Love Next Door- Episodes 13-14

Love

Episode 13 of Love Next Door delivers a whirlwind of emotions, secrets, and surprises. It opens with Seok-ryu and Seung-hyo waking up together at Seok-ryu’s house—just as her parents return from their trip! In a flustered attempt to hide their relationship, the two quickly pretend to be reading rom-com comics. 

Seung-hyo is ready to come clean after overhearing the parents discussing potential marriage matches, but Seok-ryu convinces him to keep their romance under wraps a little longer. They continue sneaking around, savoring stolen moments of intimacy while dodging familiar faces.

Meanwhile, tensions simmer between Dan-ho and Mo-eum. Dan-ho politely declines Mo-eum’s mother’s offer to help with Yeon-du, keeping their emotional distance intact. But what lies beneath?

As Seok-ryu takes her cooking certification exam, Myeong-u grows suspicious of Seung-hyo’s secret relationship. After her test, Seok-ryu is surprised with a bouquet from him, only to return and find herself entangled in a new drama. Na-yun, Seung-hyo’s junior from work, exposes a scandal: Dong-jin’s protein powder business is caught up in a social media controversy. The news shocks Seok-ryu’s parents, leading to a heated confrontation. Dong-jin, however, opens up about his insecurities, admitting his actions were driven by a desire to stand out for his family. His vulnerability touches Seok-ryu, softening her heart as she reassures him of his worth.

Elsewhere, Mo-eum tries to reconcile with Dan-ho, but he shuts her down once again, finally admitting he never had feelings for her. The tension deepens.

The next day, Seok-ryu passes her certification exam on her first attempt, much to Seung-hyo’s delight. But things take a darker turn when Mo-eum visits the columbarium for her late senior’s death anniversary. There, she runs into Dan-ho and Yeon-du, and in a jaw-dropping twist, it’s revealed that Yeon-du is actually Dan-ho’s niece! His family perished in a tragic car accident, leaving him to raise Yeon-du as his own. This shocking revelation adds new layers to his character, but despite everything, Dan-ho remains steadfast in keeping Mo-eum at arm’s length.

Meanwhile, Seung-hyo wins another prestigious award, eager to attend the event with Seok-ryu. But Seok-ryu, struggling with job rejections, rejects his offer, using their parents’ potential discovery of their secret as a convenient excuse. Hurt, Seung-hyo decides to skip the event too.

In another subplot, Mi-suk faces financial struggles as a rival snack shop threatens to put her out of business, while her friends plan a lavish cruise she can’t afford.

As Dong-jin redeems himself by cleaning up his act and returning to the gym, Seok-ryu is hit with the realization that her impressive resume might be the reason she’s been overlooked for entry-level jobs. When Seung-hyo visits her, he stumbles upon a brochure for a U.S. cooking school and is devastated to learn she’s considering studying abroad again—without telling him. Hurt and confused, Seok-ryu explains her frustrations with job rejections, confessing that love alone isn’t enough to sustain her. She asks for space and walks away, leaving Seung-hyo reeling.

In a surprising turn, Dan-ho finds a distraught Mo-eum drinking alone and feeling a spark of compassion decides to carry her home on his back. After running into her mother as they arrive home, in front of her mother, Dan-ho confesses his feelings for Mo-eum, a confession that shocks Mo-eum to her core.

Dong-jin throws away his past along with all the moldy protein while having a heart-to-heart conversation with Seok-ryu. He explains how he realized he just felt inferior to her and wanted to be special too, but it was just idiotic. In the end they are family and no one is better than the other person.

As the days pass, both Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu struggle with their growing distance. Seung-hyo, distracted and heartbroken, suffers a minor accident at a construction site, breaking his arm. Seok-ryu in a panic, races through the hospital hallways with fear etched across her face. Her mind spirals, fearing the worst as she desperately searches for Seung-hyo. Finally, she bursts into his room, only to find him sitting there, his arm in a sling but otherwise unharmed. Relief washes over her as she rushes into his embrace. In that tender moment, their walls come down, and through tearful eyes, they exchange heartfelt "I love yous." The emotion in the air is palpable as they hold each other tightly, their connection deepening in a way that words alone could never capture.

Episode 14 kicks off with a dramatic twist as Seung-Hyo slips into a trance, shaken by a near-death experience. As memories of his happiest moments with Seok-Ryu flood back, he realizes he can’t waste another moment without her—setting the stage for what we’ve all been waiting for: a proposal.

As Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu stroll together, Seok-ryu nervously frets over the dangers of his job, but their conversation is cut short when Seung-hyo’s phone buzzes. To Seok-ryu’s surprise, she discovers that Seung-hyo secretly entered her recipe into a cooking contest—and she’s just won third place! Seok-ryu is stunned, seeing this unexpected win as a sign from the universe that she’s meant to continue pursuing her culinary dreams.

Meanwhile, tension brews for Mo-eum as her mother sternly tells her she can never date Dan-ho. After Mo-eum rushes off to work, her mother runs into Yeon-du on her way to school. Despite her efforts to distance herself from the little girl, she can’t help but answer her innocent questions, half-heartedly sending her on her way with a lingering unease.

Dan-ho, on the other hand, is battling his own inner turmoil. While unloading packages at work, his mind flashes back to the night before. After his heartfelt confession, Mo-eum's mother had rejected him, claiming that Mo-eum only pitied him and Yeon-du, always taking pity on those in need. Her cold words echo in Dan-ho’s mind, leaving him struggling to make sense of his feelings and what to do next.

Meanwhile, Seung-hyo, now with an award in hand, has a confession of his own. While receiving his prize from Mr. Yoon, he admits that he plans to work less because he wants to marry Seok-ryu. Taken aback, Mr. Yoon quickly shifts gears, brainstorming ways to help Seung-hyo plan the perfect romantic proposal.

Later, Mo-eum meets up with Seok-ryu and opens up about everything that happened between her and Dan-ho, revealing her heartache. Seok-ryu, realizing she’s been too wrapped up in her own whirlwind romance, apologizes for not noticing her friend’s struggles. Together, the two friends hatch a plan, determined to figure out how to convince Mo-eum’s mother to allow her to be with Dan-ho.

Dan-ho and Seung-hyo sit down for drinks, their conversation starting with a casual discussion about helping out an elderly woman in the neighborhood. But things quickly shift when Dan-ho drops a bombshell—he confesses that he has feelings for Mo-eum. Seung-hyo, surprised but intrigued, listens as Dan-ho opens up about his newfound emotions. Meanwhile, Seok-ryu and Seung-hyo exchange secret messages, cooking up a plan to nudge Dan-ho and Mo-eum closer together.

Feigning innocence, Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu “accidentally” arrange for the four of them to bump into each other. But the scheme doesn’t stay hidden for long—Mo-eum and Dan-ho catch on, leaving Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu no choice but to make a quick exit, giving the pair some much-needed alone time.

As Mo-eum and Dan-ho stand there, the air between them charged with tension, Dan-ho suddenly acts on impulse. He grabs Mo-eum and pulls her into a kiss, catching her off guard. The moment is awkward yet undeniably sweet, leaving them both stumbling to process their feelings and figure out what comes next. The unexpected kiss sparks a turning point for their relationship, leaving viewers eager to see where things go from here.

The next day, Seung-hyo encourages Seok-ryu to revive her NerTube channel with new cooking videos, even offering to help her film. Excited by his support, Seok-ryu agrees, and the two find themselves in the company kitchen. As the camera rolls, she demonstrates her award-winning Chicken and Broccoli Risotto, with Seung-hyo’s eyes lighting up at every step.

Meanwhile, Dong-jin hits the gym and notices Na-yun looking down as she trudges on the treadmill. Their conversation turns to her recent heartbreak from an unrequited crush. In true Dong-jin fashion, he gently teases her, even joking that she better not fall for him next. It’s enough to lift her spirits, and her sad frown turns into a small smile, momentarily snapping her out of her funk.

At home, Mo-eum opens up to her mother about why she’s fallen for Dan-ho. Her mother voices genuine concerns, but Mo-eum makes it clear: Yeon-du isn’t Dan-ho’s daughter, but his niece. Her love for them isn’t born out of pity, but from the joy they bring her. As she heads to bed, her mother is left pondering the sincerity of Mo-eum’s feelings, seeing her daughter in a new light.

Over at Seok-ryu’s house, her parents, Geun-sik and Mi-sook, take a walk down memory lane. Geun-sik stumbles across an old poetry book he wrote for Mi-sook when they were younger. She expresses how much she appreciated the sacrifices he made for their family, giving up his dream of becoming a writer to support them by becoming a cook.

The following day is supposed to be Seung-hyo’s big proposal day, but everything that can go wrong, does. From minor hiccups to dropping the cake at the restaurant, Seung-hyo’s meticulously planned proposal falls apart, leaving him frustrated and disheartened.

Elsewhere, Mi-sook and Hye-sook’s plans for a girls' trip with their Lavender group turn into a heated argument when Hye-sook offers to cover Mi-sook’s expenses. What starts as a simple offer escalates into a full-blown fight, with old wounds resurfacing. Mi-sook feels Hye-sook has always treated her more like an employee than a friend, while Hye-sook accuses Mi-sook of having an inferiority complex. The husbands arrive just in time to intervene as tensions hit a breaking point.

Back at the office kitchen, Seok-ryu is moved to tears when she reads a heartfelt comment on her video, realizing she has touched someone’s life with her cooking. Seeing her joy, Seung-hyo’s love for her deepens, and the guilt of not being there for her during her illness weighs heavily on him. Despite the earlier setbacks, he decides to push through and propose anyway. But to his shock, Seok-ryu declines and rushes off, leaving him heartbroken.

The next day, Seung-hyo is a shell of himself during a work meeting, still reeling from the rejection. When Dan-ho shows up, Seung-hyo unloads all his emotions, asking why Seok-ryu turned him down. Dan-ho, in his typical straightforward style, quips, “Maybe she was hungry.” And as absurd as it sounds, Seung-hyo agrees, sparking a rare moment of comic relief amidst his pain.

As Mo-eum's mother walks home, she unexpectedly stumbles upon a scene that stops her in her tracks—a heartwarming sight that begins to shift everything. Ahead of her, Mo-eum, Dan-ho, and little Yeon-du walk side by side, looking every bit like a picture-perfect family. Mo-eum kneels down to tie Yeon-du's shoe, her gentle care mirrored in the child's bright smile. In that moment, Jae-sook is transported back to a memory of herself with young Mo-eum, a tender flashback of the very same gesture. As she watches the trio, a flicker of warmth softens her heart, and she can’t help but feel her resistance begin to crumble.

When the trio arrives home, Jae-sook surprises everyone by stepping out of the gate and casually breaking the ice, asking, “So, what’s everyone hungry for?” The simple question lights a spark of hope in Dan-ho and Mo-eum, realizing that her mother has finally begun to accept their relationship. The air is filled with a quiet sense of relief, as if the tension that had been looming for so long has finally started to dissolve.

Meanwhile, Seok-ryu gets an unexpected call: Seung-hyo needs to be picked up after a night of heavy drinking. She finds him, unsteady on his feet, and manages to carry him to a nearby bench. In his drunken state, he tearfully asks, “Why did you reject me?” He opens up, baring the hurt he's been carrying since her rejection, his words raw and vulnerable. Hours later, when he sobers up, he asks her again, and this time, she admits it’s because of her health.

Undeterred, Seung-hyo responds with quiet resolve, reminding her that life itself is uncertain, and his dangerous job is no different. Anything can happen, but it’s worth the risk if they’re together. Touched by his sincerity, Seok-ryu finally accepts his proposal, and the two share a moment of happiness and relief.

But just as they savor this victory, they suddenly realize they have an unexpected audience—their four parents, witnessing everything. And with that, the scene cuts off, leaving us hanging on a tantalizing cliffhanger.

DramaZen's Opinion

While Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu’s relationship has its cute moments, it quickly shifts into awkward territory. For two characters who are supposed to be 30-year-old friends, their romance feels cringy and oddly rushed, given that they only started dating two episodes ago. I mean the writers literally gave us like a 5 minute fast-forward of their sweet moments together and then instantly  "BOOM", we are hit with more obstacles!!!!

Despite the occasional sweet scenes, their storyline drags, especially with the tired "study abroad" trope that adds little depth to their relationship. It’s hard not to feel like the narrative is spinning in circles.

On the flip side, Mo-eum and Dan-ho’s story has taken a bewildering turn. Dan-ho’s sudden confession after acting indifferent for so long is jarring, leaving viewers more frustrated than excited. The big reveal that Yeon-du is actually Dan-ho’s niece, not his daughter, feels like a forced twist. It conveniently turned Dan-ho into a more eligible bachelor for Mo-eum. While it may add some shock value, it doesn’t quite make up for the lack of cohesion in their storyline.

The drama is still full of tension, though it feels like it's starting to wind down as we near the end. With just two episodes left, I'm starting to accept that I might not get all the fluffy, romantic moments between the leads that I was hoping for. Episode 13 gave us a fleeting five minutes of sweet, lovey-dovey moments before the writers threw in more complications.

I had a feeling Seok-ryu would initially reject the marriage proposal due to her health. She left her first relationship partly for that reason and never really confronted her insecurities about it, so it was only a matter of time before it resurfaced. Thankfully, Seung-hyo has a way of always knowing just what to say to soothe her heart and mind, which is one of the things I love most about their relationship.

Now that the moms are at each other’s throats, it’s clear that this will be the final major conflict in the last two episodes. They’ll likely reject each other’s children until they're backed into a corner, and I’m betting we’ll get that big, happy wedding in the finale, just as the tension breaks.

Sneek Peek Episode 15:

The parents of course seem to be using the fued to cloud their judgement when it comes to Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu being together.

It also seems Mi-sook is the one who is most opposed to the couple and will raise all sorts of hell to prevent it from happening. 🥺

However, our two leads don't seem to care since they have been caught and it's all out in the open. The are determined to barrel ahead and still maintain their relationship.

With their strong love for each other and despite the parents opposing, Seung-hyo is still determined to marry the woman of his dreams! 🥰