Love Next Door revives one of the best things about Jung So-min’s biggest K-drama role

WARNING: This article contains SPOILERS for Love Next Door.Jung So-min has played many incredible roles in her career, but her latest K-drama Love next door revives one of the best qualities of another of her popular characters. After starting her career in 2010, Jung So-min gained international fame through the role of Oh Ha-ni in Playful kiss, the Korean adaptation of the manga “Itazura Na Kiss”. Since then, she has become a well-known face in the K-drama industry and has been the host of popular series such as Because this is my first life And The smile has disappeared from your eyes.

Love next door Jung So-min returns to the genre that made her famousFrom the makers of the highly acclaimed Hometown Cha-Cha-ChaThe enemies-to-lovers K-drama follows childhood friends Bae Seok-ryu (Jung So-min) and Choi Seung-hyo (Jung Hae-in) as they reshape their relationship after Seok-ryu unexpectedly quits her job and returns to South Korea. Dear Next Door’s The cast has already shown some of the charms of K-drama with the introduction of its serious storylines and childlike humor. These themes revolve around Jung So-min’s Seok-ryu, who is surprisingly similar to the actress’ previous K-drama role.

Bae Seok-ryu from Love Next Door is just as chaotic as Mu-deok from Alchemy of Soul

The two characters have a lot in common

Before Love next door, Jung So-min played Mu-deok in Alchemy of SoulsThe historical fantasy K-drama has a completely different tone than her current series. The story centers on the assassin Naksu (Go Youn-jung), who is trapped in the body of a servant named Mu-deok. She hides as the servant of a nobleman, Jang Uk (Lee Jae-wook), while secretly teaching him how to use magic.. Although this is almost the exact opposite of Love next doorthe chaotic nature of Jung So-min’s characters makes it difficult not to compare them.

Jung So-min is a great physical comedian who uses her skills to enhance the chaotic nature of these two characters. In Greetings from next door, Seok-ryu brings out the childish side of Seung-hyo, often by physically attacking or chasing him. She has a loose mouth and a carefree attitude, which is a stark contrast to her quiet boyfriend who only becomes childish and energetic in her presence. This makes the fights between Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu some of the best moments of the K-dramas, and it is something that is similarly reflected in Alchemy of Souls‘#.

Similar to Love next door‘s Seok-Ryu, Alchemy of Souls Mu-deok has a sharp tone and is not afraid to speak her mind. Her constant bickering with Jang Uk (Lee Jae-wook) adds a unique touch to the K-drama that lightens the show’s grim tone. Mu-deok and Jang Uk’s ever-changing power dynamic adds a brilliant complication Alchemy of Soulsallowing the duo to take advantage of each other’s chaotic energy as each tries to gain the upper hand. This is just one of the many reasons why Mu-deok has become one of Jung So-min’s most memorable characters.

Mu-deok in “Alchemy of Souls” is one of Jung So-min’s best K-drama roles

Jung So-min shows a wide range as Mu-deok

Alchemy of the Soul‘s Mu-deok is a very different role for Jung So-min. Up until this point, the actress had never acted in a fantasy or historical K-drama. As a result, Alchemy of Souls feels like a refreshing new perspective for Jung So-minwho is best known for her comedic talent. The fantasy K-drama gives her the perfect opportunity to do what she does best but shows something new as she navigates Mu-deok’s complicated situation and her growing feelings for Jang Uk.

Mu-deok’s complex dynamic with Jang Uk is different from the other K-drama romances in Jung So-min’s career. Although their strange and often playful relationship is full of comedic potential, it also carries a tragic burden as Mu-deok’s fate remains constantly uncertain. Jung So-min delivers exceptional performances in Alchemy of Soulsoften some of the K-drama’s funniest and most heartbreaking scenes in the same episode. The variation in emotions makes for a consistently captivating performance from Jung So-min, whose absence from Alchemy of Souls Season 2 feels even more prominent after an incredible first season.

“Love Next Door” gives Jung So-min more opportunity to engage with comedy than “Alchemy of Souls”

The two K-dramas are very different in sound

While Alchemy of Souls shows in a great way the diverse and sometimes unseen talents of Jung So-min, Love next door plays on the strengths of the actress. Although the K-Drama is still in its infancy, Love next door has delivered many scenes that make you laugh and lay the foundation for the budding romance that will develop in the coming weeks. Its light-hearted concept is almost the exact opposite of Alchemy of Soulswhich, despite numerous funny moments, increased the tension with each new episode.

This does not mean that Love next door has no emotional depth. It has already hinted at some major upcoming plot points that could be crucial to Seok-ryu’s impetuous but mysterious character. Unlike Alchemy of Soulsthe premise of Love next door carries a much less tragic burden and the stakes are also much lower. Therefore, Jung So-min’s comedic skills are given much more screen time. This has already set a strong tone for Greetings from next door, and at the same time revives one of the best elements of their Alchemy of Souls Character that has been missing for a long time.