Love Next Door Episode 8 Recap & Ending Explained: Is Seok-Ryu Dying?

Love Next Door Episode 8 brings the drama’s most significant revelations to light, just as the story’s real conflict begins to unfold. Seok-Ryu’s illness is finally revealed, and while this may sound like a turning point in the show, there are still reasons to hope for a happy ending for our lead couple.

In the Love Next Door Episode 7, Seung-Hyo found the courage to confess his long-held feelings for Seok-Ryu. Yet, just as viewers braced themselves for her response, the episode ended, leaving their story hanging in a delicate balance. Timing seems to be their biggest obstacle, but as episode 8 shows, it may not be in Seung-Hyo’s favor after all.

What Happens When Seok-Ryu’s Parents Learn She’s Attending Cooking Class?

“Love Next Door” continues to captivate viewers with its unique approach to storytelling, weaving multiple narratives and character arcs into one cohesive tapestry. Episode 8 gives us a look into Seok-Ryu’s cooking class adventure, which sparks a significant amount of drama. While cooking, she gets distracted by Seung-Hyo’s heartfelt confession, causing her to burn herself on a hot pot. Seung-Hyo, noticing her hesitation, suggests she take her time in responding. Together, they decide that she’ll give him an answer by the expiration date on a product they find at the grocery store.

In a flashback, we discover that Seok-Ryu had a childhood crush on Seung-Hyo. Their bond dates back to when they were just five years old, with Seung-Hyo helping her overcome her fear of the swimming pool. The memory is still vivid in Seok-Ryu’s mind, but she’s reluctant to answer his confession. The reason becomes clear soon. Much of the episode centers around a rivalry between Seung-Hyo and Hyeon-Jun, who is determined to win Seok-Ryu back. Seung-Hyo is frustrated that Seok-Ryu is indulging Hyeon-Jun’s advances.

Meanwhile, tension mounts within Seung-Hyo’s family. His mother faces a significant decision after his father puts her on the spot, suggesting she might have cheated on him in the past. The episode doesn’t delve into this conflict in detail, leaving the audience to wonder what the truth might be.

On another front, Dan-Ho embarks on a new journalistic endeavor, writing articles about various professions using a “method” writing style. For his first piece, he shadows emergency services workers, including Mo-Eum, and experiences the challenges of their daily grind. Dan-Ho gains a new respect for their hard work and seems proud of the authentic story he’ll be able to tell. The experience also brings him closer to Mo-Eum, hinting at a budding romance.

Back to Seok-Ryu’s family drama, her younger brother, Dong-Jin, pesters their mother to support his dream of becoming an Instagram influencer. Seok-Ryu is vehemently against the idea, causing tension between the siblings, who have a significant age gap of 13 years. Dong-Jin, who was born with a heart defect, has always received preferential treatment from their parents, while Seok-Ryu faces constant criticism for her decisions. When her parents discover she’s attending a cooking class, they vehemently oppose the idea, believing it would ruin her life just as they feel it did theirs.

Is Seok-Ryu Dying?

The episode’s most heart-wrenching revelation comes at the end. We learn that Seok-Ryu had stomach cancer three years ago, and though she underwent surgery to remove the tumor, it appears the cancer may have returned. She throws a tantrum at home after her parents criticize her decision to take up cooking, unaware that her illness may have relapsed. Her frustration is understandable—she’s finally found something she’s passionate about, but her parents’ disapproval and inability to treat her equally to her brother take a toll on her. Her mother, more concerned with finding her a wealthy, well-connected husband, fails to realize that her daughter might be dying.

After receiving comfort from Seung-Hyo, who witnesses the argument, Seok-Ryu meets Hyeon-Jun outside her cooking class the next day. He walks her to “Atelier,” where he has become their new client. Seung-Hyo, not pleased with the situation, offers Seok-Ryu space in his office kitchen to practice since she can no longer use her father’s restaurant. Seung-Hyo makes it clear to Hyeon-Jun that he has feelings for Seok-Ryu and does not plan to back down, setting the stage for a fierce rivalry.

Later, as Seok-Ryu prepares food for both men, she suddenly doubles over in pain. When they rush to help her, she chooses to leave with Hyeon-Jun, the only one aware of her illness. Seung-Hyo is left stunned, believing that Seok-Ryu has already made her choice, but he doesn’t yet know the full story.

What’s Next for Seok-Ryu and Seung-Hyo?

The episode concludes with Seok-Ryu and Hyeon-Jun at the hospital. She tells the doctor about her previous surgery, and Hyeon-Jun hands over her medical records to check if the cancer has relapsed. It’s implied that Seok-Ryu broke off her engagement with Hyeon-Jun because she didn’t want him to suffer, knowing her health might fail again. The weight of her decisions becomes evident—choosing to keep her illness secret from her loved ones has been a mistake, one that will soon devastate Seung-Hyo when he learns the truth.

Seung-Hyo is clearly in for a heartbreaking realization, and Seok-Ryu’s struggle to balance her desire for independence, her family’s expectations, and her deepening health crisis makes this episode a gripping turning point in the series. As the story unfolds, the emotional stakes rise, promising even more drama in the episodes to come.

Stay tuned for the Love Next Door Episode 9 as we see how these intertwined fates unfold, and if Seok-Ryu and Seung-Hyo can find their way to each other despite all the odds stacked against them.