Love Next Door

Bae Seok-ryu returns to Korea hoping for a fresh start, only to step back into a life she thought she'd left behind. She runs into Choi Seung-hyo, a childhood friend whose past with her is tangled up in old hurts, unfinished conversations, and stubborn affection. As they collide in cramped apartments, awkward family dinners, and unexpected work situations, each scene shifts between light comedy and quieter drama. The show balances everyday realism with romantic tension, letting secondary characters complicate and enrich the relationship without resolving everything at once.

Created by Yu Je-won and released in 2024, Love Next Door stars Jung Hae-in, Jung So-min, Kim Ji-eun, Yun Ji-on, and Park Ji-young. The series is an original TV drama-comedy rather than an adaptation, and it premiered with a focus on character-driven scenes and warm production design.

Critics and viewers have generally responded well, reflected in an 8.019/10 average from 214 votes, praising the chemistry between the leads and the show's tonal balance. It frequently leans into themes of second chances, memory, and the messy work of rebuilding trust. Episodes mix everyday humor with quieter emotional beats, keeping the pacing deliberate so character changes feel earned.

On social media and among streaming audiences, Love Next Door sparked steady conversation about the portrayals of adult friendships and flirtations that grow from shared history. Fans highlighted the show's softer moments and the actors' performances, which helped it stand out in a crowded field of romantic dramas. It developed a respectable following without turning into an overnight craze, encouraging word-of-mouth more than headline-making trends.

As of its initial run, Love Next Door did not collect major industry awards, though reviewers and viewers singled out performances, especially the leads, for praise. The series has been noted as a strong example of contemporary Korean rom-com drama that favors character detail over sensational plot twists.