Beautifully and poetically made, a masterclass on storytelling, and in it's own class.
I watched 2521 almost three years ago in August 2022, and it's still my favourite drama of all time. I am so happy when I learn that people learn to love it as much as I do. I was debating whether I should write a review since there would be so much to talk about, but I want to rewrite my thoughts on this show so someone who looks through these reviews can see why it deserves such a high rating.A fencer and a reporter, their lives are followed by another fencer, Yu-rim, her love interest, Ji-woong and another character, Seungwan, who is a great character. I loved how slice-of-life this show was. At times, it could feel so unrealistic, comedic-wise, but it always felt like a real story of people and their friendships. The 90s nostalgia was captured, and I loved watching every scene grace my TV screen. I never knew how to put it into words, but this show had such a magnificent ambience that my eyes were glued and never looked away. The music took my breath away, and it was so hard not to get looped in. Overall, the direction and cinematography were stunning. My heart broke, and I laughed. The pacing was amazingly well done.
The writing touched on themes that applied to my life and I believe to anyone else's life. LDRs, special bonds tied to deep history, the sanctioned morality of journalism, and the transient nature of life. They were executed perfectly, and I couldn't help but think about them being shown in other dramas. This drama left a massive footprint on me that I compare to every drama I watch. Perfection.
The acting was incredible. KTR and NJH have the most poetic and beautiful chemistry that I grew SOOO attached to them. I believe NHD and BYJ shared a one-in-a-billion relationship. Their words were special and supportive, they spoke of love and beauty when supporting each other in hard times. They always kept my attention. I never wanted to look away. I fully watched the drama once, but I think some scenes are so unforgettable that you realize them as time passes from finishing the show. It's impossible to forget, and you're eventually drawn into the emotional landscape that presents the characters' raw identities and emotions, so you would want to empathize with anyone. No character was two-dimensional.
No other drama is superior to 2521 when it comes to authentic character creation and development. The vibes are immaculate that you see your heart breaking and desiring such an experience again. I poured my heart and soul into this drama, and that's what makes it on another level. You could be critical writing a review on a story's writing, but you don't just watch Twenty-Five, Twenty One. You feel it. You are transported into another world. It doesn't feel like fantasy, but like living in someone's story. So, please watch this masterpiece. No other drama or TV show has made me feel the same. Your mind and thoughts will change, your emotions are in a whirlwind, yet you feel overcoming a sense of dread and sadness and feel hopeful about the future. For whatever comes next.
Even then, I think this show is incredibly well-written. It balances comedy and seriousness, and you come out feeling renewed with a broken heart. No dumb cliches, just a heartfelt story celebrating the passage of time and the cherished bonds that look into universal thoughts of life, encapsulating a journey. I believed this show changed my perspective on growing up and dealing with life's hardships, it inspired me to be open-minded, and it was the first time I felt a connection to fictional characters.
Just bravo. Watch it for the journey, even for the controversial ending.
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This review may contain spoilers
just finished it and wanted to share my review or just thoughts. Truly a beautiful drama and i regret delaying it. ps: can contain spoilers if you havent watched it yet.so i just finished Twenty Five Twenty One after all these years of delaying it i spent more than sixteen hours straight with no sleep, watching while also going to work, and now i am sitting here at 04:00 with so many feelings i do not know where to put.
This series was beautiful. Every moment, every detail. It gave me the same feeling that When Life Gives You Tangerines gave me. That slice of life softness, the subtle poetry in ordinary moments, the way characters breathe and live and break right in front of you. The chemistry, the hardships, the family dynamics, the friendships that feel like home, the way it captures the poor and the rich and every burden in between. It felt real.
Except here, the ending… i understood it. it hurt.. it felt honest and raw. Because sometimes love is not enough, you can care for someone deeply and still watch the relationship fall apart in your hands, because life pulls in different directions. as someone who has loved and lost, this part hit me in a way i did not expect. it was painful but strangely comforting too, because it shows that endings do not erase the truth of what was once shared.
the scene that stayed with me the most is Heedo returning to the tunnel, the place where she and Yijin left pieces of themselves through their diary. when she reads those final words, it feels like a silent storm moving through the heart.
they were each other’s greatest comfort and greatest sorrow, and they loved each other fiercely. that is enough, because what they had was real. they stood in a moment that could not be rewritten. they loved. they lost. and they lived.
this drama made me cry, laugh, and sit in complete silence. it felt like growing up all over again. it felt like being twenty five and twenty one in my own life. and it reminded me that even when love changes its shape, the memories do not lose their meaning. they stay tucked in somewhere in our hearts, safe. they stay warm. they stay part of who we become.
Twenty Five Twenty One will stay with me for a long time
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This review may contain spoilers
"i can't make it right now but I will make it ,someday "
one of my best k drama i have ever watched . i have re-watched it 2 times and it was always worth it. i feel like I cried more when i re-watched it . the story line is amazing sometimes I wanna give a hug to the writer because i think the writer went through a lot , to be able to write such a story .some people hate the ending , i know it is not the best but it does get better when you get it better , it just teachs a bitter life lesson that is nothing stays forever.
more the grow i realised that really every thing is temporary. me who has experienced long distance relationship that never succeed because of distance ,, through my life i always blamed the faith in a bad way but now after re- watching it twice i realised it is true it is faith but in a good way that it is way of living a life ........ (too much past trauma ㅋㅋㅋ)
the acting was top tier ,,, amazing , (naheedo) her acting was especially amazing the fact that she it the both immature and pessimistic and then at the end she did the adult and mature acting ,,, really acting is a great talent that she has.
ko yurim also did amazing , some. people might hate her but trust me you will start to love her in the end . i think she was acting like that because she has gone through so much of financial issue and then she was finnally getting near her gole to be a provider to her family but then she got insecure that nadeeho might snatch that opportunity from her so she started getting away from her ( that my opinion )
beckhejin was also nice he was very mature from the start .. but do think if he wanted he then he could have changed the ending ( again my opinion) i didn't like him that much but I do understand his pain of being at the top then suddenly you hit rock hard bottom .. he was nice .
you should definitely watch it , it is rollercoaster of emotions , for me it is not just a series it is a experience and a emotion
" nothing stays forever 🍀"
this show hits hard dammmm
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This review may contain spoilers
Genre romance or game? and ending spoils the whole story.
Twenty-Five Twenty-One offers a compelling narrative of youth, dreams, and resilience, capturing the harsh realities of life more than romantic idealism. While marketed as a romance, its core feels more like a survival game, where personal growth takes precedence over love. The ending, though emotionally charged, feels disconnected from the journey, leaving questions about the meaning of sacrifice and fulfillment.Was this review helpful to you?
❤️
kocham ta drame!!! przyjazn naheedo z koyurim to bff goals. zwiazek naheedoo z parkyijin jest tak dobrze napisany. Kazdy aspekt serialu jest dopracowany i przemyslany. Rewatchowalaam juz raz ten serial i pewnie zrobie to jeszcze kilka razy Postacie mają wmiare rozbudowaną historię i zakonczenie chociaz smutne dalej bylo piekne. Jedyny minus to motyw, że wszystko dzieje się w przeszłości ale mozna o tym zapomniec i skupic sie na historii. ciesze sie ze moglam obejrzec to cudo w rok premiery 🩶🩶🩶🩶Was this review helpful to you?
BEST SHOW EVER
i love this show so much ive rewatched it and sobbed just as much, its literally such a good show, i will never forget this show because its sooo goooddthe ost is incredible too like its just so peaceful but works with the show as well, as well as also being great music to listen to in free time 🔥🔥
i would recommend 2521 to anyone because its child friendly as well, and its just such a sweet story.
although the main storyline is romance, there are many other parts of the show that can make the show more interesting for those who may not be the biggest fam of love stories/romance
overall such a good show and would recommend to anyone because i know youll like it 😻😻
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never underestimate the strength of a woman.
The concept of a "strong woman" encompasses a variety of characteristics relating to inner resilience, independence, emotional intelligence, and self-respect. It is not defined solely by physical attributes or career success, but rather by her character and approach to life's challenges.Key Qualities of a Strong Woman
Emotional Intelligence: A strong woman can feel deeply and express emotions like fear or sadness without feeling weak; her strength lies in her ability to persevere despite these feelings. She is not afraid to cry, talk about her feelings, or be vulnerable.
Independence: This includes both social and financial independence. She has her own money and can take care of herself, which provides the freedom to make her own choices and not rely on others for her happiness or security.
Resilience and Perseverance: She doesn't let failure or rejection defeat her. Instead, she views negative circumstances as challenges and uses them as life lessons. She keeps going even when she doesn't "win," always pulling herself back up.
Self-Respect and Confidence: She values her identity, has self-esteem, and does not worry excessively about other people's opinions or societal expectations. She is confident in her choices and proud of who she is.
Integrity and Ethics: Honesty and strong core values are important to her. She stands up for what she thinks is right and is truthful with the world.
Boundaries and Self-Care: She knows when to disengage from toxic situations and understands the importance of self-care. She sets boundaries and standards for herself and others.
Support for Others: Being a strong woman also means uplifting others rather than tearing them down. She can care for others not just when it is easy, but also when it is hard.
Ultimately, a strong woman is someone who accepts herself, learns to think critically for herself, and faces life's struggles with bravery and an inner will to keep going.
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This review may contain spoilers
my favorite kdrama so long.
CONTAINS SPOILER!!I really enjoyed the story, the way the intro was basically about Hee-do’s daughter and then completely immersed in Hee-do’s teenage years.
The story of a young girl who wants to follow her dreams, have fun and find love is my favorite concept of series.
I’m a fan of romance dramas and i really recommend it!!
Although the final made me cry so much because IT WAS SO UNFAIR like, they belonged to each other and they had to break up because they had no more time for each other, i cried for A WEEK.
But the story made me fall in love with the drama, and i could rewatch it for a 100 times and never get bored!!
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Hope there is more.
I've read other reviews and understand the disappointment. However, there were more positives than negatives. Even though I wanted a specific ending, I appreciate the space that I can imagine the possibility of an alternate ending. Or I hope there is more to the story that has my specific ending =).Was this review helpful to you?
My drama of the Year
╭⸻⸻╮Last time in the K-drama study, I talked about Joy's decent drama Once Upon a Small Town. Today I'll be telling you my drama of the year, which took over my whole year. I'll also be talking about my drama journey of 2022 and what I'll be checking out next year. I'm excited to announce the drama that took over my year since it took me a while to pick it up. Now let's jump into the post.
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Drama Journey 2022:
January started the year with me finishing up the drama Snowdrop which was still airing since it came out last year in December. By February, I started watching Twenty-five Twenty-one and Business Proposal, the first new drama of 2022 for me to watch. Of the two, Twenty-five Twenty-one was more attractive with its story. May was the first month I took a break from watching dramas while waiting for Café Minamdang to start airing, but I will say I didn't enjoy watching it much. July picked things back with Today's webtoon began airing as Café Minamdang was still airing. I fell in love with Today's Webtoon as Sejeong played her character wonderfully. Now with Café Minamdang ending, September came around with Today's Webtoon coming to a close and Once Upon a Small Town which aired three episodes a week until it ended at the end of September.
»»————- ————-««
Drama of the Year:
Todays, Webtoon and Twenty-Five Twenty-One both battled it out for Drama of the year. After listening to OSTS, watching clips, and reading the two blogs I created. It was challenging picking the year's drama since both dramas were enjoyable. So now, after thinking about it for a while, the show that took over my 2022 was Twenty-Five Twenty-One. Twenty-Five Twenty-One took over my year because of the story and characters. I loved the female lead Na Hee-do who made me continue watching the show. The characters in this show kept making this show even better. One moment I enjoyed was watching the Fencing moments, which kept things interesting. This coming-of-age story was a fun one to watch as we got to see the characters grow up. The OSTs helped bring the show to life, as I always listened to them. I'm glad Twenty-Five Twenty-One took over my year, as it was one of my favorite shows this year.
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Shows I'm checking out next year:
A Time Called You (Thriller, Mystery, Romance, Fantasy drama is supposed to air next year, but there is no release date for the show, so I have to keep my eye out for it. However, the story made me want to check it out, so when it drops, I'll be checking it out and reviewing it for you guys.)
»»————- ————-««
Ask The Start (Comedy, Romance, Sci-Fi) doesn't have a release date yet, so I need to keep an eye out for that, but Lee Min Ho and the Story made me want t check this show out. I'm hoping this rom-com is enjoyable since there are supposed to be sci-fi elements thrown into the drama. So once this show comes out, I['ll start taking notes so I can review it once it ends.)
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Joseon Lawyer (Historical, Law, Romance, Drama is coming out on March 17th of next year and will be the next show for me t write a review. After enjoying Bona in Twenty-Five Twenty-One, I'd like to see how she will do in a Historical drama. I'm a big fan of Historical dramas, but I'm giving this one a try to see if that genre will grow on me.)
»»————- ————-««
Uncanny Counter season 2 (The sequel to the popular drama Uncanny Counter might be dropping next year, so I have to keep my eye out for it since I'm excited to see what they will do with the Sequal. I enjoyed the original drama as it had a few moments that could've improved. I'm hoping it improves the show a little bit, but I'll have to see whenever it comes out)
╭⸻⸻╮
Thanks, everyone, for reading my drama reviews for 2022. I'm excited to deliver some new ones for you in 2023. I can't wait to hear all the beautiful OSTs that dramas will bring to the table. I'd like to see which drama takes of my 2023 as I'll be doing this end-of-the-year drama blog again. If no new drama drops in January or February that I want to watch, I'll see you all. After watching Joseon Lawyer, which starts Bona. Have a great rest of your day; this has been the K-drama Study for 2022. See you all next year.
╰⸻⸻╯
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This review may contain spoilers
Read this review if you are thinking of watching this (ending spoilers)
In the beginning, of this drama i was in loved. I really liked the storyline from the beginning. But the ending wasn’t for me. I hate hate sad endings. In my opinion, this drama had the chance to have good happy ending. But i lowkey saw it coming but still, it totally hurt my feelings. The actors really killed these roles. Besides from the romance, the friendships between the characters were so interesting to watch. Even though, the ending is terrible, i think you should still watch it. (beware, ur gonna be crying)Was this review helpful to you?
i now fully understand why this kdrama traumatized my friends…
I remember it was the summer of 2022 and this kdrama was gaining a bit of traction that time and my friend also made us recreate some scenes in our trip to Baguio since we had similar vibes and aesthetics. After all, this drama also centered around friendship. Fast forward to 2025, I was finally able to watch this since this was also recommended by my other friends who are avid fans of watching kdrama.Where do I begin? I have so many thoughts about this kdrama since it’s so complex yet easy to digest and to understand. The acting, the flow of the story, the musical scoring, the setting, even the editing seemed so perfect. When I watched this, I felt a sudden wave of nostalgia. I felt so immersed in this kdrama as I found it completely relatable. The story explored themes of adolescence & captured it’s essence in the purest form possible. I really like our main characters, each of them had their own struggles and personalities that are realistic. I for once hated Bona since she was a total b to Na Hee Do but overtime she grew on me since she had development. I just know a kdrama is good when I feel angry at a certain character, it shows how good they act and send a clear message to the viewer.
The ending was a shocker of course but it was realistic. There are people in our lives who happen to just cross with our paths. I fully understand now why this kdrama traumatized my friends. It had layers to it and it was beautifully told.
Also somehow, the age gap of the ML and FL was kind of weird in the beginning.
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