One of the best parts of watching foreign shows is that they are foreign. You travel to another place and learn about another culture, which is one of the things we love about Love Next Door on Netflix.
Culture Wonder
In many ways, these K-dramas are like classic nighttime soaps where they have money to spend on great location shooting. Even simple scenes like at the airport or hospital make a New Yorker like me envious of the gorgeous airports and modern hospitals. A simple drive shows off their huge highways.
MORE: Love Next Door episode one recap.
We also like what we call “things to Google.” For example, we wonder at what beautiful mountaintop vista did they film the four ladies resting after their hike. Then there is the food, “Heungbu Sausage Stew,” “Sanshin Ox Bone Soup,” “Grandma Kwon’s Pork Wraps,” and “In-Laws Fried Chicken” are the names of some of the restaurants the hungry Bae Seok-ryu shares while she’s driving with her friend.
READ MORE: Questions about LND episode one.
In other scenes, we notice the difference in architecture in how homes are laid out in a neighborhood, how they don’t seem to have public lawn space in front of them like in American cities and suburbs. Of course, there are also many product placements, such as Gore-Tex jackets, fancy cars, and Samsung Pay at restaurants.
READ THIS: Love Next Door will captivate you.
In America, public baths are now rare, so finding out more about Korean baths and saunas could give you an insight into their culture. Also, early in the episode, Choi Seung-hyo is at a cemetery, studying the design and speaking with a caretaker about its purpose and how it’s designed for the living.
So have fun googling “Korean Sausage Stew” and “Korean Ox Bone Soup!” You might find a new meal to add to your repertoire. Enjoy the show, then go beyond the show!
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