Twenty Five Twenty One (2022)

Couldn't stop my tears...

I usually like dramas with bad endings but how should I say... I wish it was a good ending. I mean in some ways Baek Yi Jin was the reason of their ending. Even though I loved him so much, how could someone decide to move to another country without asking his partner? If there is love, there must be a communication. That was their problem for me. But even from the start we already knew they've been broken up ages ago.

Overall, it was a great drama except the ending. I cried, laughed and felt the friendship I've never had. I just wished to see all of their adulthood. How was their relationship-friendship in the future, did other couples got married etc.

All the actors were awesome. They all carried acting in to a different level.

Hope to see this kind of dramas (but with better ending) in the future.

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I liked the ending...

I know that a lot of people have to say about the ending, a lot of people say that the ending was either rush or it just wasn't the result they wanted. But looking back at my comments and my prediction from the beginning of the series, I wanted this type of ending or at least really similar. My prediction was that they weren't going to be endgame and they were going to standing on their own and different side of the screen in present time. In this case they kinda were but not in reality and not in the present. Let's go down to the pros and cons.

PROS: I really like the story, how it was played out. The idea of the reporter and a fencer, and etc. I also liked how each character got its own background, we get to see each character grow and how their upbringing got them to where they are now. A lot of people are sorta iffy about the whole present and past thing, but I think with that it allowed speculation between the watchers. I think the quality was really good, a long with the ost. It was a pretty standard netflix kdrama. I really enjoyed the fencing scenes and the friendship. The fencing was well done that made me want to watch it, and even though Hee Do did not get to go through the same pain that BYJ went, though we saw it I was kinda glad about that.

CONS: Like I had said in the beginning I liked the ending, however I do understand people frustration of it feeling a little rush. I like the open ending but it did feel rush and felt like it could've been done a lot better. Thinking about this now, I know that people wanted to see BYJ in the present time, but I think it was an okay idea to keep him out of it so that it followed the story of like its in the past, nothing lasts forever. However seeing him the present if they were to do it I think a talk with BYJ and the daughter explaining their love story and why it ended would've been good, instead of having the book store owner give the book, have some interaction or something. I think also the ending of the House manwha was kinda just let go, i wish they continued it and I also believe that for some reason during the romantic scenes after they were together felt a little weird ish.

I really did like this drama and would recommend for those who don't want a full on romance drama but a lot of friendship and family.

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Beautiful plot, cast, and OSTs - but a very questionable and painful ending...

If you don't count the ending, this is one of my favorite dramas of all time. It's such a well-rounded show that covers topics from all different aspects of life - personal growth, friendship, rivalry love, youth, family, and more. I found myself relating to a lot of the characters in many ways and felt motivated and inspired about my own dreams and life after finishing this drama. Every episode left me with a tear-stained face, whether it was from happiness, sadness, or anything in between.

OVERALL PLOT:
The plot was set up for every character to shine, fail, and grow. There were so many challenges that each character - even side or supporting roles - struggled with and overcame that only made them an even better character by the end of the drama (minus the last 2 episodes lol). Not every character gets their chance to go through that kind of progression all within 16 episodes, but the fact that 2521 made it possible is one of the reasons why I loved the show so much.

I enjoyed how romantic love was not an overly consuming theme in this drama. The main leads had a healthy, reciprocating relationship and aspirations in life that were equally as important. This made the plot more admirable and realistic in comparison to other dramas where couples would do literally anything for love. I found myself feeling inspired and motivated watching Hee Do and Yi Jin lift each other up during hard moments and wholly enjoy each other's presence during happy times; their love was so pure, selfless, and wholesome. Up until the last couple of episodes, I really believed that their relationship was what every couple should strive for. I also appreciated how the writers planted the couple's first kiss towards the end of the drama; it just further reinforced how pure their love was, and made the wait for watchers like me SO worth it. Man, that kiss had me shaking in my boots - the buildup to it was just *chef's kiss*.

The strong emphasis on friendship and fencing rivalry also presented more opportunities for character complexity and development. I loved watching Hee Do and Yu Rim go from enemies to the most supportive besties. Their Madrid fencing competition was one of my favorite scenes of the show.

Hee Do's relationship with her mom is one of the most realistic portrayals of what Asian families can be like. She wasn't just a naggy mom who would only lightly scold her child. She was straight up unsupportive, abusive, and unforgiving to her only child because she was struggling with her own trauma - and we saw how deeply it affected Hee Do. It's ugly, painful, but real.


ACTING:
I loved the cast's acting, but I especially want to express my love for Kim Tae Ri. This is my first time watching her acting and I was truly blown away. She embodied Hee Do's strong spirit, quirky and cute humor, and emotional outbursts so well. Because of her talent, Hee Do's character/personality was a shining point in this show. Young and naive, but full of life, strength, and grit to handle any challenges that come her way. This persona heavily contrasts the endless female leads in other shows who often start off strong and end up weak or dependent on a man again. This alone makes the drama quite rewatchable; I found myself rewinding to certain parts of the show during Hee Do's victories or happy moments because her smile and energy were really contagious! I can't think of any other actress who could've played this role as well as Kim Tae Ri.

OST:
I LOVED every single OST from this drama. Every song really embodied what the characters were feeling. I added all of them to my Spotify playlist. :')

ENDING:
I know a majority of watchers were accepting of the ending because it's "realistic." Not all couples make it, whether it be due to internal or external problems - I get that. But the entirety of the drama built up the characters to have fighting spirits, to never waver in support for one another, and to love each other through life's challenges.

I know the writers' wanted no one to be at fault for the breakup - but it still felt like it was Yi Jin's fault to me. He was stuck in a job that made him depressed and traumatized, and as a result, he started neglecting his relationship with Hee Do. Meanwhile, Hee Do was always so eager to see and talk to him and was always all ears to offer him support. Hee Do also kept pushing him to be honest with his feelings, but he chose not to be. So where's the character development here? Did he just stop growing after he became a reporter? Considering how caring and loving Yi Jin was throughout the entire drama, I felt like this was really out of character for him.

Their last argument really upset me. I felt like they gave up way too easily after yelling at each other, neither one of them wanting to have an open and honest discussion about their feelings. You'd expect that after 600+ days of being in a relationship with someone you claim to love so deeply, you'd have a good understanding of how to bring up problems and be candid with each other.

The ending really broke the characters' continuity and who they're supposed to be to the core. If the writers wanted to take a more "realistic" approach, perhaps just have Hee Do/Yi Jin go overseas like how Yu Rim did - but have them reconcile at the very last second for an open-ended ending. I'd much rather prefer that kind of wrap-up than whatever they decided on.

I don't think the ending completely ruined the drama for me because there were just too many good moments throughout the show that still made it worth watching - but I definitely feel like the writers could've made it the perfect drama had they taken a different approach.

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Sudden Adulthood

You'll eventually got hooked on the first episodes of this drama because it will give you two different scenarios, Yi-jin, a young man who needs to be a grown-up, and Hee-do, a dreamer who would not stop to achieve her fencing goal.

The series talks about the carefree teenage life while someone is not prepared to be an adult yet. A so-called prodigy fencer who cannot go away from the slump and the other is a star but her career costs a fortune for someone who is not wealthy.

It is a great mix of different challenges since the Taeyang squad has their own battles. Overall I'm contented how this series end because it is just realistic between two lover whose career and priorities clashes.

I really recommend you to watch it, it gives another throwback drama!!!

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Some loves aren't meant to be forever

This drama is definitely a mixed bag for me. For one, I loved the relationships between the characters, particularly the friendships, and I LOVED how they showed that this love is equally as important as romantic love. I'm a big friendship girlie, particularly female ones so this was such a treat. I won't be smack talking about the ending because I still don't know how I feel about it. On one hand, I definitely understand why they did it but I just felt like they shouldn't have left it for the last episodes and instead made it a bit more gradual. What I really didn't like was the dual timelines. Going from the 90s storyline to present time was jarring and I honestly felt that it took away from the "progress" we had in the 90s one, I honestly saw no need for it. Lastly, they introduced some ideas with Ji Seung Wan that weren't ever fully developed, which was a bit of a let down. Overall, I truly did enjoy the drama.

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Life leaves us with unanswered questions but those either lead to reality or fiction

It was an excellent drama and some people will beg to differ because of the ending but I loved the drama including the ending. If you think of Na Hee Do and Baek Yi Jin as two lovers then this story's ending is not what you'd want but if you think of them as soulmates, the ending will hurt you but not as much because you'll know that no matter where they are, they'll always hold a place in each others' hearts.

The story/plot was well made. It all started with a simple fencer and a bankrupt boy and it went on to talk about life, dreams ,adults, burdens, importance and to portray a relationship where in both lift each other up. The writers sure created a good story with all the crisis, emotions. Na Hee Do isn't a perfect character, she's a great fencer, stands up for herself, optimistic, but at the same time is impulsive and wears her heart on her sleeve.
On the contrast there is Baek Yi Jin, a boy whose family is bankrupt,having a hard time and promises people to never be happy and suffer the consequences of his father's actions. When the 2 worlds collide they create a balance, they cancel out each others' worst traits and give each other what they need - reality checks,hope, courage.
A couple who shares similar dynamics are Ji Woong and Ko Yu Rim. Ko Yu Rim, a gold medal fencer who constantly puts herself down, poor, hardworking but succumbs to pressure and power. For her there's Ji Woong, smart, optimistic and someone who likes her whole heartedly.

If I were to sum up this drama then it's beautiful, simple yet elegant. It'll give you nostalgia of the 90s but also remind you of the problems. It'll teach you important lessons straightforwardly yet it'll give you a good dose of happiness. I've loved this drama and it's definitely worth a watch.

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A shitty ending

I don’t know why or how this drama got this much rating, after watching the last episode i thought may be the director gone mad in the last episodes. This drama gives a very bad message to the society that, the one who achieved something will forgets all the hardships and loved ones but expects only comfort in live even though it is immoral or unethical.
There is no proper closure for the characters at all, even though the episodes are very lengthy but simply wasted time on unnecessary things without giving any proper clarity to characters at all.
Especially I hate FL character, she asks the ML that did he really loved her or not, even though after he helped and sacrificed that much for her, it is really disappointing to hear. I don’t know why in Korean dramas they portray FL’s in such bad fashion(I have seen in so many dramas). After telling so many hurtful things to ML she cried secretly and writes in her dairy that she didn’t mean that. I don’t know really what is the necessary of writing in dairy like that instead of comforting the one who got hurt by her.
The main message in this drama is “ the one who love you more will hurt you more” and treat you like a use and throw napkins.

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Heart Warming, Unique and Refreshing

This is almost as full package of a drama you can ask for- from the cinematography, acting, ost, plot and everything in between can be described in one word EXCELLENT. It is light hearted but also while simultaneously highlighting several real life issues faced by the youth back in the 90s

Remarkable chemistry between the 5 main characters, special props go to Nam Joo-Hyuk and Kim Tae-Ri. Their relationships and interactions set up the relaxation mood for the drama throughout. The writing's given all 5 of them enough emotional depth that none of them would feel like an afterthought.

This is still an ongoing drama but it is well on it's way to my favs list. It's very soothing, must watch imo.

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„Let's suffer together when we're in pain. It's 100 times better than being lonely alone.“

Story of love and motivation.
The amount of love I have towards this drama is unspeakable. The way this drama depicts should we escape from our youth or face it bravely is so impressing.
Twenty Five, Twenty One has attracted the attention of many domestic and foreign audiences.
With it's visuals, cinematography, many meaningful messages along with talented actresses and actors, who wouldn't be attracted?
Ever since it aired, people got curious who did Hee Do marry? What happened to the friend group? Where did everyone go? Do we get a happy ending?
With many theories, that even actors of the drama reacted to, we finally came to an end to this beautiful drama.
The series portrayed beautifully how there are long gaps of no growth and how growth resembles a staircase instead of a hill.
The amount of character development we've seen through these 16 episodes was so well written and so well put (Yurim best girl<3).
I was so impressed by their passions and empathy they had towards eachother in the drama, whether that would be between the main leads, side leads or just in general- the whole cast.
Their chemistry is out of this world.
The FL has an unique style and personality. Extremely loud, holds her ground, quite extroverted and a little bit clumsy while the ML is quiet, a big observator and tries his best to stay honest.
In this drama exists a very special friendship/relationship between Yi Jin, who was the unconditional support and Hee Do who was the source of motivation for Yi Jin to find his dream again.
The way they supported eachother through hardships was such a heartmelting thing to see.
“Seeing you work hard makes me want to work hard too. If you can do it, I want to do it too. Besides yourself, you also make others want to do well.” Yi Jin was always on Hee Do‘s side, due to that she had faith and strength to pursue her dreams.
I'm not going to get into spoilers and big details because I know new viewers and fans will come in and watch it, so I hope everyone has lots of fun watching this drama and theorising just like we did.
I'm so glad it got the hype and attention it deserved along with Bona and her cute girl group.
Happy watching to others, so glad we had lots of fun with this drama and it showed an immense talent of the whole cast.

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