Love Next Door Episode 12 Review: The Awaited Magic Happened!

In Episode 11 of Love Next Door, Seok-ryu and Seung-hyo’s relationship deepens as both confront their past and present emotions. Through a series of flashbacks, we see how Seok-ryu’s support helped Seung-hyo transition from swimming to academic success. In the present, Seok-ryu seeks Seung-hyo’s help translating a French cookbook, leading to an intimate moment that both excites and embarrasses them.

Meanwhile, Seung-hyo grapples with the news of his parents’ impending divorce and the resurfacing of painful childhood memories. A crisis brings his family closer together, while Seok-ryu decodes Seung-hyo’s hidden confession of love, leading her to seek him out and confess her own feelings. The episode ends with a tender kiss, marking the start of their romantic relationship.

Starring Jung Hae-in and Jung So-min, the series is helmed by director Yoo Je-won and penned by Shin Ha-eun.

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Love Next Door Episode 12 Recap

In Love Next Door Episode 12, Seok-ryu finds herself impulsively driving to meet Seung-hyo, unsure how to explain her sudden appearance when his colleagues, including a girl who has feelings for him, question her. Seok-ryu awkwardly claims she was just in the area, though it’s clear her motives were more personal. Despite the awkwardness, she ends up spending the night with Seung-hyo and his colleagues, getting some quiet, intimate time with Seung-hyo.

During this heartwarming moment, Seung-hyo opens up, sharing how he’s always felt a strong bond with Seok-ryu, though not necessarily romantic at first. Their deep connection shines through as Seok-ryu falls asleep on his shoulder, which delights him. However, Seok-ryu, unsure of how others will react, asks him to keep their budding relationship a secret, which makes Seung-hyo feel uneasy, especially since her mother is already looking to set her up with someone else.

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On the other side of the episode, Mo-eum and Dan-oh’s relationship takes a complicated turn. Mo-eum grows closer to Yeon-du, who has never been on a camping trip before. Mo-eum decides to take her along with Dan-oh, creating a family-like experience. That night, as Yeon-du sleeps, Mo-eum confesses her feelings to Dan-oh, expressing that they shouldn’t pretend the kiss between them never happened.

However, Dan-oh becomes defensive and tells her to maintain her distance, fearing that getting closer might hurt his daughter if things don’t work out between them. His overprotectiveness stems from his past trauma and fear of losing another loved one. Additionally, Mo-eum might be leaving for a work assignment in the South Pole, raising further questions about what would happen to their bond and Yeon-du’s feelings if Mo-eum leaves.

Meanwhile, Seung-hyo’s family drama sees a positive shift as his parents reconcile. What seemed like early signs of Alzheimer’s in his mother turns out to be a false alarm, allowing them to rekindle their love. Seung-hyo’s father’s jealousy over a colleague is put to rest when it’s revealed that the man is actually gay, resolving the long-standing misunderstanding. Seok-ryu’s family also faces its own issues, as her brother tries to kickstart an influencer career selling protein powder, which may lead to financial trouble.

As the episode draws to a close, Seok-ryu and Seung-hyo confront their insecurities. Seok-ryu feels uneasy after seeing Seung-hyo kindly tell Tae-hui, a female colleague, to take care, sparking jealousy in her. She wrestles with her emotions, worried that Seung-hyo may not be as invested in their relationship as she is. Ironically, she’s also uncomfortable with the idea of openly calling him her boyfriend. Through a flashback, we learn that Seung-hyo’s connection to Seok-ryu goes back to high school when she asked him to build a shelter for a stray cat, which was his first real project.

In the end, both characters realize that their misunderstandings stemmed from their unfamiliarity with the new dynamics of their relationship. Seung-hyo reassures Seok-ryu that he only has eyes for her and that there’s no need to feel jealous. The episode closes on a playful yet slightly awkward note. Seung-hyo admits that being in the same room with her makes him think inappropriate thoughts, highlighting the innocence of their evolving romance.

Love Next Door Episode 12 Review

Episode 12 offers a mix of warmth and tension, but also reveals some frustrating pacing issues. The development between Seok-ryu and Seung-hyo is sweet, as they continue to navigate the complexities of their new relationship. Their comfort and history together are well-portrayed, especially in the tender moment when Seok-ryu falls asleep on Seung-hyo’s shoulder. However, the secrecy aspect feels somewhat unnecessary at this point in the story. While Seok-ryu’s request to keep their relationship under wraps adds a layer of tension, it also seems to undermine the natural progression of their bond.

On the other hand, the subplot involving Mo-eum and Dan-oh feels like it’s regressing. While their chemistry and shared moments with Yeon-du are heartwarming, Dan-oh’s sudden defensiveness towards Mo-eum seems overly dramatic and somewhat forced. His fear of getting closer to her, while understandable given his backstory, is beginning to feel repetitive. It feels like the show is dragging out this conflict when it could be moving their relationship forward in a more organic way.

Additionally, the storyline around Seung-hyo’s parents resolving their issues comes across as too convenient, with the Alzheimer’s scare quickly dismissed and his father’s jealousy easily resolved. These quick fixes can make the episode feel rushed in certain parts, but overall, the episode still manages to maintain the emotional connection between the characters, keeping viewers invested in their journeys.

Love Next Door is streaming on Netflix.

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