“Twenty-Five Twenty-One” (2022) [9/7]
Starring: Nam Joo-hyuk and Kim Tae-ri
I don’t know that I’ve ever teared up or cried as many times as I did while watching the finale episode. There are many things I love about this entire show. The fencing, the friendship, the first love… this show felt nostalgic and passionate and heartfelt. In the same way that 500 Days of Summer tells you it is NOT a love story (but you hope for it anyway), Twenty-Five Twenty One left me rooting for the main couple fully knowing that they were not promised a fairytale ending. But this story is not a tragedy. In fact, the ending feels right. This is a story about youth, hope, and the people who walk with us through the toughest, darkest hours of our lives. The truth is that we’ve all had people in our lives that we can’t imagine ever living without… but then, we end up without them. Sometimes, there isn’t even a reason why they go… it happens slowly, and “we’re in the middle of it” before we realize. And at the end of the day, the fault for the end is shared, and doing what is best is hard. But we grow and we learn and we are better people because of that chapter with them. And… letting go, doesn’t have to steal the joy that came before the heartbreak. The friendships in this show shine and I feel grateful to have been recommended this one.
Any critiques don’t impact what I love about the story. I’ll still mention them, little things like the present-day storyline, Yi-jin’s family issues, or the consequences of Ye-rim’s decision to switch her nationality feel unresolved (but not to an upsetting degree). I was deeply touched and entertained by this show. Nam Joo-hyuk has been high on the list for a while now and this one kept him up there. Meanwhile, newbie Kim Tae-ri truly stole my heart and imagination with her vibrance and spirit. I would definitely recommend this show.
Watched: April 2022
4 Stars
It’s the name of the song the writer was inspired by. I think it’s less to do with their ages and more about the writer trying to convey a story with the same emotions as the song (longing, regret etc.)
KTR is a well-known actress, and the movie she starred in, as mentioned by Ally, is critically acclaimed and is very popular. I feel incredibly blessed having her grace my screen in 2521. I hadn’t seen her work, the movies included, before this.
On Netflix, there is a voiceover if you pause at the show before actually pressing play that “At, 2521, we were in love” my take is that they decided to be dating at 25 and 21. I can’t remember the timeline that well in the drama though, so this might be a mistaken take on it.
Sarai
April 9, 2022 at 12:27 AM
“Twenty-Five Twenty-One” (2022) [9/7]
Starring: Nam Joo-hyuk and Kim Tae-ri
I don’t know that I’ve ever teared up or cried as many times as I did while watching the finale episode. There are many things I love about this entire show. The fencing, the friendship, the first love… this show felt nostalgic and passionate and heartfelt. In the same way that 500 Days of Summer tells you it is NOT a love story (but you hope for it anyway), Twenty-Five Twenty One left me rooting for the main couple fully knowing that they were not promised a fairytale ending. But this story is not a tragedy. In fact, the ending feels right. This is a story about youth, hope, and the people who walk with us through the toughest, darkest hours of our lives. The truth is that we’ve all had people in our lives that we can’t imagine ever living without… but then, we end up without them. Sometimes, there isn’t even a reason why they go… it happens slowly, and “we’re in the middle of it” before we realize. And at the end of the day, the fault for the end is shared, and doing what is best is hard. But we grow and we learn and we are better people because of that chapter with them. And… letting go, doesn’t have to steal the joy that came before the heartbreak. The friendships in this show shine and I feel grateful to have been recommended this one.
Any critiques don’t impact what I love about the story. I’ll still mention them, little things like the present-day storyline, Yi-jin’s family issues, or the consequences of Ye-rim’s decision to switch her nationality feel unresolved (but not to an upsetting degree). I was deeply touched and entertained by this show. Nam Joo-hyuk has been high on the list for a while now and this one kept him up there. Meanwhile, newbie Kim Tae-ri truly stole my heart and imagination with her vibrance and spirit. I would definitely recommend this show.
Watched: April 2022
4 Stars
Sarai
April 9, 2022 at 12:29 AM
Does anyone have an interpretation of the significance of this show’s title?
“Twenty Five Twenty One”
Kurama
April 9, 2022 at 2:27 AM
I think the title is about the song 25, 21 by the Korean group Jaurim.
Otherwise, Kim Tae-Ri is not a newbie. Her career is full of hits.
Sarai
April 11, 2022 at 8:37 PM
Comment was deleted
Sarai
April 11, 2022 at 8:40 PM
Yes! I have done lots of research about KTR now, but this is the first thing I’ve ever seen her in! 🙂 She was a personal newbie!
tabong has two different tears🍉
April 9, 2022 at 5:41 AM
I think they were 25 and 21 the year that they broke up (or when they knew it was over). For me it means they end of their relationship.
The new year scene with them together was when they were 24 and 20 and a year later he was in NY and both already new they were done.
I remember crying over the flashback of them saying they were going to celebrate new year in that place forever.
kadota
April 9, 2022 at 3:06 PM
It’s the name of the song the writer was inspired by. I think it’s less to do with their ages and more about the writer trying to convey a story with the same emotions as the song (longing, regret etc.)
Ally
April 9, 2022 at 4:34 AM
I’m a huge KIM Tae Ri fan girl. She’s super talented, but her breakout roll was in the movie The Handmaiden. She’s a legit movie star.
Sarai
April 11, 2022 at 8:39 PM
Yes! I have done lots of research about her now, but this is the first thing I’ve ever seen her in! 🙂
mmmmm
April 9, 2022 at 1:06 PM
KTR is a well-known actress, and the movie she starred in, as mentioned by Ally, is critically acclaimed and is very popular. I feel incredibly blessed having her grace my screen in 2521. I hadn’t seen her work, the movies included, before this.
On Netflix, there is a voiceover if you pause at the show before actually pressing play that “At, 2521, we were in love” my take is that they decided to be dating at 25 and 21. I can’t remember the timeline that well in the drama though, so this might be a mistaken take on it.
mmmmm
April 9, 2022 at 1:07 PM
Or maybe they broke up at 25 21. The voiceover still makes sense if I see it this way.
Sarai
April 11, 2022 at 8:39 PM
Yes! I have done lots of research about KTR now, but this is the first thing I’ve ever seen her in! 🙂