I can’t believe that Love Next Door just confirmed the popular Ba 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 and also answer 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 It was a joy to watch, especially 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 the best K-dramas of 2024 and provide such a dramatic cliffhanger.

until now, Love next door Had an optimistic tone. The friends-to-lovers K-drama’s slow burn kept me on my toes as Seung-hyo and Seok-ryu’s relationship slowly drifted into something more than friendship. Although Seok-ryu and Seung-hyo’s future romance is almost certain, There are many things Love next door Has yet to address. I’m glad we finally got answers to one of Seok-ryu’s big mysteries, but I’m also scared of how this will imply the future of the K-drama.

Bae Seok-ryu’s absence was due to illness

She was diagnosed with stage 2 stomach cancer 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 yet Queen of tears. For weeks, there was speculation that Seok-ryu’s sudden absence was due to illness. I initially thought this was far-fetched, but in hindsight, it makes sense. She constantly refrained from drinking and only ate healthy food. She also had a nosebleed in episode 6, which appeared to come out of nowhere, further hinting at what was to come.

The biggest suggestion that the 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 sick 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 the argument, Seok-ryu made a candid comment about how being sick wasn’t that important, which, in retrospect, gave us all the information we needed earlier. Love next doors next episode.

What Bae Seok-ryu’s illness could mean for the next episode of Love Next Door

Seok-ryu’s relationships with her friends and family will shift

Although her prognosis is unknown, I am confident that Seok-ryu’s situation will affect the upcoming Love next door Episodes. It is assumed that Hyeon-jun (Han Jun-woo), Seok-ryu’s ex-fiance, 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 discovery of her illness will also affect others Love next door Characters, especially how Seok-ryu’s last interaction with her family was an argument. It will be heartbreaking to watch her family push for her to return to the USA.

Some theories also suggest that paramedic Mo-eum (Kim Ji-eun) may participate in a call about Seok-ryu in the future. There is even speculation that Seok-ryu may succumb to her illness, with Seung-hyo suggesting in Love next doorS early episodes that he always wanted to design a memorial hall. I hope that’s not the case, though Love next door has already established itself as a bright rom-com, and it would be a shame to see it end in tragedy. Whatever happens, I’m excited to see how the Bae Seok-ryu theory is enacted now that Love next door confirmed it.