Love Next Door- Episodes 9-10
Episode 9 of Love Next Door takes viewers on an emotional rollercoaster, beginning with a heartwarming flashback of Seok-ryu and Hyeon-jun’s early relationship, when Hyeon-jun first proposed. But this happy moment is clouded by tragedy—Seok-ryu’s devastating discovery that she has stomach cancer. In an act of deep love, Hyeon-jun took leave from work to support her through her painful battle.
Fast-forward to the present, Seok-ryu refuses to leave the hospital with Hyeon-jun, instead choosing to go with Seung-hyo, though she keeps the truth about her stomach pain hidden. Another flashback reveals how she concealed her illness from her mother, grappling with her burden alone. Seung-hyo, meanwhile, is troubled by Seok-ryu’s decision to lean on Hyeon-jun rather than him, and he confides his feelings to Mo-eun, who herself is slowly developing feelings for Dan-ho.
The next day, Seok-ryu’s pursuit of her dream to become a chef sparks tension within her family. On the lighter side, a broken washing machine unexpectedly brings Seung-hyo’s parents closer. Later, Seok-ryu meets Hyeon-jun, who proposes to her again, hoping for a fresh start. That evening, she shares the news with Seung-hyo, turning down his feelings, but Seung-hyo, heartbroken, decides to wait for her.
Meanwhile, Ma-eum finds herself falling for Dan-ho as she rereads his heartfelt article about paramedics, unaware that he harbors similar feelings for her.
Back at the company, Seung-hyo is plagued by sleepless nights and a new business crisis when construction is halted due to a troublesome neighbor demanding a settlement. Missing approval papers add to his stress, and his fatigue peaks when Mi-suk invites him to dinner, where he again faces Seok-ryu, who bluntly rejects him.
Alone in her room, Seok-ryu reflects on the depression that followed her cancer treatment and the strain it put on her relationship with Hyeon-jun. It’s revealed that, contrary to her suspicions, Hyeon-jun hadn’t cheated on her but had crumbled under the weight of her illness. In response to his second proposal, Seok-ryu delivers a powerful rejection: “I don’t need love anymore. My stomach can barely digest my dream,” choosing to focus on her own future.
The next day takes an unexpected turn when Dan-ho, in need of help, asks Ma-eun to look after Yeon-du due to a sudden babysitter emergency. Yeon-du ends up spending the day with Mo-eun’s mother, who unexpectedly forms a bond with the little girl, adding warmth to an otherwise chaotic day.
Meanwhile, Dong-jin, eager to fast-track his career as a fitness influencer, makes a reckless move by promoting an unauthorized project. His ambition backfires spectacularly when his trainer furiously confronts him, leaving him to reconsider his get-rich-quick schemes.
At Seung-hyo’s company, things momentarily smooth over as they assist a disgruntled neighbor with broken pipes, but the weight of recent stress catches up to Seung-hyo, causing him to collapse from exhaustion. While unconscious, he dreams of Seok-ryu, recalling how she had always been there for him when he was ill. His dream bleeds into reality, and when he wakes, he finds Seok-ryu by his side, just as she had been in his memories.
However, instead of gratitude, Seung-hyo is overwhelmed by conflicting emotions. He asks Seok-ryu to leave, declaring he can no longer be her friend, convinced their connection has become too painful. But as she gathers her things, he accidentally stumbles upon a hospital report in her bag, revealing the truth about her stomach cancer.
This revelation leads to an intense and emotional confrontation, with Seok-ryu forced to finally face the truth she’s been hiding. The tension escalates even further when both Seok-ryu’s mother and Seung-hyo’s mother find out about her illness, shattering the delicate facade Seok-ryu had maintained and leaving all parties reeling from the devastating news.
Episode 10 of Love Next Door unfolds with the heartbreaking moment Seok-ryu’s family learns about her illness. Her mother is the first to discover the truth, and Seung-hyo is left reeling when he stumbles upon her hospital report. As he breaks the news to the rest of the family, shock and grief ripple through them, while Seok-ryu desperately tries to reassure everyone she’s fine, though the cracks in her brave facade are showing.
Flashbacks reveal that when Seok-ryu was initially diagnosed, Seung-hyo had been in the U.S. Upon seeing her with Hyeon-jun, he ghosted her, leaving her to endure her illness alone. Now, guilt and regret weigh heavily on him.
The next morning, everyone tries to hide their swollen eyes, struggling with the weight of the revelation. Seok-ryu’s parents make a renewed effort to care for her, and even her brother, Dong-jin, begins to adapt to the shifting family dynamic. Mo-eun, upon learning of Seok-ryu’s surgery, rushes to her side, maintaining a strong front to comfort her friend. Meanwhile, Seung-hyo is consumed by anger and frustration, but his father reassures him, vowing they’ll find a way to help Seok-ryu heal. Even Mi-suk’s friends rally to show their support.
In a lighter moment, Mo-eun runs into Dan-ho, but with earphones in, she doesn't notice his approach and reflexively flips him with an impressive martial arts move. Realizing it’s Dan-ho, she awkwardly apologizes, and they end up talking. Dan-ho opens up about the tragic loss of his wife in an accident, leaving their daughter Yeon-du as the only survivor. In a vulnerable moment, Mo-eun impulsively kisses him, only to panic, headbutt him, and flee in embarrassment.
Meanwhile, Seung-hyo’s mother, Hye-suk, has a tense meeting with the vice minister, an old college friend, where it’s revealed she’s under pressure to resign from her position. This subplot hints at deeper political entanglements brewing beneath the surface.
Later, Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu have a heated argument at a playground, where Seung-hyo accuses her of selfishness for enduring her pain alone. Seok-ryu storms off, but Hyeon-jun, who has overheard, confronts Seung-hyo. He admits he should’ve been more emotionally open with Seok-ryu and reveals she had spiraled into depression a year after her diagnosis. This revelation makes Seung-hyo realize the true impact of his ghosting her during her time of need.
The next day, Seok-ryu overhears her parents expressing regret for how they treated her, and, overwhelmed by their pain, she disappears, leaving her phone behind. Mi-suk, panicked, calls Seung-hyo, who frantically searches for her. He eventually finds her by the beach, where she playfully explains she needed time to reflect.
Seung-hyo, not amused, urges her to stop hiding her emotions and let others in. Seok-ryu finally breaks down, unleashing the grief and fear she’s bottled up for so long. They reminisce about her childhood, recalling another time she ran away but returned home out of concern for her parents.
Later, Seok-ryu’s biopsy report comes in, revealing that her recent hospital visit was due to a minor inflammation, not a relapse. Relieved, Seung-hyo hugs her tightly, overwhelmed with emotion.
As things settle down, Seung-hyo’s father, Gyeong-jong, decides to have lunch with Hye-sook, reminiscing about their past. However, when he arrives at her office, he sees her with the vice minister again and overhears damaging rumors. That night, feeling betrayed, Gyeong-jong confronts Hye-sook and tells her he wants a divorce.
At Seok-ryu’s father’s restaurant, the family, along with Seung-hyo and Mo-eun, celebrate Seok-ryu’s return home with a heartfelt party. Seok-ryu promises to be more open with her loved ones, and they share a rare moment of joy. Hyeon-jun, recognizing that he can’t be the support Seok-ryu needs, calls to say he’s leaving for the U.S. They part on good terms, cherishing their memories but understanding it’s time to let go.
The next day, Seung-hyo receives Hyeon-jun’s farewell message and takes Seok-ryu to the airport for a final goodbye. In a tearful, emotional farewell, Seok-ryu watches Hyeon-jun leave, and as she breaks down, Seung-hyo remains by her side, ready to be her pillar of strength.
DramaZen's Opinion
Love Next Door may be packed with the familiar romcom clichés we’ve come to expect, but its charm lies in its flawless execution. The character arcs and unfolding events are so well-crafted that even the most predictable moments feel fresh and engaging.
The drama takes a poignant turn, delving into Seok-ryu’s battle with her illness. It explores a powerful theme: had Seok-ryu shared her struggles with the people who loved her, she might not have faced her journey alone. Her determination to be strong, while noble, isolated her, leaving her to shoulder the burden by herself.
The message is clear and beautifully portrayed—sometimes, the "darkness in life" can only be dispelled by the "light of life," embodied by those who care for you. Seok-ryu’s evolution from hiding away like a “bear in the cave” to stepping out and confronting her truth feels like a genuine liberation, marking a pivotal moment in her character’s growth.
Meanwhile, the second lead couple experiences their own share of emotional developments. Mo-eun’s awkward and hilarious antics continue to entertain, but we also uncover the layers of Dan-ho’s tragic backstory, adding depth to their dynamic. This episode underscores a recurring flaw in many of the characters—communication, or rather, the lack of it. This is especially evident in the subplot with Seung-hyo’s parents. Gyeong-jong’s inability to communicate with Hye-sook leads to a misunderstanding about her relationship with the vice minister, fueling unnecessary tension.
With the conflict between Hyeon-jun and Seok-ryu now resolved, we can look forward to some heartfelt moments between the friends. But just as things seem to settle, Seung-hyo is hit with yet another storm—his parents’ looming divorce, promising more emotional turmoil in the episodes to come. It looks like Seok-ryu will be coming to Seung-hyo's aid next time around and maybe, just maybe, these two will finally realize they are better together than apart.