Neighbors Fight Because of PDA
About:
Warning:
There will be spoilers for the manhwa series Destiny Next Door.
Content Warning: There may be references to violence, homomisia, slut-shaming, mentions of cheating, breakups (not between the main couple), strained familial relationships, excessive drinking, gossiping, theft, sextortion, dubcon, mentions of drugs and drunk driving, death, abuse, mentions of gambling, being outed, manipulation, self-deprecation, and PTSD, as they do appear in the manhwa.
Synopsis:
Do-jun is a college student. He’s doing fine in class but has a couple of troubles at home. Specifically, he has issues with the couple staying next door. Whenever he’s outside his apartment, he finds them entangled together. In the throes of passion, they hardly notice he’s there. It’s not the worst thing in the world, but it’s certainly not the most pleasant for Do-jun. After accidentally expressing his feelings about them under his breath within earshot, he has no choice but to confront them.
Unfortunately, this leads to Do-jun being labeled a bigot, as the couple in question is none other than two men. Do-jun couldn’t care less about their genders, but there’s no arguing with his spunky neighbor. While Do-jun usually wouldn’t care and just move on, there’s something about his neighbor hating him that he just can’t allow. So, Do-jun is now on a mission. He must prove his neighbor wrong by any means necessary.
Review:
I have to admit, I thought this title was actually a different story. There is another manhwa with a character that also has pink features that I was pumped to finally get to read, but lo and behold, this was not it. One day, when I do finally read and review that one, you all will make fun of me because looking at the art style, they couldn’t be any more different. What I was hoping to read has a very clean style with very soft features. This, however, is the exact opposite. It’s inconsistent and has very sharp and narrow features. I honestly hate this art style. It does get better, but it’s not until we’re pretty much at the end before that happens. Their features get so long and pointy that it’s honestly comical, but overall, this story is not comical at all. It’s very dramatic, and the art style just doesn’t fit. Add in Do-jun’s mole, which looks like dirt most of the time, and their squat faces, and it’s not a good time for this dramatic story.
Speaking of the story, this has an interesting concept, and I don’t mean the neighbors trope or the hate-to-love trope. Do-jun’s neighbor goes by Su-gyeom, but that’s not his original name. The two main characters actually knew each other in high school. But after Su-gyeom, formerly Yeong-su, hears Do-jun badmouthing someone being gay, he transfers schools and changes his name. This, of course, is a misunderstanding, but we’ll get into that later. What interests me most is the identity change. I like this element, and it makes total sense for a character who is dealing with a homophobic family and a painful high school experience to go so far as to completely reinvent his identity. It also makes Do-jun’s inability to recognize him so much more realistic. Even if he has an inkling of recognition, having a completely different name would help hide his former identity. It was very believable, and I liked it.
What I don’t care for is the evil stepmother trope. The stepmom drops in and torments Su-gyeom even long after she’s gotten what she wants – Su-gyeom being essentially disowned, allowing her children to be favored. It reminds me a tad of the mother in Tenth Time’s the Charm, though, thankfully, not as melodramatic. Still, the stepmom’s role felt a bit overboard with her taunting. I have the same feelings regarding the other love interests Su-gyeom has. They’re all creeps and cheaters. This is a heavy drama title, so look no further if you’re looking for that melodrama. It’s not my cup of tea, however.
Before I close out, I do have one more thing I want to discuss: misunderstandings. This whole story is based on multiple misunderstandings. But these are actually pretty reasonable misunderstandings. The initial misunderstanding isn’t even the presumed homomisia from Do-jun. It’s actually when Su-gyeom shows up at a meeting spot to support his friend who was supposed to confess to Do-jun, only for her not to show up and have Do-jun respond as if Su-gyeom had asked him there to confess. That is such a fun misunderstanding, and it shows that Do-jun takes Su-gyeom’s feelings into consideration. I adore this moment, as it sets up for Do-jun’s bi-awakening, as well as the present-day issue Do-jun has with proving he isn’t homophobic.
Results:
As much as I like some aspects of this story, I still don’t like it. The art is bad, and the drama goes a little overboard for me, so all of the best parts of this series are overshadowed. I wouldn’t say it’s the worst thing I’ve read, but it’s not a good series, either. Even being on the shorter side, I’d say this still isn’t worth the money. There is lots of smut, though, so if you can overlook bad art and melodrama, this might be for you. It’s a miss for me in the end, though.
Have you read Destiny Next Door? If so, what do you think? Do you agree with my assessment? Do you not? Let me know, and comment below!