Jung Hae In's performance was a step backward compared to his previous roles alongside Jisoo.

Jung Hae In in the drama "Love Next Door". Photo: Producer.

"Love Next Door," starring Jung Hae In and Jung So Min, revolves around the journey of a childhood sweethearts couple as their friendship blossoms into love amidst the complexities of life.

Contrary to initial expectations, the film's ratings consistently declined, despite numerous plot twists and climaxes.

Episode 9, which aired on September 14th, saw its nationwide rating drop to 4.54%, even lower than the first episode's rating. By episode 10, despite the main couple's ongoing conflict, the rating slightly increased to 5.54%, a disappointing figure for a tvN drama that's already more than halfway through its run.

There are many reasons why "Love Next Door" has had modest success, including its clichéd and safe storyline.

As a genre known for its easy-to-watch and accessible appeal, Jung Hae In's dramas are considered unoriginal, with many plot points resembling those of other popular television series.

For example, the male lead being a childhood friend with a long-standing unrequited love is reminiscent of "Lovely Runner" or "Welcome to Samdalri"; the female lead suffering from a terminal illness is similar to "Queen of Tears" or "Big Mouth"; or the detail of favoritism towards children has also been thoroughly exploited by Korean screenwriters in dramas like "Reply 1988" and "Queen of Tears,"...

Moreover, the discussion surrounding Love Next Door is rather lukewarm, with its frequency of mentions on community film forums being quite limited, only 2-3 posts per week.

SCMP criticized Jung Hae In's new work for having content that overlapped with his previous healing and psychological dramas.

Furthermore, Jung Hae In's acting hasn't been particularly impressive. Some have commented that he and his co-star Jung So Min lack the "chemistry" of a couple in love.

Jung Hae In and Jung So Min haven't made a strong impression as a couple. Photo: Producer.

"Love Next Door" attracted media attention because it marked Jung Hae In's return to the romantic drama genre after 3 years, since "Snowdrop".

But while "Snowdrop" created a media sensation, catapulting Jung Hae In to fame, "Love Next Door" was a step backward.

"Love Next Door" was lackluster and failed to fully utilize Jung Hae In's potential. Choosing a script that was below his capabilities resulted in the actor being unremarkable and struggling to boost ratings.

Three years ago, when he starred alongside Jisoo, Jung Hae In consistently topped global trending charts on platform X, surpassing even the popular drama "25, 21," which aired at the same time.

The kissing scene between the actor and Jisoo in episode 11 went viral. "Snowdrop" garnered 4 billion views on TikTok.

The film's content has sparked much controversy, but it still has its own unique style, following the melodrama genre with a nostalgic historical setting.

Hae In's performance in "Snowdrop" helped him shed his "good boy" image, showcasing a more rugged and masculine look.

Jung Hae In was born in 1988. He has consistently appeared in dramas such as "While You Were Sleeping," "The Three Musketeers," "The Bride of the Century," "Goblin," and "Reply 1988," earning him the nickname "the nation's favorite supporting actor."

With "Something in the Rain," "DP," and "Snowdrop," Jung Hae In's name became widely known.

Source: https://laodong.vn/giai-tri/buoc-lui-cua-jung-hae-in-so-voi-phim-voi-dong-cung-jisoo-1394891.ldo