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Actress Jung So Min of Love Next Door shared her thoughts on the K-drama during an interview held at a café in Gangnam, Seoul.
Love Next Door tells the story of Bae Seok Ryu (Jung So Min), who left her job at a renowned corporation in the US and returned to Korea to reboot her life. She reunites with her mom's friend's son, Choi Seung Hyo (Jung Hae In), a prominent architect, in her neighborhood. The duo, being childhood friends, know each other's embarrassing pasts.
In the K-drama, Jung So Min takes on the role of Bae Seok Ryu, a perfect daughter.
From starting to get to know her co-stars to empathizing with her on-screen character, Jung shared details of her experience throughout.
Jung So Min talks about building rapport with her co-stars
Jung So Min shared, "Since I was a playing childhood friend, I thought, 'I'm in big trouble.' But because Ji Eun, Ji On, and I are all around the same age, the four of us met up and got closer during script readings," adding, "That helped a lot. If we hadn’t done that, it would've been quite nerve-wracking."
Jung So Min also expressed her affection for her character. She said, "Seok Ryu definitely belongs with Seung Hyo. Seok Ryu's roots are in Heryeong-dong, and no matter how successful she is in society or how much she gains, she's someone who finds happiness by returning to her roots. At the center of that is Seung Hyo."
She added, "I was happy to share this heartwarming story with the character Seok Ryu. [For me] personally, the atmosphere on set was wonderful." "Knowing how hard it is with a tight shooting schedule, I'm really grateful to everyone who was part of it."
Challenges Jung So Min faced in transforming into Bae Seok Ryu
For Jung So Min, Love Next Door came with many challenges, like learning English and cooking. She said, "I'm lacking in both, but I worked hard to prepare. People around me were worried, but I thought it would be a good opportunity to learn something new?" "I took English lessons, and for cooking, I went to a chef to learn. Cooking was never one of my hobbies, but through this experience, I met a great teacher and found it enjoyable. It felt like I was learning the fundamentals."
Jung So Min relates to her character as the eldest child
Reflecting on her so-called "K-eldest daughter" character, with whom she deeply resonated, Jung So Min said, "Since I am also the eldest daughter, there's a sense of responsibility and weight on the shoulders that eldest daughters feel, isn't there? I empathized a lot with the character," she explained. "It also felt like meeting a close friend. Personally, I think I ended up rooting for Seok Ryu."
Jung So Min added, "My parents also feel heartbroken about that part, but am I not in a profession that [makes it] hard for them to fully understand [me]? And I'm not the type to open up about my worries or struggles. Plus, my job makes it even harder to do so, which probably adds to that feeling."
She also talked about the relationship between Seok Ryu and her younger brother, Dong Jin (Lee Seung Hyub), which sparked frustration among viewers, especially those who are eldest daughters. Jung So Min, who has a younger brother in real life, laughed and said she could relate.
She said, "I haven't had a physical fight with my brother since elementary school (laughs). He learned Taekwondo, so I couldn't do anything about it. After that, we only fought with words, but we always make up the same day." She added, "Even so, I hold back a lot and make compromises. The harmony in our relationship comes from my sacrifices."
Jung So Min's family's and drama fans' reaction to Love Next Door
How did Jung So Min's family react to the show? "We watched most of the broadcasts together. My dad reacted quietly, while my mom would cry and laugh. Sharing something I worked hard on in the same space with them felt like a kind of healing," she said. "As for my brother, we don't really talk about things like that. I don't even know if he watches the live broadcasts."
When asked about the most memorable reaction from viewers, Jung So Min shared, "There was a fan from Japan who said that, like Seok Ryu, she had experienced workplace bullying and had been going through a really hard time. But watching Seok Ryu, she said she realized she wanted to cry a lot." She continued, "Other fans from around the world left supportive replies to that comment, saying things like, 'Thank you for holding on,' and 'I'm glad you're not hurt.' Seeing them cheering her on felt so touching and heartwarming."
The development that Seok Ryu had battled cancer in the past also elicited mixed reactions. Some viewers pointed out that it felt forced. She said, "I also approached the filming recognizing that it was a part I had originally learned about verbally rather than through script. I think if you watch the earlier parts again, you will better understand Seok Ryu's actions and sensitivities."
How will Love Next Door be remembered by Jung So Min?
Jung So Min took a long break after Alchemy of Souls. She shared, "While there were promotional schedules, I actually took an 11-month break from acting. Personally, it was a time that allowed me to fill many gaps. I traveled and spent a lot of time with my family, which was a healing experience and it filled the empty space in my daily life."
What kind of work will Love Next Door remain for Jung So Min? "Every project is precious to me, and it's not just about the work; those experiences shape who I am. I think it's about how the viewers define it."
She continued, expressing her fondness for Seok Ryu, saying, "I particularly find myself cheering for Seok Ryu. I hope she gradually heals and takes time to care for and reflect on herself."
