Love Next Door Episode 7 Review: A Turning Point for Seok-ryu and Seung-hyo

In Love Next Door Episode 6, Seung-hyo grapples with his long-held feelings for Seok-ryu, recalling their shared history and her significant moments, while distancing himself after she accidentally discovers a personal letter he wrote in high school. Seok-ryu, unaware of his romantic turmoil, navigates her own challenges, from a strained relationship with her father—who is secretly working a night job to pay off a scam involving their restaurant—to starting a new cooking class.

Meanwhile, Seung-hyo intervenes to expose the fraudsters targeting Seok-ryu’s father but grows frustrated with Seok-ryu’s continued presence in his life, telling her to stop interfering, leaving her hurt and confused. The episode ends with Seung-hyo fearing that his secret feelings for Seok-ryu may soon be revealed.

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 7 Recap

Episode 7 of Love Next Door begins with Seok-ryu confronting Seung-hyo about the meaning behind his sudden outburst. While Seok-ryu has a hunch about his feelings, the situation takes an unexpected turn when her former fiancé, Hyeon-jun, makes a surprise appearance. Both Seok-ryu and Seung-hyo are left speechless by his arrival. Hyeon-jun states that he has returned to see Seok-ryu, but before they can fully process his intentions, Seok-ryu’s parents intervene. Her father immediately threatens Hyeon-jun, vowing to kill him, while her mother, seemingly unfazed, invites him to dinner.

At home, after dinner, Seok-ryu’s mother pries into the details of their past relationship, asking Hyeon-jun if Seok-ryu was unfaithful. Hyeon-jun shocks her by taking full responsibility for their breakup, admitting that it was his fault. This admission sends Seok-ryu’s mother into a rage, causing her to switch from a kind hostess to her more violent and unhinged side. Seok-ryu and the rest of her family scramble to stop her from acting on her threats, trying to prevent her from landing in legal trouble.

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Meanwhile, Seung-hyo fills Mo-eun in on the unexpected return of Seok-ryu’s ex-fiancé, leaving Mo-eun just as stunned. When Seok-ryu eventually leaves home to protect Hyeon-jun from her mother’s wrath, Hyeon-jun takes the opportunity to ask Seok-ryu to reconcile and return to him. However, Seok-ryu is firm in her decision, stating that their relationship is over for good. Seeking solace, Seok-ryu crashes at Mo-eun’s house, confiding that she felt much more at peace with the situation than she had anticipated.

A flashback reveals that Seok-ryu’s lingering feelings for her ex-fiancé aren’t about wanting to rekindle their romance; rather, she holds affection for the memories they shared. She has moved on from him emotionally. The following day, her mother resumes her antics, trying to force Seok-ryu back into a relationship with Hyeon-jun and urging her to return to the U.S. Dressed in a gown as per her mother’s wishes, Seok-ryu is surprised to find Hyeon-jun waiting for her outside. Just as she begins to feel trapped, Seung-hyo shows up and whisks her away on his bike, heading to her cooking class. Their ride is filled with playful bickering, and Seok-ryu storms off to class, leaving part of her makeup smeared on Seung-hyo’s shirt after an abrupt stop.

In a parallel storyline, Dan-ho picks up his daughter, Yeon-du, from school. On their way home, an accident occurs, but Mo-eun happens to be nearby and steps in, heroically saving a man experiencing cardiac arrest. This earns her admiration from Yeon-du, and Mo-eun wins the little girl’s affection. As they walk home together, Mo-eun compliments a man who had cleared the way for the ambulance, only to later realize that the man was none other than Dan-ho himself. Flustered and embarrassed, she rushes home with her heart racing.

Meanwhile, Hyeon-jun waits for Seok-ryu and proposes a farewell lunch. Later that night, Seung-hyo meets Seok-ryu during her evening walk and nearly confesses his feelings for her. However, Seok-ryu stops him, asking for him to wait until she feels more emotionally balanced. The next day is Seung-hyo’s mother Hye-suk’s birthday, but it goes largely unnoticed by everyone. Seung-hyo, unaware of his mother’s special day, heads to Tae-hui’s workshop to check on their project.

Tae-hui proudly shows him the pot she completed for their collaboration, and they decide to grab a meal together. Coincidentally, they end up at the same restaurant as Seok-ryu and Hyeon-jun, making both Seok-ryu and Seung-hyo uncomfortable. Seok-ryu feels awkward being around her ex, while Seung-hyo wrestles with jealousy, especially since Seok-ryu had assured him she had no interest in rekindling her relationship with Hyeon-jun. After lunch, Hyeon-jun tries to arrange regular meet-ups with Seok-ryu, but she firmly declines.

Back at home, Hye-suk is left alone for most of the day, but her friends eventually surprise her with a birthday party. Seung-hyo sends his mother a birthday wish, but her husband, who had been busy with hospital duties, rushes out to buy her favorite flowers. However, he freezes when he spots her spending time with the vice minister. Elsewhere, Seung-hyo receives the news that he has won the competition to redevelop the sports complex at his high school. His teacher also informs him that Seok-ryu had been inquiring about the results for a while.

Realizing he has waited far too long to confess his feelings, Seung-hyo makes up his mind to tell Seok-ryu how he feels. He finds her practicing her cooking at her father’s restaurant and, without hesitation, finally tells her that he likes her.

Love Next Door Episode 7 Review

In this episode, the emotional intensity reaches new heights as Seok-ryu is confronted with the sudden return of her ex-fiancé, Hyeon-jun. His unexpected arrival disrupts the fragile balance Seok-ryu has been trying to maintain, especially as her parents react with extreme emotions—her father threatening violence and her mother prying into their past. The episode expertly balances moments of humor and tension, particularly when Seok-ryu’s mother’s erratic behavior is on full display. This chaos, combined with Seok-ryu’s firm decision to leave the past behind and move forward, showcases her growth. Meanwhile, Seung-hyo’s struggle with his feelings for Seok-ryu continues to deepen, as he battles with jealousy and frustration while trying to protect their friendship.

The parallel storyline of Mo-eun and Dan-ho adds a refreshing touch of heroism and subtle romance, as Mo-eun wins over Dan-ho’s daughter and later realizes her attraction to him. Meanwhile, Seung-hyo’s internal conflict builds up to the climactic moment where he finally confesses his feelings for Seok-ryu after years of hiding them. The episode’s pacing is well-handled, allowing both dramatic and lighthearted moments to shine. As secrets are revealed and emotions run high, the show sets the stage for an exciting new chapter in Seok-ryu and Seung-hyo’s evolving relationship, leaving viewers eager to see how their dynamic will change after the long-awaited confession.

Love Next Door is streaming on Netflix.

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