Twenty Five Twenty One (2022)

Work hard for your dream!

Finally I find another series that keeps me up until 3 a.m.!
The girl who fences, the poor boy who works hard to become a great reporter, as well as their 3 friends. All great characters and actors.
In this series I rediscovered friendship, sacrifices, love, dreams and more.
There are many teachings in there: perseverance in realizing one's dreams, the support of friends in difficult situations, the sacrifice of children to repay their parents, hard work to get results, the will to fight injustices even at the cost of paying a high price, for example.
I liked "Na Hee Do", this girl who makes decisions, gives wise advice and has admirable perseverance.
I also liked "Baek Yi Jin" in the role of the unlucky boy who, when rich, finds himself poor and fights against adversity to get back on his feet. When they say "the sins of parents fall on their children".
So touching, I cried a lot.
Just a small note on the ending which remains open. Who knows if there will be a sequel?

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We are lovers in the good times and burden to each other in the bad times

2521 is one of the most beautiful dramas I have ever watched

I am fully convinced it is incomplete
I’ll tell you why

I admit wholeheartedly that it was a wonderful, amazing show that made me feel a lot of thing I didn't know I could feel, love, hate, annoyance and a sense of longing..? if that is the right word? all the actors were amazing and obviously I had a big crush on Nam Joo Hyuk when I started the show so I have no complaints there

the only problem I had was with the plot, it was a well written plot, complex and well thought out [kudos to the writer-nim because phew!] and so complex, all the characters going through so many complex emotions at the same time and the portrayal of that was great, You get the sense of the emotion of freedom and also fear that all of them were going through in their early 20's in the first few episodes, not ready to grow up but forced to make do with where they are, and that's what i'm saying. the writing was so good until the 13th episode, everything was going wonderfully. then for some reason everything changed in the 14th episode

all the emotions started changing, from freedom and uncertainty it went to differences in personalities and causing the characters to not understand each other anymore, and the ending did not make sense at all because; why would they spend so much time telling us that Na Hee Do's DAUGHTER was reading her diary if they weren't going to give us a "fix-it" scene in the ending?

The ending seems too abrupt, like we see the ending where they just split way and then Baek Yijin just goes of to New York—
then what? then nothing? I feel like the writer was trying to bring about a feeling like, "they split ways here and then many years later Na Hee Do's daughter starts finding out about her mother's past and starts searching for her mother's old boyfriend and then she brings them together" and I feel like before that last episode we should gotten a scene with older Na Hee Do and Baek Yijin where they come together as mature adults, and spend some time talking to each other, give each other another chance and work through their conflicting emotions before giving it another shot, that would have made more sense since Min Chae’s father (Na Hee Do’s husband) seems to be a really out-of-the-picture person

That would have been a more fulfilling ending
In my opinion.

I'm not usually like this when I watch dramas I assure you [....god i wrote a lot...] [I actually wrote this as a message to my cousin 😅]

it's just 2521 was such an interesting drama and I loved it a lot, it deserved more from it's finale considering how good it was

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All love doesnt always work and its fine /good inspirational sports drama

This drama really made me 🔥🔥 workout and exercise properly lol. Yes, it depicts the struggles of every sports person in the world, and how getting up from your injuries or trauma and giving a comeback, is something not at all easy. The teacher was supportive to train her, and i really appreciate the protagonists hardwork to train in fencing. All sports is not easy. When her life is going better, her love life is completely breaking apart. I really wanted them to workout but i guess some love is meant to be and others doesnt. It bring out the great message that the couple were together in their hardships but not in their most happiest moments or were able to spend time with them later. I guess some relationships does end up like that. Each has their own expectations and goals in life, i guess finding someone who appreciates you even in your happiest and saddest is the most important.

Other than that, the show was really funnyyy, especially the scene where she tries to draw and fix the comic book, and her embarrassed crying.

Overall, the drama breaks the convention of happy ending with the main couple and bring a diff plotline.

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A beautiful coming of age story with a realistic lense

One thing to know about me is that I only write reviews is when I have something to say. There are a lot of things to say about this drama. Honestly this drama was an experience, or rather an adventure for me. I kept thinking about my teenage years during my watch, and actually made me sad about all the experiences I've missed out on, It's a drama that will make you think about a lot of things. I don't want to write a lot, because I am very late to the party, and it is a wide known show, so I think a lot of things have already been said. But on to the review. I absolutely loved this drama. It quickly became one of my all time favourites. I feel like this drama, should serve as a blueprint for romcom dramas, and especially coming of age ones. It was the most beautiful and realistic portrayal I've ever seen about growing up. I think it was the best choice to put the FL at the center of the drama. The storytelling worked together with the FL, we seen her going from an immature kid with a big dream, to a full fledged adult, as she progressed, and learned from her mistakes, as she learned from the situations that she faced. I absolutely loved the story, and the way the drama was telling it. The drama was full of colorful characters with their own problems and deep personalities. The group were the main stars of the show. I also really loved our ML, as he had to struggle with being an adult, while clearly still feeling young and sort of like a kid inside, and even though he said that he does not really relate with the group, I think that's far from the truth. Seeing historical events happening through his eyes, and the events of 9/11 was a powerful experience. I think the controversial ending, wasn't really controversial at all. I think it was rather unfortunate, but it didn't ruin the whole story for me. I kind of liked it. It felt realistic, it stayed true to the nature of this drama. Love doesn't always conquer all, and I think that's okay. Finally, I also loved the OST, it was one of the best OST's I've ever heard, I also absolutely loved the intros aswell, they were very fitting. Overall I really enjoyed my time with 2521, and I would recommend it to everyone to check it out, especially for people who are newcomers to kdrama as a whole.

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YOU NEED TO WATCH THIS

No matter if you have been spoiled already, you just need to watch this drama. Everything is just so perfect and so refreshing. The love side is well structured we can see how the characters are developping their feelings for each other. And also if you want someting with memorable, cute and refreshing scene it’s just perfect. I think at first the age gap can be disturbing for some people. But it’s not very unhealthy in reality it’s not that disturbing. The characters are not in a relationship when na hee do is still a minor. Maybe some people will think it’s still weird but i think you should maybe watch it first cause it’s not unhealthy, really. On the friendship aspect, everything is just so cute, and so warming. And also the characters of na hee do is very endearing and admirable. Her personality, the way she always surpass herself, the way she is always trying and never giving up even when it’s difficult, even when she had nobody to cheered her up. The fact that she is the one that usually cheers everyone up so naturally! everything is so incredible and warming about her character while the characters of seung wan is very naturally funny and super relatable imo. And also the hidden messages behind the series. I think it helps a lot with confidence and self esteem , it’s kinda a boost for everyone. And there is also sad messages or sad things but it’s naturally the truth of this world we are living in! Everything is not perfect and how we want it to be but we should always go forward and keep trying and fighting for our dreams.



SPOIL ⚠️!! :
And also the relationship between na hee do and yi jin is litteraly « good person wrong timing » unfortunately. The last scene BROKE MY HEART.


PS: THE SOUNDTRACKS ARE SO FREAKING GOOD. LIKE, VERY SLOWLY BY BIBI OMG

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

A wonderful story with amazing acting from the characters. The flow of this drama from them being immature, young, stupid, broke kids to being mature, full of understanding, grown adults is lovely. I like the story of each character; they really portray the life of a teenager perfectly. You can connect with and appreciate all the individuals in this drama, from the main leads to the parents, coaches, friends, and more. This show deserves all the hype it received.

Out of all the characters, the one I love the most is Na Hee Do (Kim Tae Ri). A girl who does everything recklessly just to get what she wants and has everything in her way. She is the one to whom I relate the most. Seeing her personality grow makes me cry. Her friendship with her classmates, especially with her rival Ko Yu-Rim (Bona), and her relationship with Yi Jin (Nam Joo Hyuk) are wonderful.

Youth will always be the best stage to try and be recklessly stupid. You will cry, laugh, and learn a lot from this drama. Worth watching and a 10/10.

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This drama should come with mental health trigger warning

What I like about this drama is the journey that I experienced watching from eps 1-14. We learn about how to not lose hope when we are facing with obstacles in life. How each of characters grow to became better person with each others help. The friendship they had is endearing through their ups and downs. Until suddenly came two last episodes with major heartbreak and betrayal.

I disliked how the writer seemed to dead set on making the ML relationship ends at any cost. The story is heading towards destruction of character building the ML build through out the previous 14 episodes. I personally don't mind a sad ending since it obviously a major hint from early episodes, but not that way. The ending has caused personal trauma that 3 weeks seems not yet able to forgo my heartache.

I felt betrayed by the writer. How could she made a potentially classic drama in the making to become one with depressed ending? A character with strong personality to be the first to run when facing the first, albeit major, obstacle in their relationship? Yet still cling onto the feeling she obviously still has after years passed? Even after 20 years, she looks miserable. No friends around, no loving husband.

In the world that is currently on depressed mode, drama is an escape and a thing that could help us to keep sane. Unfortunately, this drama fails to help me so. This is still a good drama, I would still recommend to watch it until episode 13-14. If you decided to do it, please proceed with caution. I hope you will have better experience than I do.

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Good Enough

Korean Drama "Twenty Five Twenty One" is a story rather watched for the leading lady and her struggles rather than the romance.

The drama starts off with a youthful note, which maintains till the very end. And by going back and forth through time, keeps the suspense high, though it reveals a lot about the story's outcome.

Now, for the main plotline, the story is clever, with well-filmed sports scenes and intense chemistry between the two antagonists. The main girl's story is another plus, with layers and layers of family drama, character development, and a nostalgic vibe.

As for the romance, it was okay, but it wasn't the highlight of the drama. Rather, it took the passenger's seat, as it ought to consider that there wasn't much to work with.

Unfortunately, the ending episodes of the drama were messy and the time skipping got tiring. Hence, the ending didn't feel cohesive.

So, overall, 7 out of 10.

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Slice of life

Every moment in life is precious and nothing lasts forever, so enjoy these moments to the fullest before they fade away. Because even when everything you thought would be permanent changes, the memories you created will stay forever.

I've watched this drama twice already, the originality, the characters and the chemistry between friends and lovers is insane. There is no bad character in the drama, just everyone had their own issues and their own ways to get over them.

Na Hee Do, is my inspiration to lead my life, to love myself and my team more than anything. Her definition of love is what I will seek for myself and even try to find something of my own.

Although the ending is not the same as every drama, but then Twenty-five Twenty-one has never been anything like other dramas, I enjoyed and accepted that sometimes Time has it's way to play.

I laughed, cried and related to every emotion they were going through individually and as a couple and I couldn't have enjoyed the drama more. For me this The "Drama".

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I can't put into words how magnificent is this

Its my first review ever cuz I feel betraying this masterpiece if I don't talk about it
I can't put into words the amount of joy, love, sadness, happiness and despair I felt watching it
The production is perfect, photography, OST, script, acting... agh, everything is so well done that teleports you to another space-time
it's surely one of the best productions I ever watched and days after finishing it I can't spend more than 1 hour without letting my mind fly to Beak Yi-jin and Na Hee Do and their story
Their love, their pain, the reality that knocks on your door, the end of things that should be eternal, the glory of the youth and the painful choices of life
It was worth every second I spent watching

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It's great, but could have been perfect

Massive spoilers. Coming from someone who enjoys spoilers, don't read further. I regret spoiling the ending for myself.

Seriously.

I mean it.

Really really really good. The relationship between Hee Do and Yi Jin is probably the most natural one I've ever seen in a drama. Even the inevitable separation--as heartbreaking as it was. The last fight might actually be my favourite part of the drama despite the way it made me feel. The way they started calm and spiraled into being hurtful was so real, as was their regret afterwards. Overall one of the best dramas I've ever watched, but it would have been better had it not been told from the perspective of a daughter learning about her mother for three reasons.
Firstly, the present Hee Do is so different from the past Hee Do to an extent that I can't just classify her as simply being more mature, so the switch between past and present may feel a bit jarring.
Secondly, we know nothing about her husband. We know so much about Yi Jin but we don't know the husband's name, his age, his personality, anything. We go through so much to understand her relationship with Yi Jin, we see them grow closer and more in love, and we see them fall apart, but how did she move on to her husband? How did they meet and grow closer? What's special about him that allowed her to love him when she's already experienced the kind of love she had with Yi Jin? What's so different about him that he and Hee Do stayed together and had a child?
Lastly, her daughter is completely immaterial to the plot. The only thing she did was say she didn't want to do ballet and then say she wants to do ballet. This could have--and should have--just been a straight forward coming of age story about Hee Do, fencing, and her first love.

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THE BEAUTY OF YOUTH

This drama honestly took me off guard.
I had just finished highschool and I was home for a while watching Kdramas, I remember all the rave of how good this was so I decided to watch it.
In the beginning it looked like a normal slice of life and it was but it became so much more than that, this drama shows the beauty of youth.
How it felt to have dreams, have friends, have enemies, have those enemies eventually become friends, have a crush, go on trips with friends, doing stuff for the first time, crying and laughing together, getting in trouble at school, studying for exams, having passion for the things you love, falling in love for the first time, breaking up with your first love and writing all of that in a diary and so on.

Not having these things during my time in school really made me emotional seeing the beauty of these things, every emotion was bright across the screen and the impact it had on me was amazing.

I want to give a great shout out to the cast of this drama because I truly believe non of these emotions could have been impactful without them, Kim Tae Ri especially because her portrayal of Na Hee Do, it was truly some of the best acting I've seen in my whole life, she was able to convey so much youthful energy into her character so much that you will never believe she was in her 30s during this drama, the way she laughed, cried and even her demeanor was enough to make you feel young again.

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