This writer doesn't fail to make every character understandable and likeable. I had issues with Mom and even though it was an unnecessary voluntary decision on her part to skip her husband's funeral, I still pitied her. Hee do's behavior in comparison to other girls her age like Seung Wan or Yu Rim was also explained quite well. She is childish because she's stuck at a point in her life. KTR has been doing justice to this role from the very beginning. The stars however were both Ye ji and Seing Wan. I suspected Ye Ji would come to like fencing and get out of her slump and that's what her Coach wanted too, however, the right thing to do was to quit. Persistence can help but sometimes you should know when to quit. So I was pleasantly surprised that Ye Ji indeed took that way and did so knowing that other atheletes deserved progressing more than her. Really liked the dilaogue of both Seung wan and ye ji choosing to break rather than bend, all done for their own good and that of others. I'll be looking forward to this writer's works from now on.

Seung-Wan broke my heart. Sometimes doing the right thing is the only thing. I was so happy her mother stuck up for her and with her. When she cried, I cried with her.

I was also happy Ye Ji quit. She was doing the right thing for her.

As for that kiss, hmmmm. We shall see next weekend's episodes.

I love Seung-wan, perm and all. What a brave soul and one that clearly makes the world around her better. I really hope she finds happiness because her casual admittance of suicidal thoughts broke my heart.

My other favourite parts this week were Yi-jin and Hee-do's scenes in 'Daegu'. Making an excuse to walk around one more time, snuggling under the umbrella when it wasn't raining - they are both adorable together. It was so cute when Yi-jin kept moving the umbrella around in line with Hee-do's movements when she was venting her agitation about the know-it-all ajusshis.

I still have issues with Hee-do's mom but the writer made me understand the decisions she has made. I thought the scene at the grave was moving. I also liked that they were right back to arguing about college on the drive home.

Ye-ji's story was also good. I'm glad she stuck to her guns and quit, but it's such a shame that these athletes haven't received a proper education.

I love Seung-wan. What a great character and her mom is fierce too. Her situation was infuriating. I hope she has a great life.

There was a lot of netizen hoopla over the kiss, but I don't have an issue with the age gap. I do think it is an issue that he's a fencing reporter and has a personal relationship with an athlete. I was surprised there were no issues with the documentary. With just four episodes left, I don't know whether to expect any conflict of interest or not. Part of me expects a bittersweet ending and part of me thinks the writer has been trolling us.

BRILLIANT

I thought these two episodes were the strongest yet. I cried ugly tears when they went to see her dad’s grave. They had those 5 minutes of understanding and then fought again on the way home. This writer knows mother-daughter relationships so well. I see my daughter in Hee-do. I see me in her mom. It’s a hard mirror to unsee. And I loved the kiss at midnight. And it was open-mouthed on her end. She knew exactly what she was doing. Nothing in this show has ever shown us that Yejin has evert made the first romantic move, which is great. It’s all her. He’s not even close to being the aggressor. I love the beta male supporting the female every time. I am so freaking scared of next week’s episodes though. I may just have to skip the angst and come back in two weeks when it all wraps up!

I enjoyed all the side stories this week, Ye Ji deciding fencing wasn't for her, the coach making sure she really wanted to quit not just because she was in a slump, Seung Wan and her badass mother, and that it wasn't some triumph, yes she got to feel good, and her mom got the appology, but we all know they'll go right back to hitting kids. I already had more sympathy for the mom than most I think, I knew this was coming, she was a woman supporting a daughter alone in 1990s Korea, that was a hard road.

The romances... meh.
Yi-jin and Hee-do is fine, they're doing a decent job since I don't hate it, as a usually do the gross grown man and underaged girl trope.

The B romance is also fine, but it kinda feels obligatory, Ji-Woong and Seun-Wan have much more spark to their interactions, and honestly.... Yoo-rim and Hee-do have by far the best chemistry of any pairing on the show, their scenes really crackle with energy.

I'm interested to see where this goes next, but I do feel like we're just kind of drifting here.

I really like Hee-Do's mother. She's a woman and a newscaster, it's very hard to become a newcaster on a main channel. In 93, they already implied she was becoming too old for this job. She lost her husband and she's now the only bread earner of the family. Sadly, the only way she found to not break was to bury her feelings. When Hee-Do can speak about everything openly, her mother is the opposite. It's sad she couldn't see that her daughter needed to talk about it but in the same time, she was mourning too.

I think the drama showed how growing up change people. The responsabilities and the society kinda tame our spirit.

I liked Seung-Wan parts but in the same time, I was surprised that the mother didn't do anything. If adults protested against the school, the situation could have been different.

It's nice to see Yi-Jin being a big brother for everyone. He helped Seung-Wan with the journalist, Ji-Woong with his confession, Hee-Do with her mother.

Hee-Do kissing him was the right thing. He always let her doing things at her own pace :)

I loved this two episodes. Too many good scenes!

Seung-wan ah! What a girl! It must've been frightening to make that decision because her future relies so much on the CSAT. But I'm so proud of her and mom! When she barged in the faculty room? I had to pause and clap for her!

Ye-ji - It does take courage to give up and challenge yourself to a new beginning. What Coach Yang told her resonated with me because sometimes when we've given up something and chose another path, there's a big chance of giving up again esp if it was such an easy way out. One must have a resolution to take up a new challenge and remember how much we've worked hard to acquire it.

HD's mom. I get where she's coming from and my heart breaks for her. And I hope this will make her communicate with Heedo more. That scene in the car talking about college was so normal xD

Our OTP. That casual dinner, YJ's tone on the phone while he waits in the lobby *swoon* his shocked face (which has become a running gag, having NJH do these shocked faces xD) when HD was speaking French. Them wanting to spend more time together *swoon* YJ's convo with Cutie Pie Oppa *swoon*

I love the friendship our OTP has and YJ never forced himself towards Hee-do. My guesses for the upcoming eps have been wrong xD I just want 4eps of 25-21 timeline but looks like will be getting it in the last two eps. Sigh. Kdrama.

Also, I'm liking this trend in the current airing dramas that girls get to do the kissing first. You go girls!

As usual, there were so many wonderful moments this week ❤

I really enjoyed the storyline with Hee-do and her mom. During the earlier episodes, I couldn't understand why she didn't even seem to try to have a better relationship with Hee-do, but being a parent doesn't automatically mean you can push past your grief and be there in all the ways your child needs, as sad as that is. I was so happy to see them in a good place again, and have some typical mother-daughter bickering lol

Seung-wan and her mom were the MVP's of the week! Like many beanies I cried right along with Seung-wan during her talk with mom. It's a crushing realization to see injustices be allowed to continue, and even though shining a light on it helps, we're often powerless to stop it. She's got the spirit and support to change the world one day though

Ye-ji's story was so nice too. A lot of shows would have her rediscover her love of fencing through her victory, but having her stick with her decision and take a different path is so real

My other favorite scenes have to be the broadcast/fireworks and Seung-wan, Ye-ji, Hee-do, and Yoo-rim celebrating together

they literally climb over the gate together to freedom.

But a bit later it sure looked like the fence to the side was lower and much easier to climb over... I could go on a about what that symbolizes about the girls except that I expect it was unintentional.

Meanwhile, even if this was going to be Ye-ji's last tournament and last day of fencing, I think it would have been better for her to finish the event instead of dropping out in the middle.

the next 5 days are gonna be so hard to wait after that ending T___T absolutely in love with this show! kim taeri and nam joohyuk's chemistry is *chef's kiss* and the whole cast for that matter. each plot point is so well thought out and i just feel so hopeful after watching!

I agree with what @mistyisles said about these two episodes in particular, but also about the show as a whole--the present day narrative framework at times works to undercut the story being told in the past. I STILL really wish they had kept the same actress for Hee Do in the present day.

That's not to say that I am complaining in general about this show, which is very well written, and at times really beautifully filmed. The set scene near the end of episode 10 filmed from the back with the 5 main characters on the beach was just a wonderful composition, with beautiful color. The umbrella scene in the recent episode was not only really cute, it a was really effective cinematic way showing the bond between YJ and HD.
Where I seem to be unique in my reaction at least up to episode 12, though, is in feeling that this show is just really deeply sad at its heart. I don't mean cruelly sad, although that teacher was as close to a villain as this show has presented, or over-dramatically sad, with young people dying or anything like that (although I guess we'll see) I just mean that every happy moment is undercut by some later reaction or response. The triumph of match--accusations of cheating; the joy of the beach, Hee do doesn't remember. The courage of Seung-wan--the need to withdraw from school.
You can make a strong argument that this really melancholy view of life is totally realistic, as was the character (was it in episode 9?) saying "society doesn't care about your individual concerns." And I am not AT ALL criticizing the writer or the show for this perspective, because it is very effectively and subtly presented. Plus, we'll see what happens--4 episodes is a lot of episodes, and there could be a more cheerful ending in store.
But we already know from foreshadowing that the very next episode will undermine the emotion of the kiss that ended this latest one, so I have a feeling a truly happy ending isn't in the cards. We'll see!

loved how we could see more of the other character and how they all have their own stories to tell, not directly linked to the main leads. even heedo's mom, it was nice to see her side of the whole situation. I liker her a lot and she has always tried to do the best to keep their life going after her husband died.

seungwan is SO INTERESTING, wanted a spinoff following her all the time. she brought the most interesting bits of story in this drama for me bcs they were not your usual stories. the #1 in th school being depressed and saying everything is boring, having a male friend and not beign romantically involved at all, the web radio thing.. she has so many layes and stories to tell, ugh I wish we could see more of her all the time lol

for the romance... never liked, still dont like it. its the weakest link for me here and unfortunately this is a romance drama so I just have to go through it. NJK does nothing for me, his character has its moments, but I find him boring/one note most of the time. I like seeing him develop as a reporter, these moments are my favorites with him. I dont think they have chemistry and I still cant get over the fact that he fell in love her when she was a teenager

ep 12 was amazing for lack of a better word. that scene where hee do and yu rim congratulated seung wan and ye ji on their new beginnings with cake had me crying! watching seung wan's story line from start to finish filled me with so much hope and just made me realize that yeah, school is not everything when it comes to learning. you can learn about life, about who you are/want to be from other people and in other ways. Life is what we make it!!!

also I just have to say: I love this drama so much!!!!
I was born in the late 90s ('97 to be exact), but I'm shookt that I can relate to these characters so much and the 90s they experienced! like I had a tamagotchi, I also received goodbye messages on a rolling/cartolina paper from my classmates when I left for Canada lolll, cable TV, those hair bobbles!!!, yi jin's pencil case, texting in t9!

LOVE THIS DRAMA.

I'm already in love with this drama but this week they really hit it far. Esp they showed very accurately how being cooped up in a classroom for a single exam which would determine your entire life. Literally the simple scenes where the students occasionally sighing with frustation, the random screaming and running out of thr classroom, the night time classroom studying and the small respite they got with the fireworks and ye jin's broadcast reduced me to tears. I have never seen such an accurate reprensentation of that time of my life on tv.So I'm much more in awe of Seung wan for sacrificing the whole year beacuse I felt that she was my classmate and can totally imagine myself in her shoes. At that time not many parents would have gone against teachers believe me when I say it as many parents encouraged the teachers to beat their kids in the school and teachers are revered. I'm very thankful that much has changed in the society that I'm currently living in.
From earlier I have waiting for the mom daughter confrontation rather than yu rim and hee do. The actress who played mom did a very good job of love shining through her eyes even though she was very harsh with Hee do. So I was always waiting for her story from the beginning. Not that she was right as poor Hee do has suffered a lot. But nowadays I can understand a mothers character a bit more than I used to.
But whatever it may be in every episode Yi jin and Hee do are the best for me.

BADASS SEUNGWAN MOM! Omg!! 😍 Again this weekend’s eps felt a bit uneven/unmatched for me - ep 11 was “nice” but kinda bland (like ep 10), but ep 12, ouf - packed such a punch!! (like ep 9). That said, def not complaining, at least none of the dreaded angst has been dropped on us (yet)… eg surprisingly the docu seems to have come n gone without any attacks on the reporter being too close to his subject (but I do keep dreading it, eg in ep 12, he went to pick her up at her hotel n have dinner with her!? Oy… more discretion needed, duuuude!!). But with only 4 more eps to go, I really cannot wrap my head around it: just WHAT is going to happen???!!!??? 🥺 Kim Taeri continues to amaze me - in ep 12, somehow little nuances in her acting (can’t pinpoint what exactly) have changed n u can actually feel she’s matured just a little bit more n is growing up into a lady (but yeah, big fat boo to the actress playing adult HD, n the directing for that part!). Are they gonna sell that umbrella?? 😍

Right off the bat, just want to say THANK YOU for heading up the recap with the photo of Super Seung Wan Umma in action! That was one of the greatest things I’ve ever seen 👏🏽👏🏽👏🏽

oh man, these two episodes were my favorite so far. So much here for all the characters—no one is left behind or sidelined, everyone grows. And such good life lessons mixed in about standing up for your values, no matter what it costs.
Also, that kiss at the end, holy...

How sad that Seung-wan is so young and already so jaded by life. At first, I thought she would transfer schools, but that'd be admitting she was at fault. Even if she dropped out, she is smart enough to pass the GED and CSAT. I still think Seung-wan likes Ji-woong, and her reaction to the abusive teacher was due in part to him. When she told Yi-jin and Hee-do why she didn't go the concert, I don't think she was talking about music but Ji-woong.

Why would Seung-wan need Caller ID if she can just save Yi-jin's number? Even Ji-woong has his number when he doesn't even have a phone. My favorite scene today was when Ji-woong visited Yi-jin at work. "Hyung, you look pretty today too." It was heart-fluttering how Yi-jin only wanted Hee-do's photo, but Ji-woong is right -- that is misleading af.

I just want to ask Yu-rim did she really think Yi-jin was a loser back then because he was clearly the most popular boy in school? How is Hee-do the only one fangirling over him? Do the other girls not see the new guitarist? It was funny when he scolded Jungle Prince.

I hated the conversation between Yi-jin and Dalkong. Why is Yi-jin even talking to that boy? This is how Hee-do finds out Yi-jin likes her, not by the way he looks at her? His head bump while watching the fireworks was love, but I loved when Hee-do was pulling him to the broadcasting club more because of how Yi-jin was just looking at her.

The episodes 11-12 really focused on what each character truly believe in and how they stood up against the odds and choosing the path they wanted to even though the future seems uncertain.
- Seung wan being the top of her class and school, she couldnt ignore the injustice happening around the school and she took a step to quit school which was quite brave enough. I love this girl so much. She is sensible even more than adults around her. This was such a difficult step for any student, but am glad her mom was quite understanding and took her side. We need more mothers like that in our society. i loved that all the students gave a lovely farewell to her. Ji Woong and Seung Wan has the best of friendship. Diaper buddies for life. I also liked how Seng Wan's mother fiercely asked for the apology on behalf of Ji Woong from the shitty teacher. Their bond is the best.

- Yeji quitting the fencing part was quite emotional as well. Somehow we got to know Coach's intention in a subtle manner that she wanted to provide an opportunity to her to let go of this dream in a dignified manner, making herself admit that she quit giving her best at the very last battle. It takes a lot of courage to quit something you once had loved and admitting to move on. She needed to be applauded for this

Two different girls, two different circumstances, yet their stories really moved me and inspired me. I love the writing so much.

The small reconciliation at the father's grave, between Hee Do and her mother is nice. I wish that Hee Do's mother doesn't try to hold it in so much. I know she is suppressing all the feelings and keeping it bottled up inside her so that she wont breakdown infront of Hee Do and so that she doesnt give the assumption that she is weak. But having up closed off so much, her mother doesnt realize that her relationship with her daughter is more straining than saving it.
She is good mother trying to balance out her personal and professional life all alone, but she isnt the best mother out there. Lack of communication and understanding ruins all the bond.

My most favourite part from the 2 episodes was when the Hee Do's ex confronted Yi Jin. I love Yi Jin's answer. He wanted to see her grow as an athlete, as a person , give her the best and he wants to be there to fulfill her dream. He will do anything for it. Talk about setting the bar high for the bf material Yi jin. Also, Yi Jin's jealousy when her ex told that he cant forget about Cutiepie. HAHA!

I didnt expect the kiss, but it was nice and innocent. Loved how HeeDo took the initiative and Yi Jin closing the eyes indicate he accept it and he is okay taking her the lead.

I still have the bad feeling that they wont end up together. But its okay. Things happen and future is so uncertain.

Hello Show, i love you ❤️
More & more each week cos you get better every week too. I don’t care if i sound like a broken record or repeating what most beanies are saying, I just love you.

Thank you for giving us such a fabulously fantastic girl-trio including one extra chaotic spunky Hee Do, thank you for the wholesome goodness that is our boy-duo. I’m actually super psyched to see what kind of adults they become (i can just pretend you haven’t shown us adult HD yet..but who knows, maybe i’ll like her soon. I mean i’m ok with mum now, sort of.)

I love you Show, let’s have a smooth ride into the sunset with the last 4 ok? 😍❤️

I finally dropped the drama this week and am just reading the recaps. When is the 25 21 part going to start? Or is the whole title just a tease?

I didn’t miss not watching I have to say. The age difference doesn’t bother me. But I really don’t understand the different stages of life difference. That’s what feels weird about the relationship. He clearly saw her as this little kid in the beginning. And yeah her joy of life brought him back. But it’s cuz she’s still in high school!

I was in high school in the early 2000s. Even back then, a number of my female classmates were dating adult, working guys who are at least 4 years elder, and I know at least two of my classmates finished College, ended up marrying their partner from back then, have kids and all that.

Am I the only one who think the romance between HD and YJ is totally acceptable?