With the 2 leads from 2 of my favorite shows of 2023, Alchemy of Souls and DP, how could I not watch this one? The premise of Love Next Door is very common these days: two childhood friends ultimately end up together. The strength of this show is in the story & the acting.

What sets this drama apart is that it pays more attention to the secondary story arcs. It gives almost equal weight to the families & friends, as aspirations & hopes intertwine between generations. Parents project their dreams onto their children because they feel they have no control over their own lives. Children are afraid to disappoint their parents. Are happiness & success the same? The cast made their characters captivating to watch.

The leads didn't disappoint as they delivered almost Queen of Tears level performances. However, unlike QoT the families are more down to earth & don't have members who end up in jail. And after all the drama, the story didn't hold any surprises. The final episode is all feel-good vibes & happy happy, which made for a rather boring ending. The show overall was very entertaining based on the performances.