I'm dropping it after 8 episodes. This is hardly a rom-com. Idk why they misled viewers like this. Please take note that I am an easy to please kind of viewer and being critical is the last thing on my mind but I had to put my feet down on this one. I was tagged along with all the hype about this show, and after 8 episodes, I don't think this drama is worth the buzz. Coz usually by now, for a rom-com genre, I'll be all giddy, excited and anxious to wait for new episodes every week. But this drama is doing the opposite. It's frustrating.

I guess I have to miss the train on this one and to everybody else who is still onboard, have a safe and pleasant journey.

Story
The show opens up with the introduction of the mothers (Suk-sisters/ Lavender), which is adequately interesting. We can see the dynamics and the rivalry of who has the better daughter/ son. However as it progresses, somehow their relationship felt a bit forced especially when the characters (not all) acted way too comical than it should, by age appropriately. I'm not saying that adults can't be childish and act silly but usually they don't. Yes, I have issues with my parents/ siblings/ friends (that includes wrestling with my brother but it stops as we grow old) but no matter how disappointing/ annoying/ hateful they can be, there is always room for privacy, not some public service announcement out in the street. So, aside from cursing, hitting, head-locking, bantering or physical altercations; Is this the kind of comedy the show would offer? For example, the news about Seok-ryu's broken engagement and quitting her job, were revealed in a most chaotic (unhealthy) setup and it made me hard to relate and empathize with any of them including Seok-ryu herself. So, is this scene served to be funny? If it is, I'm finding it hard to laugh and wish I could go back in time and skip/ fast-forward the whole shenanigans.

Respectively classic childhood-neighbour-friends-to-lovers trope is definitely superior in general, but for me, I've seen too many and it has caused me to be critical/ skeptical of this setup, and as of now LND seems to be nothing new or special. I can't help but to compare it with previous similar settings like in the REPLY series or the recent Lovely Runner (idol/ time travel hiatus), My Sweet Mobster (long-lost relationship/ redemption arc) and Dr Slump (rivalry/ mental health). So I'm searching for that 'it' factor which would make LND stand out and shine on its own, so far there is none. They did some flashback/ parallel scenes (like in LR); They even did a 'he said she said' with their childhood perspective (like in Flipped, an American movie; if you haven't seen it, I highly recommend that you do) but both couldn't deliver the same effect that I had as the latter.

Some of the plot was revealed so abruptly that it doesn't fit well to the story; somehow it doesn't reflect or do justice as to what was happening in the present. For example, Seong-hyo's accident; How can Seok-ryu forget that he lost his Olympic dream due to an accident. I'm a bit perplexed as to how it was scripted/ presented. It's a major setback in his life, so for her to diss and shrug him off about having a dream is mind-blowing to me. To make my point even stronger, she can recall him being hurt because of the fence back when he was a child, but clueless about him being injured in a car accident when he was a teenager? Yeah, mind-blowing pfft.. and not to include the bomb that they dropped in episode 8. There, I rest my case. Goodbye LND.

Casting
Main Couple :
Jung So-min is a versatile actress and I really love her works in this genre. In LND she portrays Seok-ryu as this competitive-chaotic gal, who does and says as she pleases, come and go as she wants and hardly takes no for an answer; in other words, imho came across like a big sister who likes to bully around. Her tone sometimes sounded a bit condescending and it's not really that funny being all bossy. I'm not really charmed by her but I still hope that her character is redeemable and is actually a work in progress. Other than her setback in her career/ love life, I still couldn't really relate with her. Even if she still holds some unknown baggage, I'm not that curious about finding it out. Unfortunately, that unknown baggage caused me to drop the whole thing.

As for Jung Hae-in, depicting Seong-hyo as this stoic-aloof guy, who marvels in his work but kind of circling in his own orbit. I find his portrayal to be not that really appealing, even when he delivers his witty lines and opposite reactions (says one thing but does the other). He is becoming predictable to the point that I didn't find any exciting element in him anymore. Despite that, I still hope to see some more colour in his expressions and fresh antics rather than being poker-face all the time. Because it felt way too repetitive and becoming a bit bland; especially in this genre. I get it that he is a newbie, but Uhm Tae Goo also made his first rom-com debut in MSM and he delivers. Sorry, I just can't help but to compare because both do have that same good-looking-stoic face.

Their chemistry? I hate to say it but... feels a bit mediocre. Why? Because as of now, I'm not really drawn towards them or rooting for their development. Usually by now, I could have picked a side and root for him/her to succeed but currently I'm still in the middle, undecided and sort of confused. The revelation/ introduction of 'he fell first and probably fell harder' trope somehow fell flat and ineffective. I mean, how can he forget about his time capsule-letter? It's quite acceptable if he has it way back when he was a little child, but as a teenager? Shouldn't those feelings linger and stay on a lot longer? And even if the feelings were being ignored/ gone, he would have still remembered it at the back of his mind, right? Even Mo-eum is aware of his letter. It's not adding up. Especially if Seok-ryu is that ONE person who really gets him, calls his bluff and pulls his leg (or pants); his so called biggest supporter whom he can't seem to hate and likes to be around. So the contradiction here is hard to overlook.. so yeah sorry, I'm not buying it. Not even the revelation of Seok-ryu's POV is going to make any difference.

Supporting Couple :
As for Mo-eum and Dan-ho, both actors are commendable. Their introduction is simple, short yet effective and pretty solid. I'm sold at a kind-hearted-klutz guy versus a strong-dependable gal. Their chemistry is good and probably still brewing. I look forward to their development despite their limited screening-time, but I guess their story is not that strong enough to make me stay around. Sorry.

Other Cast :
Suk-sisters/ Lavender - Love the dynamics and the antics. Kudos to Mo-eum's mom, whom I think is the anchor of the group.
Seok-ryu's Family - Relatable at certain points however pretty hard to watch especially with the over-reactions/ exaggerated bickerings and banterings (including the drum).
Seong-hyo's Family - Intriguing but awkwardly sad. My heart goes to all who have difficulty in communicating with their spouse/ children/ parents.
Atelier In - Okay and skippable at times.

Music
I was surprised with the intro. I guess it wanted to give the old nostalgic feelings but honestly not my cup of tea. Overall it's a bit mellow for a romantic comedy.

Should I rewatch it all again?
Nope.