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Love Next Door korean drama review
Completed
Love Next Door
12 people found this review helpful
by bnzhow
10 days ago
16 of 16 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 1.0
Story 1.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 3.5
Rewatch Value 1.0

Cure of insomnia

Romcom:
Love Next Door claimed to be a rom-com, but it missed the mark entirely. The supposed "comedy" felt forced, barely evoking any laughter, while the romance was lackluster and practically non-existent. Instead of charming chemistry or engaging humor, the show dragged on with tedious interactions, and the couples failed to deliver any spark. What was meant to be a fun and heartwarming journey turned out to be an uninspired, dull experience, leaving me waiting for either the romance or the comedy that never really arrived.

Melodrama :
Love Next Door also tried to be a melodrama but couldn't pull it off. The emotional moments felt shallow, and the drama lacked depth. It just made the show feel more forced and confusing. It didn’t have the intensity or the strong emotional pull that a good melodrama needs.

Slice of life:
It also aimed to be a slice-of-life story but failed because the characters were too underdeveloped. They felt immature, yet the show tried to make them act like they were mature, which didn’t fit. Instead of showing real, relatable moments, the characters came across as forced and unrealistic, making it hard to connect with them.

Healing drama:
Some people call Love Next Door a healing drama, but the characters are too pathetic and frustrating for that to be true. Instead of offering comfort or growth, their behavior was irritating and hard to watch.

FL & ML :
The female lead's behavior was profoundly frustrating. While I can empathize with her struggles and appreciate the nuances of complex characters, she often devolved into an irritating presence on screen. Rather than eliciting sympathy or understanding, her actions were frequently exasperating, undermining any potential depth or growth.

The male lead was not inherently flawed,however, his pairing with the female lead often rendered him pitiable due to her erratic actions.His character was frequently overshadowed by her behavior, leading to moments where he appeared ineffective or weak. This dynamic diminished his agency and contributed to a perception of him as somewhat pathetic, as he seemed to struggle to navigate the tumultuous relationship rather than assert his own strength and resolve.


Second Couple :
The second couple in Love Next Door was neither particularly bad nor exceptionally good,they fell into an unremarkable middle ground. Ironically, given that each episode has a runtime of 1 hour and 30 minutes, they didn’t receive enough screentime to truly showcase their potential.Their moments felt rushed and incomplete, which was a missed opportunity for a more engaging narrative.


FL's mother:
She deserves a special mention.I understand that it aimed to portray the complexities of Asian mothers, but the depiction was exaggerated to the point of being unrealistic. Not every Asian mom suffers from such an intense inferiority complex as this character. Her behavior towards her husband and family was often harsh and controlling; if the roles were reversed, it would undoubtedly be labeled as abusive. This portrayal does a disservice to the nuanced realities of many families and reinforces negative stereotypes rather than offering a balanced perspective.


While I sensed a spark between the lead actors, the story was simply too dull to match their caliber. By the time the long-anticipated kiss occurred, my interest had already waned. The introduction of one ex after another felt excessive and only served to distract from the main couple’s chemistry rather than enhance it. This narrative misalignment made it hard to fully appreciate the moments that should have been pivotal, ultimately diminishing the impact of their relationship.


I’m new to this app and, in fact, new to dramas. This is by far the worst drama I've watched so far. Hoping to watch better dramas


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