Love Next Door Episode 1 Review: Two Childhood So-Called Enemies Reunite

Two stellar K-actors Jung Hae-in and Jung So-min gear up to light up the screen in the newly released series, Love Next Door. The series, helmed by director Yoo Je-won and penned by Shin Ha-eun, features a talented cast including Kim Ji-eun as Jung Mo-eum, Yun Ji-on as Kang Dan-ho, Park Ji-young as Na Mi-suk, and Jo Han-chul as Bae Geun-sik, among others. The series promises to capture the essence of childhood friendships blossoming into adult romance.

Choi Seung-hyo is a renowned young architect in Korea, admired for his talent, looks, and charm. However, his past holds embarrassing memories, particularly those involving Bae Seok-ryu, a childhood friend whose life seemed perfect—excelling in academics and securing a high-profile job. But now, after suddenly quitting her job, Bae Seok-ryu reenters Seung-hyo’s life as an adult. As their paths cross again, old memories resurface. What will happen when past and present collide?

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Love Next Door Episode 1 Recap

The series opens and introduces us to a lively group of friends on a hiking adventure. Among them are two neighbors who can’t resist boasting about their children’s achievements—Choi Seung-hyo, a successful architect, and Bae Seok-ryu, a high-earning employee at a prestigious U.S. firm. Their playful rivalry is interrupted by news that Seung-hyo has just received an award for his architectural firm, while Seok-ryu suddenly returns to Korea, supposedly to prepare for her upcoming wedding.

Seok-ryu’s abrupt return raises eyebrows, especially when her childhood friend, Jung Mo-eun, picks her up from the airport. Over tteokbokki, they think about their younger days, but it’s not long before Seok-ryu begins acting strangely, hiding from her brother and giving off the sense that her homecoming isn’t as simple as it seems. After Mo-eun, who is a paramedic, leaves for work, Seok-ryu reconnects with another childhood friend, Seung-hyo, though their reunion is far from warm. Their history is marked by a playful antagonism, with Seung-hyo’s first words asking what she’s doing in Korea.

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Their banter continues as Seok-ryu trespasses on Seung-hyo’s property and later has to hide from her mother, who returns early from the hiking trip. Seung-hyo reluctantly helps Seok-ryu avoid her mother’s anger, but their antics don’t end there. Seok-ryu sneaks into Seung-hyo’s office, nearly damaging an expensive artefact and making him more pissed at her. Through their interactions, we learn that Seok-ryu unintentionally hurt Seung-hyo when they were kids, as evidenced by the scar on his back from an accident she caused. Hence, he simply just dislikes her.

Elsewhere, Jung Mo-eun responds to an emergency call, where she encounters a difficult homeless man. This leads her to meet Kang Dan-ho, a writer on the hunt for inspiring stories about everyday people, setting the stage for what could be an interesting subplot. As the day winds down, Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu return home, where Seok-ryu braces herself for her mother’s fury by layering on multiple clothes. However, she hadn’t anticipated her parents overhearing her confession to Seung-hyo that she called off her engagement and quit her job, deciding to move back home for good. What follows is a chaotic and comedic scene where her mother and father make her regret coming back.

Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu eventually escape to a park, where Seok-ryu opens up about the overwhelming pressure she faced while trying to manage her life abroad. She explains to Seung-hyo that she has reached a breaking point and needs to refresh her life, shedding light on her sudden return. They eventually head back home, only to find themselves in another round of chaos when Seok-ryu’s mother, despite promising not to harm her again, traps her in the house with Seung-hyo’s playful assistance.

The episode closes with a flashback to their childhood, where a young Seok-ryu is seen defending Seung-hyo from bullies. As Seung-hyo reflects on her return, he realizes that life is about to get a lot more chaotic with Seok-ryu back in the neighborhood, setting the stage for the series’ mix of comedy, drama, and the rekindling of old friendships.

Love Next Door Episode 1 Review

The first episode of the all-new series introduces viewers to a delightful blend of humor, nostalgia, and character-driven storytelling. The show sets a strong foundation by delving into the complicated relationship between Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu, childhood acquaintances with a shared history that’s equal parts endearing and cringe-worthy. The episode does a great job balancing comedy with deeper themes, particularly when it comes to Seok Ryu’s sudden return to Korea and the mysterious reasons behind her life upheaval. The slapstick humor, especially during the chaotic family scenes, is well-executed and keeps the tone light-hearted.

However, the episode’s pacing could have been tighter, particularly during the scenes that switch between Seok-ryu’s interactions with Seung-hyo and her more reflective moments. While the comedic elements are a strong point, the episode occasionally feels like it’s trying to juggle too many tones, which may leave viewers unsure of the show’s direction. Despite this, the chemistry between the lead characters and the nostalgic flashbacks to their childhood create a promising dynamic that hints at both tension and growth. The episode ends on a note that effectively teases the chaos and drama to come, making it a solid start to the series.

Love Next Door is streaming on Netflix.

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