I Cant Believe Love Next Door Just Confirmed This Popular Bae Seok-ryu Theory

WARNING: This article contains SPOILERS for Love Next Door.I was not expecting Love Next Door to confirm a popular Bae Seok-ryu (Jung So-min) fan theory while also answering one of the K-drama’s biggest unanswered questions in its latest episode. The new Netflix K-drama from the creators of Hometown Cha-Cha-Cha has been a joy to watch, particularly as it delves into the antics of childhood best friends Bae Seok-ryu and Choi Seung-hyo (Jung Hae-in). However, as a rom-com with a lot of heart, I did not realize that Love Next Door would follow in the footsteps of one of 2024’s best K-dramas and deliver such a dramatic cliffhanger.

Up until this point, Love Next Door has had an upbeat tone. The slow burn of the friends-to-lovers K-drama has kept me on my toes as Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu’s relationship slowly drifts into something more than friendship. Though Seok-ryu and Seung-hyo’s future romance is almost certain, there are many things Love Next Door has yet to address. I’m happy we’ve finally gotten answers to one of Seok-ryu’s big mysteries, but I’m also scared about how it will implicate the future of the K-drama.

Bae Seok-ryu’s Leave of Absence Was Due To Illness

She Was Diagnosed With Stage 2 Stomach Cancer While In The US

Episode 8 of Love Next Door revealed that Seok-ryu’s mysterious leave of absence from work was due to a cancer diagnosis, in a shocking plot twist that solidifies its status as potentially the next best K-drama after Queen of Tears. For weeks, there had been speculation that Seok-ryu’s sudden absence was due to illness. I initially thought this to be far-fetched, but in hindsight, it makes sense. She consistently abstained from drinking and only ate healthier foods. She also had a nosebleed in episode 6 that appeared to come from nowhere, further hinting at what was to come.

The biggest suggestion that this fan theory would come true came in episode 8 of the romance K-drama. Seok-ryu confronted her parents about the different treatment she received compared to her brother, who was ill as a child. Her parents see her as the perfect child, but burden her with the inability to make mistakes, while her brother is free to live as he pleases. During this argument, Seok-ryu made an off-handed comment about how being ill isn’t that important, which, in retrospect, gave us all the information we needed ahead of Love Next Door‘s next episode.

What Bae Seok-ryu’s Illness Could Mean For Love Next Door’s Next Episodes

Seok-ryu’s Relationships With Her Friends And Family Will Shift

Though her prognosis is unknown, I’m certain that Seok-ryu’s situation will impact the upcoming Love Next Door episodes. It’s assumed that Hyeon-jun (Han Jun-woo), Seok-ryu’s ex-fiancee, is the only person who knows about her illness. This is bound to significantly affect her relationship with Seung-hyo, who sees her as one of his best friends. The impending reveal of her illness will also affect other Love Next Door characters, especially as Seok-ryu’s last interaction with her family was an argument. This will be heartbreaking to watch as her family has been pushing for her to return to the USA.

Some theories also suggest that paramedic Mo-eum (Kim Ji-eun) could attend a call about Seok-ryu in the future. There’s even speculation that Seok-ryu could succumb to her illness, with Seung-hyo suggesting in Love Next Door’s early episodes that he’s always wanted to design a memorial hall. I hope this isn’t the case, as Love Next Door has already established itself as a lighthearted rom-com, and it would be a shame to see it end in tragedy. Though whatever does happen, I’m excited to see how this Bae Seok-ryu theory is enacted now that Love Next Door has confirmed it.