Next Door to My Heart

Episode 1: New Neighbor, New Problems

The moving truck pulled away just as the afternoon sun dipped behind the tall apartment buildings.

Han Ji-eun stood in the middle of her new living room, surrounded by boxes of various sizes. Some were labeled neatly. Others had hastily scribbled notes that she could barely read.

Kitchen.

Books.

Winter Clothes.

Definitely Not Junk.

A small smile appeared on her face.

It wasn't much, but it was hers.

A fresh start.

After months of heartbreak, endless questions from family members, and feeling stuck in a life that no longer made her happy, moving here felt like turning a page.

Ji-eun stretched her arms above her head.

Ji-eun: Okay, Han Ji-eun. New apartment. New life. No crying over your ex. No bad decisions. You can do this.

The confidence lasted exactly three seconds.

A stack of boxes suddenly tilted.

Ji-eun: Wait—wait—wait!

Crash.

The boxes fell directly onto the floor.

Ji-eun groaned.

Ji-eun: Great start. Fantastic start.

An hour later, she was carrying another box from the hallway when the elevator doors opened.

At the same moment, a man stepped out.

He wore a black hoodie, black pants, and an expression that suggested he hadn't smiled in at least three years.

Ji-eun didn't have time to move.

Neither did he.

The box slipped from her hands.

Several smaller packages stacked near his apartment door tumbled over like dominoes.

Thud.

Thud.

Thud.

Silence.

Ji-eun froze.

The stranger looked at the fallen packages.

Then at her.

Then back at the packages.

His expression somehow became even colder.

Ji-eun: ...Hi?

Nothing.

Ji-eun: I can explain.

Nothing.

Ji-eun: Actually, no. I can't explain. That was entirely my fault.

The man sighed.

A very long sigh.

The kind of sigh someone made when life continuously disappointed them.

Ji-eun immediately felt guilty.

She quickly crouched down and started gathering the packages.

Ji-eun: I'm so sorry. I just moved in today and my arms are basically noodles at this point.