Episode 8 of K-drama “Love Next Door”, which aired on the evening of September 8th, left a deep emotional impact on viewers. From the blossoming love story of the main couple to the heartfelt portrayal of family relationships, this episode was well-crafted and set the stage for significant developments to come.
This episode recorded a ratings increase of about 3% compared to the previous one, and nearly matched the highest-rated episode (episode 6) by only a 0.2% difference. This is good news for the show, which had previously been criticized for lacking dramatic developments and being “too peaceful” and “boring.”
Specifically, the beginning of episode 8 brought relief to the audience as Seung-hyo (played by Jung Hae-in) finally confessed his love after a long wait. He had always been a close friend, supporting and comforting Seok-ryu (played by Jung So-min) since childhood. Despite their closeness, becoming romantically involved was not easy for Seung-hyo, who hesitated because he knew too much about Seok-ryu’s past and flaws, which he feared might make her uncomfortable in a romantic relationship.
When he confessed, Seok-ryu blushed deeply and admitted that she had loved Seung-hyo since their school days. At this point, fans of the show were thrilled to see the main couple’s love almost “blossoming.”
Both Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu were unable to sleep after that night, eagerly awaiting each other’s messages. The climax occurred when Seok-ryu, fully aware that she was about to enter a relationship with Seung-hyo, confidently dressed in her favorite dress and wore perfume to meet her childhood friend. Just when it seemed like the perfect moment for Seok-ryu to respond to Seung-hyo’s feelings, she discovered that her stomach cancer had returned, leaving viewers heartbroken and worried.
It is known that this illness had affected her years before, forcing her to undergo painful chemotherapy. Even after returning to her hometown, she remained determined to keep it a secret, partly to protect her family and partly to prevent her friends from worrying. The episode left viewers deeply emotional as it reached its peak, with Seok-ryu standing between two men she had deeply loved (Seung-hyo and her former fiancé Hyeon-jun).
However, this time, it seems Seok-ryu may not be able to follow her heart. Experiencing severe abdominal pain, Seok-ryu called out to her ex-fiancé Hyeon-jun to take her to the hospital, leaving Seung-hHyo stunned. This heart-wrenching moment is likely what drove the episode’s ratings back up.
The next episode promises even more surprises as Seok-ryu reveals to Seung-hyo that she has been proposed to by Hyeon-jun, causing Seung-hyo even more heartache and frustration, especially since she had hidden her illness from him all this time. Episode 9 of “Love Next Door” is expected to bring more emotional moments and possibly even tears as the main couple’s struggles gradually come to light in the upcoming episodes.
On the other hand, “Love Next Door” airs every Saturday and Sunday evening on tvN.
Source: K14
