Twenty Five Twenty One (2022)

"Nothing lasts forever. Everything is momentary. They all flow away and that’s not always a bad thing."

I've thought long and hard before I decided to write a review just because I think I won't be able to sleep if I don't write one. Now, where do I even start? As someone who has been watching dramas for nearly a decade, this drama is the only one that was able to keep me in the dark because of its unpredictability until the last minute of the last episode.

It is a story of love - love for oneself, significant other, family, friends, and dreams. It revolves around the times and how this affects the characters from the beginning until the very end. It is about growing up, reaching your dreams, standing again after every setback, and making decisions that may affect your life and every person in it including yourself. Most importantly, it is about treasuring and making the most out of every moment, every minute of our every day because what we only have is the present.

Na Heedo is our female protagonist and we see this drama from her POV. A very straightforward, strong-willed, and reckless protaganist at that. She does everything and anything to succeed and pursue her fencing career even if the times broke her dream first. Baek Yijin, our male protaginist who was a chaebol but because of the times, found himself doing as many part-time jobs as he can to make it up for his living. Ko Yurim, our gold medalist who won at such a young age, seems like she has everything except for well-off family. Moon Jiwoong, the bright and legendary pretty boy from Class 7, who has a long-time crush on Yurim and Ji Seungwan, our brave and empathetic class president and also Jiwoong's diaper buddy. All the main characters showed various characteristics and personalities and they made this drama more worthwhile.

One of the things I liked about this drama is that they did not just focus on the romance part. The fencing theme also had its spotlight and this made the drama more interesting because we see athletes and their everyday life in a clearer and more different way. I liked Heedo's enthusiasm and sincerity in reaching her dream. It is very inspiring and we see that fencing also shaped her not just as an athlete but as a person. Heedo came from a well-off family with her mom being a famous anchor but this doesn't mean that her fencing journey was easy. In contrast, Yurim, although already making her mark in the fencing world, is still not having it easy just like Heedo but with a completely opposite reason. She has a supportive family but not that well-off. I love that they gave us two contrasting athletes because we empathize and relate with them. We realize that every person really has their own struggles and we should not belittle them ever. Also, we see how sports or even competitions can start and form a friendship, a bond that is stronger than anything else. Heedo and Yurim's friendship became deeper and deeper until we can say that they are the only ones who can understand each other's struggles.

Now, with the romance part. Sigh.. what can I even say? Heedo and Yijin's relationship is just the purest one I've ever seen. I love that in one of the episodes, they said it themselves that their relationship cannot be described in one word and I also believe in that because their relationship came to the point where it is beyond everything and no words can be worthy of their relationship. I love how they started off as friends - not the normal friendship because I really don't know but what they had was really special right off the bat. The way they were there in every ups and downs to cheer for each other, to comfort with jokes and words, to be each other's strength and happiness, and to support each other no matter the distance, no matter the circumstance. They are each other's support system and we see that until the very end.

I tell you, this drama is not flawless. Nothing is. But I give this 10/10 simply because I vividly remember and I guess I won't ever forget the feelings and emotions that this made me feel from the moment I clicked the play button of episode 1 down to that last second of episode 16. It was a hell of a rollercoaster ride but t'was a beautiful journey indeed. We have come this far. They have come so far and I am so happy to be able to witness each character's growth and journey.

If you are still wondering whether to watch this drama or not because of what you see in the comments or social media, please waver no more! You are up to a wonderful jouney <3

Taeyang Squad, it was an honor meeting you. Until next time...

Lire davantage

the beauty of youth

this was more than just an ending, this was the journey of youth, friendship and love
idk if I should start with how beautiful yejin was, or if I should say this was not twenty five twenty one, though there is an explanation why the title is that way, this was a youth drama, hints of the future, and a bit of the 20s romance. it's not a spoiler to say they were 18 and 22 for the 1st halfish, then 19 and 23 till the 3.5/4s and that's why the bits of the 2521 was really rushed and brashed over
so divided in sections 18 and 22, was about a girl doing everything only for her dream and a boy who couldn't do anything for his dream. and in ways they became each others push

they met again as 19 and 23, they got closer, they were selfless, they were full of laughter, new emotions and beautiful adventures
they "officially" got together as 20 and 24 so this was not an awkward adult/highschooler romance. love isn't shallow, it's more than just dating and skinship, it was companionship, understanding and support

then came the 21 and 25, and being a long term fan of disappointment I can say I have every intention to erase and not accept their interpretation and attempts to just say "1st loves don't last"

ESPECIALLY since yerim and 2ml ended up together.. THE BETRAYAL. they were shallow, they were puppy love and they had non of the depth of heedo and yejin so I DO NOT ACCEPT how they could get married and be happy and the actual 2 people who supported and communicated so much could end it for silly matters

and I shall call them silly matters because, A- they kept pushing them in a corner with "reporter will hurt his subject if they were in a relationship". but that was used for yerim and it became a punch in the face of heedo and yejin's relationship. which is weak writing
and B- he leaves the country, gets sucked into a wormhole of sadness and disrepair, he keeps apologizing for not being there and heedo keeps feeling the burden of his apologies.. and they throw in another punch "my mom was never there, it's not a relationship I want" as if it can't be solved.
why did she have to get married so fast, what's wrong with long distance, what's wrong with putting it on hold and reconnecting, again the writers were just set on the "not ending up together" that every move they made was a deliberate weak attempt rushing them there
and a bit of C- and that final move. they met before he left and they did talk it a bit and ended it well, so there was no hard feelings and definitely no resentment, they couldn't even stay as friends and for what? they had 1 bad fight, then throw in her dairy being kept in a store for 20 years COME ON.. tho again the things said there were the "best case scenario" breakup, it wasn't as if they could never talk to each other again, their bond didn't just disappear..

I'm not sad they weren't happily ever after, though honestly they were the best representation of a realistic couple I've seen. no destiny, no childhood connection, no random "WE MUST BE TOGETHER". they were each others rock, cheerleader, best friend and love. HOW CAN THAT NOT WORK,
the 2ml goes and says "no you can't throw me away I won't let you" and survived his gf moving to another country, being labeled as a traitor, and having no future path beside luckily becoming an influencer, and yerim coming back like the heartache her arc caused only effected yejin, and she was able to get back in and even stay in heedo's life when they went through another rough patch
but heedo and yejin couldn't... honestly were they that shallow.. was it an "experiment" and convenient.. what is love TT_TT

also, they were friends near their 30s, and they never mentioned them in their 40s.. shouldn't yerim and 2ml's kid be friends with heedo's kid.. wouldn't 3fl end up together with yejin's brother and also have kids

was yejin just a chaperone to them, was their friendship that shallow.. 2ml, 3fl, and even yerim who knew yejin since childhood never crossed paths together again? please this was such bad writing after 20s that this should've just been till then with an open ending of "will it work out" instead of forcefully trying to ruin it and think they were being melo, noir and clever "I'm looking at you veronica mars s4"

and yes, I am angry and I'll go back and remind myself, future heedo never happened. the ending scene was 2001s new year with the plan of their 600s anniversary as an open ending of "happily ever after"

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our youth is precious

If you're looking for a youth drama, this is it.
It's based on the late 90's to the early 00's and while I wasn't born yet through most of the years the drama displays (i'm a 2000's baby) I think it was pretty convincing.
Not to mention that the cinematography was beautiful, the characters are all well written. One moment you were mad at someone because they looked like the antagonist while one episode later you find yourself rooting for this person, because they deserve all the sucess.
And at the end you realize that timing is the real villain of the story.
Oh how I wish I could go back to my school days, I cried a lot while watching the taeyang squad together. Love their friendship, it's something I won't forget.
Thank you 2521, it was such a beautiful time. <3

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First Rom-com finished

This was one of the best kdramas i had ever watched and the best sports drama i had ever watched. The ending didn't feel rushed at all for me, why? It was impossible for Hee-do and Yi-jin to end up together so i was sad after ep 15 but after ep 16, i ended up being happy! For me all the unanswered questions were answered because: Yi-jin and Hee-do did break up but they still get along and are not sad anymore, Ji-woong and Yu-rim married, Seung-wan probably ended with Yi-jin's younger brother, and we shouldn't care about who's Min-chae's father because he's not part of the story and i realised everytime there were present parts it was always daytime so i believe Min-chae's father probably works the whole day and goes back home at night. However, I'm still satisfied with this ending and there's nothing wrong with it, it ended up perfectly and happily for everyone. And I can't believe this is my first rom-com finished since i'm a huge thriller fan. And I didn't even plan to start this drama I just saw the teaser few days before the release and went in with no expectations.

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TWENTY FIVE TWENTY ONE -- ONE OF THE BEST DRAMA IN KDRAMA HISTORY..

All beautiful things will eventually come to an End, and sometimes it happens much earlier than you'd like to..

25 21 It's a unique drama about youth which highlights young love while beautifully stating the lives of the 5 protagonists. The protagonists and drama takes you back in time to your youthful days that you cherish the various viewpoints on life in different stages of life. Mostly 25 21 delivers the valuable life lessons like it centers on pursuing one's dreams, mother-daughter relationships, sacrifices, first love, friendship, and family, rather than just romance line it covers every element from love to family relationships.

Yi Jin & Hee do love story is beautiful, realistic and heartbreaking. Throughout their journey we can find one's real love, supportive and care towards our loved ones.

I enjoyed the platonic friendship between Ji-Woong & Seung-won because not every close person can be lovers for me it's more than love called friendship. I like Seung-won character & her personality bold and honest straightforward person.

Bona masterfully portrayed her Ko Yu-rim character it represents many of us in today's generation, like complexities, as an ideal and fresh-faced star fencing player on one side but a struggling 19-year-old on the other side.

And the mother daughter relationship between Hee do and his mother is more realistic. Baek Yi Jin family story would represent the family affection and parental love, brothers relationship beautifully..

And one the best part is they choose the 3 Major World contemporary issues to run their story in these days. And WoW they perfectly dealt with the contemporary issues like the IMF crisis, 9/11 and COVID 19 pandemic how this are effected the real lifes of people in those days.

Screenwriting & Direction & Cinematography departments cast departments :-

Another element that can be appreciated about Twenty-Five Twenty-One is that director Jung Ji-hyun has used nostalgia as props rather than mere timeline elements. The director has also maintained a fast pace for the storytelling, keeping the audience engaged. It requires a team effort from the cast, crew, and writer to create an experience for the audience that can move us from tears to outrage to laughing in minutes.
We deeply value their efforts.
The cinematography is also one of the key highlights of the drama. Many Korean dramas carry outstanding cinematography, but I'm marking this as one of the best aspects of Twenty-Five Twenty-One. Dramas typically use a variety of lighting effects ( Colour grinding) to differentiate between two (or more) story timelines. Interestingly, in this drama, they used the same colour filtration. This helps the story telling ( narration ) to connect the two timeframes of the story displaying that certain feelings and experiences travel from present to past generations of characters.

It’s hard for me to imagine anyone else playing Hee-do and Yi-jin and other 3 main characters but them. The entire cast delivers excellent performances, but Kim Tae-Ri as Hee-Do and Nam Joo-Hyuk as Yi-Jin stand out for their ability to capture how the characters support one another.

Ending :- There is absolutely nothing about this series that I dislike. Especially the ending.. The ending received mixed responses simply because Most of the watchers wanted/expected Yi Jin & Hee do end up together irrespective of the story point, but it was unexpected they gave a realistic ending and in my opinion that is what ultimately makes the ending memorable and satisfying. It reflects our real-life scenarios and characters from everyday life.. Yes, in real life or fantasy ( drama world ) not everyone lovestory and gets a happy ending, How
1) Most people don’t end up with their first love because it depends on the circumstances around them.
2) Not everyone doesn’t choose love over their career.
(be rational)
3) Nothing is predictable, that is what the drama is about so as a kdrama lover we are always ready to adapt new/realistic endings not criticizing them badly.

Finally:-
It's a complete nostalgic ride, I may never encounter a coming-of-age drama like 25 21, It's literally created a deep, unique spot in my Heart. This drama made me cry, laugh, and experience all kinds of emotions and 25 21 - overall a love-friendship-inspirational drama for every viewer irrespective of age. The side characters and friendships were equally important as the lead couple, the humor was wonderful and the time span the backdrop presented the story with an enjoyable contemporary environment.
I recommend this drama to everyone who loves kdramas.

My Favourite Line " Life is precious. Let’s love with no regrets while we’re alive " - Baek Yi Jin 🌻

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Inspiring....

Initially thought that this would be a full blown romance drama. But watching it from ep 1, you can immediately tell that it is more of a story about hope, dreams and friendships.

Kim Tae Ri is definitely one of my favs after seeing her in Mr. Sunshine. As Na Hee Do is the polar opposite of her character then. Her character is very inspiring in that she does not back down from criticisms even though she is wasn;t that good of a fencer at the beginning. The story really shows that you can do anything if you put your mind into it.

Nam Joo Hyuk was perfectly as as Yi Jin. His doeful eyes goes well with his character who faces hardships after a privileged life failed due to the IMF fiasco.

I loved how the drama gave the 5 main leads their own moments to shine in the spotlight. This is an ensemble who works well together indeed.

The 90's vibe is so nostalgic. Seems not so long ago, we were all living the life with pagers and analog phones. Truly, mankind has done great steps in improving technology

All in all, this drama is worth the watch. Definitely worth a try

Lire davantage

A sad ending remains in the hearts of the people.

Twenty-Five Twenty-One is going to be a drama I'll rewatch whenever I get the chance to (after Happiness) because I don't think you understand, I'm OBSESSED.
To be honest a lot of viewers are very unhappy with the ending and I empathize, but as a very INFP person (lol) this was one of the most realest, pure ending of a relationship, or ending a certain chapter in your life. It was a beautiful poetic line to a romance novel.
The leads fated meeting, fated love, fated breakup, it later was so apparent how much both of the leads have grown and matured emotionally and developed sense of perceptives towards life. Some harsh decisions do destroy the people around you but it's never intentional and these concepts are what I found so endearing and beautiful.

In conclusion, I'll forever live this fantasy of being in the squad of Moon Jiwoong, Ko Yurim, Ji Seungwan, Na Heedo and Baek Yijin. I'll never get over them emotionally. :")

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Freely flying but anchored. Like a lone kite.

Food analogy: sweet and spicy tteokbokki
(Delicious and chewy, makes you keep on digging, the sweetness on the tongue feels melancholic and warm but the spice keeps it hot and brings you to tears but,
But You Don't Wanna Stop)

Story is sweet and inspiring and sad and interesting and simple and complex. Will keep you hooked. Will make you hate. Will make you love. Will make you cry. The vibes are pretty similar to Reply 1988 from my POV. If you are looking for a bitchin story. It's it.

Nam joo hyuk and Lee tae Ri has already proven them before and they are a treat here aswell. Look out for the other three MCs, A great performance and such flexibility and ranges. Loved everyone in the cast though.

Rewatch value is low, Coz journey once is enough. This won't be my Go-to drama. For reason you have to watch to find out.

P.S: People who like cotton candy stuff will be pleased and disappointed at the same time coz, even though this will make you feel good, it will force you to come back to reality as well.

So, Give it a go. For the hope. For the reality.

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Predicament

From the moment I started to keep up with this drama, I fell in love.
If something makes me feel nostalgic and fills my heart with warmth at the thought, of course I will hold onto it dearly. This drama had given me those feelings and so much more. The youthful innocence mixed with navigating independence, the struggle to provide and be present while wanting something for yourself, and the presence of love as a way of life rather than an arrangement.
Those are all things that were so beautifully addressed by our lovely cast and story.
Yet, the last episode lacked all of this. It lacked the authenticity and uniqueness this drama had. Perhaps, the goal was to show that not everything happens the way you think it will, but I firmly believe that lesson can be taught in different ways.
Why did the ending feel so unnatural? It was likely because in an effort to do something new, the story fell into a vague grey area where it lost its way.
Of course, I will never forget the way my heart fluttered when Baek Yi Jin did whatever he could to supprt Heedo. I will never forget how touched I felt when that group of friends navigated their youth together.
Is it so wrong to have wanted more for them? I don't think so.
I can't pretend that the story leading up to the finale didn't have a tight grip on my heart that loosened out of confusion upon watching the ending. But at least I can look back at those moments that fill me with joy and remember that there was a time when things were different.

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A BEAUTIFUL KDRAMA

A healing drama, from which I learned so many things to fight for your dreams but also that it's okay to give up when that doesn't make us happy anymore.
A drama with a majestic cast of actors, well-developed characters, a fresh but deep plot that.
When the characters were happy we were happy with them and when they suffered we also suffered with them.
I have nothing more to say than I loved it, I was so anxious for the weekends to come so I could see it.
And although the ending was bittersweet, I cannot blame the decisions of the leads, break up was also an act of love for themselves and for the other, I couldnt think of Na Hee Do living everything that caused her so much pain in her childhood for her mother And I couldn't imagine Baek Yi Jin giving up on his dreams after all the stuff he went through. One of the best kdramas the I've ever seen.

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