From amusingly declaring an “unemployment” life plan, Seok-ryu finds inspiration from Seung-hyo to have work she can be passionate about in the 2nd week of Love Next Door!
Keeping its delightful mood, Love Next Door takes some trips to the past that reveal deep friendships among the characters. Along with that is the hero’s realization of his young feelings that were never confessed.
abbyinhallyuland watches Love Next Door on Netflix
Episodes Recaps: 01 & 02
Love Next Door Episodes 3 and 4 Highlights
We got a flashback from 2007 when Seung-hyo participated in a national team qualifier competition. Seok-ryu was there to cheer her friend loudly without his parents’ support. Back at present time, their friendship continues to be full of banter and playful teasing, due to their adjacent rooms.
“Seok-ryu, you’re so cheerful. Did you have fun doing nothing?”
As Seung-hyo focused on advancing his newly established business, Seok-ryu channeled her creativity into drafting an “unemployment schedule,” mostly consisting of watching TV, playing video games, and daydreaming. Amusingly, her mom believed that Seok-ryu’s diligent nature would soon bring her back to reality.
Sticking to her plan, Seok-ryu invited Seung-hyo to read manhwa together in the evening, but he declined. Fortunately, her other best friend, Mo-eum, joined her. Soon enough, Seung-hyo also makes his appearance at the comic store. But when Seok-ryu pleaded with them to join her in her next schedule they both went on to do something for their work.
The next day, Seok-ryu hangs out at her parents’ diner and meets her old high school teacher who has become a principal at the school. She helps bring some food her teacher bought at her parents’ place and also sees Seung-hyo who participated in the remodeling of their high school’s gymnasium.
Their teacher asks a favor to have small talk with students and Seok-ryu accepts it. Politely responding to questions from the students, Seok-ryu finds one question particularly hard to answer – her dream when she was young.
“I know. I had winters like that, too. I thought you’d remember.”
Meeting their big-shot clients, Seung-hyo and Myung-woo argue about their stand in working with the company. Seung-hyo didn’t like the idea of refining an existing international design.
Myung-woo reasons the money they need to secure for their new business and asks Seung-hyo to relent first and just incorporate the company vision along the way. Reaching his tipping point, he brings up Seung-hyo’s attachment to his old school swimming pool project which touched an old wound.
Seok-ryu meets a head-hunter who offers a new job. Seung-hyo who saw her walked with her. Hearing about the intention of the head-hunter, Seung-hyo comments on why she would do the same work as before when she wants a life reboot – a chance to follow her dream.
Lamenting how he cannot understand the coldness of her life that led to her career competitiveness, Seung-hyo responds that he also had a rough winter time which she should remember.
In the past, after securing a slot in the national team, Seung-hyo unfortunately met an accident which left him unable to continue his aspiration to become an athlete. During his saddest time, Seok-ryu was there to force him to live despite him always pushing her away.
“Seok-ryu, you’ve always done well. That’s why I worried about you. What if you couldn’t do something well? What would you do then? I don’t think I taught you how to do that. But I realized something for being a teacher for so long. Children keep growing. They all find the answers on their own somehow. Trust your choice and move on.”
The next day, Seung-hyo makes up with Myung-woo. In search of answers to her recent situations, Seok-ryu goes to the school to find the time capsule she previously tried to look for with Seung-hyo. But the principal finds her curious activity.
Invited for tea, she finally confesses to leaving Greip and gets meaningful advice to not be scared of her choice after her life without Greip. Learning Seung-hyo is also at the pool of the school, she heads there and gets teased of course with her letter.
Their usual bickering ends up in the pool where they both commit to sticking to their choices after giving up their old dreams.
“I must’ve been crazy. I was young. I was a moody teen. I was all over the place. That’s why I had those feelings. It was in the past. Those feelings have long since expired.”
In another flashback, high schoolers Seok-ryu, Seung-hyo and Mo-eum write down their letters to their future self with Seung-hyo confessing his feelings for Seok-ryu.
When Seung-hyo opens the time capsule, he’s reminded of the feelings he once had for Seok-ryu. Naturally, he guards the letter carefully, ensuring his best friend doesn’t read it.
Reflecting on his younger self’s actions from a decade ago, Seung-hyo attributes those emotions to his rebellious teenage phase, insisting to himself that he no longer has those feelings.
Later, they meet Mo-eum who confesses to getting her letter early. She also gives a knowing look at why Seung-hyo refused to share his letter with Seok-ryu.
Meanwhile, Mo-eum and Dan-ho keeps getting tangled by the same snack preferences they have at the local convenience store. She is not yet aware that he has moved next to their place.
“I’ve made up my mind! I’m going to find a place where I can swim to the very end.”
During their first meeting with Greip for the Seoul headquarters proposal, Seok-ryu supports the communication efforts. However, she overhears that Atelier In stands little chance against a big architecture firm in the competition.
Seok-ryu advises Seung-hyo to reconsider, but he remains steadfast in his commitment to the project. On the day of the presentation, Seok-ryu encounters Chris, a two-faced former colleague who once exploited her competitive spirit. During a break, Chris verbally attacks Seok-ryu, prompting Seung-hyo to defend her and call out Chris’s behavior. Seok-ryu, fueled by frustration, confronts Chris head-on.
Feeling relieved after the incident, Seok-ryu vows to find her place, inspired by Seung-hyo’s unwavering dedication to his work.
With Myung-woo’s help via social media, they discover a connection to Greip’s VP and share a recording of the meeting, jeopardizing Chris’s future job prospects upon his return to the US. Additionally, AtelierIn secures a commission for Greip’s flagship store.
Overjoyed by the news, Seok-ryu embraces her best friend and prompts Seung-hyo to realize his long-standing affection for her, though he hasn’t yet confessed his feelings.
Love Next Door Episodes 3 and 4 Musings
Starting a new career can be daunting, especially for someone like Seok-ryu who always did well and set a high expectation for herself. While she embarks on discovering her dream, she thankfully figures out what was missing when she used to work at Greip by observing how her best friend is fueled by passion making him commit to his job.
She used to regard work as something you just need to be good at, which eventually did not seal an attachment to her. Adding to that is the mistreatment she received for her excessive work drive which allowed her colleagues to use her diligence when they worked bare minimum.
Interestingly, Seung-hyo views his career as something connected to him. He is principled which sometimes does not sit with reality. Nevertheless, it’s good that he listens to feedback. He also communicates his thoughts and acknowledges what gaps need to be repaired, something that millennials and GenZ people should learn. *punintended
A glimpse of the contrasting relationship of Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu’s parents was also revealed. And let’s hope the older couples would also find their way back into love. Meanwhile, Mo-eum and Dan-ho’s story is shaping up complementing the main lead’s “love next door” vibe.
The switches to the past timeline seamlessly fuse with how the narrative binds the future romantic fulfillment of the friend-turned-lovers theme expected in the series.
This week establishes the deep connection shared by the lead couple. On the horizon, we will be treated with how love stories progress among the characters and how Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu navigate their careers.
Love Next Door is streaming on Netflix every weekend!
Photos: tvN Drama
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