Twenty-Five Twenty-One

A Kind Introduction to Adulting

It took me a long time to finish the drama, the issue is due to its pacing that is slow for me and also the compactness of feeling this drama has on me. I am going to be 25 this year, I have a lot of friends who are younger than me, the existence of Back Yijin makes me realize a lot of silent things happening in my life. The things I choose to ignore or the things I didn't know yet. The romance, I don't expect it to be that way but honestly, I want to thank this drama to highlight the platonic feeling. I just think in our age, those kinds of affection have slowly been underrated due to the social pressure we have as an adult. Ah, this drama has made me believe once again in the softness of our hearts to endure the world that isn't going softer. To rely on love a little bit more too. Also to believe that things will change and we won't be stuck in a situation forever. The OST are magnificent! Not just it is sung beautifully by well-known artists, but the timing and theme suit perfectly. The scene was also taken beautifully. Mundane places that also seem like belong to our memories as well. I am satisfied with the drama though I think they don't need to be realistic that hard for the ending though (let us live in daydream a little bit!) but yeah, time well spent!

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ENJOY YOUR YOUTH THROUGH THIS DRAMA

Anneyeong , I'll keep it short and simple . It is for the readers who are going to watch this drama !!

Everything was perfect many viewers were disappointed by the ending but there is something I would like to mention , through this drama you are going to experience different phases( sweet& sour both) of life . Every episodes will teach u something valuable . So , having concept like that how can u expect the ending to be like a fairy tail !? which is not the part of the reality .😒

You will going to experience love, hate , friendship , hardship , priority, goal and many more ..... which you will adore .

**UNLIKED PART **
I was only dissappointed that if they included the love life of female lead (NA HEE DO) then you must show a little glimpse of his present partner too . I understand the present partner was not much important in the entire drama but you included HEEDO's mom & daughter na. Do you think it is fair for the viewers??

Wait wait ... ..... If there is going to be second season who knows!! 🤭🤭 ( just an assumption)

*** BTW I ENJOYED THE DRAMA AND I THINK YOU WILL ALSO GOING TO EXPERIENCE SOME NEW SIDE OF YOURS ****
GUMAWO !!!!!

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Things are momentary by nature, and that's not necessarily a bad thing

Wow, what a journey! I've been missing this style of drama lately so I found it very refreshing to watch this story unfold. I know a lot of people were a bit disappointed by how things ended but personally I don't think that the ending affected the overall quality of plot that Twenty-five twenty-one gave us on its 16 episodes. It's not often that we come across storylines that let female characters grow so much, I really really love how the women of the show are so well written. They have goals, they have flaws, they have their own personality and most of all, they find their own ways. I'll extend this to the whole plot, I really appreciate how the story let us see more and more from the characters, the level of acting of the cast involved shone through beautifully. We have so many emotions explored in the story, vulnerability was a hit on this one. I highly recommend anyone who enjoys slice of life style to give 25-21 a go. I won't say anything that is a major spoiler, I'll only say this, while many moments in life feel infinite, while we fall in love greatly or face tragedies that feel like they may never end, nothing lasts forever. I think for me the major theme here is that things come and go, that doesn't make anything less happy or less sad, it means we get to keep on living and we get to choose to write our own stories. To fight for the things we want, to enjoy the things we enjoy, to choose... Or to accept the things we can't do anything about, or to go different ways... I don't know. We keep on living. And as we go, we create more moments that are the happiest and the show goes on and on until it doesn't, because we are also temporary beings. I really loved this story, the one thing that lowers the grade for me was that I wish they showed a bit more of present Hee Do, the things she loves now, her actual life now, the things she got to live after her diary times ended. I think that would've made a full circle, so to help us see how wholesome her life now is just as once it was. But really, give it a try, even if you don't enjoy the final moments, I believe the other episodes are worth the view.

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A Beautiful Yet Heartbreaking

I never enjoyed plain youth drama. I tried watching Youth Of May, Hometown Cha Cha and much more and they never really impressed me. I normally enjoy watching fantasy dramas mixed with romance but 2521 was extraordinary. Not even once was I thinking to drop it.

Gradually, every episode was like drugs. I was actually addicted haha. Every episode was really exciting and was really eager for their romance to start. Luckily, the directors and screenwriters planned the drama really while.

Music. The masterpiece of the whole drama. Maybe this is the only show that got me really into music especially "Your Existence." I was really disappointed at myself for getting "too" attached to the song because it just gives flashback of the dark times in 2521. But oh my gosh, the song was so good. Same with the others. They ARE masterpiece!

The ending was beautiful yet heartbreaking. I spoiled the ending myself actually. When I was in episode 16, I was telling myself "its okay, it might be a beautiful sad ending." I was correct, it was BEAUTIFUL. Other youth dramas was really dull because of their sad endings but 2521 changed me a lot.

I'll really recommend you to watch this drama if your into youth dramas because this is chef kiss!

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this series slap me right on my face

I barely watch k-dramas and picky about it, but as soon as I saw the trailer I watched it immediately and couldn't stop! it's a very cute and youthful story. every episode always had funny scenes, sometimes even makes me cry whether its sad or touching ones.. those always appear on every episode. I really love all of the cast here, they did really good job. not only the main characters, but the supporting character also did really well! it feels like they're not acting honestly, they look comfortable to each other and interact like usual... I also love the tone that they used for the series, it looks beautiful. not only that, the OST also very addicting.

I'm brave enough to rate this 10/10 because even though I dislike the ending, it's realistic... so it feel like a slap for me because life isn't all about rainbow. sometimes you do something that makes you regret one day, but you couldn't go back and fix it anymore because it's already late. so be careful with your choice and use your time wisely.

Kim Tae Ri really fit the role as Na Hee Do even though her real age ain't same, she did it so well! same goes to Nam Joo Hyuk, the way he express himself whether its angry, sad, annoyed etc he nailed it and makes me sad too. both having good chemistry.

love the friendships too.. it's a slowburn story for romance and friendship, but it was worth the wait because everything wrapped perfectly in this series. with Ko Yu Rim, from a fan to enemy then became bestie. it's really touching.
then Moon Ji Woong and Ji Seung Wan added more fun in this series because they're funny.

for the ending for Na Hee Doo and Back Yi Jin, I actually was hoping they could make up because there are alot of things that can be fixed through talk, but Hee Do wasn't mature enough back then and too fast to deciding things. so it was a bummer for Yi Jin because he really loves Hee Do, just the timing wasn't right because both are dealing with their own problems.

even till now I still rewatching it. it's really good and recommended. never heard about fencing before, but thanks to this drama I got to know it!


10/10. Recommended!!!!!

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I wanted to love this...

As much as I love KTR (she has been in my top 3 since Mr. Sunshine), I did not feel this drama at all and ultimately had to drop it despite trying to push through. It felt like the storyline lacked depth and felt one dimensional (regardless of how well the actors were). I imagined a group of writers writing a story that checked all the boxes for a "Coming of Age" drama within a tight timeline. There were obviously great scenes but altogether the drama did not feel cohesive and did not "sing" for me. I know I hold an unpopular opinion but I didn't feel the spark between the characters at all.

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So good but all that's left is pain

This was such a good drama, I loved the characters and the 90s nostalgia but warning to the unprepared: the last couple of episodes will HURT. Ultimately the ending is about learning to let go of your regrets but I don't think the viewers wanted that, we wanted these two extraordinary characters we loved to win together in the end. Even the post-credits final scene twisted that knife.

There are also a lot of things left unanswered that may be frustrating: who Heedo married/who is Minchae's father, why she married so quickly into what had to have been a rushed rebound relationship after Yijin had been such a big part of her life for so many years and for the fact that neither of them clearly were over the other. It seems against her character to do that to some other person, but since we never see the husband, we never know what he may know or feel about any of it, and we also never really know how any of their friends (who do get the happy endings denied the main pair) really feel about any of it. Their story feels incomplete, and ultimately unsatisfying as a result.

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My Bestfriend must be tired for 8 week straight because of my rants yet for the ending to SUCK

This drama is mostly inspired from the song "goodbye grief aka 2521" I really wish I had seen it earlier cause that most importantly destroyed the hopes of any happy ending , even after watching the first ep My inner gut told me 'dont get yourself hurt' but against my better judgement I continued it and I don't regret watching till 13 th episode even 14 but the last 2 episodes DID THEM DIRTY , from 18 to 21 the Naheedo and Baekyijin stood by eachother without even a word for months fell apart because of basically an almost stupid reason no reason.

The couple which provided hope to thousands of others took away everything in last 2 episodes because of what "time drifted apart trope" when they were so in love ,heck even in present she still seemed in love so what was the point of a breakup when the sole reason was to just say nothing last forever but when it could have lasted if they spoke it out ,if it was any other couple I would not have bothered much but their whole base of their relationship was built upon communication,
what the line again in the finale again ,OH YEAH .

"we love only during happy times and burden during sad times"- when I was watching I was basically bawling my eyes out but then when I thought back it was RIDICULOUS -

THEY BOTH WERE LITERALLY AT ROCK BOTTOM WHEN THEY MET and they helped ,supported grown together and how in the WORLD did they become burden in hard times ,

and KIM MIN CHAE - they basically created a present which was useless since they didn't explain a single fucking thing and on top of being a sad ending they gave an open ending ,

nevertheless,I cried and I am still crying -I cant listen to any melody songs(when we were young-Adele ) or the ost either I keep remembering 18 yr old naheedo and 21 yr baek yi jin

one more, they had more life in 18-22,19-23,20-24- THAN "2521 phase which was literally 20 mins as a whole which sucked on every aspect".

all the people who tell the ending is beautiful - they say that because of the editing - cuz they included the best past moments showing us "how far they have come just to loose everything"

exceptional acting by eyeryone -

everyone got their own happy endings(including the second lead couple who did long distance for 6 year straight meeting only twice a year )- so THE BREAK UP OUR MAIN LEAD WAS USLESS.

for most part of epsiode 16 either they were crying or we were crying -honestly it was exhausting to watch -they gave this hope of them being together till the last minute and that is what that made a HUGE DISSAPOINTMENT.

I don't know for whom I am crying ,Baekyijin or Naheedo or the lost emotions which the carved it from the first episode
.
For all the people who wanna watch -end it in ep 13 or 14 and directly go to ep 16 to end -save yourself from disappointment or heartbreak .

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More than just refsreshing, it's magical

In the beginning, I just expected a healing drama with a light plot but this drama is different. The vibe is refreshing but they put some mystery in it. The dialogues are simple yet very deep and meaningful. I love Nam Joo Hyuk character, Baek Yijin and acting here, really suit him and explore him as an actor too. Kim Taeri? No doubt, she's amazing, Great job for the team who make this project really well executed!!!
Also, I wanna praise the camera work and the cinematography, it's really beautiful and has an anime vibe in it. The original soundtrack? Jaurim, Taeil, Bibi, I love them all, I can listen to them all day long.

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Mixed Feelings all the way

Maybe it’s because I already knew the ending when I started watching this drama, but either way, I experienced a wide range of emotions throughout the episodes. I laughed so many times, but I also cried more than once. I felt the love between the FL and ML intensely, but it also hurt to think about how it was going to end. I don’t think of the ending as a bad one; I see it as a realistic one — and that’s exactly what makes it hurt the most I want that kind of deep emotion to last longer and end up in something meaningful. Maybe that’s the whole problem — because I just can’t understand how Hee-Do and Yi-Jin could forget the memories and let go of that love (even though it’s all part of being human).

The story is one of the most beautiful and well-crafted ones I’ve ever enjoyed watching. It’s a story about hard work, life, and courageously finding your own path — that’s what this drama meant to me. I connected deeply with every character, and I think that’s the strength of the screenwriting. It felt like something truly real — like an experience you could’ve had during your high school years.

And the acting — putting everyone else aside — I absolutely LOVE Kim Tae-Ri’s performance. She’s incredibly talented and puts so much effort into every role she takes on. She brings something uniquely different to each character, and I admire her acting so much that I think it’s one of the show’s greatest strengths. Though I should mention that Nam Joo-Hyuk’s acting was really enjoyable to watch in this drama. I do think there’s still room for improvement in his acting, but his chemistry with Kim Tae-Ri feels so real that I could truly believe every glance of his was filled with love for Hee-Do.

Finally, I truly believe this drama is worth watching. Among the many dramas I’ve watched, this is honestly one of the best. It’s still hard to accept how things turned out in the end, and of course, there were some parts that could’ve been better — but at the end of the day, I truly enjoyed it. This kind of genuine emotion in a drama is becoming harder and harder to find in K-dramas these days — it used to be more common.

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MAKES ME DREAM AGAIN!

I was excited to watch this series because of Nam Joo-hyuk to be honest.. but then the plot is making me cheer for all of the characters. They way they are all so innocent and living for their dreams.. makes me remember how great it feels to have a dream and while working hard to achieve it is fruitful enough.
I'm so glad I've begun to watch it! I can't believe how much I'd have missed if I didn't.

The character Na hee-do is not a typical female character, the way nothing stops her from perusing her passion about fencing.. is something we all could learn from. And our male lead, playing Baek yi-jin is for now in a messed up place, but because of yee-do he's beginning to hope again! I can't wait to see what happens later on in the series with them!!

The whole plot, the team of actors, and the ost, I can't ask for more.. because this series have it all! I hope it receives much appraisals from people all around the world. And gives hope to all of us in times like these.
Being said that, please I can't wait for the nect episodes.. watching an ongoing kdrama has its downsides y'all.

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