🌧️💔 Rom-Com Betrayal Files: Journey to Goodbye II – Love Next Door 💔🌧️

Not a full recap. Just the kisses, chaos, and emotional crimes. 💘✨

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📺 Episodes: 16
💋 First Kiss: Episode ?
📍 Streaming On: Netflix, TVing

“Maybe, and you know, it’s just an idea, but MAYBE you shouldn’t have yelled at Seok Ryu and pushed her away so much??” – Zen-ah, yelling at the screen and clutching her cat.

A cartoon-style woman with dark purple hair yells at a TV screen while holding a black-and-white tuxedo cat. She wears a lavender sweater and has one arm extended toward the TV in frustration. The cat looks distressed, with its eyes closed and ears pinned back, clearly not enjoying the tight squeeze. On the screen, a silhouetted couple faces each other, suggesting a romantic moment. The illustration uses soft purple and peach tones with clean, bold outlines and a humorous, dramatic vibe.

💔 Dinner, Denial, and Delusions

We start with a trio dinner and Mo Eum casually asking Seok Ryu the most loaded question ever: “Do you still love your ex?” And… yeah. She does. She even shows her wedding photos.

But listen, I don’t think she wants to be with him again after catching him cheating. Hearts don’t turn off like a light switch, okay? But of course, guess who overhears her say it? That’s right. Our softboy Seung Hyo. And he gets so sulky about it that he won’t let her work on the Greip project.

He says it’s because she needs to chase her dreams, but even a blind man could see he’s pouting.

👻 Denial Island Population: Seung Hyo

A manga-style illustration of a man stranded alone on a tiny island in the middle of a sparkling purple ocean. He’s dramatically shading his eyes as if in denial, with a comically exaggerated pout. The island has a single palm tree, a heart-shaped cloud above, and sparkles dancing around. Large handwritten-style text says “Denial Island.” The art is whimsical and pastel-toned, matching the Zenyalore Kisses aesthetic.

Despite all his brooding soft glances, Seung Hyo is still living on Denial Island, waving a little flag that says “I don’t have feelings” while being visibly wrecked at every turn. And then, plot twist, his ex-girlfriend shows up! She’s all lovey-dovey and trying to rekindle things.

Seok Ryu tries to be supportive, but her sad little face says everything.

Turns out the ex dumped him back then to date someone else. She’s now a master of traditional pottery (onggi) and hires him for a new project. She invites the whole crew to her studio, without mentioning they’d be helping the village make soy sauce. Casual!

🩹 Casted Toes, Crushed Feelings, and Cooking Joy

Seok Ryu tries to bow out of the event since Seung Hyo clearly doesn’t want her around. But when she wakes him up after a night of drinking with her dad, he sprains his toe and ends up in a cast. Guess who has to go to the studio now? Yep. Our girl.

And guess what? She LOVES it. Making traditional sauces lights her up in a way we never see when she’s doing corporate nonsense. I’m yelling at my screen: This! Is! Your! Dream!

Meanwhile, the ex is in full get-him-back mode. When Seok Ryu tells Seung Hyo she’ll support him if he wants to date her again, he snaps at her. Because yes, that is a totally rational response to someone being kind to you, sir.

🍲 Saucepocalypse and Softboy Meltdown

While helping move a giant pot of sauce, Seok Ryu slips, falls, and breaks it. Seung Hyo loses it. He yells, panics, and stalks off to sulk. The rest of the group cleans up and Seok Ryu, being the queen she is, cooks for everyone.

A steaming bowl of cartoon-style ramyun noodles in a deep purple bowl, with warm yellow noodles forming spiraled mounds. Three wavy lines of purple steam rise from the bowl, surrounded by two sparkly stars, all set against a soft orange background. The image has a warm, comforting, K-drama snack vibe.

CAN WE TALK ABOUT THIS? She’s clearly at peace when she cooks. Everyone loves her food. THIS IS HER PATH.

Later that night, she and the ex have a quiet heart-to-heart. And, surprise, Seung Hyo secretly washed her dirty clothes. Ohhh this boy is a mess.

The ex gently tells him he’s never looked happier than he does when he’s with Seok Ryu. She sees his passion, his fire. His everything. And finally, finally, our hero admits to himself… he likes her.

👽 Crop Circles, Kids, and a Plot Twist with Punch

Meanwhile, Mo Eum is off in a whole other K-drama. She meets a five-year-old girl in the park and bonds over aliens and crop circles. She keeps looking for the kid, but no luck.

A cartoon-style illustration of a wide-eyed woman in a purple sweater nervously clutching a pillow to her face. Her cheeks are flushed with panic and her expression screams “I did NOT see that twist coming!” Above her, bold purple text says “PLOT TWIST PANIC!” against a dark, moody background, evoking high-drama suspense and unexpected K-drama chaos.

Until, bam! She’s called to an emergency and realizes it’s the little girl’s house. The child, Yeon Du, is collapsed on the floor, clutching a four-leaf clover. 🥺

Plot twist? Yeon Du is the daughter of Dan Ho, the mysterious man from the park. At the hospital, Mo Eum yells at him for leaving Yeon Du alone. But the kid hears her and declares she never wants to be friends with someone who yells at her dad.

And just like that, we’ve got a redemption arc brewing for Mo Eum. 💔👩‍🚒🛸

📬 Banchan, Love Letters, and Violations of the Heart

Seok Ryu’s mom sends her next door with a bag full of banchan (side dishes). After dropping them off with Seung Hyo’s parents, she sneaks upstairs and searches for his love letter.

AND SHE FINDS IT.

Just as she’s reading it, he walks in, fresh from the shower, and catches her. Does he finally confess? No. Of course not.

He tells her it was all a long-con joke. A prank. EXCUSE ME???

I would like to formally file a grievance.

🔥 Denial’s Final Stand, Dream’s First Steps

It becomes clear Seok Ryu is going to have to fight for her dream of becoming a chef. Her dad is against it. Her mom acts like she can’t even boil water. And worst of all? Seung Hyo keeps pushing her away.

A digital illustration of a grumpy, jealous boyfriend character with dark hair, wearing a lavender blazer and shirt. He stands with arms crossed and an annoyed expression on his face. Wavy irritation lines float beside his head as he pouts in silent protest. The soft purple shading and glowing edges match a dreamy, K-drama-inspired style with dramatic flair.

Apparently, having feelings for her is ruining his life. Sir? That sounds like a you problem.

Even when she starts taking cooking classes, he avoids her. But when her dad gets scammed out of a huge amount of money, Seung Hyo and Dan Ho team up to stage a sting operation. (I do love a good emotional mafia moment.)

When she comes to thank him, he explodes again, yelling at her to leave him alone, saying they’re not kids anymore and that she drives him crazy. THEN HE WALKS AWAY.

And this girl CHASES HIM. She’s done. She needs answers. She demands to know what he meant by all of it.

😤 The Confession That Almost Was (AGAIN)

They stare. They breathe heavily. They take a step closer.

I’m on the edge of my seat. This is the moment, right? Right??

WRONG.

A cartoon-style illustration of a woman with long dark hair, wearing a purple sweater and earrings, standing with crossed arms and giving a dramatic side-eye to a computer screen. Above her head, bold purple text reads “PREPARING THE SIDE-EYE.” The background is a dark, moody purple with sparkles scattered around, adding a humorous and sassy vibe.

Her no-good, cheating ex Hyeon Jun shows up in Korea and tells her he missed her. 🤢 Boy, please. Our hero tries to send him away, but her parents show up and force Seok Ryu and her ex to go inside to “discuss it as a family.”

Meanwhile, Seung Hyo is passing outside, fuming. Mo Eum shows up ready to destroy the cheating ex, but Seung Hyo stops her.

He says, “I want to kill him more.”

To which I say: MAYBE, and this is just a thought, MAYBE you shouldn’t have pushed her away so hard in the first place. MAYBE tell her how you feel instead of acting like it’s the end of the world to like her, you emotional dummy.

💭 Final Thoughts – A Cast, A Confession, and One Giant Miscommunication

This episode batch is the emotional equivalent of being drop-kicked into a vat of soy sauce. Everyone’s feelings are bubbling over, but no one is saying what they actually mean.

Seung Hyo is finally cracking, but the drama gods are still toying with us. I’m officially investing in a glittery punching bag to get through this betrayal arc.

Charming cartoon-style fangirl with purple hair and heart eyes, clutching a remote in one hand and her chest with the other in dramatic swoon mode. Surrounded by pink hearts and sparkles, she looks lovestruck and thrilled. Above her, bold pastel text reads “LET’S KISS AND TELL,” setting the tone for a drama breakdown full of romantic chaos and fangirl joy.

💜 Loved this flail? There’s a whole archive of chaos waiting for you.