“Love Next Door” Sparks Controversy Over Allegations of Plagiarizing “Queen of Tears”

Although “Love Next Door”has maintained some popularity within the TV drama landscape, it has garnered mixed reactions from viewers. As the series reaches its 8th episode, many believe the plot has stalled, feeling that the storyline is dragging, particularly with the additional dramatic elements surrounding the female lead, Bae Seok-ryu (played by Jung So-min).

In Episode 8, which aired on September 8th, Seok-ryu received a love confession from Seung-ho (Jung Hae In), leading to moments where they awaited her response to his long-standing affection. Meanwhile, Seok-ryu’s family discovered her secret cooking classes, which they vehemently opposed. This revelation caused Seok-ryu to “explode”due to the immense pressure she always feels to meet her family’s expectations and be flawless.

Many viewers believed that the storyline was developing logically and expected the next episodes to address the family conflict and advance Seung-ho and Seok-ryu’s relationship. However, the episode concluded with Seok-ryu experiencing severe stomach pain, revealing her previous diagnosis of stomach cancer and surgery during her time in the US. This cliffhanger left audiences with pressing questions about her relationships moving forward, especially considering the significant secret she had kept.

After the episode aired, many viewers expressed their dissatisfaction, arguing that Seok-ryu’s illness was unnecessary and detracted from the show’s appeal. Critics noted the overuse of such plot twists in classic dramas, citing recent examples like “Queen of Tears” . Conversely, some fans defended the series, suggesting that the revelation of her illness resonated due to Seok-ryu’s prolonged stress and pressure.

Some reactions from netizens include:

– “I thought I was watching a romcom, but it feels like a melodrama. Overall, K-dramas this year have been disappointing. The popular ones feel clichéd. Some years showcase outstanding shows, making it difficult to choose the best; this year, excluding a few viral romcoms, not much stands out.”

– “I planned to wait until the series concluded to start watching. While I see critiques about this worn plot twist, it has been a while since K-dramas utilized cancer in such a way. From a realistic perspective, it’s common now, especially among younger individuals. Life isn’t always perfect, and perhaps this storyline could offer comfort to cancer patients.”

– “It may be an old trope, but the writer’s execution still resonates with me.”

– “We are halfway through the series, and it still feels stagnant. Numerous issues have been introduced, yet none resolved. Last night’s episode added this outdated twist without coherence. Disappointing compared to the first two lighthearted episodes. Curious how the rest of the series will unfold.”

– “So many plot points were introduced, but none fully developed. I can’t continue watching with this script.”

– “Introducing a cancer storyline might make it hard for me to keep watching. Romcoms shouldn’t need tragic illnesses to retain interest; it feels reminiscent of early 2000s dramas.”

“Love Next Door” still has half of its episodes left. New episodes air every Saturday and Sunday on tvN and Netflix.

Source: K14