Credit: tvN
Jung So Min has been a consistent presence in the entertainment industry for 14 years. With her graceful yet down-to-earth charm, she comes across as the ideal daughter figure that many admire. Her latest rom-com, Love Next Door , proved once again that her formula for romantic comedies is as effective as ever. Let’s take a moment to revisit some highlights from her filmography.
Love Next Door
Credit: Netflix
Love Next Door premiered on August 17th and quickly captivated audiences with its heartwarming story. The drama gained popularity fast, with its first two episodes earning average viewership ratings of 4.9% and 6.0%, according to Nielsen Korea. Its appeal went beyond South Korea, breaking into the top 10 in 75 countries, including major markets like the United States, the United Kingdom, and France.
The show pairs rising rom-com star Jung Hae In with seasoned pro Jung So Min. While Hae In has impressed with his performances in emotional dramas like JTBC’s Something in the Rain and the film Tune in for Love , Jung So Min has consistently won over audiences with her charming, relatable characters in romantic comedies such as the movie Love Reset and JTBC’s Monthly Magazine Home .
Love Next Door tells the story of childhood friends Choi Seung Hyo (played by Jung Hae In ) and Bae Seok Ryu (Jung So Min), who reconnect after a decade apart. Seok Ryu, once a model student, returns to Korea feeling lost and defeated after a broken engagement and losing her job. Many viewers found So Min’s portrayal of Seok Ryu’s emotional struggles both relatable and heartwarming.
‘Love Next Door’ Ep 8 Recap: Viewers Divided Over Shocking Cancer Twist
Alchemy of Souls
Credit: Netflix
The 2022 tvN drama Alchemy of Souls was a major success, reaching viewership ratings of around 10%. The series was well-received despite tackling the less common genre of ancient martial arts and period dramas and being split into two parts. Many consider it one of the most polished works by the famous Hong sisters, known for hits like Hong Gil-dong and A Korean Odyssey .
In Part 1, which aired in June 2022, Jung So Min played Mu Deok, a servant to Jang Uk ( Lee Jae Wook ). Mu Deok’s body was possessed by the soul of a ruthless assassin named Nak Su. The contrast between Mu Deok’s weak body and Nak Su’s powerful, charismatic soul added some humor to the show. Jang Uk, who is hiding a secret and trying to unlock his spiritual powers, chooses Mu Deok as his master, unaware that he’s developing feelings for her.
Jung So Min’s portrayal of Mu Deok was praised for bringing a playful energy that balanced the drama’s serious tone. Although there was some controversy when the lead actress changed from Jung So Min to Go Yoon Jung for Part 2, both parts were successful. Jung So Min’s performance in Part 1 set a strong foundation for Nak Su’s character development.
Love Reset
Credit: MindMark
Released in 2023, Love Reset surprised the box office with its impressive performance. It surpassed 2 million cumulative moviegoers within a month of release and ranked fourth in the Korean film box office that year. This was especially notable since only big-budget films like The Roundup: No Way Out and Concrete Utopia managed to break even in 2023.
In the movie, Hong Nara (Jung So Min), a wealthy film producer, and No Jung Yeol ( Kang Ha Neul) , a first-year lawyer from a humble background, finally get married after a rocky romance. However, reality sets in after the wedding, and they grow tired of each other, leading them to decide on a divorce. Before their separation is finalized, they are given a 30-day grace period. During this time, they both lose their memories in an accident. As they try to regain their memories, they begin to see each other in a new light, almost like falling in love for the first time.
Jung So Min reunited with Kang Ha Neul eight years after their film Twenty , and their chemistry in Love Reset was even stronger. In an interview, Jung So Min shared that, “When we filmed Twenty , we were a bit cautious with each other. But while filming Love Reset , it felt like we had been friends forever.” She pointed to this deepened friendship as the key to their perfect on-screen harmony.
My Father Is Strange
Credit: KBS2
As expected of a KBS 2TV weekend drama, My Father Is Strange started off strong with a 22.9% viewership rating and ended with a whopping 33.7%. The drama revolves around the story of Han Soo (Kim Young Chul), his wife Young Sil (Kim Hae Sook), their four children, and the chaotic events that unfold when former idol-turned-actor Ahn Jung Hee ( Lee Joon ) moves into their home.
KBS drama My Father Is Strange brought out a more mature and serious side of Jung So Min. She played the role of a young job seeker named Byun Mi Young, who undergoes the most significant transformation in the drama. Once a shy girl who was bullied during her school days, Mi Young struggles to hide her pain when she meets her former bully, Kim Yu Ju (Lee Mi Do), again. As she becomes increasingly entangled with Yu Ju both at home and outside, Mi Young gradually grows stronger and finds her voice.
Previously known for her bright and innocent roles, Jung So Min received praise for her portrayal of the darker side of youth in My Father Is Strange. She delicately depicted Mi Young’s struggles with job hunting and her selfless nature, offering comfort to many young viewers who felt similar pain in the competitive society.
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Credit: tvN
Love Next Door , the hit weekend drama on tvN, is captivating viewers with its heartfelt rom-com storyline. The show has been resonating with audiences, setting a new personal ratings record with episode 4, achieving an average of 7.2% in the metropolitan area and 6.6% nationwide (according to Nielsen Korea). The drama also soared to number 5 on Netflix’s global TOP 10 series (non-English) within just two days of release, and in its second week, it ranked second with 3 million views and 14.8 million viewing hours. The series has topped the charts in 36 countries, including Indonesia, Malaysia, the Philippines, and Vietnam.
While the plot and characters are undoubtedly a draw, fans are buzzing about the unique subtitles that appear in each episode’s opening and closing scenes. Each episode features two subtitles that mirror each other, with the opening subtitle often transforming into the closing subtitle by the end, leaving viewers intrigued and entertained.
Credit: tvN
Episode 1: “Comeback” and “Comeback, Home”
The opening subtitle “Comeback” sets the stage as Bae Seok Ryu ( Jung So Min ) boards a flight to Korea, marking her return. Despite her outward excitement, her internal monologue reveals a mix of anxiety and dread about reuniting with her family. The episode ends with Choi Seung Hyo ( Jung Hae In ), who brings Bae Seok Ryu back home after she tries to run away from her furious mother. As Seung Hyo laughs and says, “Now that she’s back, it’s going to get noisy again,” the ending subtitle “Comeback, Home” appears, bringing a clever twist to the episode.
Episode 2: “Hatred” and “Heart”
Bae Seok Ryu’s declaration of becoming a “happy free-timer” shocks her mother, Na Mi Sook, who had always been proud of her daughter’s achievements. After a heated exchange, Seok Ryu finds herself deep in thought at a playground, only to be comforted by Seung Hyo. He tells her, “Did you know? Just like the moon orbits the Earth, hatred also has a satellite.” This line captures the sentiment that feelings of hatred come from expectation and trust. The moment when the word written on the night sky transforms from “Hatred” to “Heart” leaves viewers with a sense of warmth and anticipation.
Episode 3: “Stopping Line” and “Starting Line”
This episode revisits the high school days of Choi Seung Hyo, Bae Seok Ryu, and Jung Mo Eum (played by Kim Ji Eun), revealing the tragic accident that ended Seung Hyo’s swimming career. As Seok Ryu embarks on her new life as an unemployed woman, she feels left behind while others move forward. The tension between her and Seung Hyo builds when they clash over their thoughts on reality and dreams. As the episode ends, young Seung Hyo’s letter to his future self is revealed, with an old heartfelt confession: “By then, I must have confessed to Bae Seok Ryu, right?” That’s when the opening subtitle “Stopping Line” changes to “Starting Line,” symbolizing a fresh start for both their dreams and budding romance.
Episode 4: “Past Perfect” and “Present Perfect, Progressive”
Past memories are brought to the forefront with the unsealing of a time capsule. Seung Hyo, who had been denying his long-forgotten feelings for Seok Ryu, is forced to confront them once more. At the end of the episode, when Seok Ryu embraces Seung Hyo, his long-held emotions are revealed, aligning with the shift from “Past Perfect” to “Present Perfect, Progressive.” This suggests a continuation and evolution of their feelings, teasing viewers about the story to come.
Writer Shin Ha Eun explains the thought process behind the creative subtitles, stating, “I wanted to use the subtitles to represent the starting and ending points of each episode. By showcasing the initial state of characters’ situation or emotion with the opening subtitle and then reflecting the transformation with the ending subtitle, I hope it adds depth and a subtle expectation for viewers, enhancing the overall experience of the drama.”
Looking ahead to episode 5, titled “Go Back,” anticipation is building. “The upcoming subtitles will delve deeper into Seok Ryu’s hidden secrets, the evolving feelings between Seung Hyo and Seok Ryu, and most importantly, the changes in their relationship. I hope viewers will enjoy following their journey,” adds the writer.
Jung Hae In and Jung So Min Share Behind-the-Scenes Laughs About Their Unique Relationship
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Credit: tvN
Love Next Door revealed a shocking twist in the latest episode, sending shockwaves through the audience.
In the 8th episode, aired on the 8th, Bae Seok Ryu ( Jung So Min ) disclosed that she had previously undergone surgery for stomach cancer. This shocking reveal came after Choi Seung Hyo ( Jung Hae In ) boldly confessed his feelings to Seok Ryu, saying, “When I say I’m going crazy because of you, it means I like you.” He added, “You don’t have to answer me right away.”
During a visit to Seung Hyo’s office, Seok Ryu suddenly collapsed from intense stomach pain. Rejecting Seung Hyo’s help, she asked Song Hyun Joon (Han Joon Woo) to assist her instead. At the hospital, Seok Ryu revealed to the doctor, “I had surgery three years ago in the U.S.,” and dropped the bombshell, “It was stage 2 stomach cancer. I had 70% of my stomach removed and underwent chemotherapy.” This unexpected twist left fans stunned.
Still, some viewers held out hope for a positive outcome, with one commenting, “It’s not late-stage cancer, so maybe we can still get a happy ending.” Others felt the twist was manageable, saying, “I can live with the cancer reveal. Let’s just see where it goes.”
As Love Next Door draws strong reactions, viewers are curious about how the plot will unfold from here.
Jung Hae In and Jung So Min’s ASMR Interview Leaves Fans Wanting More
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