this show makes me my heart swell with happiness and ache in acute pain in equal measures. it's doing something that feels new and fresh but in a way that preserves all the intangible things that make kdramas so special. idk where we are headed, but i have trust in the writer to do right by this poignant coming of age story.

One of my favorite moments in these episodes was when Yoo-rim's mom hugged Hee-do and comforted her. All the feels.

Yi-Jin's confession was so sweet and heartfelt. Although I ship them, I appreciate his restraint and tenderness, given the age gap. The present-day framing definitely suggests that we're being set up for heartbreak. I hope not!

I thought ep 9 was pure perfection, but then the beach trip happened. Hee-do's heart was not the only one fluttering during that whispering scene between she and Yi-jin. So, how could adult Hee-do not remember the beach trip? It seemed like one of those rare moments you don't ever forget, no matter how old. Like everyone else, I'm bracing myself for heartbreak.

So many favorite moments this week- the confession, the hug from Yoo-rim's mom, Yi-jin's conversation with his dad, Seung-wan's radio show. This show is just so endearing ❤ I have no idea where the story is taking us, with such a contrast in the present day scenes, but whatever the outcome, I'm absolutely loving spending time with these characters

I have so so much love for this kdrama. every episode I am literally squirming in my seat, laughing like crazy and falling off my chair because of how great the chemistry is, not only between our two main leads, but between all the characters. These episodes felt so great and happy that I feel like we are in for some challenges in the coming episodes. I really want the two leads to have their happy ending but at the same time, it really doesn't feel like we are headed in that direction and I'm doing my best to wrap my head around that. I am holding out hope that she does end up with Yi-Jin but given that mom Hee-do doesn't even remember this summer trip makes me feel anxious. I thought that when Min-Chae got that gift from her dad, it would make sense that it would be Yi-Jin cause of the fact that he travels for work which seems in line with what he could be doing as a present-day reporter. It's very likely that they're still together but she just doesn't remember the beginning of their relationship... totally reasonable if you've been with someone for so long. right? ugh, I hate waiting for episodes..

Will adult Na Hee-do kindly shut up? She is ruining my drama.

I started crying like Ji-woong from Hee-do's nonchalant confession that her dad died and she missed him and wished she could talk about him to her mom, then couldn't stop crying when Seung-wan sighed that she found no joy in life. I was sobbing by the time ​Hee-do hoped for this moment to last forever as they watched the sunset with their "With" OST playing in the background. This show is so wistful, and our friends sharing family stories over watermelon is my favorite scene. I wished Yi-jin had shared his, but if showering together made ​them become close (how to be Ji-woong), then their talk made them even closer.

Yi-jin is such a mood every time he rolls his eyes at stupid things they say. Lmao when he drove off and waved back at them. These kids have zero survival skills, ​and he giving away their liquor was sweet revenge.

I cried when Yi-jin told Dad that this was his punishment for being happy since he knew the trash PD would belittle him before apologizing. When he blew up at him and carried Hee-do out, ​I was relieved his co-workers didn't start a rumor of them dating. I just want Yi-jin to be happy -- for him to go back to college, finish his degree, and work for NASA.

The title of this drama is a lie. It's Episode 10, and they're ​still in high school. We waiting for Hee-do to graduate so they can date is as gross as adults waiting for minors to grow up. However, I ​don't believe Yi-jin's ​confession was romantic love but love for a friend or family. Nevertheless, ​​this premise should've changed, and ​for Yi-jin's sake, I wish he were never put in this situation.

Seung-wan and Ji-woong's friendship is a dynamic we should see more rather than the present timeline, seriously.

Hee-do & Yoo-rim -- I understand the flow and what's going on, I guess I wanted more from YR. The cries felt like a kid was wronged rather than a regret sort of tears, if that makes sense.

OTP - That "confession" was different in a lot of ways. Idk if it makes any difference but Yi-jin said 'I'm loving you' instead of the usual 'I love you'. One of my fave outcomes from that was that it did not end up being them romantically involve, yet. It did not become a defining moment of their relationship. But I looooove the friendship, the 'rainbow' and all this build-up. All the feels, the understanding, the honest communication and Baek Yi-jin's stares! xD

Show, please continue to be good.

P.S. I am deliberately forgetting the present timeline because it feels like a different show.

Am I the only one who is not feeling adult Hee Do. There is something off about her. I know having kids changes a person, but something feels off. Especially after her not remembering that she went on that beach trip with her friends.

That being said, I am loving the growth of each of the teens. Some people say that Hee Do is too childish, but I feel that she has fire and is incredibly driven. She has been hit with some adversity, but she hasn't been burnt out by life yet. YiJin has and you can tell by how he has matured to the point that I forget he is like 23 years old. He seems older than his actual age.

The confession though, I like that even though she confessed, she was not the one to immediately jump into wanting to be with him. That isn't realistic for me. I am worried with how they will eventually get together though. We only have 6 episodes left.

These episodes were pretty much perfect (Pretty much because present day Hee-do is nothing like Hee-do, and I've separated them into two different characters in my head).

That was an absolutely lovely confession. I loved Hee-do’s reaction too: I don’t think my feelings for you are that big.

I know there is controversy out there about Hee-do and Yi-jin since Hee-do is still in high school, but I think they've toed the line. One of the things I really love about their relationship is that I believe they love each other as friends, family, soulmates, etc. Rainbow was actually a good word for it, as there love has all the colors.

I’m glad the Injeolmi reveal wasn’t dragged out. I was unsure about Hee-do and Yoo-rim becoming friends after how Yoo-rim treated her, but the documentary montage was funny as was Yi-jin’s reaction. They were so awkward and sweet, just like a new couple.

The beach trip was fun. I liked learning more about Ji-woong and Seung-wan. Seung-wan is quite the effective briber and blackmailer. Yi-jin’s brother meeting his idol was sweet.

Yi-yin’s running gag of putting his hands over his mouth when surprised cracks me up.

Yoo-rim's mom hugging Hee-do was such a touching scene, as was Yi-jin's conversation with his dad.

Between Hee-do’s mom’s warning, Yi-jin promising Hee-do they wouldn’t show the documentary if she didn’t approve and the PD’s interference, there was all kinds of foreshadowing that this documentary is going to go wrong.

Hee-do and Yi-Jin not being together in the future makes perfect sense... she's 17 in this show, she's a kid and he's her first crush, I know KDramas all love the unrealistic "fated since children" trope, but some realism that you grow up and grow apart from people would be fine.
That she doesn't remember the beach.... a bit less likely, and the way she reacted was very weird, it worries me that it ties into some fatalistic stuff throughout the show with death flags for other characters, that there is going to be a sad end for at least one of them.

This show definitely ranks up in my top 10 faves of all time. I love how the OTPs are just so raw and straight forward with each other---they both wear their hearts on their sleeves and say what's on their mind. For me, that's the most refreshing thing about the show---there are no masks, no airs, no barriers between NHD and BYJ.

BYJ's confession gave me all kind of feels. It was a confession of love, with no response expected in return. All he wanted was NHD to be happy in knowing that she was loved. Bottle that up and sell it---you'd make a killing. There seems to be a lot of controversy over the age gap here---and honestly, I just don't get it. This was about as pure of a confession as I had seen in kdrama-land. Perhaps you can just chalk it up to being brought up in the States---the age gap is not a big deal. The show handled it well as they did not push the romance as it is evident that NHD hasn't wrapped her head around their relationship yet (and the fact that she and the squad are still "critters" :))

I also saw one of the posts by @missh discussing the foreshadowing of issues with the documentary, which I couldn't agree more with this comment. BHJ has asked NHD to trust him multiple times during this process and I know that he has every intention to protect NHD with all of the power he has. The issue is that he's a rookie journalist with no power that just had a scuffle with his slimy sunbae over the documentary---I can see bad joo-joo happening with this. Perhaps this is what drives a wedge for the time being between NHD and BYJ?

Lastly, the epilogue of ep 10 w/ grown NHD really did suck. The writers have really gone full tilt in suggesting and warning us throughout the last 10 eps that it would be unwise to believe that there is a happy ending for our two lovebirds---I've seen various (and sometimes crazy) theories online about all of the possible endings from NHD having amnesia..to BYJ not being alive..to them somehow reuniting as adults. I think for me, the themes of the show have always been so positive and hopeful, so I'm just going to trust in the writers that they give our cutie pies a well-deserved ending, but also plausible and true to the parameters and the facts that they've revealed throughout the show.

Episode 9 was SHEER PERFECTION, if that hyperbole can ever be said of a Kdrama episode, lol. Ice mom finally showing a teensy tiny speck of tenderness towards Heedo; reconciliation betw the girls (yes a bit too quickly as some have commented - but totally in line with Heedo’s character you could say, that girl has such a big heart! Esp “in spite” of having such an awful + absent mom..); all the frank n open moments betw Yijin & Heedo, building up to that beautiful awesome climax at the end…….. 🌈🥲 [and how I wish Kdramaland wld give us more of such “real” writing and characters - more Our Beloved Summer and 2521 please, less Penthouse and psychotic criminals! 😂]

So Ep 10 was actually a bit of a letdown for me - definitely loved the havoc camaraderie of the 5 together etc, but I selfishly just wanted to see more of “only” YJ and HD magic moments…! Lol

And yes, the stinky bummer of Ep 10’s epilogue… I really don’t feel as hopeful as some others are in the comments, to “trust” that this writer has it all under control, so it’s def driving me crazy!! Sigh, well, only 3 more weeks left to the crazy chaos of laughter n tears… let’s hope the heartbreak won’t be too intense!! 😭

I didn't think I could love this show any more than I already do but dammit, it just keeps getting better! Beware, gushfest ahead:

- Yu Rim's apology. My disapproval of Yu Rim's bitchiness toward Hee Do is well-known but then the screenwriter went and shot me straight in the heart with a sincere apology. No attempts to justify, just genuine repentance. I am duly appeased. Go forth and be BFF with Hee Do, Yu Rim! Hwaiting!
- Seung Wan's pirate broadcast rant. Man, did I tell you how much I like this screenwriter?? Again, no circumnavigation, just one concise tirade against capital punishment and the hypocrisy of the adults in authority over them. Seung Wan, let's be friends.
- The humor. The nighttime confrontation with the cushion thieves! Baek Ho's mum smirking over whether she'd caught her youngest son watching something "inappropriate"! Seung Wan's beach trip bribery! The useless teen cooks!
- The camaraderie. What a gorgeous portrayal of the best that friendship can be. That beach trip sent me right back to my late teens. So thankful they didn't insert Seung Wan into a love triangle among the second leads (though have I already mentioned how much I love her?) I have always maintained K-dramas do friendship like no other -- and this show sticks to this wonderful stereotype in the best way. I can't wait to see the quartet (plus Yi Jin!) in the post-high school eps.

I am having all kinds of anticipatory grief at this drama's end. Can it just...not end? Especially because all of the present-day scenes with adult Hee Do and her daughter (who has a different last name from any of the male characters in the show!!!) is just not good for my anxiety levels. They're trolling us, right? Do they really want this phenomenal show to go down in flames?! We are deeply invested here! Don't break our hearts!

I love Seung Wan and how she is such a high achiever and school leader while actually suffering from depression. It’s a great portrayal of depression irl, it’s not just tears and sadness by any means, and even your friends can be fooled.

Episode 9- One of the bestest episodes of this show. So many good moments and I can still remember the scenes so vividly. The confessions of both of them. I love how brutally honest both of them are with each other. I do like the contrast between both confessions starting from Hee Do's confession of her blurting all what was going on her head and she was confused of what she even felt to how Yi Jin just calmly accepted and told it was LOVE from his side and nothing more. I squealed so hard when Yi Jin confessed that it was LOVE. He doesnt need to define it any other way.Like he just knew it all along in his heart and he didnt push himself towards Hee Do on this emotion which he has been bearing all along in his heart. For him she was his ray of hope and the person who stood with him all his struggling time and he accepted her wholeheartedly for who she is. Baek Yi Jin is the standard.

Episode 10- I did like the shift from the main leads story to the other characters life and we got to see a closer look into each of them. Being 19 and the family issues in each of their life. The trip was fun , and we got to see a good bonding between all of them. The sharing headphone scene was super swoony. It made me blush when Yi Jin got closer to her ear and said to get some drinks. Hee Do's expression and her heartbeat was on point.
It was quite strange that the older Hee Do doesnt want to remember the school trip, because 19 year old Hee Do definitely enjoyed and it was really memorable. Bad feeling for the next episodes and the ending with it.

Man what a good week for this show. A lot of payoff that’s been building and building since early on. Episode 9 especially was just drama bomb after bomb with relationships changing and evolving. The scene at the snack shop with Yu Rim’s mom and Hee Do got me right in the feels, and just led right into the Injeolmi reveal after the bathroom.

Na Hee Do is just such a great character you can really root for. Always trying to do the right thing even when no one’s watching. Loveably awkward and honest and just adorable when she’s hanging out with her friends. I really do just gush about this show every week, and my only real complaint is that episode 10 wasn’t quite up to the heights of 9…but was still great. What a problem to have when an episode is just great, instead of amazing.

Ah, another week of wholesome storeytelling, and my heart is so full!! ^^ At this point NHD might as well be labelled 'Sunshine' and BYJ as 'Sunshine Protector', except, he's a ray of sunshine too, when life isn't being a b*tch to him! :'D Why do we have only 3 weeks of this beautiful show left? T_T

Just when I think the show's getting serious, I end up giggling like a teenager! Ep. 10 in my head will forever be known as the Nam Joo Hyuk ASMR and Mukbang Show! xD and 'You are still critters' lives rent-free in my head! xD

25-21 has some of the most heartwarming relationships of Asian dramaland (still lol-ing at the Mom sliding in the medal Tsundere-style)... and this is why I do not mind if the leads don't end up together. Because Yi-Jin and Hee-Do shaped voids in their life can ONLY be filled by the other person, and nobody can replace that special little bond! <3

The show's ending in 3 weeks, and that makes me sad for NJH's impending departure for his MS by the end of 2022. Never thought that would happen! </3

I wonder how the past and the present will meet. I like the present scenes but the actress playing the mother is suffering from the comparison with Kim Tae-Ri.

For the love story, personaly, I don't have issue with their love story, but Yi-Jin had a different speech at the beginning. I hope he knows what he's doing and overall he will follow Hee-Do's mother advice. For now, I guess he doesn't have the luxe to choose where he works, but I don't want him or Hee-Do to be hurt by his job later.

Seung-Wan and Ji-Woong have a deeper relationship than they showed until now. It was really interesting to see how they rely on each other.

I'm so happy to see Hee-Do and Yoo-Rim to be finally friend! They have so much in common after all.

Finally my YiJin-HeeDo-Yurim ship has sailed, along with the crewmates Ji Woong & Seung Wan. Ep 9 was perfection and my favorite of the lot, ep 10 is a close second. I think the best thing about 2521 is how it perfectly balances all the humor and feelings.. SO MUCH FEELS in this drama y'all!

Yi Jin & Hee Do's relationship is one that i can only strive for at the moment - they not only build each other up, but they're ready to catch each other too without expecting anything in return. I absolutely adore these two!

Oh my Yi Jin! The writer created a character that ticks all the right boxes here. To be able to turn a time of difficulty into an exercise of gratitude and kindness is a testament to what a wonderfully written character YJ is. I already loved him before, but the phone call with Dad just solidified the love even more..if that's possible.

This wonderful drama has me completely absorbed in the growth of all these relationships. The acting of all the characters is simply amazing and really heart-warming. The only thing I am struggling with is that Hee Do's character at 20 could have gone out of the window and allowed her to become such a dreary adult.

These were a couple of good episodes and it seems like there will be no time jump. One of the highlight's was Yu rim's mom hugging Hee Do and I remember thinking she better give her a hug and she did, lol. I also don't think Yi Jin confessed to Hee Do so much as explaining to her that he loves her whole being. He doesn't love her like a sibling but he does love her existence. The show has kept on the right side of the law and ickiness so far and I adore the writers for that.

Baek Yi-jin has a knack for saying the most swoony/heart-fluttering things in a casual /almost nonchalant way! Pheww

I loved these episodes. The emotions all landed perfectly. I was so impressed that Yi Jin actually said what their relationship was--and without any pressure on her. She still has some catching up to do, you could tell it was a bit overwhelming for her. But I think he's prepared to wait.

Also loved the resolution to the two girls' love-hate situation. And was glad that Yi Jin immediately said the chat friend wasn't him. (No Startup part 2, lol). Really, everything was awesome in these episodes, which makes me very nervous for the six episodes to come...especially when adult Hee Do said she didn't even remember the trip to the beach. What?!

Adult Hee-Do and her mom are like completely different people than the ones in the past. At this point it's a little hard to connect them, so I'm curious how they will do that. Also, what happened to Yi Jin?? I feel like they have laid foreshadowing for a breakup (well, this is a Kdrama, of course there is a breakup coming!), and they've always warned several times of the dangers of getting too close to a reporter. So my prediction is something along those lines. But I swear if Hee Do really does push him away and never talk to him again...I'm going to find a foil and whack her. Lol.

I've never watched a show that makes me so emotional! The stories are so finely drawn and acted, with an air of nostalgia and wistfulness that makes me think heartbreak is waiting around the corner. I'm going to be a blubbering mess...

What more is there even left to say about this drama? God, it’s perfect. It’s absolutely pitch perfect and I’m loving every moment of it. It’s so perfect at the moment that I’m dreading for when the angst and heartbreak inevitably hits. I do wish we get a proper time-skip and Yi-jin/Hee-do being an actual couple beforehand sh-t hits the fan. That confession…Baek Yi-jin is *the* blueprint. The perfect man. How is it possible for a man to be this swoony? I was positively melting while watching it. That said, I’m so relieved that Hee-do didn’t immediately reciprocate romantically. She definitely has a crush on him, but it would be extremely inappropriate and creepy if they were in a relationship while she’s still a high schooler. It feels weird to be, in a sense, “waiting” for Hee-do to grow up - like it’s some gross groomer tactic, but there’s no other way to describe it. Ugh, where is a convenient time-skip when you need it?

sighh everything points t this show breaking our hearts in the end but the nostalgia of youth is so amazingly portrayed here. summers you thought you swear you won't ever forget is forgotten as years go by and more "important" things happen.

With all the major conflicts resolved by episode 10 I’m very worried what downfall we are headed for next.

We guessed Hee-Do ranked last at school based on the report Yi-Jin saw when he met the teacher and Yu-Rim expected it ought to be herself. But it was Ji Woong who made a correct guess about him that would be at the bottom of class (or school).

Lesson of the day : Ji Woong is the smartest of us all.

wish this drama was more about this group of teens growing up and less abou the romance but I only have me to blame. dont feel the chemistry, still cant get over the fact that she;s a teenager - and the drama makes an effort to always reminds us how much they are in different moments of their lives. I can see that to a certain degree yijin is living the young life he had to stop through them. but at the end of the day, its a grown up, who is a TV reporter, hanging out and falling in love with high school juniors/seniors. I tried but it does nothing to me - at best. I would love it if heedo had a crush on him but he had only saw her as a little sister and THEN, in a later moment in life, developed other feelings for her, as she always grows up, is more mature, etc. they would be in a more even field, it would make more sense. but this would be a totally drama. once again, I only have myself to blame lol

with that being said: everything else about this drama.. I love it. the fencing drama, the girls rivalry and friendship, their backstories, the juxtaposition of the daughters - moms relationships, the found group of friends, taeri performance.