If you haven’t watched this drama yet and would prefer a spoiler-free review, please click on the link below for general series information and story summary.

A young woman leaves behind a successful job and a prestigious fiance and returns home to Korea after years of living in the United States.  But she is surprised to find that in the time that she has been gone, very little has changed.  Including the constant presence of her neighbor and childhood friend, who is now a handsome and talented architect with an office right in their old neighborhood. 

And as she struggles to get a fresh start, despite the pressure from her family to go back to the U.S., she will find herself turning to her old friend for support and encouragement.  But his feelings for her have always gone deeper than the platonic friendship they share, and he soon realizes this may be his first and last chance to finally win her heart.

The interactions between this group of older women was always good for a chuckle.  Their antics were often silly and their constant competitiveness and pettiness could be irritating, but it also felt realistic to me.  Life long friends are often our biggest support but also our fiercest rivals.  And I loved that in the end their rivalry turned to each other’s children.  

I enjoyed how reasonable and generous Tae Hui’s character was.  As Seung Hyo’s ex, she shows up hoping to get him back.  But although she did give it her best shot, she was always kind to Seok Ryu and she quickly admitted her loss when she saw the way Seung Hyo looked at and treated Seok Ryu.  Rather than coming across as just another toxic ex, she gave them her support and bowed out gracefully.

While Tae Hui was a beautiful example of a healthy ex, I didn’t feel the same about Hyeon Jun.  His pushing himself into Seok Ryu’s house when it was obvious that she didn’t want him there was really frustrating.  And while he may have done his best to support Seok Ryu through her illness and treatment, it seeems like he should have recognized her lonliness and depression for what it was and contacted her friends and family from home.  Also I felt like he blamed Seok Ryu’s illness for their break-up without ever taking responsibility for his own part in cheating on her.  

Okay, I just have to say, all it took for Tae Hui was an afternoon together with Seok Ryu and Seung Hyo in the same place to see their obvious feelings for each other.  So what was wrong with their friends and family?  Really, no one noticed the way they looked at each other?  And that constant good-natured bickering should have been a dead give-away.  I’m just not buying the idea that no one ever noticed.  I thought at first at least Seung Hyo’s mom seemed like she might know, but it didn’t end up being the case.

‘Love Next Door’  gives us a decent happy ending, although after all the angst they put us through, I would have liked some more definite closure.  Their families finally find out that Seok Ryu and Seung Hyo are dating, and at first no one is happy about it.  The moms fight about it, but eventually they come around.  Seok Ryu passes her cooking certification and her dad decides to retire and close his restaurant.  But Seung Hyo and Geun Sik have a surprise up their sleeves when Geun Sik asks Seung Hyo to remodel the place as a gift for Seok Ryu.  

Mo Eum gets her dream job at the South Pole but she is nervous to tell Dan Ho and Yeon Du.  But Dan Ho finds out first and insists that she go and he and Yeon Du will be waiting when she comes back in a year.  Seok Ryu and Seung Hyo get engaged but put off the actual wedding so Seok Ryu can focus on her new career and they can wait for Mo Eum to get back.  

Ten months later, we catch up with everyone.  The moms are now fighting over whos in-law is better.  Mo Eum has a video call with Yeon Du and Dan Ho and Yeon Du tells her she is sending her dad to see Mo Eum at the South Pole.  Mo Eum is thrilled and touched by the news,  Seung Hyo’s business has grown and he has become a spokesperson for their neighborhood, remodeling and protecting it.  And Seok Ryu’s restauarant is winning awards for being a healthy and heartwarming dining option.  And Seok Ryu and Seung Hyo are in turn loving and bickering with each other, just like always.