On Oct 5th and 6th, the 15th and final episodes of tvN’s Saturday-Sunday drama “Love Next Door” aired. In these episodes, Bae Seok-ryu (played by Jung So-min) received permission from both her and Choi Seung-hyo’s (played by Jung Hae-in) parents to continue their relationship.
In the 15th episode, Seok-ryu’s relationship with Seung-hyo is exposed to both sets of parents. Despite their opposition, Seok-ryu pulls Seung-hyo, who was trying to sneak into her room through the window, inside. When Seung-hyo proposes to her, she responds “If I refuse such a proposal, am I even human? No, I’d be a doll”, stirring viewers’ romantic feelings.
Seok-ryu also brings a warm smile to viewers as she shows care for her father Bae Geun-sik (played by Jo Han-chul), who had to close down the snack restaurant he had run for years. Seok-ryu tells him “If you’re ever feeling uneasy or cold, you have to let me know”, portraying her role as the eldest daughter.
Furthermore, Seok-ryu reveals her passion for becoming a chef, saying, “I really want people to taste my food. I want to boil up happiness in a pot for them.” Her determination to pursue her dream combined with Jung So-min’s bright energy and the positive force of the character gave viewers a sense of satisfaction.
Later in the episode, Seok-ryu invites Seung-hyo to a playground, where she hands him her homemade pan-fried skewers, promising to provide an endless supply of the labor-intensive meat and vegetable skewers, creating a heartwarming and charming proposal scene.
In the final 16th episode, Seok-ryu is deeply touched when she receives positive feedback on her cooking vlog. She even read a comment from someone looking for healthy dishes due to illness. Seok-ryu then excitedly shares that she plans to open her own restaurant, feeling proud of achieving her dream.
Seok-ryu also tells Seung-hyo that she wants to delay their wedding for a year and instead suggests organizing a vow renewal for his parents. Watching the vow renewal with their families, Seok-ryu and Seung-hyo share a happy moment that brings smiles to viewers.
At the end of the episode, Seok-ryu and Seung-hyo engage in a cute lovers’ quarrel, and they go to see a potential new home together, leaving viewers with a happy ending. Jung So-min’s realistic portrayal of romance with her childhood friend captivated viewers, as she skillfully depicted Seok-ryu’s emotional journey through hardship, family conflict and love, with detailed expressions and solid acting.
After the final episode on Oct 6th, Jung So-min shared, “I can still feel the energy from the filming set, so it’s hard to believe that the drama has ended. Seok-ryu is a character I hold very dear, and it was a blessing to play her. I hope that through the drama and through Seok-ryu, viewers felt a sense of empathy and comfort. I sincerely thank all the viewers who have loved ‘Love Next Door’.”
Source: Nate
