Love Next Door: Episodes 9-10
by missvictrix
Where oh where did our little rom-com go? We lost it somewhere in between intense familial relationships and health crises, and we are in full blown melodrama now. I decided to retitle our show to Angst Next Door. If only they told us this was what we were going to get, I would have come prepared.
EPISODES 9-10
While Seok-ryu gets checked out at the hospital, we get a series of flashbacks showing her life with Hyun-joon back in the States. Their cute engagement, the scary moments of her diagnosis, her treatment, and how much they stuck together. As far as I’m concerned this entire plot line needs to die, but just taking it on the merit of what we’re shown, their relationship seems solid and I guess I’m glad she had Hyun-joon since she… didn’t talk to her own family while she was going through all this? Huh?
The drama plays it fast and loose this week, showing us flashbacks, cutting off scenes, and enjoying agonizing us with the question of whether Seok-ryu is sick again or not. One interesting takeaway from the flashbacks is that Hyun-joon didn’t cheat on Seok-ryu after all. Pool Party Girl was merely taking out his contact lens (ROFL) and it just looked like they were making out. Okay. The real thing that broke their relationship was that Seok-ryu went through an (understandably) deep depression after her treatment, and in a way, it was the straw that broke the camel’s back. This is painfully realistic, and it has absolutely no business poking its head into my rom-com where two cute neighbors were supposed to be peeking out their bedroom windows and falling in love, exclusively.
Back in the present, it’s clear that Hyun-joon is here to stay. He re-proposes, and the drama (and Seok-ryu) make us think that she accepts. On the heels of this possible reengagement, Seok-ryu and Seung-hyo are on their jungle gym when Seok-ryu tells him about the proposal. Poor boy asks if she was considering it, and when she affirms, he asks, “Even though I confessed?” *Ouch* Seok-ryu tells him he’s just a little boy to her, and this little interlude goes about as well as you think. Seung-hyo is super hurt by her cruel words, and the drama teases us with the gentle knock of someone at the door… wait is that you, Noble Idiocy? Even the hint that Seok-ryu is backing off because she is a) sick again or b) afraid of being sick again is just too much for me.
But it’s not too much for Seok-ryu. The next day, she turns Seung-hyo down again, telling him point blank to throw out the milk container he’s been protecting with his very life blood. He doesn’t even need to wait till it expires — the answer is no. This is just painful, and it throws Seung-hyo into a fever that’s said to be seasonal but we all know it’s the Fever of Heartbreak. Despite her harsh words, Seok-ryu turns up to nurse him, and it’s here that Seung-hyo oh-so-conveniently sees the medical paperwork that is sticking out of her purse just asking to be noticed.
Despite the deus ex machina here, the elongated reveal scene that this kicks off is a truly emotional and painful one. It both closes out Episode 9 and opens Episode 10. Basically, Seung-hyo sees that Seok-ryu was sick and confronts her immediately. He’s so distraught and hurt that he’s crying while they’re arguing… and who walks in but both their moms.
This then extends this already-painful scene into something even more so, when Seok-ryu’s mom hears the news and grabs her daughter and they both weep. But wait, there’s more! When Mom learns that this all happened three years ago and that Seok-ryu is healthy now, she about loses it.
The scene then feeds off this to add on yet another layer, which is Mom dragging Seok-ryu home, and telling Dad and Dong-jin who are sitting on the couch. Now, despite hating this plot line, this whole sequence was packed. Park Ji-young was particularly amazing here, saying more through her lack of words than with all the shouting and smacking that her character has been doing until this point. The same goes for all the actors, really. Well-done. But that doesn’t really make me feel any better about it. If I wanted a cathartic melodrama watch, I would have picked one up. I came here to watch two friends catch feelings for each other, not to have my heart ripped out by grieving parents, grieving friends, grieving soulmates, and grieving protagonists. This is simply too much grief for a rom-com, guys.
We spend all of Episode 10 with our characters reacting to Seok-ryu’s health situation, and I’m torn. I do love that the drama took the time to show everyone’s disparate reactions (parents, Dong-jin, Mo-eum, the ahjummas, and of course, Seung-hyo) and how full of pathos it all was, but I’m not the kind of viewer who likes to have my emotions played on this hard. I know that’s hard to believe coming from a veteran K-drama watcher, but this drama just lays it on a bit too thick.
One thing I really liked, though, was when Seung-hyo confronted Seok-ryu on suffering alone and not telling her family or him — he dismissed all her excuses and said she was just bitter. That struck a nerve. Hmm, maybe that’s what this entire drama is actually about, or should be about. What if it’s not about falling in love with the perfect boy next door, but about how bitterness in your heart will run you aground if left unchecked — because it’s a theme that’s running through Seok-ryu’s entire family. But, what it seems the drama really is trying to say with this plot arc is that you need your loved ones always — but especially when you’re going through hell. This is true. This is a worthy message. But their are better ways to tell it.
In two episodes of emotional outpouring, the angle that got me the most was actually Hyun-joon. Dude sees all the love and support that Seok-ryu has at home now, and decides it’s time to bow out. The two say goodbye over the phone and he leaves. Honestly, I hated this for him. He was the one who stayed by her side through all that… I think he deserves better as a human and a character, despite their rocky ending.
Thankfully, Seung-hyo agrees, and he rushes Seok-ryu to the airport to say a proper goodbye before Hyun-joon leaves for good with his fancy U.S. passport. Seung-hyo thanks him for taking care of her, which I loved. And then Seok-ryu says goodbye and they… shake hands. In my head, she embraces him and they’re able to put a proper goodbye on things, but in reality, she cries standing alone in the airport hidden under Seung-hyo’s suit jacket. I also want to cry my eyes out for days, but I’m so mad at this drama at this point that I don’t want to let it have a single tear from my tear ducts.
Speaking of tears, there’s so much crying and bonding this week and it’s not just limited to our hero and heroine having out their feelings — it extends to Mo-eum, too. She and Dan-ho share a sweet moment where she tells him about Seok-ryu (and he sees how it’s affecting her), and then he shares the traumatic moment when his wife died in an accident and Yeon-du barely made it. They’re both crying and bonding and Mo-eum plants a nice dead fish kiss on him until she realizes what she’s done, head butts him, and runs away. Really, Show, when you said “comedy,” that didn’t mean you had to consistently undercut an interesting storyline and a sweet romance by playing it off for laughs. We deserve better.
Interestingly, there’s no cliffhanger going on this week, and the drama ends with a proper moment of grieving for Seok-ryu, who’s not only saying goodbye to Hyun-joon, but that entire chapter of her life. (Oh and by the way: she’s fine. The most recent biopsy comes back normal.) But something about the way our episodes close this week make me think (read: worry) that the drama is done with this bit of plot and won’t need to do much more than reference it in passing in our final three weeks. And at this point, I don’t know if I’ll be happy or annoyed if they do indeed turn a big page in the plot and just jump into the romance side of things now. After all the angst next door, is it finally time for some romance? And for Pete’s sake, can someone tell Seung-hyo’s parents to actually have a conversation?
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Tags: Jang Young-nam, Jeon Suk-ho, Jo Han-chul, Jung Hae-in, Jung So-min, Kim Ji-eun, Lee Seung-hyeop, Lee Seung-joon, Love Next Door, Park Ji-young, Yoon Ji-on
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1 panshel
September 16, 2024 at 10:06 AM
What in the melodrama has this show become? Why are these people making this about themselves? They're madder about Seok-ryu not telling them than they are sad about her having cancer. Seung-hyo reading her medical diagnosis was an invasion of privacy.
It sucks because I actually loved the beach scene (minus Seung-hyo not hugging her while she was breaking down). Seok-ryu enduring everything on her own and not sharing her burdens with her family and friends because she didn't want them to worry is so relatable, but did the drama really need to give her cancer to drive home the point? Depression would've been enough (although that'd be like Doctor Slump).
Who tf kisses someone when they're crying over their DEAD WIFE?! I hate the second leads' romance so much. Why is Mo-eum so obsessed with Yeon-du? Not wanting to wake her so she can stare at her more while asleep and wishing she were her daughter. Why does Mo-eum call herself "unni"? Like Yeon-du told In-sook, "You seem more like a halmeoni," Mo-eum is an imo. Why is Yeon-du only five years old? The child actress is miscast.
Why do they keep getting poor Seung-hyo's dad's hopes up just to crush him? Does Seung-hyo know that Mom didn't/isn't cheat/ing with the vice minister because little Seok-ryu told him, "Your mom's going to work," but then why does he keep having nightmares of that night? Why does this show keep misleading its audience with characters being cheaters like Seok-ryu's ex-fiancé? I've read the theories about Mom being sick, and I hate it. As if one terminal illness in a ROM-COM wasn't jarring enough.
The first two minutes of Episode 9 of Hyun-joon's marriage proposal was the sweetest scene of the entire drama. Way to sabotage your own OTP, writer-nim. I really liked Hyun-joon and believe he and Seok-ryu make a better pair. Where does Seung-hyo get off, dictating what they can and cannot say to each other and whether they can shake hands? They were engaged to be married. They're closer than you who ignored his best friend's phone calls and texts for three years because you were upset that she had moved on. Hyun-joon is definitely the bigger person.
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Kafiyah Bello
September 16, 2024 at 10:17 AM
Omg,
"They're closer than you who ignored his best friend's phone calls and texts for three years because you were upset that she had moved on. Hyun-joon is definitely the bigger person."
So stupid. Sir, she is not obligated to like you. SMH. So childish.
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Britney
September 16, 2024 at 12:19 PM
He's not a good friend and I personally don't even think he deserves to be with her romantically.
What he did was some how worse than the pathetic pining (to me)
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Kafiyah Bello
September 16, 2024 at 12:56 PM
He is a really terrible friend.
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bunnylita
September 16, 2024 at 10:22 AM
Seunghyo was already pissing me off, but ignoring her calls for years because of his little feelings (that she didn't even know about), was the last nail in the coffin for me.
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skelly
September 17, 2024 at 9:09 PM
I really don't get all the Seunghyo hate. She has a fiance, she has her own life, she doesn't love him the way he lovers her so he is giving her space. In another context, we'd be saying he's a good guy. How was he to know she was battling cancer and needing support? She gave him zero information.
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Relisher
September 16, 2024 at 11:58 AM
I think I could take it veering into melodrama if the ml had been better, but this is the issue I had with Hometown Cha cha, the ml was just not good to the fl until very late into the show. Here, the ml started off fun and cute and on a level field with the fl, and I was already inclined to like him because of Jung Haein, but then he devolved into the kind of ml I can't stand, where he feels entitled to her and her feelings in some way and not only tries to dictate what she should do, but judges her for not doing things the way he wants to and treats her rudely and possessively instead of like a partner and a friend. I understand feeling devastated, but hearing about her health issues and one of the main things that you can say (after ignoring her for ages!) is how could you treat me that way by not telling me is genuinely awful.
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DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
September 16, 2024 at 3:03 PM
Everybody's reaction to her not telling them was YELLING AT HER FOR HER AUDACITY!
I wondered shortly why she hadn't told them but seeing the reaction it was very clear. She didn't need a horde of people in her hospital room shouting: "HOW CAN YOU GET CANCER WITHOUT ASKING US FIRST!?!!
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DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
September 17, 2024 at 5:37 AM
https://www.dramabeans.com/members/CecilieDK/activity/1630469/
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GySgt213
September 22, 2024 at 5:10 AM
Seriously, I hate people who get sick without permission.
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DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
September 22, 2024 at 8:19 AM
The more I see, the more the Ex seems to be "The One That Got Away".
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Britney
September 16, 2024 at 12:14 PM
THANK YOU! "They're madder about Seok-ryu not telling them than they are sad about her having cancer. Seung-hyo reading her medical diagnosis was an invasion of privacy." That is exactly how I saw it and that didn't make me feel for any of them.
Granted I haven't been emotionally invested in this since week 2 or 3 but the fact that I was *supposed* to feel something and just absolutely did not.
Personally, I can understand not telling someone about the diagnosis (cause I often feel I would do that) HOWEVER the way the characters were supposed to be portrayed was SUPER CLOSE and in those type of relationships, I would assume you talk to and lean on each other. Seung Hyo doesn't seem to be a particularly good friend and Mo Eum isn't really given a chance to be a "best friend". She's literally a friend who picks you up from the airport or gives you a place to crash for the night.
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DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
September 16, 2024 at 1:50 PM
I was just amazed that everybody started yelling at her when they learned about her illness. I can understand a frustrated anger that you have not been considered trustworthy enough to share that pain with, but it must take second seat to the sorrow and care and attempt to kind of catch up on all the love you didn't have a chance to show before. And a deep-seated self doubt; What did I do, that my daughter/sister/best friend and eternal crush/ didn't feel she had the right to bother me with those "little details"?
Instead, everybody shouted and yelled and scolded ... why not break her arm, now that you're at it?
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Britney
September 16, 2024 at 2:36 PM
EVERYBODY except for Mo Eum made it about themselves. Even when Seung Hyo was berating Seok Ryu, I was genuinely wondering if he was talking about himself. I think he called her a selfish, hypocritical coward (and other stuff I've forgotten).
And the father was like "even though we're useless..."
The mother was guity tripping as she was coming to terms with it.
I was just like IT'S NOT ABOUT YOU!!!!
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DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
September 16, 2024 at 2:44 PM
Yeah - I giffed about it on my wall. I didn't make an anthology of all the angry reactions to the news about her illness, because it was just too much to have to see it that many times, but I giffed at least ML and Mo-eum - the only normal reacting one amongst them.
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ar_arguably romantic
September 16, 2024 at 3:02 PM
I get that everyone was like family should share all the bad parts of our lives with each other, but Seok-ryu's way of handling this resonated with me even though some viewers found it weird she didn't tell anyone. I'm the type to keep the most hurtful things inside.
Mo-eum had the best reaction to the cancer news. Sometimes all you need is for someone to give you a hug and not make a huge fuss and treat you like normal, so you don't have to deal with the emotional labor.
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DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
September 16, 2024 at 3:06 PM
"... so you don't have to deal with the emotional labor."
That's it big time. Only Mo-eum reacts to her pain, everybody else just starts working through their own feelings and putting the blame on Seok-ryu. While yelling.
Kairoskat 💐
September 16, 2024 at 3:50 PM
She told her fiance. Everytime i see any of the characters (especially ML) say she didn't tell anyone and she fought alone...do they not remember she has a fiance?! She didn't fight alone. Her fiance was there through it all.
DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
September 16, 2024 at 4:35 PM
Probably helped that his first reaction wasn't yelling at her or hitting her.
Northern Menace
September 17, 2024 at 8:53 AM
If this show portrays how Koreans act, with any accuracy at all, then they are truly a terrible, terrible people.
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faithwithme
September 16, 2024 at 7:18 PM
i have no problem if he keeping wants to keep distance because he was hurt. god knows how many old friends im already distanced to because i was hurt by their attitude, but for me i still reply to their birthday greet if they wish me. im just baffled by him refusing to response to a simple birthday greeting.
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2 Kafiyah Bello
September 16, 2024 at 10:15 AM
SIGH, the amount of unecessary meandering and filler in these two episodes is crazy. They didn't need to be an hour and a half. The writer could have literally done all of that in one episodes or two 1 hour episodes. The length wouldn't bother me if things were happening, but they aren't. It is as if we are stuck in an awful time loop of nonsense.
That being said I actually sided with Seok Ryu's parents, girl tell your parents if you have cancer. I cried when they cried too, I can only imagine how terrible they must feel.
I have no idea why the writer reduces all their characters to children when they like each other. What in the headbutt hell? What was the point of that? Why? Also Seung Hyo's parents, y'all are adults, SPEAK to each other. It is silly at this point, smh.
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DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
September 16, 2024 at 1:53 PM
On the other hand, her parents have not reacted in a good way to anything important to her yet. Anything she tells them results in yelling, meddling, and then the silent treatment, and she's lucky if she doesn't also get beat up.
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Kafiyah Bello
September 16, 2024 at 2:58 PM
You are definitely right, they are terrible with their reactions, it is why I added the actually, lol.
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DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
September 16, 2024 at 2:45 PM
The headbutt was the only funny thing that happened, so even if it's really dumb, just allow it.
I was glad to see that Mud-flat man was smiling the next day, so probably it will be alright again very soon.
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Kafiyah Bello
September 16, 2024 at 3:00 PM
lol, okay will do. I have to hold on to something, lol.
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DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
September 16, 2024 at 3:11 PM
Especially now that I spent so much time looping and giffing it yesterday night.
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ar_arguably romantic
September 16, 2024 at 3:09 PM
I liked this set of episodes, but each one needed 15-20 minutes shaved off. Every scene was a minute or two too long. TVN needs to start getting strict on episode lengths. Now when I see that a drama is a TVN one, I cringe. I feel like writers probably write episodes that are typically longer than airing since it's easier to trim than to fill in extra minutes, but TVN needs to be telling the production to trim it to 70 minutes tops before airing.
Seung-Hyo's parents, especially his dad, are frustrating. I can see that they've fallen in this habit of not communicating and have been fine with it for 34 years. Might as well stick with it until death. Why drop the divorce bomb after doing literally nothing to improve their situation?
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Kafiyah Bello
September 16, 2024 at 3:34 PM
All the people in love are incredibly childish.
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3 imzadi
September 16, 2024 at 10:24 AM
Still love it and enjoy every episode. And there is definitely something going on with his mom, isn't it? I fear we are not done with health scares.
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Xococo
September 17, 2024 at 7:08 AM
I agree, they’ve shown forgetfulness too many times for it to be insignificant. Poor lady, I don’t want her to suffer.
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4 pineapplegongzhu
September 16, 2024 at 10:30 AM
Thanks for the recap, @Missvictrix
“I never thought to fall down with you.”
Caretaking is hard. I really liked the Hyeon-jun story arc. I’m glad they didn’t resort to “cheating” as an easy explanation for the end of their relationship, but something that is more complex. Hyeon-jun isn’t a bad guy, but caretaking IS really hard. I feel like Hyeon-jun and Seok-Ryu was a typical Korean power couple, but her illness was perhaps one of the greatest tests of the strength of the relationship . He seemed much more capable of supporting her during the cancer, but completely lost at sea with her depression. They slid back easily into their routine when her stomach gave her problems, but his insistence for her to apply to the CIA just showed that he was still on that same trajectory of wanting her to become part of the power couple again rather than considering how her dream might not fit into the vision he has for their life. It isn’t unreasonable for Seok-Ryu (or anyone) to want someone who will stand by them through both ups and downs, but not everyone can do that. And that is a perfectly acceptable reason for them to part ways. I like that he realized that in the end, and gracefully bowed out.
”Do you want some ramyeon?”
HAHAHAHAHA! Was I the only one who thought “Oh snap, are they really going to get it on right now?!” I’m quite invested now in Seo Hye-Suk and Choi Kyung-jong’s marriage! I loved the slow-mo hero-twirling-the-heroine-out-of-danger motif for this seasoned, married couple. And even more the unexpected “Do you want some ramyeon?” It’s so typical of shows to focus on these little flutter moments during a courtship, but marriages also need those flutter moments to keep the passion alive - or in this case, to rekindle the love. I’m sad we took a step back in Episode 10, but I think that’s also realistic. You can’t just fix a marriage which has been broken for several years with just one moment.
Inversions and Full Circles
I also love how we are coming full circle in some of the motifs we were introduced to in the first eight episodes:
(a) The Sea reflecting the Sky: Seung-Hyo finding Seok-Ryu at the same beach she went to when she ran away from home. But, this time it mirrors Seok-Ryu climbing into Seung-Hyo’s bedroom when he was the “bear in the cave” and she brought him back out. It’s now his turn, but I liked the more complex element to the situation. He had to apologise, because he did fail her: he failed to read her signals for help and left her in her own cave. But, he came back, he went after her (like in high school) but now to bring her out like she did for him.
(b) The Jungle Gym - but this time Seung-Hyo is the one who is bearing his feelings, and also owning them. It was completely appropriate (and mature) for him to acknowledge that he can’t make her like him if she doesn’t, but that she still has no right to tell him how he feels. He’s willing to name...
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pineapplegongzhu
September 16, 2024 at 10:32 AM
Whoops, got cut off again:
(b) The Jungle Gym - but this time Seung-Hyo is the one who is bearing his feelings, and also owning them. It was completely appropriate (and mature) for him to acknowledge that he can’t make her like him if she doesn’t, but that she still has no right to tell him how he feels. He’s willing to name his feelings for what they are. Indeed, he is no longer the 5 year old who cried at the top of the jungle gym.
(c) Wingwoman becomes romantic 2nd lead I love Mo-eum’s ever patient if somewhat mischievous wing woman techniques and cheeky commentary on our OTP’s inability to move their romantic storyline forward. But, she’s also all thumbs when it comes to romance - unable to admit her feelings, doing the little “happy feet” fan-girling when she reads the article to Seok-Ryu, but my all time favorite is the role reversal of her first kiss with Dan-Ho where she takes on the more assertive kisser (normally reserved for the male roles) and Dan-Ho does the whole shocked-heroine-being-kissed paralysis. HAHAHAHA! Then she of course ruins it with a head butt. One step forward, two steps back. Cha-cha-cha!
(d) Reading someone else’s mail Yeah, I kind of felt that Seok-Ryu reading Seung-Hyo’s teenage letter exposing his secret was going to come back to her, so now he knows a secret she kept from him. Full circle.
(e) The neighborhood family Hye-suk telling the neighborhood ajummas Seok-Ryu's secret is probably one of the things that small town people HATE about living in a small town - everyone knows your business and there is no such thing as privacy. But, the flip side to that is that Mi-sook had all her friends crying with her and embracing her in her pain. You don't get that kind of love in a cold-hearted city within the sea of faces.
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parkchuna is looking for an Emperor Penguin 🍉
September 16, 2024 at 4:43 PM
I liked the mom-friends esp Moeum’s mum.. the scenes with the 4 moms always crack me up. They’re honestly the real chaotic good of the drama.
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Britney
September 16, 2024 at 12:29 PM
I think the Hyeon Jun stuff was the best.
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Rachel2
September 16, 2024 at 1:24 PM
I agree about Hyeon-Jun. I was predisposed to dislike him, but he was actually a pretty sweet and supportive partner to her. I liked that neither of them was a villain, but things just didn't work out. As they look back on their time together, they feel a little sad, but at the same time appreciate the time they spent together. It's a more realistic depiction of relationships and breakups. Generally exes in Kdramas are cheating assholes, so it's kind of refreshing to see a more nuanced take.
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DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
September 16, 2024 at 2:49 PM
I thought he had cheated on her and then had the audacity to stalk her ... but he was really nice, they had a meaningful past together, and when he left, I was like ... "Why? He is a way better man than that childish neighbour, who really does behave like the five-year-old boy FL remembers".
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ar_arguably romantic
September 16, 2024 at 3:22 PM
I was annoyed with Hyun-jun's stalking, but I really liked his arc too. It got raw and interesting seeing how Seok-ryu's relationship with Hyun-jun unraveled. They were happy and genuine with each other. Both had their moments of not seeing things from each other's perspective and acknowledged it and the circumstances and timing just didn't work out for them.
I like how the drama gives grace to both Seok-ryu and Hyun-jun. She genuinely mourned the relationship. The drama surprised me by this development and execution since I didn't think the writer would have it in her to do something this nuanced.
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Bethy80
September 17, 2024 at 4:51 AM
Absolutely agree with the development of Hyun-jun's understanding. I could feel that brittle "we'll fight through cancer together and then it will all go back to normal" undercurrent in those flashback scenes.
Serious, long-term illness is a strain on the closest of relationships and both of them contributed to the impass in that relationship. I almost wish Seok-ryu had told her parents or anyone else so that her fiance was not entirely alone in the caring role. That's a lot.
Her mum got mad for her not talking about stuff, and she does exactly the same thing with her friends. She got mad at them for talking about it. I think she gets mad at Seok-ryu half the time because they are sooo alike.
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5 stove
September 16, 2024 at 10:35 AM
Fell asleep during both last episodes. I guess this is it for me.
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6 vienibenmio
September 16, 2024 at 10:36 AM
I dropped this one, but Reddit comments are making it sound like this drama has an incredibly unrealistic depiction of cancer treatment and work conditions in the USA
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7 welh
September 16, 2024 at 11:01 AM
It was not cheating by Hyeon-Jun, it was the post-diagnosis depression that changed Seok-Ryu because other people were treating her different. Hyeon-Jun was a good, supportive and caring BF/fiancee. His actions speak louder than any words Seung-Hyo could say. The contrast between the two was day and night. It made Seung-Hyo more shallow, selfish, obtuse and naive. It calls into question how “really” close SR and SH were/are during the last ten years. Young SR took care of SH like a de facto mother. Clearly, he relied on her too much in covering up his quasi-abandonment issues toward his real mother. SR was in the US for 10 years so her childhood friendships would have drifted toward the background of her life as it does for just about everyone. After 7 years in the US, she has a great job and great boyfriend until cancer. She only has a 33% five-year survival rate; she has never been or wanted to be burden to anyone; she solely wants to end her last life chapter on her own terms. I think the illness plot is here to stay.
That is why at end of episode 9, she has rejected both HJ and SH. She had lived the best times of her life with HJ, and she does not want to live the worst time of her life with SH. SR friend-zoned SH harder than a truck of doom because she still admits seeing him as a needy child.
It irked me to no end SH invading her privacy to find her secret and then to dump it on her family in the most basic k-drama way. I do give credit for SR’s mother’s reaction - - - the missing hug from a parent missing in all the main characters young adult lives.
Episode 10 goes through the most Korean k-drama way of navigating family grief at the upper end of the decibel range. But the real issue in this episode to me was the denigration of Hyeon-Jun’s role in SR’s life, especially by SH macho-peacocking that he will now protect SH. But past actions speak louder than words; SR now knows HJ was also alone during her post-surgery depression. And a part of her does not want to let him go. HJ has had the best character growth arc in the series but it overshadowed by the sledgehammer notion that women need to be protected by men who demand submissiveness in return. SH’s mother’s personality of being “a know-it-all” pushes to the surface once again when SR is still trying to navigate and come to terms with her emotions. SH still has no idea of boundaries: SR wanted to be alone and mediate, but he encroaches on her privacy and throws her into the sea (what for? to wake her up from what?) I guess one could argue this is the gray area between friendship and selfishness.
There was a lot of material packed into this weekend’s 3 hours, but none of it translated to chemistry between the leads. It is like watching two magnets with like-poles point together, that naturally should push apart (repel each other). The only good foreshadowing I see from The Illness is Dad self-esteem lifted by becoming successful selling high quality Joseon Gungjung...
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welh
September 16, 2024 at 11:02 AM
...Tteokbokki.
As for the other relationship lines, I don’t know if Dan-ho is truly over losing his wife since Mo-eum basically kissed a statue. But their child-like romance seems much more natural than the predictable SH-SR’s next forced story arc. Likewise, SH’s dad’s lack of communication and assumptions will apparently doom his marriage unless they get their act together.
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DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
September 16, 2024 at 2:54 PM
But Dan-ho (which will not become my new username ) smiled the next day, so I think maybe he will be taking his chances with the headbutter soon again.
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8 Kurama
September 16, 2024 at 11:22 AM
I loved these episodes. I don't need all my rom-com full of comedic sounds, a lot of jokes, etc. I think the issue is to put dramas in categories like Cinderella at 2am, it's funny but the theme of abuse is pretty strong. For me, rom-com is more a romance with a happy ending. Cancer being in the top of causes of death in Korea, I don't think it's so strange theme and this drama is about family, not only romance.
I liked how the characters were raw in their reactions of her past illness : worried she's still sick, sad she was alone during her treatment, angry because she could die without them knowing about her surgery, angry because she didn't trust them.
There is no villain in this drama, just human beings with their flaws but it doesn't lack love between the characters. We really can see how they cared for each other.
SR is ready to start a new phase in her life, she found her dream. She's liberated from her big secret. She understands she can accept help and love from people who loves her.
My favorite moments :
- SH imitating Han Suk-kyu. It was quite close to the original.
- SH with the pomegranate tree.
- SR saying how she felt at the beach. She always disregarded her own feelings.
- I like SH and ME's friendship. It wasn't just SH and SR on one side and SR and ME on the other. The 3 of them are friends.
- The family diner with her father's speech.
- My stomach will explode 😂
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ar_arguably romantic
September 16, 2024 at 3:35 PM
I really like Seok-ryu's depiction and journey. And the drama does a good job at showing how family can be a double-edged sword.
Love your highlights! SH imitating Han Suk-kyu reminded me about how overbearing the male leads were in the earlier, classic kdramas. Sure, they were thrilling, but they totally deserved to have their mouths washed with soap with the way they talked to the FLs.
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9 tabong
September 16, 2024 at 11:34 AM
Wait, your telling me Hyun Joon didn't get at least three meals and a few drinks for taking care of their daughter for so many years? He only got... a handshake? And one sponsored by SH?
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Britney
September 16, 2024 at 3:22 PM
Not to mention he was also hit by the mom and yelled at by the dad when it turns out he didn't do anything wrong. He had 1 emotional outburst after 3 years and then was dumped and left behind.
I wonder if he will be better with his next partner if they get sick physically, mentally, or emotionally.
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tabong
September 16, 2024 at 3:47 PM
If they didn't say thanks, I bet they didn't apologize either.
The second he got to Korea people started treating him like trash and mom even hit him. He said nothing and only cared about making things right with Seok Ryu. But who cares about this decent guy, when we have the verbally abusive guy who gets sick over a rejection.
I (only) watched the ex-fiance's scenes and I don't think he could've done better. He was rightfully exhausted back then. He's only human. Zero fights/hurt feelings in a situation like that is impossible. Especially since that was their first time having to deal with it.
So I would say he did great. And whoever becomes his partner in the future are one lucky person. And good for him for not becoming in law with the messy and ungrateful people in this neighborhood.
I will buy him a meal and give him a hug instead. He did his best.
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vongole
September 16, 2024 at 11:55 PM
I am lovin’ all this love for HJ - finally! The character was both well- drawn and well-acted.
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tabong
September 17, 2024 at 1:49 AM
Me too! Last week I felt so alone. Everyone thought he was a cheater/stalker. T.T
10 stberry
September 16, 2024 at 11:43 AM
The audacity of this drama to paint the ex-fiancee as the inferior suitor. I’ve got to laugh.
I mean, this guy spent at least 3 years of his life being FL’s sole caretaker during cancer treatment, no breaks with seemingly no support system on his own, never give up, never complain, but one bad outburst and the drama deemed him an unsuitable partner.
What pissed me off the most was that the drama made him go through this “epiphany” that he “did not love her the right way” after witnessing the ML YELLED at the FL for not sharing her burden or something like that (while he’s the one who’s ignored her messages back then). BITCH WHERE?? 3 years is a long time; the ex was all alone caring for her, respecting her wishes of keeping the illness a secret, realising he’s messed up, and travelling all the way to Korea to apologise and win her back! He’s basically an angel, especially compared to the ML. This guy only knew about FL’s illness for a few days, long after the fact, and he’s already yelled at her several times. And I’m supposed to believe this one is the right one for her to spend the rest of her life with, in sickness and in health, through exhausting years of cancer treatment and depression? Really ??
I also find it weird that none of her family seemed to reach out to say thanks or something, the only one thanking him is the male lead, which is done begrudgingly and condescendingly at that, like he was doing Mr. Ex a favor. Honestly, who does he think he is?
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Britney
September 16, 2024 at 12:51 PM
Also when and how was Hyeon Jun supposed to get angry and yell? The first and only time we saw him do that, he was the "insensitive jerk".
Was he supposed to do it when she broke up with him and left the country? Was he supposed to do it after arriving in SK?
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11 Britney
September 16, 2024 at 11:47 AM
It's honestly kinda frustrating and confusing to me how they've used the ex fiance. First they made it seem like he's a cheater and then have him come back in the picture to be met with hostility by her parents only to then have the mother try to help him get Seok Ryu back. Then he acts like he's still Seok Ryu's guardian. Only to then end with "I wasn't what you needed but at least we had good times".
Seung Hyo's weird entitlement isn't any better to me. I think one of the more frustrating is Seok Ryu not clarifying anything but I also get that she's supposed to be kinda overwhelmed. It's still frustrating though.
I don't know if it's the cultural difference or it's a me thing but I really & truly can't stand the parents. I wish Seok Ryu would just move into her own place.
And also, Seok Ryu is in her 30s! How are they saying whether they'll allow her to do anything? She's not even financially dependent on them (especially given her big corporate job in the states for a decade or however long it was)
Sigh, I'm not a fan of how the relationship between Seung Hyo's parents played out. The mom KNOWS she wasn't around for his childhood or are we to believe that she revised it in her memory? The mom and dad had little to no interaction and now it's supposed to be heart fluttering that he cleaned broken glass and stopped her from walking on it? Sidenote: why was she even trying to walk barefoot around broken glass? And then them having ramen and reminiscing just felt forced and out of nowhere to me. It feels like I'm missing episodes or moments in between only to go right back to the dad assume the mother is having an affair.
Ahhh, so the fiance could "handle" the physical illness but not the mental illness? Hmm.
Not to diminish how mentally exhausting it can be to deal with someone who is going through depression but this is also why it would've been beneficial if they let others into their world; people like her trusted friends. Even if she couldn't get in touch with Seung Hyo, why not reach out to Mo Eum?
And once again the kdramaverse is more forgiving than I am.
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12 Xpressemu
September 16, 2024 at 11:47 AM
I almost dropped the show after last week, but this week brought me back a bit. I guess her illness was the catalyst needed to kick the other character’s (namely her family and Seung-hypo) into proper self-reflection. I also appreciated how it was an important part of the strength of her and Hyeon-Jin’s relationship and also its demise. I was ready to kick his character to the curb last week but was truly sad to see him go this week. I somehow ended up with EFS—ex-fiance syndrome 😂 I was never really on the Seok-ryu/Seung-hyo ship.
I’m not sure about these final weeks and what they’re going to cover. I was invested in Seung-hyo’s parents’ relationship but their lack of communication is just irritating now. Plus the show hinting at his mom in early stages of dementia is just 🤦🏻♀️😩🤬 Like, we just got through stomach cancer. You’re really going to “heal” another family with potential terminal illness? There’s so much wrong with the writing for this show I can’t even.
I came to the show for a cute friends-to-lovers rom-com but am now just watching it for Seok-ryu’s journey of self-discovery and growth. I’d be perfectly content if Seok-ryu just Julie & Julia’d the rest of this show. In fact, I’d prefer it.
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13 kay4625
September 16, 2024 at 11:48 AM
This show is infuriating. This show thinks it's so smart by not showing us the full scene, or let us know certain stuff, only to then later reveal it in a "surprise" twist. No, show, this doesn't make you smart. The trick is so darn obvious and the whole thing feels so cheap that it just makes you look pathetic.
Anyway, we've also gotten to the point where literally every character in this show is more tolerable than the male lead, so congrats on that one, show. This guy is just simply infuriating. He's jealous, petty, immature, selfish, mean, childish, hypocritical, and a bunch of other things. Can someone please explain what I'm supposed to see in this guy? Flawed characters are great, but this show only treats him as a flawed character 5% of the time, and then proceeds to pretend he's perfect for the remaining 95%, even when he's so obviously not. Everyone is more tolerable than him simply because this show knows that they are flawed, and writes them as such. Flawed characters don't work when you literally ignore the flaws. The only time this show has actually treated him like a flawed character is when Seok-ryu finally called him out (after multiple scenes where the only thing he does is yell at her), and that's literally the bare-minimum and lasts like 2 minutes. I get she should've told you about the cancer, but also... stop making this about yourself? Yeah, you were hurt, I get it, but last I checked, you weren't the one with cancer, so shut up and quit it with your holier-than-thou attitude. Literally everybody else managed to hug her after 2 minutes, so why on earth should I care about him hugging her hours later? Oh, and who do you think you are setting "rules" for the last meeting of Seok-ryu and her ex? Seriously what gives you the right?
Anyway, I think it's pretty clear I'm just angry at this show right now. I'm probably just going to skip scenes or use the 1.5 speed button, because I can't do this anymore, but I also don't want to drop it because there are still some thing I like.
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bunnylita
September 16, 2024 at 12:47 PM
"Flawed characters don't work when you literally ignore the flaws." Exactly!
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samchunfan
September 16, 2024 at 2:10 PM
well summarized, it's funny with Jung So Min's BTIMFL and one called Monthly Magazine Home, her character ruins those dramas in the last 2 episodes. Now, I can see Jung Hae In character kind of ruin it in the last 2-3 episodes, where you really should be rooting for Hyeon Jun. The drama would seem more fitting that the boy next door wasn't meant to be, and there was a reason she never thought of him as a romantic partner until now.
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14 Britney
September 16, 2024 at 11:48 AM
I can't ever make out or hear the Greip english scenes but do people really gossip about people having cancer like that? I don't know what else was said but it seemed mocking
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dlrgy
September 16, 2024 at 12:29 PM
Yes, that was such a weird scene. If I'm being charitable maybe we were interpreting it through her eyes while she was depressed? But really I think they just wanted to pile misery on her and never stopped to think if actual humans ever speak like that.
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Kafiyah Bello
September 16, 2024 at 1:08 PM
No, that entire scene was off.
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Britney
September 16, 2024 at 3:56 PM
I wonder if to the domestic korean audience those scenes came across better.
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Kafiyah Bello
September 17, 2024 at 5:36 AM
It is possible because it came off as very kdrama-esque. Idk if this happens in Korean office, but not American ones. it would be an insane HR issue.
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15 Britney
September 16, 2024 at 11:49 AM
Since melodrama is Jung Hae In's wheelhouse, it's not totally surprising that the drama has taken this turn. I would think this is probably a good chance to take a mental note that if Jung Hae In is in it as a main lead, it will be melodramatic at some point.
Wow, this made me think of Ji Chang Wook because I wondered if when you see him that means he will be kissing someone at some point. Not necessarily that it will be romantic but sensual or tension filled.
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16 dlrgy
September 16, 2024 at 12:25 PM
I have no problem with a show mixing light and dark elements and I actually think the second couple storyline is doing this well (though Moeum's obsession with the kid is OTT). The problem with lnd is that it's a badly written drag.
Is it just me or did we have about 15 mins of scenes in the architectural firm about someone objecting to building a house? That was so boring!
It's striking to think back to the first two episodes and how far we've veered from the initial premise and set up. Seok ryu is a totally different character now - even if she was to an extent putting on a brave face in the earlier episodes, she has been dragged around by the ex fiance and ML these last four. Her character as initially set out would balk at all this rather than timidly accepting it.
The show is portraying complex characters and themes (asian parenting, burnout) but completely failing to instil confidence that it's interested in actually exploring them beyond a trite wrap up. The family resolution at the end of ep 10 was so unsatisfying.
The flashbacks and omissions are too clever by half and I have no idea why some characters do things. Why does the surgeon dad want to reconcile with his wife? At the start of the show they had a cold relationship and it seemed this impacted on our ML. What changed for him? Why should I root for them to reconnect?
I thought Seung Ho had some actual realisations about his behaviour at the end of Ep 10, and Jung Hae In can really sell those and his agony. But I agree with other commenters that other aspects of his behaviour are so off the mark and the drama seems to want us to see them as endearing.
Onto next week I suppose! Maybe it'll turn a corner?! The definition of insanity after all..
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welh
September 16, 2024 at 1:15 PM
I found the architect dealing with construction "issues" odd at the very least. In the US, the property owner hires the general contractor who supervises and hires sub-contractors and deals directly with permit issues. Apparently, Korean architects' contracts include construction supervision obligations that would normally fall on the shoulders of the general contractor/builder or owner.
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pineapplegongzhu
September 16, 2024 at 10:51 PM
@dlrgy: I completely agree with you, the writing and editing are really uneven. I think one of the problems is that with the episode format you want to have a specific story contained (and resolved) within the one episode, but have breadcrumbs of the different threads which will hopefully build it something bigger and greater as the series progresses.
But, in some cases I think the stories are so BIG within themselves that you can't just string them along. Like, Hyeon-Jun's storyline is one of those which could be it's own drama by itself. And I felt like for the first times we see him/hear about him, it's barely anything. Then, SUDDENLY in episodes 9-10 we are hit with the highlights of their relationship in the U.S.
The architectural firm problems are really boring because we don't see how they connect to Seung-Hyo and his dream or his relationship with Seok-Ryu. I get the feeling that this is also a big storyline that will need resolution, but the writer is dragging out the issue without giving us a clear sense of why this is important for our characters.
I also find that Mo-eum's storyline is compelling, but also weirdly choppy. It's as if the writer knew the direction she wanted to go, but then got exhausted and rather than showing us the story, a lot of it is exposition or worse, a huge dump out of nowhere and not really connected to the scenes before or after.
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Bethy80
September 17, 2024 at 5:56 AM
You diagnosed that completely accurately! That's exactly how I feel. I am getting whiplash from the reveals and now I keep waiting for another shoe to drop about every little hint in an episode. I am just bracing myself for some rug to be pulled out while alternating with stretches of total boredom because I can't follow some dangling thread of scenes at work....
Interesting possibilities in all those threads but nothing feels well-woven together or the beats are catching me totally off tempo ....
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17 Rachel2
September 16, 2024 at 1:35 PM
These episodes dragged for me. I really didn't like the way Seung-hyo consistently ignored her boundaries. Of course we are supposed to see this as the catalyst she needs to have an emotional breakthrough. But in what universe is it okay to look at your friend's medical paperwork?! Or forcibly drag her into the ocean? Does she even like him romantically? I haven't seen much evidence of it.
On the other hand, I think Mo-Eum and Mudflat Man are super cute. In their relationship, you can see the chemistry that is lacking between the main couple. My favorite scene is the one where he talks about the gift of time with someone you thought you had lost.
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DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
September 16, 2024 at 2:35 PM
I love the Mo-flat couple, too.
But my favourite part was when she panicked and headbutted him. 🤣🤣
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18 DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
September 16, 2024 at 1:43 PM
I don't know that the biopsy was normal? I only know that she talked to the doctor and said out loud in front of Seung-hyo that it was normal? Or did I miss something?
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samchunfan
September 16, 2024 at 2:04 PM
i think SH's dad or someone communicates that it was only an infection and not a re-occurrence of cancer.
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DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
September 16, 2024 at 2:39 PM
Maybe - I hope it's not reoccurence, but still, she didn't tell anyone that there was a minor issue that still had to be taken care of, did she? (I mean, I can understand why, because everybody would probably throw things at her and yell again, because that's what they do).
If it's a minor infection, she still was told that, and said aloud; "OH! EVERYTHING IS NORMAL? THX NICE DOCTOR!"
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DK-Drama 🫘 Giffing n Space Cadetting🍉🌱
September 16, 2024 at 2:40 PM
I mean, while talking on the phone, with ML right beside her.
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19 JKim
September 16, 2024 at 2:30 PM
The name they should have given this show is... "When Keepin It Real Goes Wrong" and billed it as a hard core drama. I had such high hopes for this show when it started with the FL, ML, and SL being close friends and the witty banter of the FL with the ML providing the romcom. There are too many threads in this show that veer off where I think most of us thought it would go. For me, the charm of these Korean romcoms is the hyperbole and the need to suspend reality. In attempting to show realism of reactions, the writer has gone off the romcom reservation.
I noticed that there was no preview at the end of the last episode. I was hoping for previews that show that the show will start to focus on the ML and SL's romance finally. I did see a review on Youtube and then I see that now ML will be faced with DIVORCE of his parents!??!!
I didn't understand what some of you call "hate watching" meant but now I know.
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20 Britney
September 16, 2024 at 3:33 PM
I've said before that I prefer the english title of Love Next Door because it seems more fitting of the overall concept and what actually happens in the show. This week's episodes once again solidified that point to me.
From what I understand, "mom's friend's son" is supposed to be like this exceptional guy who is the gold standard that others' kids are compared to and is oh so admirable. The first episode said that but ever since, it's just been informed ability without showing ANYTHING. I don't know much about business but he doesn't seem particularly good at his business. He isn't a particularly good friend. He wasn't a particularly good boyfriend.
It seems like false advertising to make *him* the title character.
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ar_arguably romantic
September 16, 2024 at 3:43 PM
I thought it was great how Seung-hyo wasn't that good at his business, especially with kdramas littered with GENIUSES, but to see him be middling at being a basic neighbor and friend hurts. The drama should really be called mom's friend's daughter since she is actually much more exceptional than Seung-hyo.
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21 sailorgirl
September 16, 2024 at 3:33 PM
Seung Hyo is the nice guy from my nightmares. The type of man that believes his kindness must be reciprocated with love and attention. If not, he will drop you like a hot potato, call you ungrateful, and cuss you out. Clearly, his kindness is transactional. Yet, I cannot pin-point one thing that he has done for the heroine that deserves praise; she’s always the one taking care of him. She sacrifices her time to give him encouragement while he’s a happy recipient.
Honestly, Seung Hyo’s pretty useless and acts as though his level of maturity hit a plateau two decades ago. How dare this man see his “best friend” 🤡 looking like a shell of herself and walk away because he didn’t like who was holding her hand? What if she was being abused? Is it not common decency to at least check in? What, she isn’t allowed to have a life separate from yours? Give me a break! Instead, he dodged her calls for 3 years. 3 YEARS. 🤡🤡🤡 Be so for real right now. I completely understand why Seok Ryu told Mo Eun not to call him when they were on the roof earlier in the show – she wasn’t sure that he would show up! Trying to save face, she didn’t want to look pathetic by calling him, only to receive no answer. What even is this show? The com is not coming and the rom has run for the hills. If they’re trying to give me reasons not to root for the main couple, they’re succeeding.
Meanwhile MudflatParamedic are single-handedly saving this drama. I love these two. Otherwise, no one is worth the headache that Trauma Next Door doles out.
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sailorgirl
September 16, 2024 at 3:35 PM
*Mo-Eum
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FormAnOrderlyQueue
September 16, 2024 at 5:24 PM
Yes. Yes, this is me.
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22 zindigo
September 16, 2024 at 3:55 PM
I told @hopefulromantic I was sticking with this to the end but... I'm out. Right, wrong, or otherwise, I'm not enjoying this drama at all and beanies' comments about this week's episodes (which I didn't watch) have only reaffirmed my decision. I stuck with a few too many shows this year that I ended up regretting, so I'm reclaiming my 8... er, 10 hours back.
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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
September 16, 2024 at 4:03 PM
Good Job!!! 👍 I'm proud of you for dropping and living your drama life without regrets! I've been keeping up with recaps and comments, but I was out after episode 4... the FL and ML's complete lack of respect for each other, the verbal abuse (both of them), and the physical violence (the FL to the ML) were just completely off-putting... I see that if I had continued, I would have come to dislike the ML, too, and life is too short for that!👏👏👏
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zindigo
September 16, 2024 at 4:39 PM
This drama has felt off to me too from the very beginning, and for all the reasons you mentioned, but I stuck with it because I love the two leads. Unfortunately imo the script and the director are failing the entire cast. Although I'm wildly disappointed, I have no regrets about dropping. Onward! 😉
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HopefulRomantic 🦋 Tigermoth 🦞
September 16, 2024 at 4:42 PM
May your next drama bring you no disappointment!!! 제발!!
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zindigo
September 16, 2024 at 5:33 PM
고맙습니다!
23 ar_arguably romantic
September 16, 2024 at 4:07 PM
I'm enjoying the family melodrama (with the older actors giving some wonderful performances) since the drama wasn't doing that well on the rom-com front. Even if they added more rom-com scenes, it could have ended awkward like some of the Mo-eum x Dan-ho moments. They have chemistry, but some of the lines and moments feel cringe (like Mo-eum's weird obsession with his daughter and the kiss).
I can understand where Seung-hyo is coming from and he does repent and apologize, but I just can't trust him with Seok-ryu's heart. Seok-ryu was looking thin and ill and she kept on calling him. He couldn't even send an emoji because he saw her with her boyfriend? Seung-hyo is too much like his dad. Seok-ryu deserves more. And I don't think Seung-hyo really understands Seok-ryu like the drama is trying to tell me he does.
I can see why Seok-ryu endured her cancer without others knowing. She was known as a tough cookie, the protector, and someone who you never had to worry about. Also when my friends, cousins, and I got into our 30s, the roles with our parents switched from them taking care of us to us taking care of them and worrying about them (and irritating them with our worries), so it was interesting to see that transition and tension here.
One thing I'm really bummed about with this series is how Dan-ho isn't integrated with the friends group. I'd love to see a Yeon-du + Seok-ryu interaction.
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Bethy80
September 17, 2024 at 5:52 AM
I did appreciate his apology and his growing understanding of how in denial he has been over these years. It's not making my worries about him entirely over but I hold out hope for two reasons.
He goes to the beach to find her and apologises and then lets her scream and punch and yell all she needs to. She has been the "brave little over achiever" her whole life and that is part of what finally broke her and Hyun-jun too. She needs to yell out her fear and anger and grief if she really wants to move forward. She has got to stop bottling things up. (So many characters in this drama do it all the time!!)
Secondly, he takes her to the airport to say a proper goodbye to Hyun-jun. It wasn't fun for him and he didn't like it but he knew it had to be done. He and the ex-fiance are quite honest and open with each other and in this show that is very refreshing!
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24 Kairoskat 💐
September 16, 2024 at 4:11 PM
Sad to see the best character (imo) aka fiance Hyun Joon go. You did your best HJ-ssi. Being a caretaker is hard and you did it so well for years. Having an outburst is human. Don't think you didn't give it your all. Both of you needed a bigger support system to go through what you've experienced. Hopefully you'll find someone better and bring out the best of each other and also has a less-yelling more close knit family.
Bye2 HJ~ you'll be missed.
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It would be easier for me to root a ML like fiance over ML like current ML. Drama writer should have swapped the roles if they are so insistent to have JHI as endgame with JSM.
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KDJen
September 16, 2024 at 11:36 PM
Best character, really? Just because a character doesn't yell doesn't mean he automatically gets a pass for stalker-ish behavior, waiting for FL almost everywhere she goes, getting her to have meals with him despite her telling him to leave her alone so many times. Persuading her with a proposal so she will do what he wants and go back to the US with him even though he can see that's not what she wants. How about ignoring her calls when he knew she was sick and depressed and he was the only person she could reach out to? Oh, right, he's not selfish, unlike the ML because he's just taking a little break like he deserves because he's too exhausted taking care of FL. Remember, we only got to see him in a good, condensed version. I'm willing to bet some tteokbokki more of his unflattering traits would surface if he were in the entire 16 episodes.
All I'm saying, if you're going to choose between two of them, at least be sure not to be too blinded and declare he is best in your opinion. I'd surely appreciate those who can overlook the SML's shortcomings or rationalize his behavior, that they could also give a little empathy and be a little less judgmental for the ML who is behaving realistically, as a human being might do. He is flawed, makes mistakes and, learns from them, as viewers hope he would.
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25 parkchuna is looking for an Emperor Penguin 🍉
September 16, 2024 at 4:24 PM
Omooo this recap is so on point, i wonder Where is the Love Next Door? My favourite scene was at the beach when SR yelled at SH cos it was about time he got told off for always yelling at her. I guess next week’s crisis will be the parents divorce..i hope that doesn’t take 3 freaking hours!
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26 faithwithme
September 16, 2024 at 4:55 PM
just caught up to ep 10 and i tell you i'm totally irked by the reaction to ex-fiancé. for someone just recently caught up with this series, i find it people can be biases to ML too much. the hate the ex get is beyond me. words like " the ex is going back to US, hooray" "good riddance, ex- fiancé" seems extreme. that guy has been with her through her darkest time and he snapped once (how convenient that he was shown at the club to de-stress instead you 'know leaving SR to hang out with boys or become workaholic) and he was treated worse than her family terrible reaction. nobody except ML obviously since the writer dictate that he should be the bigger person by showing graces instead her own family members, to the ex. no proper meet up, no thank you for being with her through her cancer treatment period. none of her parents has the initiative to meet the ex in person to express their anger for keeping them in the dark or saying thanks.
this drama writer need to reflect back on her writing once this drama ends. the hype does not reflect the quality of writing.
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Britney
September 16, 2024 at 5:48 PM
From what I understand, the pool party also as a work mixer type thing. A bunch of his coworkers and associates were there so it *could* be said he was also there to network.
Again, not the worst thing considering he had taken time off to care for her during treatment.
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faithwithme
September 16, 2024 at 5:57 PM
oh, i mis-remember that pool party. the ambience reminds me to a club. sorry.
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27 faithwithme
September 16, 2024 at 5:48 PM
i wonder how should they rewrite the part where SH open that letter which is in freaking envelope and in her bag. is there no way that they should know about her illness without any of them opening seal envelope or not falling off from handbag. that is privacy invasion to a finest.
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Kairoskat 💐
September 16, 2024 at 6:45 PM
I disliked the envelope scene too. Why would anyone open a sealed letter inside someone elses bag.
Not really sure how the best way writer would rewrite it. Maybe they could have let him follow FL and fiance to the hospital and he learns about her condition there. While FL in her pain tells the doctor about her condition, ML was at the side reeling from this new info. But knowing how ML character is written so far, he probably shout at her there and then 🫠
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faithwithme
September 16, 2024 at 7:45 PM
maybe they should let SR have a truth bomb meltdown again because mom decide to side with baby bro again. or have her getting sick again and Moeum come as paramedics and knows about her cancer on the spot. anything but invasion of privacy from not close family members, nonetheless.
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Kairoskat 💐
September 16, 2024 at 8:11 PM
Ohhh. Moeum coming and saving her would be a good scene. FL collapse in pain. Someone calls emergency number and Moeum comes. They bring her to the hospital and sees her scar. They call the family but no one knows her medical history, so they have to call her fiance. Now everyone knows. After FL is out from the hospital, the family + fiance can talk about what happened and how about their engagement. This way, the family has a chance to thank fiance for taking care of FL. Would be better if writer included covid, because her diagnosis was during covid time. She kept it a secret because they are so far away from family, they had each other to rely on and don't want family to worry more, covid was such a big impact. An Asian in US during covid, we saw the news back then we know how bad the discrimination was.
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faithwithme
September 16, 2024 at 8:36 PM
why can we come out with better plot than the writer him/herselves?🤦♀️
28 empressgirl
September 16, 2024 at 6:10 PM
1. Beanies, it's official. We have definitely hit minimal quorum to start a hate watch.
2. I take back what I said last week. Seung-Hyo, you're the real cancer here. How's about the script also cut off about 70% of your toxic cancerous personality and habits, and keep the remaining 30% like they did with SR's stomach?
3. Cos we, as audience, can no longer stomach how you have been treating SR. With friends like you, nobody needs enemies.
4. Minority report here: I for one, have no issue with the sudden swerve into a past cancer plot-line, followed by a depression crisis. I actually think it is an apt narrative call. What I take issue with, is the treatment of this topic and the ensuing writing and characterisation.
5. Keep time. Everything you want to say could have been said in 60 mins. Why drag this out to 1.5 hr?
6. Hyun-joon, GG. You did well. You really did. The script did you dirty though.
7. Mo-eum /Dan-ho: again, a minority opinion here. I thought it was one of the most nuanced & poignant story beats this week amidst the decibel-high dial-it-up-to-11 histrionics all round....so good UNTIL she leans in for a kiss. He's feeling vulnerable, reliving the grief and trauma of losing his wife and you swooped in for a kiss? (*you predator you*)
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empressgirl
September 16, 2024 at 6:22 PM
8. Personality Extreme Makeover & Redemption arc for SH
If we don't see that from Eps 11-16 where he works his ass off to redeem himself, do serious self-reflection, drop his entitlement and bullying, and really pull his weight in this relationship - he won't be left with any friendship, or fans here.
There is no reason to drop Hyun-joon and pick Seung-Hyo. None at all. You minimally need to hit the level of commitment and devotion that her fiance has put in during the darkest period and biggest crisis of her life. Minimally. To even have a fighting chance.
Which brings me to a burning question I would like to throw open to all Beanies to weigh in on:
By a stroke of uncanny timing, I ended up watching the last episode endings of Dr Slump, 2521, and Ep 10 of LND -- all on the same day. And the 3 stories serendipitously form a thematic motif and conversation -- they all deal with the same issue of depression/trauma but played out so differently.
Dr Slump's ending: "we survive our slumps cos we held on to each other and lean into each other for strength; two is truly better than one." They marry
2521's ending: "Our love can only survive the good times, not the bad. My support can no longer reach him." (ML's rationale to close himself off emotionally is why should two suffer?)
They break up
LND: Ep 11 show both possible outcomes -- and I do wonder why is it that with some people we can only "get out of the red" but not "into the black"?
Why is it that some can walk us through cancer, but not depression? He doesn't love her any less than jerk next door.
What are the critical factors that determine whether a couple can weather through a crisis together in every season of their life?
My burning question
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sailorgirl
September 16, 2024 at 9:08 PM
Comment was deleted
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sailorgirl
September 16, 2024 at 9:12 PM
@joanna I think my answer is that those involved in the relationship must be willing to let go of their ideal versions of the other person and take the bad with the good. I couldn't really get into Doctor Slump but I was devastated by 2521's ending since they had such great potential. Still, from what I can gather, the love in 2521 was fairly idealistic. They saw each other as bright shining lights, beacons if you will, in the dark mire of life, and when the hard times came only one person was willing to step into the mud.
As opposed to Doctor Slump where the two main leads are thoroughly in some messy doo-doo. Their careers are up in smoke, they're burnt out and tired. It is at this stage that they reconnect, finding the person that they knew in their brighter days. Yes, they were rivals, but they admired one another and were each a source of motivation to succeed and be better versions of themselves.
This is the starting point of their romantic relationship/adult awareness of one another and from here they must move forward if they want to establish something together. They cannot remain in the past or cling to long gone days of glory when life has given them such a harsh awakening. So, they begin to question all that they knew and their relationship is a combination of old and new.
In my humble opinion, relationships take flexibility, work and the willingness to see the other person as they truly are. They fail when you hold unto an idea of the person you would rather they were or used to be. Here, our leads from 2521 fall short because one wants to go it alone and preserve the memory of their beautiful youth, but this attitude is unrealistic.
The truth is that life is messy, harsh and disappointing. In picking a significant other, we should not only choose someone we love, but someone we can see loving as they continue to grow and mature throughout the struggles of life. Love is saying I am committed to seeing where this goes - mountain top OR valley below.
I guess this is where we come back to LND. By this point it has been hammered into the audience's brains that they were mainstays in each other's formative years. There was a gap wherein they matured and experienced hardships, specifically Seok Ryu's cancer diagnosis and treatment. In admitting to falling short of being the friend that she needed, Seung Hyo has agreed to share an uglier side of himself with her that could, quite frankly, tank the relationship.
The ball is now in their court to see where they take things. Will this be the catalyst for them to accept each other, warts and all, or will the memory of their glistening spa days and blissfully shared banana milk be more beautiful than their reality? Are they committed enough to grow past the hurt and ugliness, or will their romance sink faster than the Titanic? I guess we will have to see. I could be way off, but these are my thoughts!
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empressgirl
September 16, 2024 at 9:54 PM
Thanks for taking the time to share your take, really appreciated it. and yes, 2521's ending gutted so many...it's like...what went wrong? So in some ways, I look at how SR broke from her fiance and wondered the same
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29 TwoCentsWorth
September 16, 2024 at 9:20 PM
While LND isn't quite the show I'd hoped it would be, I found myself less disappointed than others with these episodes. First, I fast-forward the elements I don't enjoy so it's a manageable length. Second, I've adjusted my lens to watch a family drama, with a touch of melo. Third, the show was surprisingly nuanced with some takes:
- Given what we've learned of him and his family, I could understand SH deciding to unilaterally cut off all contact with SR for the sake of his heart once she forged a relationship with another man. I could also understand SH's bewilderment and disappointment with him in her time of need.
- I understand why her family would be gutted when she didn't tell them she had cancer. I also understand why she didn't tell them either.
- I understand why her Ex believes they have a solid foundation to resume their relationship. And I understand why she wouldn't feel so either. It was such a heartbreaking portrayal of a breakup, and I really appreciated that. In general, the show's done really well by both Ex's. (I get why folks are shipping the two. :-)
Anyway, there's still plenty lacking in the show, but there was some good too I thought in these episodes. Or perhaps I'm making lemonade with this lemon. ;-)
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Bethy80
September 17, 2024 at 5:46 AM
I didn't like but I could understand everyone's actions as you said. The actions for good and ill made sense to them at the time.
Considering how in-denial SH was about his feelings for her I am not surprised he shut down. It hurt to be around her or talk to her or think about her but he couldn't admit to himself why. I have hopes for this poor, messed-up, abandoned kid to be able to work on that now that he's actually spoken honestly about his feelings.
And his taking SR to the airport to say a proper goodbye to Hyun-jun was a sign of a growing maturity and an ability to do something hard because it is right.
Perhaps I am holding out too much hope as well :)
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30 9TailedVixen (formerly 9TailedFox)
September 16, 2024 at 10:30 PM
I am thinking that LOVE NEXT DOOR and ROMANCE IN THE HOUSE might need to swap genre classifications.
I was expecting something like this for ROMANCE IN THE HOUSE but instead we're getting such a heartfelt and love 2ML/FL romance and a bumpy one for Mi-Rae's parents. And I never fail to burst out laughing every single episode - comedy is not easy and the cast NAILS it while layering on the romance and family drama.
Meanwhile what in the Makjang is going on with LOVE NEXT DOOR? It's supposed to be fluffy rom-com. Instead, there were onions in the room. I still like Jung-Jung's chemistry but what in the heckin' heck is Writer-Nim smoking? Can we get back to the romance please now that the irritating ex-fiance has bowed out?
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empressgirl
September 17, 2024 at 12:19 AM
Yes.
and Romance in the House did it so well.
There - this note is for all lurkers and future Beanies reading this and wondering if you should defect or try something else lol
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31 Nefret
September 16, 2024 at 10:53 PM
In my opinion, these were the best episodes so far. This is mainly due to how realistically and humanly Bae Seok-ryu and Choi Seung-hyo are portrayed, with all their flaws. That doesn't always make them likeable, but I can identify with them because I can recognise myself in them to some extent.
And isn't it wonderful that not only Choi Seung-hyo's ex-girlfriend is a good person, but also Bae Seok-ryu's ex-fiancé? But sometimes the best person is not necessarily the right partner.
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
September 16, 2024 at 11:31 PM
I agree there are more dramas showing that holding on to the good of past relationships does not prevent a new relationship from being a better fit for now. I loved this in The Matchmakers and it also showed up recently in a couple of J dramas I am watching.
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welh
September 17, 2024 at 6:13 AM
It is rare that ex-es are portrayed as decent human beings.
Meanwhile, generally, a toxic, badgering, love bombing, manipulative and possessive male lead is rewarded by getting the female lead to submit to his persistence.
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ar_arguably romantic
September 17, 2024 at 4:53 PM
It's a shame that it's unlikely that the ex-gf will move to California given her work in Korean pottery and the ex-fiance is unlikely to move to Korea (or else he would have considered that an option while pursuing Seok-ryu). They're good people and I want them to find their ones.
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empressgirl
September 18, 2024 at 6:06 PM
Yes - love a show with great exes.
One thing this show did right.
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i see castles
September 20, 2024 at 7:41 PM
“But sometimes the best person is not necessarily the right partner.” *claps heartily*
As someone who has lived the truth of these words from both sides, I cannot agree enough.
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32 too_much_tv
September 16, 2024 at 10:56 PM
Thanks for the recap of this increasingly controversial show! Wow. Yes. The end of episode 9 made me so happy. The emotions were raw and felt real.
The extension of the whole reaction to the FL's stomach cancer in episode 10 was terrible. I have to agree with people who found everything that the loved ones said and did totally over the top. (Except Mo-eum. It surprised me that she said and did just what I would have wanted.) I kept thinking, "This is why she didn't want to tell them, OMFG, why pay a travel agent when you can always fly Air Guilt Trip?"
Yes, sure, Beanies. The ex-fiance took care of her for the three years of her treatment (and her post-treatment depression.) I think the reason he finally backed off was that he didn't have the guts to insist that she contact her family, and her obnoxious childhood friend with the unresolved crush did. That is to say, he leaked the news to her mom right away with his loud voice--and he also called his dad for help and hunted for Seok-ryo and just basically didn't let her alone. He blamed himself for being unavailable. (Which, by the way, was a totally reasonable situation. He didn't know she needed him for something serious because she didn't say so. He just feels guilty after the fact because he realizes he could have helped.)
The reason the ex-fiance backed off is that he was super nice and cared about her autonomy and stuff...but also couldn't figure out how to be supportive when she realized that she wasn't out of the woods just because treatment was over. Also, @pineapplegongzhu is right. Hyun Joon thought immediately about how she could be a high-powered, internationally trained chef. He was ignoring her decision to get certification in specifically Korean cuisine.
She actually felt so much better after all the crazy yelling and blaming and hugging and crying. He left because (the show seems to be saying) she's really culturally Korean and he's not. The next-door son of a mom's friend guy is obnoxious and a little whiny here, even--but she's used to people who love her showing it this way. Her ex sees how much happier she is with these folks and sadly flies home.
So even though this took me from the sublime to the ridiculous so fast that I almost got a nosebleed, I get why we got the sudden scary cancer storyline. There is still a possibility of a good ending where you don't say, "OMFG why didn't she stick with the other guy," etc. etc.
OK. Also, I must say this. I predict that the manager who gives Choisseung's mom flowers and wine and so on? The one who basically passed on the news that she was fired? The one her dad thinks she's having an affair with? He's gay, I'm calling it--75% confidence in this script prediction. Also, I want to predict with less confidence, maybe a 43% chance or lower, she's got some kind of dementia.
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
September 16, 2024 at 11:27 PM
‘He's gay, I'm calling it--75% confidence in this script prediction’👈🏾 So you think the special relationship everyone else is picking up on is because he can be himself around her as she discovered his secret because he was out when they were both assigned to the same country? Intriguing thought🤔
I also think something is going on with her performance at work due to the way they are managing her out of her job as it makes no sense with work place legislation.
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too_much_tv
September 16, 2024 at 11:57 PM
Yes, I think they are friends because she doesn't worry that he will hit on her. I also think something is going on with her work--either she's slipping because she's losing her memory a little bit at a time, or she's doing great work but they don't want her anymore because she's an older woman.
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PYC
September 17, 2024 at 12:34 PM
Like and agree with your thought that he’s likely gay. It makes perfect sense how they get on well for so many years at professional and personal level. It’s also very likely that her mental state is the reason for redundancy.
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too_much_tv
September 17, 2024 at 2:28 PM
But @welh640 has a good idea also. It's possible that she was attached to a previous minister and that's why she's going to be let go. The spaciness might just be a red herring. I'm very curious about how this one is going to go down!
Bethy80
September 17, 2024 at 5:42 AM
Yes, Seok-ryu needed that time to yell and hit SH at the beach. And he needed to apologise for his harsh words too. He was angry at himself and he knew it.
She could FINALLY say outloud the fear and anger and the loneliness and everything she kept bottled up for so long. She put a "brave face" on during her whole treatment I bet, just like she does with her family at times. She was the "gold star" cancer patient I bet who faced up to everything "bravely" as her ex-fiance remembers.
I felt better after she finally screamed about all that. It was such a relief.
And she and Hyun-jun isolated themselves and put a burden on each other that they never could have carried. They didn't tell anyone as far as we saw and then felt alone. Of course they broke down. And neither one of them is good at falling to peices.
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pliplipli
September 17, 2024 at 8:41 AM
yeah, I think his mom has some type of memory-related disease like alzheimer
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empressgirl
September 18, 2024 at 6:03 PM
Whoooah!
Plot Predictions. I LIKE. 🧡🧡
1. Vice Minister is gay
2. Mom possibly has neuro-degenerative issue of sorts (or maybe she just mistook the washing machine for dish washer)
I am going to go with 1 (seeing how writer has been throwing us mis-directions all this while); same reason for not going with 2 (double bluff).
If he is gay, that also makes sense that dude remains unmarried all this while (which was misconstrued by gossipers as "the only reason why Vice Minister is not married is because our Ambassador is still married.")
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33 Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
September 16, 2024 at 11:19 PM
Thanks for the recap @missvictrix
I have recategorised from rom com to melodrama similar to My unfamiliar family and Dear my friends and therefore I have managed my expectations to enjoy the exploration of what it means to be a friend and a family.
I find the flavour of the angst in this more to my liking than the way it was brought in to other rom coms that where thrillers/mysteries with a twist of rom com.
Is it just me who finds it weird that there is no discussion with Hyesook re her work situation. How does her work placement/holiday schedule work? Is it normal to not know about the timing for her next assignment? She does not seem to have any work to do in the office in between assignments, is she still getting paid? Is it normal in that industry to be quietly forced into retirement with no explanation when she is not of retirement age? How is it that the man who seems older than her is still actively working? I keep wondering if she made a mistake at work and rather than address it directly they want to give her an option to leave with her reputation intact. The whole situation makes me think about women of a certain age being relegated to side roles in the media/entertainment world.
Does anyone think that Miss perceptive in the work place will have a Noona romance with our female lead’s brother? She will always get the prize for the best ‘I am all over this’ comment when she called it the first time she saw the leads interacting: They need to get their kids names down for the English nursery school.
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Bethy80
September 17, 2024 at 5:36 AM
Yeah, I do not understand the dynamics of Hye-suk's workplace at all. Something felt off from the very first meetings with her colleague about how she would just wait around for a new assignment. Like he knew something he wasn't saying...
"You will be asked to resign." has layers of "we can't fire you due to the law but we can make it so it's pointless to be employed here" vibes to it. Resign why? Because she is getting older? Was there a work mistake? Are we going to get some kind of dementia storyline for her?
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welh
September 17, 2024 at 6:24 AM
I assume she was assigned as senior staff at embassies or as a consul providing assistance in bureaucratic issues to Korean citizens traveling or living abroad. The real reason is probably politics: a new president appoints his foreign staff through his loyal ministers. She could have been a career diplomat but rose to a level where partisan political appointees want to be.
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
September 17, 2024 at 8:19 PM
Thanks for sharing this behind the scenes info on the woes of being a diplomat.
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too_much_tv
September 19, 2024 at 8:57 AM
It happens to people in all kinds of jobs! I have mostly heard about it in the non-profit/local government world, but you also hear about this happening in the private sector.
PYC
September 17, 2024 at 1:06 PM
Did they seriously tag My Unfamiliar Family as a romcom? What a disservice to one truly outstanding drama.
I enjoy Love Next Door as it is but do think they promote the drama incorrectly, thus leading to wrong expectations and frustrations.
Having worked in the diplomat field, I could say the depiction here is not uncommon. The period between postings could be frustrating while different foreign ministries have different practices. Normally, someone in such situation is either assigned to an interim job back home or taking accumulated leave for the period (as seemingly the case with SH’s mum). There’s no finite period as to when you will get another posting or none. There’s an obvious reason for the hinted redundancy which she appears resigned to accept that decision. Health-based performance issues could be possible now that we’ve witnessed SR’s cancer reveal after 9 episodes.
I also agree with the observation that she does not have an affair with the vice-minister (who’s likely gay). It’s another red herring aka SR’s ex being a cheater.
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
September 17, 2024 at 1:42 PM
Sorry for being unclear, I was saying My unfamiliar family is not a rom com but it does have romance just as Love next door is not a rom com but it does have lighter elements.
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Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
September 17, 2024 at 8:21 PM
Thanks for filling in the info gaps on the reality of these kinds of posts. I just want a job where I can lounge at home indefinitely and still be paid!
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34 pohonphee
September 16, 2024 at 11:54 PM
I don't even understand why some people cry in this drama?
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35 Ahjummai
September 17, 2024 at 12:18 AM
I came in thinking this was romcom but it turned out to be a melo. I feel cheated by the promos.
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darwi
September 18, 2024 at 3:44 AM
200% with you !
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36 Linarrick
September 17, 2024 at 12:28 AM
I have mixed feelings about the ex-fiancé, I personally don’t like him but I don’t think he’s a bad guy either. Yes he was there when she was getting treatment, but I don’t think he understands that having cancer and going through surgery and chemo is fundamentally going to change a person. Plus expecting her to bounce back seems naive at best and ultimately the tension of who he wants Seok-ryu to be vs who she is now, is why the broke up in the first place.
Not to mention Seok-ryu was isolated in America, and as much as I don’t like the yelling and screaming from her family she does have wider support in Korea. Which is why I don’t think the ex-fiancé truly understands her wants and needs. Trying to take her back to the U.S. just reinforces that he’s putting his own comfort before her, it’s why the second proposal was shallow in my opinion. He wants Seok-ryu but he wants the “happy” Seok-ryu but he also wants to take Seok-ryu from her home…
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Bethy80
September 17, 2024 at 5:33 AM
That was exactly my read of their dynamic as well.
The cancer "fight" was hard but clear-cut to him. The long term depression later left him feeling helpless and alone. And he wanted to "go back" to a fiancee and a pleasant, successful life that no longer exists.
I felt that they really suited each other when they were both in that "go-getter, climb the ladder of success" life style and they certainly put on a brave face for each other (at least in the tiny glimpses of that period that we were shown) but they shied away from being a "burden" or truly stating their emotions, frustrations and difficulties to each other. And that can't hold through something like they have been through....
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PYC
September 17, 2024 at 1:17 PM
The arc about SR and her ex is probably the best written and nuanced in this mix bag of a drama. They have the right timing to start - at their prime and most ambitious - but without the very difficult adjustment in mentality and action to cope with the post-cancer challenges. It is sad but unavoidable and that’s life. That goodbye at airport is managed quite well in the circumstances.
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37 Procrasti-NationFirstCitizen
September 17, 2024 at 3:13 AM
Lol this writer turned out to be *so* predictable in one aspect at least... I called it last week that fiance wasn't cheating but checking someone's eye that SR misunderstood, and he WAS😂😂
Apart from that, all that had to be said about this show, have been said by more eloquent voices.
My frustration with the utter bloody 5 year-old man-child that is Seung Hyo is complete. If not for Jung Hae In, I'd have probably dropped this by now.
And, If after giving it so many chances, the writer still messes up the last episodes with more cr*p, I'm going to curse them to the depths of hell where "Lucifer" and the "Angel without Wings" will make them watch No Gain, No Love over and over for eternity, until they learn how to write a PROPER adult rom-com.
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38 Bethy80
September 17, 2024 at 5:26 AM
Really enjoyed reading everyone's thoughts on these eps!
(I am probably enjoying that more than parts of the drama...)
Pros
- ML apologised for his mean words in the playground and accurately self-diagnosed that he was really yelling at himself. And he stood and took every hit and every angry word that Seok-ryu needed to say because he knew he deserved it.
(And those years of not talking come down to both of them I think. SH should have at least responded to basic, friendly texts. I still don't understand that shut-out although ... look at the boy's parents. Guy needs to go into therapy about that whole mess. But also, Seok-ryu wanted it both ways. She wanted the support and love of the important people in her life but she also chose not to tell anyone anything either at the time in the US or since coming home.)
- Ex-fiance realised that Seok-ryu has changed since her illness. She is not the simply happy go-getter he wanted her to bounce back to. His insistence that they can just start over their life in the US is what he wants but not what she does. And he understands that which is more maturity than the script gave him credit for up until this point. And the break up made sense to me and was quite nuanced and adult and probably has more healthy closure than their first breaking it off.
- Mom's friends talk and know she is going to get angry and are there even when she wants to close them out (remind you of your own daughter much Eomma?)
Some big Cons though:
- Please edit this stuff down! It felt so unnecessarily long-winded to get to where we ended upl. Why the hell did we spend so much time at SH's workplace with discussions of permits and contractors etc? I think it was to show how SH is idealistic and has very high standards when he is actually in a good mood and then gets all "easy-going" when in a bad place? Are they setting up some kind of work difficulty?
- If a neighbor was that interested in my kid I'd be worried.... I think it's to show how equally in love Mo-eum will be with both dad and daughter and is not ending up with him due to expectations of marriage or selfless caretaker tropes but it's not landing well with me...
- I don't trust this writer to show me who this characters really are which is actually my deepest irritation. They keep giving us half-glimpses and letting assumptions be made (which can be clever but doesn't feel that way here). Instead of building things slowly and revealing the truth of who these people are, I feel like I am being misled for shock value. I don't like that.
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too_much_tv
September 19, 2024 at 9:07 AM
Yes, look at the boy's parents! Exactly.
Mo-eum's enthusiasm for the next-door girl fits with her personality. She's not stupid and she's very warm, but she's also kind of hyperactive. She likes thrills and risks and her feelings are a roller coaster. She has a lot of empathy but she's also kind of immature about dealing with her own feelings. Maybe I identify with this kind of personality a little too much.
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39 corman
September 17, 2024 at 8:34 AM
I really enjoyed these two episodes. I do like our two leads as the romantic interest but I did feel awful for the ex fiance, especially at the airport. A kiss and hug would have been better, IMO. They were going to be married for goodness sake and were intimate with each other. The breakup was not due to hate but rather knowing it was not mean to be.... that alone deserves a hug and cheek kiss. geez. The second leads..... I like them but really can we be a bit more grown up towards each other. When she kissed him.... we know he likes her.... kiss her back.... he has a child so he knows what to do! They are in their late twenties or early thirties, not in high school. Doctor dad and minister mom need to talk to each other!!!! ( the miscommunication is getting silly ). I do not know if the cancer arc is over but it would be a shame to lie about it now after all that has transpired. Yes I cried during many of the scenes. Just saying. Was him reading the test results an invasion of privacy? Perhaps but we had to move the story along somehow and because they did literally grow up together almost like siblings... I can understand why he did what he did, even if it is not acceptable by many. I was prepared to dislike the ex fiance but really.... he was a good guy who loved her and the situation they were in was difficult for both of them. Many times with a major crisis of any sort... it can either bring you closer together or tear you apart. Both are to blame for many different reasons but not for mean reasons that were intentionally hurtful. So it is bittersweet. Again, a kiss and hug seemed missing for an ending.
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40 gem28
September 17, 2024 at 9:03 AM
Love Next Door, Ep 9-10
The biggest problem for me has become how unlikable I find both the lead characters. Don’t get me wrong, they aren’t evil but when you strip the nausea inducing ‘woe is me’ characterization, they are incredibly bitter and insufferable people. That’s one point where Seok Ryu and Seung Hyo might just be a match made in heaven. The writing is not it and that’s the politest way for me to put it. I get it, Seok Ryu is miserable. While I can see the racism, microaggressions etc. making her tired, the way they have portrayed how people in her past workplace reacted to her cancer, gossiped behind her back was so incredibly silly and childish that I laughed out loud at it. They threw the entire kitchen sink at her to make her character miserable. And now her cancer being hidden from her family. It didn’t come from a place of selflessness, it came from a place of intense bitterness where if she dies, the point she wanted to make to her parents is that you should have been more supportive while you had me in your lives and that’s just not it and I am grateful somebody pointed it out to her. Her parents are overbearing but they don’t hate her and there is no justifiable reason for her to not tell them that she has a horrible disease that will cut short her life span and have serious impact on her lifestyle. I liked her fiancé. Strangely, I didn’t really feel too negative about his outburst, he was stretched thin trying to support a cancer-stricken fiancé whom he loved and even after doing everything right, things were not the same for them. I don’t think he meant it, emotions got the best of him, but it was for the best, because they just weren’t right for each other. They loved each other, tried their best for each other and then became different people who no longer were compatible enough to be married. Now, Seung Hyo, my God he is so unlikable. I understand him wanting to put a wall between him and Seok Ryu but he was an asshole about how he went about it. Why is he opening a sealed envelop? It would be one thing if that document was open and it caught his eyes when it fell out of her bag but it wasn’t. That was just not it. Also, why was he acting haughty around the fiancé when he was leaving. Like, dude, he was there when she had cancer, you weren’t. Pull back, its not your place to feel any type of way about this. I honestly don’t think these two are all that well match for each other as well. They both need therapy before they should even consider dating.
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41 pineapplegongzhu
September 17, 2024 at 10:30 PM
In defense of Seung-Hyo
I’m noticing that the character of Seung-Hyo is getting a lot of flack, and although I can sympathize with what other Beanies have said, I also vehemently disagree. The biggest problem seems to be that Seung-Hyo’s character fails to meet the expectations of a rom-com ML. He yells at the FL. He acts possessive and jealous. He acts immature. He fails to respect boundaries. The list goes on. But, I think rather than complaining or criticizing how the character is written, it might help to take a step back to figure out what the writer is actually trying to accomplish. What I’ve noticed in these episodes is that she is trying to break free from the stereotypical childhood-crush-to-lovers tropes. She’s being extremely ambitious (perhaps too much) in creating a love story which is within the rom-com genre but pushes against it and moves it into more complex scenarios.
A safe haven
Beanies have complained about how Seung-Hyo looked at Seok-Ryu’s medical record and the manhandling her into the sea - both a kind of negation of her autonomy and privacy. But, that’s imposing our expectations and relational requirements onto the characters. During the beach scene, did Seok-Ryu scream at Seung-Hyo for looking at her medical record? No. She cried and beat him for ignoring her texts, abandoning her when she needed him three years ago. Did Seok-Ryu complain about being manhandled while they were drinking banana milk together afterwards? No. They reminisced about the bathhouse and her first time running away. He gives her his coat so she can mourn the end of her relationship with Hyeon-Jun at the airport. Even in voice over Seok-Ryu says that Seung-Hyo allowed her to cry a lot that day, and she was able to walk out (of the airport) with him. There’s a reason why the title of the episode changes from “Bear in the Cave” to “Mouth of the Cave”.
I like Hyeon-Jun, don’t get me wrong. He was a very honorable and supportive caretaker when Seok-Ryu was (physically) ill. But, he could only accept Seok-Ryu when she was strong the way HE wanted her to be. He could handle the cancer, but he couldn’t handle the depression. But, here’s the real strength of Seung-Hyo: Seok-Ryu goes to him when she is weak. She tells (or yells at) him her real thoughts, her real fears, her real sadness.
Even better, he can see through her B.S. - she may fool her parents with some of her flippant answers or misdirection, but Seung-Hyo is NEVER fooled. And he calls her out on it - usually so that she can come clean (and be free emotionally). This also explains why it was so hurtful that he ignored her when she sent those texts - because she EXPECTED him to be there for her. She needed him. He was there for her when she was afraid of swimming - both as a child (episode 6) and as an adult (episode 3). So, she wanted him to be there for her when she had cancer - but he failed her.
You’ll notice...
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pineapplegongzhu
September 17, 2024 at 10:31 PM
You’ll notice that in several of the scenes with Hyeon-Jun, Seok-Ryu sometimes shuts down, like she did with the Greip co-worker. Seok-Ryu shuts down when she doesn’t feel safe. Does Seok-Ryu ever shut down with Seung-Hyo? No, she doesn’t. She either yells back, or hits back, or cries, or laughs - but she’s fully herself when she’s with him.
Beanies complain that he yells at her, and disregards her boundaries, but the thing is Seok-Ryu equally yells at Seung-Hyo and disregards his boundaries. This is not because they have some unhealthy dynamic but indicates the level of intimacy and comfort with one another. This was best showcased in episode 6 when Seung-Hyo told Seok- Rye to stop interfering and respect his privacy. What did Seok-Ryu do? Did she back off? Heck no! She said she’d stick her nose into his business however much she liked BECAUSE they are close…and because they are close it gives her the right. And she was right.
It’s a complex but lovely relationship. They don’t have to walk on eggshells. They don’t always have to be polite. Why? Because there’s a deep undercurrent of understanding that they are close. They aren’t just friends, but they also aren’t exactly family (even though they are as close as non-related people could be). THAT is why for Seung-Hyo it was such a risk to confess his feelings to her. Their relationship is unique and special. How many people can really say they have long-term friends who are at the level of family?? It would be a huge risk to gamble that away.
Repression to Rush
And this segues nicely into his behavior from iron-clad repression to ecstatic-rush. After so many years of trying to deny his feelings, or watching her date other men, when he FINALLY got the courage to confess his feelings, he wanted her answer right away. People think this is unreasonable, and yes, it probably is a bit. But, Seung-Hyo doesn’t have double standards (because I don’t think he does), it’s that he’s so FREE FINALLY after confessing that his emotions are like a deluge, a flood after the breaking of a dam.
This reminds me of a friend who had confessed he hem’d and haw’d about this one girl he was hovering over. He was afraid to take it to the next level. He was afraid of this, he was afraid of that. But, the moment he realized he really liked her, he couldn’t WAIT to ask her out. Even more hilarious, he couldn’t WAIT to marry her. He hem’d and haw’d for 7 months, but after realizing he wanted to marry her, he complained about waiting 6 months to get married. It’s like that line from When Harry Met Sally… “When you realize you want to spend the rest of your life with someone, you want the rest of your life to begin as soon as possible.”
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pineapplegongzhu
September 17, 2024 at 10:31 PM
Like father, like son
Now, in terms of him ignoring Seok-Ryu’s texts during her cancer season, or just shutting down when he sees her with another man - this is obviously learned behavior from his father. Yes, it is a flaw, but the writer gave us a reasonable and realistic aetiology for Seung-Hyo’s behavior. It doesn’t come out of nowhere.
Growth arc
And this leads me to my last point, which is that Seung-Hyo has a growth arc. I’m sorry, but if Love Next Door really went the way of typical rom-coms, I’d be really bored. The real creativity would have to be how to string out a childhood-friends-to-lovers arc that lasted 16 episodes. It just can’t be done, which is why a lot of those storylines lose steam and interest somewhere down the line. Seung-Hyo is our male lead, but he has some growing to do - which he has done quite a lot already! He has grown PAST his family-of-origin’s communication problems. He confessed his feelings to Seok-Ryu! He owned his feelings - when Seok-Ryu tried to wave them off as “imprinting” on her because she took care of him when he was young, he would have none of it! He was willing to accept that she might not like him back, that he could never have the friendship they once had after confessing, but he stood by his feelings - he knows it to be love, and that’s it. I also think his refusal to accept her “no” was not just some patriarchal, prideful inability to accept a rejection but because he knows she’s not thinking or feeling clearly herself. Also, up until episode 10, she did hold it against him that he failed her when she needed him most. That had to be gotten out of the way. I don’t think Seung-Hyo knew that, but he could sense (he told Mo-eum, remember?) that Hyeon-Jun is part of Seok-Ryu’s history that Seung-Hyo has very little knowledge or experience of. That was really quite astute. Now he knows more than he did, but those are 10 years in which they grew apart (quite realistically). My guess is that the next 6 episodes will be them learning to relate to each other as adults in a way that they weren’t given the opportunity to before this.
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late as always
September 20, 2024 at 3:19 PM
@pineapplegongzhu: Thank you for expressing what I think so beautifully!