Mom’s Friend’s Son (2024)

Not new, but still enjoyable

There was nothing new with the genre and show. It was still enjoyable and made me look forward to the upcoming episodes. There was lots of misunderstanding between the couples and the story lines however they gave exactly what we knew we would receive. A Friend to Lover troupe.

Best friends who have drifted apart and now fate has given them a chance to right the wrong and chase after their destiny. The chemistry between the main leads were great. I really enjoyed watching their scenes.

It was something that could or could not happened in real life. It made me think of people I might have forgotten or missed put on cause It wasn’t the right time.

Leia Mais

The second lead story steals the show again (part- 464661664464)

*The actors and acting*. The FL Jung So Min, I've personally never liked her much and have dropped every drama of hers that I've come across (Because This Is My First Life , alchemy of souls playful kiss) maybe it's because of the characters she's played, maybe I didn't like the story or whatever. However, the ML Jung Hae In I love him and so many of his dramas I think he peaked in Something in the Rain and then in DP but his performance in Love Next Door is disappointing it's not bad but disappointing compared to his other romantic genre dramas He always has flawless chemistry with his female counterpart but it lacked A LOT here. He was cringe and seemed more friends than lovers with her. overall the chemistry was nothing special

*The actual drama*, to put it in one word was cliché and lowkey cringe. The genre is Romcom, there's rom in the story but no com or to put it better there was comedy in the form of dad jokes. the story is nothing new she got tired of her life overseas and decided to go back to her hometown where she discovered and pursued her true passion and also fell in love with her childhood best friend. (This is to all K-drama makers out there please stop using the childhood trope in dramas it has been OVERUSED).Other than that, the romance tropes such as the physical romance parts were especially cringe. Even though the story is simple they could've made it better but it was the same old same old, a homely neighborhood where everyone knows everyone and a school trope. OSTs weren't special either, very forgettable

*The good parts*. The second lead story. it was the best part it made the story interesting and bearable. those two were soooo cute and the chemistry was 100000. I want us all to take a minute and just realize how cute that kid was.
The friendship between the ladies it was very cute and interesting to watch i felt like more things could've been done with that but overall it was a nice spin in the story.

In conclusion, 'Love Next Door' falls short of its potential. While the drama offers moments of charm, its reliance on clichés, underdeveloped characters, and lack of originality ultimately hinder its ability to stand out. The performances by Jung So Min and Jung Hae In, while competent, fail to elevate the material. The storyline is predictable and lacking in emotional depth. While the second lead story provides a welcome distraction, it's not enough to salvage the overall viewing experience. For those seeking a fresh and engaging K-drama, 'Love Next Door' may disappoint. I would probably not recommend this to a friend as there are many other great dramas with similar storylines.

Leia Mais

Just the romance could have, and would have been enough

This was the drama I've been looking forward to all year, and I was so so disappointed. This drama is what you get when a writer wants to write a rom-com but can't develop it well, so they start inserting random plot points and cute, trope-y moments and just cross their fingers.

I'll be honest. The drama lost me the moment the stomach cancer plot was introduced, for multiple reasons.

From a writing perspective, it just doesn't work. It's a lazy way to evoke empathy and it gave me tonal whiplash — the scenes specifically about Seok-ryu's cancer are well-done and heavy, but the show itches to revert to its light-hearted rom-com moments. It feels like the cancer plot is big for a few episodes and then completely forgotten, save for a few random mentions. The show falls into the unfortunate trap — instead of adding depth, it ends up feeling too light-hearted for such a heavy topic.

On a more serious note, I also just feel like the cancer plot point undermines the commentary on mental health, which I was really enjoying at the start. We have the main character undergoing familial pressure, burnout, and depression — things that are SO relatable to just about every single person — and suddenly the cancer reveal happens, and it's like oh, all those things that Seok-ryu was going through was because of the cancer. Her mother, who just thinks Seok-ryu is going through a phase, suddenly cares because the illness is physical. But the entire time I couldn't help but think it would've been such better writing and so much more touching if there had been no cancer plot and Seok-ryu's mother had grown to understand the importance of mental health instead.

After the cancer reveal, the plot pretty much winds down and starts going through subplots (like the parents' almost-divorce caused by a misunderstanding, and a few fights) that make it feel a little aimless. It's like the drama doesn't really know where to go from there and the writing just takes a steep dive because it never took the time to fully develop either Seok-ryu's cooking journey, or Seung-hyo's architecture company. We only seem to see glimpses of each.

I think the best scenes in the show are actually the flashbacks, where we got to see the chaotic depths of the leads' relationship from each of their perspectives and how it was paralleling present day. The banter that they have is actually pretty fun, but they definitely lose that spark once they get together and just become a very common couple with the common kdrama scenes. The chemistry that had potential at the start isn't there anymore.

As for the second ship...they're fine. They start out cute, but despite the potential of the backstory, I just don't feel like they ever touched my emotions.

Ultimately, I really wish this had either (1) gone full melodrama and given the cancer plot the weight it needed (even the second ship's backstory has a lot of potential for angst), or (2) trusted in the rom-com genre, and that the development between the leads as they followed their dreams together would've been enough to give us an amazing story — without all the extra stuff.

Leia Mais

Is it really worth it?

First of all, I really like this drama. It gives me a bitter sweet vibe.
The rekindling of the feeling of first love, the friendship,the family dynamic is so interesting.

I will say my favourite character so far is Jang Mo-eum. She's has a very charming personality. She's kind and brave, she knows what she wants, she the best friend you could ever wish for. She is very supportive of her friends,she seems to be open-minded too. Their friendship is so precious!

Baek Seok-ryu is strong and independent. She works hard, even when she was trying to find her dreams, I would say she is very dedicated. Her family dynamic is pretty interesting.
I wouldn't say her mother is a bad person but she really did annoyed me in episodes 7 and 8. What does she mean her life is a failure, and want Baek to live a successful life. The father too thinks he's a failure. When Baek confesses she wants to cook, that it was her dream, both her parents were furious. The father and mother is projecting their life experiences on Baek.
I feel like they don't say what they really want to say and are just be passive agressive with each other, it's just building hatred.

I don't understand why her mom wants Baek to get back with her ex. Like Baek can live a successful life in Korea too, why would she return to the US and relive all that stress. I really don't love the parents much, they are kind of annoying.
I mean I feel like Baek dealt with her sickness alone because she felt it was no big deal. She could handle it because it's always been like that.
She is unable to show she is hurt and suffering, even with the ex, she refused to explain the reason why they broke up. She doesn't know how to rely on someone or ask for help, maybe she did with her ex before he cheated.

I really understood Choi, imagine finding out your closest friend had to suffer alone as she was ill. She should have told her family and her friends about her illness. And why the heck did she tell her ex to hold onto her and not Choi. Why must she bear all the hurt and suffering alone, she doesn't deserve that.
I hope she learns to lean on her friends more, forget about the parents, I don't think she'll ever lean on them.

But at the end of all the characters are very complex and have their flaws. Let the miscommunication and misunderstandings marinate and spice their lives up!!

Leia Mais

childhood friends to lovers; bland, but perfect ending

i waited for it to finish before finally watching it. i went into this as a fan of both jung somin and jung haein, so i was able to finish it despite being slow in the middle.

i also spoiled myself a little about how it ends, because fans have been theorizing that bae seokryu was probably gonna relapse and it's not gonna have a happy ending. fortunately, they gave this a good ending.

i was surprised and very satisfied with episode 16. most dramas struggle to end a good storyline, but this one has the perfect finale. heavy spoilers below:
1. bae seokryu and choi seunghyo - these two deciding to postpone their marriage in the end made me happy. it made sense that they wanted to focus on their careers first, and to wait for their best friend to come home from her work overseas. contrary to popular comments, i liked it better that they didn't rush their marriage. i hate it when all k-drama writers think that marriage of the main couple is the only recipe to a happy ending. IT ISN'T. i also felt disappointed that choi seunghyo wanted to get married almost immediately after they got together, but the plot between them communicating each of their perspectives about marriage is perfect so they were able to write it off great
2. jung moeum and kang danho - their love story is so cute! i think it's general consensus that in most k-dramas, the 2nd couple almost always have the more interesting storyline compared to the main, and i have to agree. these two are just so cute! esp when they're all bonding together with yeondu
3. the lavenders (the neighborhood's moms) - i normally hate it that k-dramas focus more on the side characters than the leads, but this wasn't it. i loved the dynamic between the moms. they banter, hang out together, and are there for each other when they need help. i also like how they handled the end, where two of them are fighting, and they tried to resolve it among themselves
4. the dads also forming a friendship lmao so cute
5. bae seokryu taking over her dad's restaurant. this was hinted in the last episodes, and i was gonna be heavily disappointed if they didn't pursue this plot. i theorized that choi seunghyo was gonna buy and build the restaurant for bae seokryu, but i loved it even more that it was the dad's idea. it made it more special

i debated not finishing this drama a couple times, especially in the middle where things felt really slow. but the cast is star-studded and full of talented actresses and actors (esp the main leads who are two of my most favorites in the industry) so i had to see it through. i'm glad i finished it. it's definitely not rewatch material, but i loved the last few episodes.

Leia Mais

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

Leia Mais

MDL inflated rating

Where can I start with this mess?

- Watch it if you want to see Jung Hae In doing acting acrobatics, trying to make something out of nothing.

This is an example of a K-Drama that needed to be 10 episodes, not 16. There were many storylines, and some of them ended messy, and some others were wrapped up in a hurry. I think it is worse than Love Alarm.

Maybe I am missing more cultural context, but FL and her mom's relationship never made sense to me. She is a beautiful lady, but this is the character that needs a whole re-write.

I didn't think there was chemistry between the main characters.

If the whole message is to pursue your true life interest and leave behind a stressful job, the way this was presented at the end was underwhelming, because the scene immediately after focused on a silly lovers' spat.

The cancer and the dementia never made a point, and they were just devices to move on the story, but in a sloppy way.

Leia Mais

What the actual heck..

Okay I just want to start this off by saying. THEYRE IN THEIR MID 30s AND STILL DON'T KNOW HOW TO COMMUNICATE. I mean seokryu is just so blind and dumb. Why would she not tell anyone in her family about the cancer. why would she not tell her best best friends🤦🤦and what annoys me the most is the fact that she is jobless and it pisses me off like girl ur parents just wanted you to have a better life. She needs to understand where theyre coming from SHE WAS JOBLESS. and the guy, oh my god the guy. he couldn't confess WHO CARES IF SHE HAD A BF AT THE TIME dont wait until ur 30s 😒u knew her since you were kids. how tf did the second couple have more chemistry than the main leads. hes super emotional and shes swas so dumb in the episodes when he would lash out at her.. i mean can she not connect the dots. and the ex i dont understand why she would get mad at her mom for trying to set her up again when you would continuously enable the guy. like do you like him or not. how are we in the 10th episode already and still havent kissed yet. also this is NOT A ROMCOM. misleading af wasnt funny. felt forced only person i liked was the second leads child and her dad.

Leia Mais

In the abundance of roses, you're my sunflower!

Childhood friends to lovers bickering story done right. From the announcement to the release, it was much hyped and created a lot of anticipation among the drama fans. Was it worth it?
 
Definitely worth it. It is a family-orientated love story with which everyone can relate. What makes it different than any other drama is its's dynamics of characters.
 

✔️Likes:
 
• spotless chemistry between the leads. Single-handedly, they hold the series together.
 
• Sismance! Lavender Group's friendship is something we all aspire to. From school friends to neighbourhood moms, they've always stayed together and supported each other.
 
 
❌Dislikes/Room for improvement:
 
•The episodic length; oh my my... 1hr 20mins X 16 eps?! That's too damn long! I had lost all my patience waiting for it to finish.

• Resolving problems because of medical conditions. I know they love their family to death, but was illness the only thing that could vanquish all their problems and unite them again? Even if it was, then when they were so sick, why put so little importance on it? The issue came up all of a sudden and resolved too quickly.
 
Sometimes the characters were too childish and selfish at times, but I get it. As an adult, you think you can fix all your problems on your own without any help, but sometimes a reassurance is all you need to carry on in life. 
 
It wasn't something phenomenal and over the top, but something you watch when you're craving some fluff with a lot of angst and adults whining like children in frustration. It was not bad not good either, but just ok.

I think for me it comes once in a while that I fall in love with the rom-com kdrama; unfortunately, this is not the one.

Leia Mais

Its like eating a communion wafer

This is the most Bland drama that I've watched this entire year.

There are multiple plot twists that have no payoff and hold no bearing over the story.

You'll be told the most sad or depressing thing about a character only to find out in an episode or two they'll be fine and it never really mattered anyways.

Its strange.

Relationship takes FOERVER TO GET GOING. Too much back and forth and the side stories were not compelling.

I feel like the show would have felt fresh and mature maybe like 10 or 20 years ago.

But we know how childhood romance dramas go, we've seen a hundred and this was one of the blandest.

Leia Mais

!!!SPOILER ALERT!!!

SOOOO GOOWDD!!

ceritanya ligth to medium dan ga ribet tapi bisa bikin kejutan-kejutan yang ga bisa di tebak. there's my top 3:
1. seokryu break kerja itu karena kanker
bruh?? pikiran impulsif ku ini berpikir seokryu hamil dan keguguran jadi dia ambil break di kerjaan dia. ternyata dia kena cancer, AND DAMN, ITS EVEN WORST THAN WHAT I THOUGT.
2. yeondu bukan anak biologisnya danho
jadi, selama aku ngikutin drama ini sejak awal tertarik ke danho karena dia single dad. tapi, tau cerita sebenarnya keluarga danho HEARTBREAKING BANGET!??!!
3. seokryu's ex not cheating on her, he's literally a green flag
tapi, kalo emang bukan jodohnya mau se-green forest pun ga bakal dapet

honorable mention, kejutan ketchil yang menggelitik perutku
1. temen ibunya seunghyo yang jadi sebab utama kesalahpahaman perselingkuhan ortunya seunghyo ADALAH GAY!
2. moeum udah ngambil surat dia yang dikubur sama seunghyo seokryu tepat malamnya setelah itu surat terkunci dan terkubur rapat-rapat.

drama ringan ini dengan kurang ajarnya ada aja yang bikin nangis tiap episodenya. atau karena aku bisa relate sama seokryu sebagai anak perempuan pertama kali yaa

untuk cast nya dah ga perlu lagi untuk diragukan lah ya. BAHKAN CAST UNTUK SEOKRYU SEUNGHYO KECIL ITU UDAH PERFECT CASTING BANGET!

yang aku salut dari drama ini adalah ga bikin bosen padahal risk nya gede banget untuk drama 16 episode dengan premis cerita yang "sepertinya" lumayan susah untuk di built ketegangan konfliknya. TAPI, love next door sangat berhasil membagi porsi masalah di tiap episodenya, jadi konfliknya tetap ada sampe akhir episode dengan porsi yang nggak kurang dan nggak berlebihan. good job!

hanya saja,
sedikit plot hole di cerita lavender moms.
kerasa aneh aja gitu ada salah satu dari mereka yang anaknya sama sekali ga diperlihatkan batang hidungnya selama WHOLE SERIES WITH 16 EPISODES. padahal anaknya 3 dari 4 moms akrab banget. di cut-off kah ini dari circle pertemanan?

oh, and also
im not fan of friend to lover, jadi aku lebih excited liat danho-moeum daripada seokryu-seunghyo. TAPI, bukan berarti aku gak salting senyum-senyum gak jelas ya kalo liat our first couple lead kita yang sangat gemas itu waktu pacaran

overall,
love next door sangat recommended buat temen makan siang dan buat yang cari drama ringan tapi juga ada rasa ingin maki-maki ke tvn

Leia Mais