’d be so excited for it too as I don’t know anyone in the industry who has as memorable cameos as KSH. And this reminded me I miss Seo Ji Hye! It’s been a while since I’ve seen her in a drama and she looks as great as ever.
Seo Ji Hye is a good actress and so pretty. Her career is decent but I always wonder why she isn’t a bigger star compared to some other actress. It can be so unpredictable who makes and who doesn’t in the drama world
I seriously cannot stand JSM’s character in this drama. The constant beating up of people, her literal combative reaction to just about any situation. Ugh it’s despicable. Theres no under layer of vulnerability or any real rhyme or reason as to why I should root for her. Honestly I love both actors but I just can’t do it. 4 episodes in and nothing happens yet. I love both actors but this drama is just not for me. I’m glad for those who do enjoy it tho.
They seemed to have calmed it a bit with the hitting though. But for this trope, Its common you see it in other friends to lover drama’s like fight for my way and into the ring
Lol slipping in kim jiwon and nana like they weren’t ott, they wish they acted as subtle as Somin, also their comedic timing doesn’t come close.
@doe funny you say that when you’re literally obsessed with ko mun yeong who literally sexually harassed the male lead in IONTBO 😂 but lemme guess, that’s peak girlboss behavior for immature f*cks like you who stan psychos lol
@Alyza I have never seen to see a friends to lovers drama where the FL is this level aggressive. Haven’t watched Into the ring, but in no way is Fight My Way’s FL this physically aggressive. I didn’t love that drama either but at least there was a story and the ML was super likeable. PSJ was fantastic in that role and the story about his journey from the start + their friendship was very believable. But in this one, I don’t feel anything for JHI’s character and particularly can’t get past why anyone would want to be friends with JSM’s. I know I wouldn’t. It just is not for me, and it’s definitely not an issue of the friends-to-lovers trope. The writing is jarring. OBS did the aggressive FL, calm/collected ML quite perfectly but others may say that is boring. It’s all about individual.
But anyway, good to see others enjoying this drama.
I’m talking about acting u clown, wheres the lie in what I said.
Sounds like I am in the minority but this is my favourite k drama right now and I think their acting is very natural and they bounce off each other. Love the childish bickering between them too and it was also highlighted by the female staff 😆
The FL has a type A personality; high achiever and at the same time insecure. However she is also a loyal friend as shown in the flashbacks. Anyway, it could be that I just like seeing Jung So Min on tv 😆
Same, I’m enjoying it too and I think their chemistry is great, it’s very believable they are friends and she lets her loud and childish side out around him/their other friend. I even enjoy the parents part, her parents are so funny and cute (the flowers scene last ep lol).
You took the words right out of my mouth, get out of my head😂😂😂. Anyways I loveee them and I think they have serious chemistry, and I am just here swooning cause I imagine when they’ll finally give into their feelings and let it show. Also it’s clear the ML has always been in love with her, I mean he wrote that since knowing her there hasn’t been a moment he didn’t like her (as an author said, ‘ i languish for you’😂), but do you think she likes him deep down or she knows deep down he likes her? I dunno I just find her absolute cluelessness somehow strange, my head says she has to know somehow, they bicker too much, like they’re trying to diffuse something. It’s possible she has no idea though. Also do you think no body knows? I mean when someone likes another, everyone knows except the love interest, right? Perhaps it’s because of their separation ( I’m just spit balling here 😂😂). Anyways how do you think she’ll finally see his heart, slow and steady or in your face? Also it seems like she’s hell bent on not regarding him as a man, and I’m like why?!! If not that you think he’s swoony😂😂 ( I’m the lovestruck one here, don’t mind me). Also in the preview of today’s episode did you catch when she came on his bed and was being a nuisance and he flipped her, I mean what!!!! 😂😂😂. The man is a hunk😂😂😂. I’ve been told I’m shameless 😂
I love this drama too!
You can see under their bickering how they trust each other and are confortable to adress difficult things in their life even if they didn’t see each other for years. It’s a healing drama, the story focused on characters’s growth.
The actors have a great chemistry for me.
You are not alone. I am enjoying it a lot and like the chemistry between the leads. It’s my favorite watch of the week. Not everyone has to love something.
Definitely on this boat too. I think the acting is so natural and interaction and bickering reflective of their childship friendship. I can also relate to the corporate struggle that the FL experienced. For me, this is a comfortable watch and just going along for a fun ride.
Forgot to mention that seo ji Hye is such a beautiful actress, she’s flawless, i have my bias actress who is always my number one, but seo ji hye is easily my second pick for most flawlessly actresses of all times. And I’m excited to see her in today’s episode.
I’m considering dropping this show too. It feels like I’ve seen this storyline before, especially with the recent similar dramas. The acting seems forced in the portrayal of childhood friends. The bickering feels contrived, as if it’s just there for the sake of drama. Now, it seems that this forced dynamic has even extended to the second lead couple…
I was looking forward to this drama, but felt that the chemistry was lacking in the first two episodes. Both actors usually do so well in the romance/romcom genre, so I have yet to figure out what is it that unsettled me during its pilot episode. Perhaps, it has something to do with the script and the absence of buildup from the first episode 🤔 Their characters of the ML and FL don’t seem to match, although I did enjoy the friendship between the main FL and the 2nd FL.
Will have to wait and see what will happen tonight. I was hoping this would be a good weekend drama to look forward to 🥹
Obsessed with the drama! Can’t wait to see what’s next this Saturday ! Both actors are doing a great job with their respective character. There’s a prolonged bickering and arguing yes, but that’s how good friends are. I see the story is progressing among the 2 main character with love for eachbother. So I’ll stick into and wait happens! Jung So Min is underrated Korean actress in my book. I hope she get a project that will shine more her acting powers!