tvN’s “Love Next Door” starring Jung Hae In and Jung So Min is concluding its run today.
Despite its promising premise and bankable leads, the show failed to deliver on its potential. Since it was one of the most popular K-drama stars, Jung Hae In’s first rom-com, the anticipation was at an all-time high.
Viewers were expecting it to be another hit of the year following the success of “Queen of Tears” and “Lovely Runner“, which premiered on tvN.
Storyline and Plot Issues
The first episode of “Love Next Door” premiered on August 17 and concluded its run with the 16th and final episode on October 6. During its run, the drama failed to engage and hook viewers, despite having all the ingredients for success.
One major complaint was the show’s predictable plot twists and unrealistic storylines. Viewers felt that the narrative lacked depth, with underdeveloped subplots and characters.
The excessive plot twists in “Love Next Door” tested viewers’ patience, but the handling of Bae Seok Ryu’s stomach cancer and her subsequent emotional struggles was particularly problematic. This plot point felt mishandled, especially when her ex-boyfriend reappeared, initially portrayed as a cheater, only to shift the blame onto Seok Ryu’s emotional baggage.
“Too much yelling and hitting each other like what is happening. Mom is beating children, siblings beating each other,” wrote a disappointed fan.
Another fan said, “I could not go past episode 3 – How did they go from stomach cancer to ‘I love you and let’s get married.”
Slow-Moving Narrative
The pacing was also criticized for being slow, making it difficult to stay engaged. While the childhood friends to lovers trope is generally a hit among viewers, fans blame the meandering plot that could not grab the viewer’s attention.
Choi Seung Hyo (Jung Hae In) confessed his love to Bae Seok Ryu (Jung So Min) in episode 7 (Love is All About Timing). They began dating and shared a kiss in episode 11 (Belated).
Viewer engagement suffered, with many abandoning the show mid-series.
From the outset, “Love Next Door” struggled to find its rhythm. The storyline meandered through unnecessary subplots, dragging out conflicts and resolutions. Viewers were left waiting for something – anything – to happen, only to be met with more filler episodes.
Lack of Chemistry Between Leads
While many fans of the leads may disagree, viewers felt that their chemistry fell flat, lacking the spark and conviction needed to make their relationship believable.
On the other hand, many viewers blamed the missing chemistry between Jung Hae In and Jung So Min on the show’s weak writing.
Fans felt that the dialogue, plot developments, and character arcs were poorly crafted, making it challenging for the actors to create a believable and captivating romance.
Unmet Expectations and Fan Disappointment
Fans had high hopes for “Love Next Door,” given the lead actors’ past successes. However, the show’s failure to meet these expectations led to widespread disappointment. Social media platforms were filled with disappointed fan reactions, discussing what went wrong.
A fan wrote, “There was zero consistency here, too much felt like it was happening at once then none at all.”
Another fan said, “The first four episodes were good but then the writer threw in a million random storylines that didn’t fit together.”
Viewership Ratings
The underwhelming performance of “Love Next Door” is evident in its viewership numbers. With a peak rating of 7.3% for episode 12, the drama failed to break into the coveted double-digit range.
This is surprising, considering the popularity of Jung Hae In and Jung So Min.
Compared to other recent K-dramas, this rating is relatively low, especially given the hype surrounding the show’s premiere.
For instance, the SBS’ legal drama “Good Partner” ended its run on September 20, with a nationwide rating of 15.2%. Additionally, “The Judge From Hell” scored an average nationwide rating of 13.1%.
In conclusion, “Love Next Door” failed to deliver on its promise of a captivating romance, hindered by poor writing and slow pacing.