NOTICE; MY REVIEW IS A BIT LONG, BEAR WITH ME. ALSO, I'M NOT HERE TO ARGUE WITH ANYONE, JUST STATING MY OPINION.

I won't bother on wasting anyone's time by stating the obvious about the overview. Obviously, it something everyone know. I'll only say so little about it. Love Next Door tells the story of the reunion of two childhood friends.

Love Next Door is one of my most anticipated drama of the year. Also, I had high expectations for this mainly because of the casts. Jung Hae In, Jung So Min, and Kim Ji Eun were the ones who got my hopes up. I've seen Jung Hae In in many dramas, and those dramas were interesting and engaging. Same goes for Jung So Min, I was utterly impressed with her role in Alchemy of Souls. There's also Kim Ji Eun, I loved her role as the cold, yet kindhearted woman in Branding in Seongsu. Just as I was anticipating these actors next project, the news of Love Next Door came along. Thus, I got my hopes up. When this finally aired, I was impressed with the premise, but only to be disappointed as the drama unfolds. Honestly, "disappointed" is not the right word for this, I'm "exasperated" about how this one turned out.

Yes, there are things I liked about this drama, but my dislikes outweighs my likes for this. But I think it'd be unfair to only list my dislikes, without saying a single thing about the ones I liked. To be fair, I'll list my likes and dislikes, even though I'm "fuming" over how this drama turned out. I'm not sure I have that much likes about this, but I'll list them before I mention how "discontented and enraged" I am with how what could have been, but turned out to be something else.

LIKES

The premise of this drama drew me in, the first episode was really great. It's like a unique start. The introduction of the characters also seemed great. During the premise, I got to withness the chemistry of the first leads, "Choi Seung Hyo and Bae Seok Ryu." I said to myself then, "this is going to be fun." From the premise, I got to see two friends who seemed like enemies meet again. Although all that is common when watching a drama, I still loved it regardless.

The flashbacks of when Seung Hyo and Seok Ryu were kids. How they grew up together, down to when they became high school teenagers. It's really nice to know their history, how they protected each other when they're kids. How they're there for each other during the happy moments, and of course, the sad ones too. It's really nice to watch their embarrassing moments which they'd rather forget when they're kids. I laughed upon some of those moments when they're kids. I mean, the funny ones.

Also, Jung Hae In and Jung So Min, their chemistry was really great during the first few episodes. I loved their interaction which seemed like bickerings. It's really great to see. From the first episode, to about the seventh one, they had this unique and nice chemistry. There were some scenes I love because of this two. For one, that pool scene.

Jung Mo Eum and Kang Dan Ho also made me laugh at some points. There's this scene when there's only a drink of a particular brand that remained, and it just so happens that these two have the same tastes. It's funny to see them quibbling on who touched that drink first. There's also another scene which I liked. It's when Mo Eum and Dan Ho were in the car and she told Dan ho her crush was "Mudflat Man." In that instant, she realized the shirt he wore was the same one her secret crush had on that day, even though she didn't catch a glimpse of his face. Then and there, she knew Dan Ho was Mudflat Man all along. The awkwardness.... That scene made me laugh.

Another thing I liked about this drama is when the misunderstanding of Seung Hyo's parents were cleared up. They finally reconciled after so long. I almost forgot, there's this scene when Seung Hyo was going to propose to Seok Ryu, but nothing was going his way. When he wanted to propose at a restaurant and was carrying a cake. However, that cake was crushed when he tripped and fell. That scene was so funny.

Ah, without excluding when Seok Ryu finally found her dream. It's good to see her dream after having searched for it for some time. In my opinion, a dream doesn't have to be something grand, or something big, just as you find happiness when pursuing it. That's all that matters. I loved it when she finally pursued her dream, even though her parents were against it at first. I also loved some scenes of the "Lavender" Sisters, formerly the "Suk" sisters.

I think that's all about it. All that'll follow is my "dissatisfactions". They'll sound harsh, but I just have to say it.

DISLIKES

The duration for the episodes is excessive. They went overboard with it. The first episode was around 66 - 67 minutes. It'd have been nice if they continued with that, but they just had to increase the duration. I started to see 80 minutes, then 90 minutes. 16 episodes is too long for such a plot and storyline as is. The least Netflix could have done to prevent audience from getting tired/bored of the drama, is to keep the episode duration at a maximum of nothing more than 60/65 minutes, but what did they do? Each episode's duration kept on increasing, till I almost got fed up. If you eat too much, you get indigestion. If you drink too much, you'll get a hangover. In other words, moderation is best. But in this one? I didn't see that moderation, all I saw were padded episodes.

LND lacks greatly as a Rom-Com. It's too overly dramatic. I watch Rom-Coms for two reason. One, for the comedic relief and laughter. Two, for the light-heartedness, but what did I get? A big disappointment. LND didn't feel like a Rom-Com most of the time, it's like a melodrama. Too much emotions. If I wanted an emotional drama, or a melodramatic one, I wouldn't have chosen a Rom-Com, I'd go for a melodrama. What's a Rom-Com? It's simple. A Rom-Com makes you laugh your heart out, it makes you forget about life's problem for a short while. The question is, did LND achieve that? I don't think so. The fact that LND was promoted as only a Rom-Com, without telling fans that's it's infact a melodrama infuriates me. What I saw was 75% melodrama and 25% comedy, and that really got on my nerves. It's just too emotional for a Rom-Com. If you want to watch LND because it's a Rom-Com, then I'd advice you to save yourself from it. Well, the first four episodes were funny, but after that? It's mostly full of melodramatic embellishments. I'm trying to be polite here by calling it just that.

And what's with the whole ex comeback trope? I know it's common in dramas, too common that it's become a cliché. But really, was that whole scenario necessary? Seung Hyo's ex wasn't annoying, she even tried to get him and Seok Ryu together. But Seok Ryu's ex? He's really annoying. For some reasons, he gets on my nerves. Do you know what makes it even more annoying? It's the fact that it took Seok Ryu almost forever to reject his advances, she's even giving him attention. Oh, I can't stand that. The more she gave him attention, the more hubristic he became. When she eventually set things straight between them, I felt it's too late. But it's better late than never. Still, there's no need to keep dragging out what could have been wrapped up in an episode or two.

There's also the romance. It fell flat for me. Yes, it's a slowburn, although it's not promoted as one. I've watched many slowburn romance, and they're not like this. It took forever for the romance to bloom in this one. I waited, waited, and waited again, untill I got tired of waiting. Just as I thought the romance was about to blossom, the whole cancer trope set in. Really? Is this the best Netflix could offer? They kept going around in circles regarding the romance. Seung Hyo and Seok Ryu finally got together at episode 11. I don't know whether it's because it took them a thousand years for their relationship to blossomed romantically, I'm not sure. However, when they finally got together, it's too late that I could no longer feel anything. Let me put it this way. It felt like an adult whom as a kid wanted a particular toy, but couldn't get it, till he became adult. As an adult, she's now in possession of the toy, do you think the toy would still hold the same value/meaning it held years back when she's a kid? I don't think so. By then, the toy would have lost its meaning. Well, it depends on the person. As for me, that's how I feel about the romance in this one. "Timing" is very important. But the romance here lacks proper timing.


And what's wrong with Seok Ryu? What's with the contradictory character? After all she went through while she's overseas, I can't believe she's still thinking about going back there to pursue her cooking career. Some people never learn, do they? I don't know if I should call her a goal getter, overly positive, or plain stupid. She said it herself that she doesn't want to go back, that she won't be going back, but she's going back on her word? After all the cancer, depression, I thought she wouldn't even think about working there ever again, but it appears it's all my wishful thinking. She says one thing, and does another. How contradictory!

When Mo Eum confessed her feelings to Dan Ho, she's rejected. He said words like, "No, we can't. Never." So I wanted to know why he rejected her, why he used those words. Because of a promise? Because of what happened to his family some years back? Till the end, there wasn't really any sort of clarification as regards to why he said that. Nothing. They've got to be kidding me. After all that, how could there be no clarification on that?


Also, what's with Seok Ryu's mother, Mi Suk? She's too immature. She nitpicks over the littlest things. I can't stand her character sometimes. First, it's when Seok Ryu returned, it's as if she's embarrassed to let people know she's her daughter. Two, she tried to get her daughter and her ex back together. And then, the way she treats her husband. There's also her inferiority complex. Throughout the drama, I've never seen her apologize to her husband. Not even once. I thought I'd be seeing some character development, but there's none. And that's really irritating.

I didn't want to say this, but I will. What's with Seok Ryu's English speaking? I mean, she lived in the States for over a decade. At the very least, her English should be fluent to a certain point, but it isn't. They should have dubbed her voice out or something. This a Netflix drama for Heaven's sake, so why did they hand us such low quality? I don't get it.

And there's also Seung Hyo's company, Atelierin. That place seem pretty deserted for a company. It's a company with two CEOs, so why are there only 4-5 employees? And to make it worse, it's a company that's been running for years, plus, it has won many awards. So it kept me wondering how they were able to do all that with just four employees when they're in the architectural industry. It just doesn't make sense. At least, if you're going to hand us a load of crap, make it believable. All the flaws of this drama doesn't make it seem like a Netflix drama, not one bit. With all the hype, is this the best they could give?


About the cancer trope. I'm not against it one bit. Why? It's because I tend to believe life come in pairs. I believe we have four seasons for a reason. Also, we all have that winter moments. After all, the reason why she decided to quit her job needs to be a valid one. Plus, the cancer clarified the question I had about why she decided to quit her job back in the states, and suddenly decided to return to her homeland, South Korea. But why? Why couldn't they just end all those emotional moments with an episode? Was an episode duration of over 80 minutes not enough for all that? Why did they have to drag it out? It's really annoying. I only wanted a clarification. Yes, I did get what I wanted, but did they have to go on and on till it got really frustrating and annoying? It just doesn't make sense. Just a mere waste of time.

FINAL THOUGHTS

I'm sorry, but I just can't bring myself to like something just because many loved it. I'm not the type who hypes a drama just because others are hyping it, it just doesn't make sense. If I'm disappointed, I'll say it. If I'm impressed, I'll say it. This is me. I can't call a disappointment, a masterpiece, or intriguing. Not my style. I know this is harsh, but this one is a big disappointment. I just have to say it. I'm enraged with how LND turned out. If LND wasn't my most anticipated drama of the year, I might have decided to cut it some slack. However, it is, so I can't. "To whom much is given, much is expected from". That's what I believe in, you see. The premise is unique and all that, but is it only the premise that makes a drama? The answer is "No". A premise of a drama can only do so much. A drama has to be engaging as it unfolds to be called "a true work of art". Unfortunately, I don't get that feeling from LND. Furthermore, I don't overlook a drama's flaw just because the leads are my favourites. I call it what it is regardless of how much I love the leads.

Did this have potential? Yes, it did. At least, that's what I thought, at some point.
The ending is great, but since it's all predictable, why drag it out? Why make it so frustrating? Why? Just why was a drama that could have been interesting, engaging, one of the best, turned into the frustration it became?

Is this the best Rom-Com of the year? Certainly not. Engaging? No, it isn't? Would I recommend this one? I won't. Is this worthwhile? It's not. Aside from the premise, and some lovely scenes, the rest is trash. LND fell flat as a Rom-Com. It lacks as a Rom-Com. This is not me "fuming," it's the harsh truth that some are ignoring and turning a blind eye to. I'll be the bad guy and call this one what it really is. Three words, "underwhelming, frustrating, and boring."

You can watch it if you're curious though. Who knows? Your opinion might differ from mine, you might actually love it. But as for me? I didn't like it, or shall I say I have mixed feelings?

LND was really great at the premise. Honestly. But what came after was unexpectedly lackluster.

My overall rating is 6.5/10, considering the fact that I enjoyed some parts of it. I'm not rating this any lower because of four reasons. One, the chemistry of the leads during the first five episodes. Two, their lovely moments. Three, because the leads looks cute. Four, the acting of Jung Hae In, Jung So Min, and the other two leads (Kim Ji Eun and Yun Ji On). If not for these four reasons, it deserves lower, considering all the trauma I went through while watching this one. In my opinion, 6.5/10 is still a fair rating, considering how lacking, disappointing, frustrating, and underwhelming this was.

SIDE NOTE;

I stop dropping comments, even though I was dissatisfied with how each episode was unfolding to avoid being called hateful, and all sorts of names for saying how I truly feel. Most importantly, I didn't want to spoil the fun for those who were enjoying the show. I didn't want to be a bummer. I even gave this review a second thought, but decide to write it cause I couldn't contain how I feel about it. So here I am....

Let's say you love a particular brand of drink. One day, you visit a convenience store and discover that only one of the brand remains, but it's past its expiration date. Would you still take it because it's your favorite? I won't.
What I'm trying to say in essence is, you can't force yourself to like something that's not good. That's it.
Well then...
Thanks for reading♡♡♡♡ And for those who want to watch regardless, hope you enjoy it all the same ♡♡♡♡