Love Next Door: Episode 5
This show captures all the intensity of first love—the kind where you’re terrified of risking a close friendship, yet can’t ignore the flutter in your heart every time your best friend is near. I can’t wait to dive into episode five, where it seems one of our leads is finally on the verge of uncovering the true depth of their feelings. The anticipation is electric, and I’m eager to see how this emotional revelation unfolds.
So let's go.....!!!!!!!!
Episode five kicks off with a poignant flashback where Seung-Hyo makes a surprise visit to Seok-Ryu at her college in the U.S. She sneaks him into her dorm, and when he wakes up the next morning, he’s startled to find himself tucked under her blanket while she sleeps on the floor. As he quietly drapes his blanket over her, her phone buzzes with a message about an upcoming date. The shock of this revelation is palpable as Seung-Hyo struggles to process it. Just then, Seok-Ryu stirs awake, and he hastily pretends he’s up because of her phone. She casually admits to having a boyfriend as she texts, completely oblivious to the devastation in Seung-Hyo's eyes as he reels from the heartbreak of learning she’s no longer available.
In the present, Seok-Ryu is busy cooking for Seung-Hyo, who is pleasantly surprised by how delicious her food is. As she excitedly chatters about the recipe, Seung-Hyo can’t help but be drawn in by her enthusiasm. Just then, their friend Mo-Eum arrives, prompting Seung-Hyo to dash out to buy beer. But when he returns for his forgotten wallet, he overhears a conversation that stops him in his tracks—Seok-Ryu is confiding in Mo-Eum about her ex-fiancé. The revelation is a gut punch, but Seung-Hyo quickly masks his shock, grabs his wallet, and slips out again, pretending he heard nothing.
Next, the four mothers embark on an overnight trip to a temple, seeking clarity and hope for their children’s futures. In a moment of quiet reflection, each mother writes a heartfelt message for their children on a prayer tile. Seung-Hyo’s mother, however, pens her note in French, deliberately concealing her words from the others. Her message carries a deep plea—for her son to let go of a painful memory from the past and find it in his heart to forgive her. The secrecy and emotion in her prayer add a layer of mystery and longing to the scene.
Seok-Ryu is deep in conversation with Myung-Woo when Seung-Hyo enters the room, only to find them chatting comfortably. Myung-Woo suggests inviting Seok-Ryu to join their new project with Griep, but Seung-Hyo immediately objects. This sparks a heated argument between our leads—Seok-Ryu insists she just wants to help a friend, while Seung-Hyo urges her to focus on her own dreams instead. Myung-Woo hurries and apologizes for being inconsiderate and suggests a farewell party for Seok-Ryu instead.
Meanwhile, Mo-Eum has a humorous encounter with Mr. Reporter during her morning jog. She spots him bent over, intently searching for something on a hillside. When he notices her watching, she quips, "You're giving everyone a little too much of a view back there." Embarrassed, he quickly straightens up and apologizes, explaining that he’s on the hunt for a four-leaf clover to impress a girl. Amused, Mo-Eum decides to help and, with just a quick glance, finds one. Mr. Reporter’s face lights up with excitement as he thanks her profusely and dashes off, clover in hand, like he’s just struck gold.
After the farewell party, Seung-Hyo and Seok-Ryu can be seen talking again back at his office. The convesrastion once again heats up into an argument as Seung-Hyo believes she should be focusing on herself. As tensions rise, the unexpected happens—a woman suddenly sneaks up behind Seung-Hyo, wraps her arms around him, and purrs, "Hello, baby," leaving Seung-Hyo frozen in awkward silence as Seok-Ryu looks on, caught off guard by the sudden intrusion.
It’s soon revealed that the woman is Seung-Hyo’s ex-girlfriend, Jang Tae-hui, who’s eager to enlist his help on her latest project. She invites him and his entire team to her workshop for a weekend retreat, hoping to sway his decision. But just before she leaves, Tae-hui and Seung-Hyo overhear Seok-Ryu recounting a moment from the past—how she once caught them making out in a car. The memory hits a nerve, and Seung-Hyo’s expression darkens, clearly unsettled that Seok-Ryu still remembers that awkward encounter with his ex.
Later that night, while Seung-Hyo is wandering the neighborhood deep in thought, he unexpectedly runs into Seok-Ryu’s father, who invites him out for a drink. One drink turns into several, setting the stage for a morning neither of them will forget.
The next day, Seok-Ryu bursts into her brother’s room, determined to wake him up. Teasingly, she claims their mother gave her permission to hit him if he doesn’t get out of bed. Without hesitation, she leaps onto the blanket-covered figure and starts playfully hitting him. But to her shock, the person under the covers suddenly flips her over—it’s Seung-Hyo, not her brother! As she stares up at a very shirtless, and undeniably attractive, Seung-Hyo, her brother walks in and lets out a yell, calling for their dad. In the chaotic scramble to separate, Seung-Hyo bangs his foot against the dresser, ending up with a sprained toe.
With his foot in a cast, Seok-Ryu volunteers to drive Seung-Hyo to Tae-Hui’s workshop. When they arrive, Tae-Hui rushes over, concerned about Seung-Hyo’s injury, and offers him her arm for support. Seok-Ryu watches from behind, a hint of unease creeping in, though she’s still unaware of her own growing feelings.
Her mood shifts when she spots a collection of clay pots in the yard, and like an excited puppy, she runs off to investigate. Tae-Hui explains that she not only makes pottery but also crafts traditional Onggi. She reveals that she cleverly lured them there to help her and the neighborhood ladies make more. Seok-Ryu eagerly jumps in to assist, her enthusiasm shining through, while Seung-Hyo watches her from a distance, unable to hide the smile on his face as he admires her adorable excitement.
A little later, Tae-Hui pulls Seung-Hyo aside, taking him inside to show off her pottery. She confesses that while she had hoped to rekindle their past relationship, her work must come first. She asks for his opinion on her latest pieces, then playfully suggests he try making his own. As she guides his hands on the pottery wheel, Seok-Ryu, in search of the bathroom, stumbles upon the intimate scene. When Tae-Hui and Seung-Hyo notice her, Seok-Ryu quickly pretends she was just looking for the bathroom, but Seung-Hyo’s nervous reaction betrays his discomfort at being caught. He hastily pulls his hands away as Seok-Ryu hurriedly leaves.
Later, when they cross paths again, Seok-Ryu nonchalantly wishes him luck if he’s planning to rekindle things with Tae-Hui. Her words strike a nerve, and Seung-Hyo, clearly irritated, snaps back, telling her to mind her own business before storming off. This leaves Seok-Ryu shocked and a bit hurt at his words to her, "Friends don't need to know about each others' relationships."
Finally, Myung-Woo arrives with the rest of their team in tow. He barely has time to greet anyone before his upset stomach sends him sprinting to find a bathroom. Meanwhile, the other employees look less than thrilled at the prospect of rolling up their sleeves and diving into the labor-intensive process of making Onggi. Their reluctance is clear, but they’re soon swept up in the task ahead, whether they like it or not.
Back at home, Mo-Eum and her team are jolted by a frantic 911 call from a young girl left alone and in distress. Upon arrival, they find her with a dangerously high fever, teetering on the brink of unconsciousness. Mo-Eum’s heart sinks as she scoops the little girl up and speeds to the hospital, fuming at the thought of anyone abandoning a five-year-old in such a perilous state.
Meanwhile, at the workshop, Tae-Hui enlists Seok-Ryu's help to move a massive clay pot. Despite Tae-Hui’s insistence that it’s a job for a man due to its weight, Seok-Ryu eagerly steps in. As they push the pot on a cart, Tae-Hui keeps urging Seok-Ryu to wait for more help, but her determination leads her to attempt the task solo. The cart hits a rock, sending the pot crashing to the ground in a spectacular mess.
Seung-Hyo, arriving just in time, is horrified by the sight of the shattered jar and Seok-Ryu sprawled on the ground. Panic grips him as he rushes over, scolding Seok-Ryu for her recklessness and creating more trouble. In a flurry of action, Tae-Hui steps in, trying to calm the situation and ushers Seok-Ryu off to change clothes, hoping to smooth over the chaos.
As the little girl is being treated at the hospital, her father, Mr. Reporter, is preoccupied with a visit to the elderly woman from earlier episodes who was seen pushing a cart. Just as he’s deep in conversation, his phone rings with urgent news from the babysitter about his daughter. His face pales as he learns she’s been admitted to the hospital, and he frantically rushes to her side.
Mo-Eum, arriving at the hospital, is taken aback when she sees Mr. Reporter burst through the doors. She watches in stunned silence as he kneels beside his daughter, his voice trembling with remorse as he apologizes for abandoning her. The scene is charged with raw emotion, revealing a side of Mr. Reporter that Mo-Eum hadn’t seen before.
Meanwhile, Seok-Ryu, now refreshed and cleaned up, stumbles upon Tae-Hui and Myung-Woo trying to salvage the remnants of the spilled clay pot paste. Myung-Woo deems it beyond recovery, but Seok-Ryu, with a spark of ingenuity, suggests they use it to make kalguksu on a rainy day. This idea inspires everyone to gather under a pavilion, each taking on a role in preparing the meal. Despite the lively atmosphere, Seung-Hyo remains conspicuously absent.
As the kalguksu is served, the group enthusiastically praises its deliciousness, and Seok-Ryu beams with satisfaction as they eagerly ask for seconds. Later, while she’s scrubbing the dishes, Tae-Hui gently suggests she take a break. Seok-Ryu, however, insists on finishing up as a way to make amends for the earlier mishap with the clay pot. During their conversation, Tae-Hui helps Seok-Ryu reflect on her dreams, encouraging her to pursue what truly brings her joy.
Back at the hospital, Mo-Eum continues to reprimand Mr. Reporter, who is overcome with remorse and tears as he admits he shouldn’t have left his daughter alone. His daughter, Yeon-Du, overhears the exchange and, with a firm resolve, tells Mo-Eum she will never speak to her again, expressing her deep resentment for anyone who scolds her father.
Tae-Hui roams the grounds in search of Seung-Hyo and eventually finds him lost in thought. Their conversation turns to their past relationship, where Tae-Hui admits she never felt the fiery passion that Seok-Ryu described. She was always the one burning with intensity, while he remained cool and detached. Observing his current dynamic with Seok-Ryu, Tae-Hui comments on the stark contrast, revealing that the clay pot from earlier had an existing crack, so it wasn’t entirely Seok-Ryu’s fault.
Meanwhile, unable to sleep, Seok-Ryu decides to take a nighttime stroll and notices her shirt drying outside Seung-Hyo’s room. This discovery spurs him into contemplation. As he wanders, he stumbles upon Seok-Ryu examining clay pots, searching for something. When he asks what she’s looking for, she excitedly explains she’s hunting for a jar of 100-year-old soy sauce.
Determined to help, Seung-Hyo joins in the search. After a few tries, Seok-Ryu triumphantly finds the jar, revealing soy sauce so dark it reflects the night sky. Her joy is palpable as she eagerly begins listing dishes she can create with it. Seung-Hyo, curious about her enthusiasm, asks why she’s so thrilled. Seok-Ryu’s eyes light up as she confides that she’s discovered her true passion—cooking.
Caught up in her excitement, Seung-Hyo finds himself smiling alongside her, his gaze softening as he takes in her happiness. The scene transitions to a flashback, revealing his deep feelings for Seok-Ryu and how her smile has always been a source of joy for him.
DramaZen's Opinion
It's nice to see that Seung-Hyo is realizing that he just might have loved her all along. Despite dating in the past, it's always been Seok-Ryu that completes him and makes him truly happy. Even though he thought he had buried his feelings for her and moved on, they are still there and it seems they are stronger than ever.
Meanwhile, Seok-Ryu is still just as clueless as ever! Yet you can catch glimpses of her caring and unease towards Seung-Hyo in different situations. I'm hoping that she will soon have an epiphany like him and realize that she has feelings for him too.
In the meantime, Mo-Eum and Mr. Reporter are adding their own spark to the story. Their interactions suggest a budding romance, possibly fulfilling her mother’s wishes. While Mo-Eum might be uncertain about his having a child, her evident affection for little Yeon-Du hints at a growing connection. It seems that the bond between Mo-Eum and Mr. Reporter might strengthen, with Yeon-Du playing a crucial role in bringing them together.
It looks like the next episode will be interesting!
Seok-Ryu's father is spotted by Seung-Hyo coming home drunk while escorting a woman other than his wife.
In a flashback, our leads revisit their high school days, with Seung-Hyo grappling with the unsettling realization that he might have misjudged his understanding of Seok-Ryu over the years. As he contemplates his true feelings, she is passionately pursuing her dream of cooking. The growing distance between them as he sorts through his emotions leaves Seok-Ryu feeling uneasy, her mind racing with questions about his sudden aloofness.
The tension culminates in a heartwarming moment when Seung-Hyo finally admits that he feels like he's losing his mind over her. How utterly charming is that confession? It’s a raw and endearing acknowledgment of his confusion and deepening feelings, adding a sweet layer of complexity to their relationship.
Episode 6 can't come soon enough!!!!!!🥰