Love Next Door: A Heartfelt Story Of Career, Burnout, Family Struggles, And Friendship Turned Romance

2024 has truly been a treat for K-Drama fans, with high-rating romance hits like Queen of Tears, Doctor Slump, and Lovely Runner. Adding to the list, there's a new K-Drama on Netflix that has everyone swooning—Love Next Door.

Starring Jung Hae-in and Jung So-min, the show follows childhood friends and neighbours who return to their old neighbourhood after growing up and moving away.

Choi Seung-hyo, played by Jung Hae-in, and Baek Seok-ryu played by Jung So-min, first met when they were just four years old, thanks to their mothers, Seo Hye-sook (Jang Young-nam) and Na Mi-sook (Park Ji-young), who became fast friends.

 

View this post on Instagram

 

A post shared by Netflix K-Content (@netflixkcontent)

As kids, they were both high achievers, which sparked a friendly rivalry between their mothers. Seung-hyo grew up to be a successful architect, while Seok-ryu made a name for herself in the corporate world in America and was about to get married.

Photo from Netflix

When Seok-ryu unexpectedly returns to Korea, she tries to avoid her family but runs into Seung-hyo. He quickly notices something is wrong and learns she has ended her engagement and quit her high-profile job. She’s anxious about facing her parents, especially her mother, who might react strongly.

Settling back into her old bedroom, now more of a storage space, Seok-ryu finds comfort in relaxing and enjoying Korean food and at the same time, deals with her parents' disappointment and the fallout from leaving her career behind.

Photo from Netflix

Seok-ryu also finds peace in simple activities like riding the bus for hours. Meanwhile, Seung-hyo, always kind and caring, never stops looking out for Seok-ryu. He even redecorates her room and moves back next door to support her. When he told Seok-ryu, "Don’t force yourself to laugh if you feel like crying," it reminded us that it's okay to feel what we feel.

Photo from Netflix

A Journey of Healing and Rediscovering Joy

Love Next Door might not be set in the countryside, but it taps into the idea of burnt-out professionals seeking refuge in places where they can escape and recharge. The show mirrors the real pressures in many Asian households, where parents often put immense pride in their children’s education and high-paying jobs. This pride often comes from their own missed opportunities for education or good jobs, leading them to hope their children will achieve the dreams they couldn’t.

The series also brings out the lighter side of family life, friendships, careers, and relationships. We’re excited to see how these themes unfold in the upcoming episodes!

You can stream Love Next Door on Netflix now.