A single hug boosts ratings? “Love Next Door” to be the top K-drama in 2024’s 2nd Half?

On the 25th, the fourth episode aired and showed the development of Choi Seung-hyo (Jung Hae-in) and Bae Seok-ryu’s (Jung So-min) relationship. As their backstory was unveiled, Bae Seok-ryu’s excitement was evident when Choi Seung-hyo unexpectedly received a project and was hugged by her. This unexpected gesture caused Choi Seung-hyo to reflect on their past and come to terms with his growing feelings for Bae Seok-ryu.

Despite being promoted as a highly anticipated show for the second half of the year by tvN, “Love Next Door”received a mixed response from viewers and did not meet expectations until its fourth episode. The third episode, in particular, received a low rating of 4.3%, leading to criticism that the show did not live up to its potential despite airing in the prime time slot.

Despite having a dedicated audience up to the third episode, the show received criticism for its outdated settings, predictable plots, and forced dialogue. Viewers also expressed frustration with the repetitive conflicts and reconciliations between the protagonists, Bae Seok-ryu and Choi Seung-hyo, which resulted in viewer fatigue. The awkward performances from the actors, due to the forced dialogue, only added to the show’s negative reception.

In the fourth episode, the relationship development between the protagonists, Jung Hae-in and Jung So-min, has revitalized the show’s appeal due to their proven acting abilities from previous works. Additionally, the chemistry between the “sub-couple”Jeong Mo-eum (Kim Ji-eun) and Kang Dan-ho (Yoon Ji-on) adds delightful moments. Notably, Bae Seok-ryu’s proactive stance against workplace harassment showcases the female lead’s charisma.

Despite initially finding the interactions between Bae Seok-ryu and Choi Seung-hyo in “Love Next Door”to be awkward, viewers are now responding positively to their developing romantic chemistry. It is uncertain whether their romance will continue to receive praise as the show progresses. Despite being full of clichés, the drama is still praised for its light, comfortable, and enjoyable nature.

The information was retrieved from Nate here.