Love Next Door is an ongoing Netflix and tvN Kdrama, starring Jung Hae-in and Jung So-min, which has been adored by fans for its heartwarming rom-com elements and the palpable chemistry between the lead actors. The show, which follows the childhood friends-turned-lovers trope, has been a favourite among viewers who enjoy slow-burn romance narratives. However, the recent plot twist in episode 8 left many fans feeling disappointed, prompting comparisons to the 2024 hit drama Queen of Tears, starring Kim Soo-hyun and Kim Ji-won.

Until episode 8, Love Next Door focused on the evolving relationship between Choi Seung-hyo (Jung Hae-in) and Bae Seok-ryu (Jung So-min). Their banter slowly gave way to deeper emotions, and fans were rooting for Seung-hyo to confess his long-held feelings. Everything seemed to be going smoothly until the shocking revelation in the latest episode: Seok-ryu is battling Stage 2 stomach cancer.

The plot twist revealed that Seok-ryu had undergone major surgery and chemotherapy while in the U.S., which explains her reluctance to fully embrace her feelings for Seung-hyo. Though it's unclear whether Seok-ryu’s current health scare is a relapse or a new complication, fans were quick to express their disappointment, labelling the show as another version of Queen of Tears due to its similarity to the earlier drama.

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In Queen of Tears, Kim Ji-won’s character, Hong Hae-in, is also diagnosed with a terminal illness, which becomes a central plot point. Her husband, Baek Hyun-woo (Kim Soo-hyun), plays a crucial role in supporting her, ultimately rekindling their struggling marriage.

The resemblance between the two plotlines didn’t go unnoticed by fans, who took to social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) to voice their frustration. Many expressed that they were “not prepared for another K-trauma” and urged the makers of Love Next Door to avoid heading towards a bittersweet ending.

Love Next Door Comparisons To 2024 Kdramas:

This isn’t the first time Love Next Door has been compared to another Kdrama. Earlier in its run, fans noted similarities between Love Next Door and Lovely Runner, another 2024 hit. Both shows feature male leads who were former swimmers, with Lovely Runner’s Ryu Sun-jae (Byeon Woo-seok) and Love Next Door’s Choi Seung-hyo sharing a similar backstory of giving up their Olympic dreams due to injuries. Sharp-eyed viewers even pointed out that if not for their injuries, both characters would have competed in the 2008 Olympics together.

Also Read: Love Next Door: Netizens Spot Similarities In tvN's Latest Release With 2024 Hit Kdramas Lovely Runner And Doctor Slump

As the story unfolds, fans are eagerly awaiting the next episode to see how Seok-ryu’s health condition will impact the plot. While some viewers remain hopeful for a happy ending, others are concerned that the show may follow the emotionally heavy path laid out by Queen of Tears.

Also Read: Lovely Runner Stars Byeon Woo Seok, Kim Hye Yoon And Others Shine At Seoul Drama Awards 2024; Check Winners List