Douăzeci și Cinci, Douăzeci și Unu (2022)

Bittersweet drama with an emphasis on VERY sweet

A lot of people are saying it had a sad ending. But I disagree it was a happy bittersweet ending (not to invalidate their feelings). It makes us think as viewers what really constitutes a happy ending. I recommend everyone to watch this because the story and characters are so sweet and made me feel things. acting superb. Nam Joo Hyuk special shout out he improved by leaps and bounds. So sad he is enlisting. Please read full review! <3 <3

Let's talk about the ending first without spoiling anything. It was a very sweet almost sickenly sweet so it had to have some..., a lil, bitterness to give the final beautiful bitter sweet flavour. It's like dark chocolate with cranberries. The ending was very beautiful and felt like a dream. The relationships in this story were completed to a perfection. Each and very relationship received a beautiful alluring conclusion.

Na Hee do and Baek Yi Jin are sweet hearts to one another and the first loves of each other. Even though Yi Jin has dated others girls in high school none are like Hee do. Only Hee Do deserves being Yi Jin's first love. I am not making this up. Hee do and Yi Jin supported each other in life's hardest times and believed in each other when no one could. They were capable of anything and everything and were also capable of breaking up.

But don't worry the ending is not bad writing. The characters are all very well written and there is no troped cliche drama. It is a vanilla story and sweet. All the characters are precious cinnamon rolls that must be protected at ALL TIMES. Watch it and find out for yourselves. A sweet rivalry between two girls, two sweet heart lovers that grew into and out of each other, a sweet relationship that survived the ups and downs and long distances, two childhood friends who remained good friends and a queen who stood up for wrongdoing in her school. Watch it for these stories.

The acting was top notch. Kim Tae Ri made me believe I was really watching a reckless loving teenager, Na Hee Do. As expected from a seasoned actor ofcourse. BUTTT Nam Joo Hyuk OHHH MAAHHH GAWWWD. His acting has improved so much by leaps and bounds. Before 25-21 I was not a fan of Nam Joo Hyuk's works, although I liked weightlifting fairy. But now I have become a die hard Nam Joo Hyuk fan. I am even depressed that Nam Joo Hyuk is going to enlist in December. Hee do is a character that makes you want to do something. Because she is trying so hard to make her dream happen. And Kim Tae Ri made me want to do something too with her acting. The supporting characters and story is also very beautiful.

A drama everyone should watch!!!!! Bonus the OST's are nice too! JOOOOOOOO OOOOOO OOOO

Citeste mai mult

I did not regret watching this!

I stopped watching this drama at Episode 6… and then heard and saw spoilers until the drama ended. Even though I already knew the ending, I can’t resist and I am still curious of the whole story that’s why I continued watching from where I left.

ON THE STORY: The drama is set mostly in the 90s going back and forth in the present time. A sports-themed drama which focuses on achieving dreams, love, friendship and family. I love the fact that they did not focus only on romance but on many different aspect.

In a long time, I am glad that there were no love triangle between the main leads. The rivalry between Na Hee Do and Ko Yu Rim were not annoying and I loved the character development between the two characters. I also liked the unexpected friendship made by the five characters. Each of the characters have their own unique story to convey.

ON THE CASTING/CHARACTERS: For me, Kim Tae Ri acted so well that I can’t think of any actress who can play the role of Na Hee Do other than her. Hee Do as an athlete is a very inspiring character. Her character development is also well seen. Then there’s Nam Joo Hyuk who stars again in a sports-themed drama. I am not a fan of his acting on this one, feels like it isn’t remarkable in my opinion. Bona who played Ko Yu Rim got me hating her the first few episodes. You’ll love her character when she started to open up especially when she became friends with Hee Do. Choi Hyun Wook (Moon Ji Ung) and Lee Joo Myung (Ji Seung Wan) were great characters too and compliment well on the group. The portrayal of their friendship isn’t awkward but the slow development felt more realistic.

ON THE ENDING: If I were Hee Do, I would’ve done the same thing. I think their LDR wouldn’t work either, in my opinion. Baek Yi Jin even accepted the job offer in New York without even telling Hee Do. I kind of accepted the ending that they’ve shown. It was realistic. It is also noticeable that the other four characters is not shown on the present day or the ending. We never even got to know who is Min Chae’s father. Nevertheless, I am well satisfied with the drama. It brought out a lot of emotions.

I am glad I continued watching this. I am also glad that Tae Ri is finally receiving recognition on her work as she rightfully deservers. Though I loved this drama, for now, my re-watch value on this is low (LOL) because of the roller-coaster of emotions I felt the whole time I was watching this. It has a lot of good moments and lots of drama which made me cry (Refer to specific scenes on the picture above! You’ll know what I mean.)

RECOMMENDATIONS: This drama is slightly similar to the Reply series in terms of the setting and the various stories involved. Another similar drama with a lighter story is Weightlifting Kim Bok Joo, also a sports-themed drama that stars Nam Joo Hyuk.

https://wordpress.com/read/feeds/106200050/posts/4022426877

Citeste mai mult

A Failed Romance Story

What starts as a flashback set in 1995 to 2000s , with Korean Economy being bad and everyone struggling financially, we have Na Hee Do ( Main Heroine ) wanting to become a Fencing champion and we have Baek Yi Jin ( Main Hero ) wanting to solve financial crisis for family. Na Hee Do and Baek Yi Jin eventually fall in love, but in the end they separate because their jobs keeps them busy and they don't have time for each other. This drama is good, but it could've been much better. Na Hee Do in the present ( 2020 ) doesn't meet Baek Yi Jin , which was disappointing. It is a good high school romance story set in the past. We also have Ko Yu Rim ( 2nd Heroine ) , also fencing champion fall in love with Moon Ji Woong ( 2nd Hero ), and their romance, chemistry is much better than main Hero , Heroine. This journey is growth of these characters over the years, but it would've been better if it was set at high school only. The show could've been much better if it had incorporated elements from 1990s but still a good watch

Citeste mai mult

Tem spoilers

Apesar de eu ter gostado bastante o final me decepcionou, sei que foi proposital eles n acabarem juntos mas mesmo assim acredito que aquele final não faz jus a história incrível desse dorama, todas as as vezes que aparecia as partes do presente me dava uma vontade absurda de pular pois eram muito chatas algumas até insuportáveis. Mesmo não me agradando nesses pontos como eu já tinha dito anteriormente a história é maravilhosa e me fez refletir muita coisa, 25 21 é uma história divertida e emocionante que me fez surtar de felicidade mas também chorar muito, valeu muito assitir esse dorama! Recomendo!

Citeste mai mult

Es mi favorito

Es el drama que más me ha hecho sentir y por eso se convirtió en mi favorito.

Por un lado, amé demasiado cómo acompañamos a Na Hee Do y Baek Yi Jin en gran parte de su vida, pasando varios años. Los vemos crecer, hacerse amigos, apoyarse en todo momento y queriéndose muchísimo.

Los vemos crear un grupo de amigos que se quieren, se divierten y disfrutan de su juventud. Pasan por problemas, por triunfos y aún así, siguen unidos.

Hasta que llega la adultez y todo cambia. Este drama me hizo pensar mucho en que nada dura para siempre y hay que disfrutar los momentos que tenemos en el presente.

Lloré como nunca había llorado viendo una serie o hasta leyendo, lloré muchísimo y llegué a sentirme muy muy triste. Habían pasado días de que terminé el drama y seguía sintiéndome mal. Tuve que bloquear todo contenido sobre 25, 21 porque cualquier cosa relacionada con él me hacía sentir triste y extrañar a Baek Yi Jin y Na Hee Do pequeños.

Este drama me enseñó que debo luchar por lo que quiero, que debo apreciarme a mí misma y no dejar que nadie me haga alguna injusticia y que debo disfrutar de lo que tengo ahora.

Es mi drama favorito, me hizo reír, amar y llorar y a mí me encanta que me hagan sentir de todo.

Citeste mai mult

um drama sobre juventude.

“às vezes, você fica triste como se o mundo estivesse contra você, mas outras vezes, ri até a barriga doer. nossas amizades são sempre excessivas, ficamos indefesos diante do amor e nossos fracassos são intensos. ansiedade, tristeza, brincadeira e sorrisos se juntam para formar algo estranho e desigual. talvez estejamos no centro da nossa juventude.”

eu amo como isso, apesar de ser um drama de romance, é um drama sobre amizade e amadurescimento. é doce e amargo ao mesmo tempo, e mostra muito bem a dor que é crescer. eu chorei em vários episódios, sejam os tristes ou os felizes, simplesmente porque é uma representação tão linda do que a juventude significa. momentos que você deseja que sejam eternos. tudo é infinito enquanto dura, e quando passa, é memória. eu pessoalmente não consegui ver um final melhor pra na heedo e baek yijin.

é lindo, de verdade. vai ter sempre um espaço guardado no meu coração.

Citeste mai mult

Just try enjoying the show without connecting to it emotionally

When I thought of watching this drama i already knew the ending because I started watching after completion of airing in the tvn. As I knew the ending be-forehead I thought I wouldn't be affected a lot.
But when I started watching it i was totally involved and connected to the drama. When they were happy i was happy when they were sad I felt that emotion. I have completed this show in 3 days that too working days (Heheehehe).
The night in which I have complete watching this show I wasn't able sleep all the night. When ever I opened my eyes only "Naa hee-Do' and "Baek yi-jin" are the only names on my lips and mind.
I was totally sad thinking they haven't tried their best to be together and keeping their relationship standing. Even it was struggle they should have endured it for some time so that they can be happy forever together.
I was thinking this because the other couple which were apart got to get married even though Ko-yurim went to Russia for the sports and ji-wook was in korea. If it was possible to this couple why not for them. They should have tried their best.
Actually the ending of the main couple was so realistic as many people around have the similar experiences. So, i wanted the happy ending even in the drama but unfortunately its not.

Citeste mai mult

Youthful Angst Meets Adult Wisdom

This was a coming of age story with all the happiness, sorrows, ups, downs, and amazing experiences one has with a group of friends that just go through it all together. I like that they diversified the group of friends. Friend groups that are all alike, their families are carbon copies of each other are so boring and cliche'. This group was well mixed. The top athlete/superstar yet whose family is poor and sacrificing everything for her, the fatherless child whose single-parent is so busy providing for their home she is neglecting her daughter (I could relate to this one), the son thrust into poverty by the mistakes of his father yet taking responsibility to care for his brother and mother, the smartest kid in the school and bored to tears by everything, and the kid who fails academically because the school fails to offer him and his skill set anything other than studying for the next test. These kids came together and experienced first love, bullying, pressures from school, parents, life, disappointments, failures, successes, forgiveness, fun, fear, and heartache. They took the viewer along with them every step. I laughed, I got bored, I cheered, I got angry, I cried. The storyline moved me along with the lives of these 5 people just like surfing a wave onto the sand.

I read a lot of reviews that were angry and disappointed at the ending. I wasn't. This is the type of story where you get hooked into the characters and want more. I think the ending was purposeful to provide a second series. Anyway, I hope so. There were some unanswered questions, and information about these 5 characters that could lead easily to another series to fill in the gaps. The writers know how to provide a rich storyline and very developed characters. I do believe they could provide us with another amazing story of Na Hee Do, Baek Yi Jin, Go Yu Rim, Moon Ji Woong, and Ji Seung Wan five or ten years later that would be very satisfying to those of us who loved this story. I hope we will see more.

Citeste mai mult

Perfection!

Everything about the show is perfect. The main relationship between Na Heedo and Ko Yurim is powerful and written beautifully, sustaining the entire series in a perfect parcel. While I did enjoy the romantic relationships, they were definitely not the most important relationship in the show. Every character has its own purpose, nobody exists only to further, someone else’s story line. The dialogue and themes are thoughtful, hilarious, heartwarming, and heartbreaking. No other show has ever made me laugh and cry as much as this one. I’m only sad that I’ll never be able to watch it for the first time ever again.

Citeste mai mult

I got a little bored

I really loved the characters and cast in the show, but at the end, for some reason I thought of dropping it.
I got bored and didnt really feel like anything that drastic could happen, which, surprise surprise, it didn't.

Anyhow, I really love the scenery and the characters so it was still a fun watch and the song Your existence that plays once in a while is so friggin good.

I wont say I cried during the show, I wont even say I felt sad. The plot didnt move me to that extent, but I did feel happy in the brighter parts of the show and it felt very realitsic.

It's also original and the characters personalities feel very real and true.

Anyways, I recommend watching this show if u like romance, sadness and if u like having a laugh at weird shinanigans 🤞

Citeste mai mult

I have love-(at some point)hate relationship with this drama

I have a few issues with this drama and yet I love it. I'm writing my review right after a rewatch, so it definitely isn't objective — treating this as a kind of love letter to the show.
First of all, the acting was amazing. It felt real with every single character and I enjoyed the performance of Kim Taeri so much, it might be my favorite aspect of the drama. Na Heedo and other characters were very well written for most of the time and I liked them all.
Second, the story was great. It didn't feel real all the time because they were pushing that "meant to meet" idea so hard, but it's fine, it's a TV show. And now I will say my very, very personal opinion — Heedo and Yijin as a couple didn't make sense. Why can't we have a male-female friendship? Do they always have to get together? I would give this show a 9 if it never happened. Yes, I did tear up during the altered break up scene but because it felt more as a summary of the whole show, not a break up. I think it's messed up they made a big deal of the "Yijin is a fencing reporter and Heedo is an fencer, what if he hurts her in the future because of this" but there was no problem with the fact she was still a teenager when they became a couple. They even admit she wasn't an adult yet in the last episode and that's just... I don't know. They made Heedo mad about his past relationships when she was like 17 and he 21. Why would she be mad if it wasn't because she was jealous? I don't get it. What I do know is that the romance was unnecessary.
Music was great and I'm not gonna lie, "Very, slowly" as the second version of the intro was the best thing in this drama after Kim Taeri's acting. I just love it so much! The rest of the OST was alright, sometimes the soundtrack bothered me a little bit, but that's nothing.
Overall, I love this drama. Yes, I hate the romance, but it didn't ruin the experience for me. This is a show about youth, passion, friendship, love (the love part wasn't that good though) and life and it was good! They did a great job. And, the fencing is the third best aspect of the drama. It was so entertaining, which I didn't expect. Also, it was visually stunning. I think I will rewatch it someday one more time.
Watch this drama! It's worth it:)

Citeste mai mult

In a class by itself

Even though i watched this drama while it was airing, i put off writing a review about it until i get over the ending. My initial reaction to the ending was a very emotionally charged response declaring it outright unacceptable. I absolutely couldn't believe it. I was invested in their story that the ending blew mind...... in a not so cool way.

But, even at that time, this one easily took a spot in my top ten kdramas. It is beautifully written and it is completely unpredictable. It managed surprise me every single time. Every week, there were countless theories on twitter and other social media but it is so unpredictable that most, if not all, got proven wrong. It was absolutely crazy. Even the ending, the writer managed to keep everyone on the edge until the last two episodes, and that is NOT some easy feat. So, kudos to the writer.

2521 might be the story of Na Heedo but the lives of the rest of the characters are also shown and its not just for some plot convenience. Their stories are also given equal importance. And all of them are so likable that you feel like rooting for all them. The cast did a wonderful job.

The only reason why i am giving it a relatively low re watch value is because I am still a bit bitter about the ending even though i have come to accept it. I watch kdramas to escape reality so realistic endings are a tad bit difficult for me to comprehend. But, on an overall, it is a must watch slice of life.

Citeste mai mult