Douăzeci și Cinci, Douăzeci și Unu (2022)

Twenty-Five Twenty-One is REFRESHING your eyes so far!

Hello blushing sweeties!

Work from home, work from office, work all day and night; there’s almost little to no time for us to step out, refresh and go on a vacation. And this ‘need for some refreshment’ is exactly what some of the Korean drama cinematographers are targeting. Hence, drawing more target audience. Recent example of a beautiful cinematography that completely replenishes your mood, happiness and soothes your eyes is the drama ‘Our Beloved Summer’. And another example would be ‘Twenty-Five Twenty-One’. Most of their scenes are filled with greens, bright sunny mornings, clear skies, peaceful neighbourhoods (yeah! They look peaceful) and all charms of the actors (uff!).

The drama is set in the 90’s but I do not get the 90’s vibes; neither from the locations and cinematography nor from the characters.
This is the first time I am seeing Kim Tae Ri’s (FL-Na Hee Do) acting and I am already a fan. The way she has transformed herself for the character: tone of speaking, her walking style, and even when she stands (mostly she stands like a man) is appreciable. The immaturity and recklessness of an 18-year-old kid has been very well portrayed through her character. Also, she is very ambitious, optimistic, a hard worker and has a very bright smile (aww!).
Nam Ju Hyuk (ML-Baek Yi Jin) as always and as usual is radiant, though his character is someone whose family has gone bankrupt because of IMF establishment and has lost everything. The maturity and the gentleman behaviour of a 22-year-old has been very well portrayed through his character. Though he looks bright on the outside, he is pessimistic on the inside. And that pessimism is something that our FL is going to change.

I need to watch more episodes in order to pass my comments on the rest of the characters.
Besides the main plot, the show is also trying to show the differences in the way an 18-year-old woman and a 22-year-old man think, speak, act and react.

The OST’s of the drama (my, my.) are so damn upbeat, cheerful and motivational that they straight away go to my morning songs playlists because, “such songs plus coffee- what else do I need to wake me up?”.
Only two episodes are down for me. The story seems to be simple so far but you know the 'booms and baams' in the story comes only when the story reaches halfway. So, there is a long way to go to finalize comments about this drama. But I loved it (so far) and will be watching the rest of the episodes shortly.

Thank you for reading my review.
Have a good day/night!

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Pure and Vibrant then...Painful

This drama is a hidden gem. It has the potential to be the best drama of 2022. Every scene is well executed and the story of each character is well woven into each other. I love the relationship between the ML and FL, something that blossoms from friendship and mutual understanding. They meet and communicate very naturally and every moment they get to spend together seems so innocent yet so sweet. I'm sure we are all reminded of our youth, our high school times when we watch this drama. I am hoping for double digits!

Edit: I cry a river in the last episode. And promise myself to never watch drama from Writer Kwon Do-Eun again. Both this drama and SearchWWW hurt me so badly. She likes to portrait the reality of life, which I don't want to see in a drama. If I could sum up 2521 in one phrase, it would be a proverb from my country which is "Head of an elephant and tail of a mouse", meaning it started so spectacularly and suddenly ended so spitefully. I feel bad for Kim Tae Ri and Nam Joo Hyuk, their acting was phenomenal but still couldn't calm the anger from the audience. It's all the writer's problem.

Rewatch? No, I won't. Just like how you desperate try to forget your first love so you can move on, this drama will make your heart pounding so much for the beautiful memories only for you to cry your heart out at the ends. It's too much of a roller coaster for me.

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Amazing K-drama BUT THE ENDING WASN'T IT!!!

JUST FINISHED 2521!!!! And WOW! What was that ending?!! Like seriously?? Like I'm not mad about Heedo and BYJ not being together cause I sort of realized it from the very beginning especially cause of the title itself. But seriously they could have done a better ending of them not being together rather than showing Heedo being married but her husband not being shown and BYJ just climbing his way up. Them not seeing each other at the same time as the others and having potentially lingering feelings left for each other from the last interview was just not it. Like she is a married person and he has his own life. Showing that just makes it seem like she just married someone for the sake of not burdening BYJ and makes BYJ look like he will be single forever! Like I just didn't like IT. ANYWAYS GAVE IT 9/10. Could have been a 10/10 but the ending ruined it. Anyways have a watch it is a really good drama. And let me know your opinion if you already watched it.

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THIS DRAMA WILL HEAL YOU

New comfort unlocked. This drama comforted me for weeks regardless of the ending just watch it, for me it’s the comfort and healing throughout the journey >>then the ending. You won’t regret this one i promise. I mean if you want to heal watch this drama, if you want to smile for no reason watch this drama, if you want to feel butterflies watch this drama, if you want to feel love watch this drama.
It is my first time ever writing a review i just couldn’t stop myself from writing one, every time i watch a episode it make me feel a lot of emotions at a time.
This drama will make you laugh, cry, heal, want to love, experience friendship all at a time. Heads off to the writer, actors, offcourse the songs and the dialogues which i listen on repeat.
This drama can change something inside you. One can feel like I’m exaggerating but, the ones who are watching this drama can feel what I’m sayin, so please just go and watch this drama without a second thought.

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If the journey is so good the destination don't matter

A perfect reality dramas after ages .kdramas are always know for its healing nature but Trust me TFTO made it to another level..
Let's talk about the story slow claps for the director and the writer for such a beautiful story,best cinematography,soulful music and the perfect cast made this drama as one of the best drama of this year
The chemistry between the whole cast is at another level for me personally i love both the leads as friends more than lovers but yes at some point they made me realise that their love is so beautiful yet so calm
Yurim and heedo's friendship was the light to the drama at first i didn't like yurim but now she is one of my favourite character she has the most suitable character growth ofcourse her love story with jiwoong was cherry on the top and the 2 bestfriends literally made us believe that a girl and a boy can be a best friend
The music was on point.
And i would definitely re-watch it to all those people who don't like romantic dramas should watch this to experience the warmth of this drama
I decided to write the review before the ending so that the ending don't make any changes to my love for this drama 💜

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what a great show

i genuinely think everything was executed really well for 2521. im not a fan of sports drama but i find myself anticipating for heedo's competitions and journey as a fencer. i would say its one of the best youth kdramas out there , i didn't find myself bored of the show at all! i didn't really care about present heedo if im being honest but its whatever ! wish i could see present baek yijin though overall satisfied with the drama and would recommend to everyone .

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"Nothing lasts forever. Everything is momentary. They all flow away and that’s not always a bad thing."

I've thought long and hard before I decided to write a review just because I think I won't be able to sleep if I don't write one. Now, where do I even start? As someone who has been watching dramas for nearly a decade, this drama is the only one that was able to keep me in the dark because of its unpredictability until the last minute of the last episode.

It is a story of love - love for oneself, significant other, family, friends, and dreams. It revolves around the times and how this affects the characters from the beginning until the very end. It is about growing up, reaching your dreams, standing again after every setback, and making decisions that may affect your life and every person in it including yourself. Most importantly, it is about treasuring and making the most out of every moment, every minute of our every day because what we only have is the present.

Na Heedo is our female protagonist and we see this drama from her POV. A very straightforward, strong-willed, and reckless protaganist at that. She does everything and anything to succeed and pursue her fencing career even if the times broke her dream first. Baek Yijin, our male protaginist who was a chaebol but because of the times, found himself doing as many part-time jobs as he can to make it up for his living. Ko Yurim, our gold medalist who won at such a young age, seems like she has everything except for well-off family. Moon Jiwoong, the bright and legendary pretty boy from Class 7, who has a long-time crush on Yurim and Ji Seungwan, our brave and empathetic class president and also Jiwoong's diaper buddy. All the main characters showed various characteristics and personalities and they made this drama more worthwhile.

One of the things I liked about this drama is that they did not just focus on the romance part. The fencing theme also had its spotlight and this made the drama more interesting because we see athletes and their everyday life in a clearer and more different way. I liked Heedo's enthusiasm and sincerity in reaching her dream. It is very inspiring and we see that fencing also shaped her not just as an athlete but as a person. Heedo came from a well-off family with her mom being a famous anchor but this doesn't mean that her fencing journey was easy. In contrast, Yurim, although already making her mark in the fencing world, is still not having it easy just like Heedo but with a completely opposite reason. She has a supportive family but not that well-off. I love that they gave us two contrasting athletes because we empathize and relate with them. We realize that every person really has their own struggles and we should not belittle them ever. Also, we see how sports or even competitions can start and form a friendship, a bond that is stronger than anything else. Heedo and Yurim's friendship became deeper and deeper until we can say that they are the only ones who can understand each other's struggles.

Now, with the romance part. Sigh.. what can I even say? Heedo and Yijin's relationship is just the purest one I've ever seen. I love that in one of the episodes, they said it themselves that their relationship cannot be described in one word and I also believe in that because their relationship came to the point where it is beyond everything and no words can be worthy of their relationship. I love how they started off as friends - not the normal friendship because I really don't know but what they had was really special right off the bat. The way they were there in every ups and downs to cheer for each other, to comfort with jokes and words, to be each other's strength and happiness, and to support each other no matter the distance, no matter the circumstance. They are each other's support system and we see that until the very end.

I tell you, this drama is not flawless. Nothing is. But I give this 10/10 simply because I vividly remember and I guess I won't ever forget the feelings and emotions that this made me feel from the moment I clicked the play button of episode 1 down to that last second of episode 16. It was a hell of a rollercoaster ride but t'was a beautiful journey indeed. We have come this far. They have come so far and I am so happy to be able to witness each character's growth and journey.

If you are still wondering whether to watch this drama or not because of what you see in the comments or social media, please waver no more! You are up to a wonderful jouney <3

Taeyang Squad, it was an honor meeting you. Until next time...

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the beauty of youth

this was more than just an ending, this was the journey of youth, friendship and love
idk if I should start with how beautiful yejin was, or if I should say this was not twenty five twenty one, though there is an explanation why the title is that way, this was a youth drama, hints of the future, and a bit of the 20s romance. it's not a spoiler to say they were 18 and 22 for the 1st halfish, then 19 and 23 till the 3.5/4s and that's why the bits of the 2521 was really rushed and brashed over
so divided in sections 18 and 22, was about a girl doing everything only for her dream and a boy who couldn't do anything for his dream. and in ways they became each others push

they met again as 19 and 23, they got closer, they were selfless, they were full of laughter, new emotions and beautiful adventures
they "officially" got together as 20 and 24 so this was not an awkward adult/highschooler romance. love isn't shallow, it's more than just dating and skinship, it was companionship, understanding and support

then came the 21 and 25, and being a long term fan of disappointment I can say I have every intention to erase and not accept their interpretation and attempts to just say "1st loves don't last"

ESPECIALLY since yerim and 2ml ended up together.. THE BETRAYAL. they were shallow, they were puppy love and they had non of the depth of heedo and yejin so I DO NOT ACCEPT how they could get married and be happy and the actual 2 people who supported and communicated so much could end it for silly matters

and I shall call them silly matters because, A- they kept pushing them in a corner with "reporter will hurt his subject if they were in a relationship". but that was used for yerim and it became a punch in the face of heedo and yejin's relationship. which is weak writing
and B- he leaves the country, gets sucked into a wormhole of sadness and disrepair, he keeps apologizing for not being there and heedo keeps feeling the burden of his apologies.. and they throw in another punch "my mom was never there, it's not a relationship I want" as if it can't be solved.
why did she have to get married so fast, what's wrong with long distance, what's wrong with putting it on hold and reconnecting, again the writers were just set on the "not ending up together" that every move they made was a deliberate weak attempt rushing them there
and a bit of C- and that final move. they met before he left and they did talk it a bit and ended it well, so there was no hard feelings and definitely no resentment, they couldn't even stay as friends and for what? they had 1 bad fight, then throw in her dairy being kept in a store for 20 years COME ON.. tho again the things said there were the "best case scenario" breakup, it wasn't as if they could never talk to each other again, their bond didn't just disappear..

I'm not sad they weren't happily ever after, though honestly they were the best representation of a realistic couple I've seen. no destiny, no childhood connection, no random "WE MUST BE TOGETHER". they were each others rock, cheerleader, best friend and love. HOW CAN THAT NOT WORK,
the 2ml goes and says "no you can't throw me away I won't let you" and survived his gf moving to another country, being labeled as a traitor, and having no future path beside luckily becoming an influencer, and yerim coming back like the heartache her arc caused only effected yejin, and she was able to get back in and even stay in heedo's life when they went through another rough patch
but heedo and yejin couldn't... honestly were they that shallow.. was it an "experiment" and convenient.. what is love TT_TT

also, they were friends near their 30s, and they never mentioned them in their 40s.. shouldn't yerim and 2ml's kid be friends with heedo's kid.. wouldn't 3fl end up together with yejin's brother and also have kids

was yejin just a chaperone to them, was their friendship that shallow.. 2ml, 3fl, and even yerim who knew yejin since childhood never crossed paths together again? please this was such bad writing after 20s that this should've just been till then with an open ending of "will it work out" instead of forcefully trying to ruin it and think they were being melo, noir and clever "I'm looking at you veronica mars s4"

and yes, I am angry and I'll go back and remind myself, future heedo never happened. the ending scene was 2001s new year with the plan of their 600s anniversary as an open ending of "happily ever after"

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our youth is precious

If you're looking for a youth drama, this is it.
It's based on the late 90's to the early 00's and while I wasn't born yet through most of the years the drama displays (i'm a 2000's baby) I think it was pretty convincing.
Not to mention that the cinematography was beautiful, the characters are all well written. One moment you were mad at someone because they looked like the antagonist while one episode later you find yourself rooting for this person, because they deserve all the sucess.
And at the end you realize that timing is the real villain of the story.
Oh how I wish I could go back to my school days, I cried a lot while watching the taeyang squad together. Love their friendship, it's something I won't forget.
Thank you 2521, it was such a beautiful time. <3

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First Rom-com finished

This was one of the best kdramas i had ever watched and the best sports drama i had ever watched. The ending didn't feel rushed at all for me, why? It was impossible for Hee-do and Yi-jin to end up together so i was sad after ep 15 but after ep 16, i ended up being happy! For me all the unanswered questions were answered because: Yi-jin and Hee-do did break up but they still get along and are not sad anymore, Ji-woong and Yu-rim married, Seung-wan probably ended with Yi-jin's younger brother, and we shouldn't care about who's Min-chae's father because he's not part of the story and i realised everytime there were present parts it was always daytime so i believe Min-chae's father probably works the whole day and goes back home at night. However, I'm still satisfied with this ending and there's nothing wrong with it, it ended up perfectly and happily for everyone. And I can't believe this is my first rom-com finished since i'm a huge thriller fan. And I didn't even plan to start this drama I just saw the teaser few days before the release and went in with no expectations.

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TWENTY FIVE TWENTY ONE -- ONE OF THE BEST DRAMA IN KDRAMA HISTORY..

All beautiful things will eventually come to an End, and sometimes it happens much earlier than you'd like to..

25 21 It's a unique drama about youth which highlights young love while beautifully stating the lives of the 5 protagonists. The protagonists and drama takes you back in time to your youthful days that you cherish the various viewpoints on life in different stages of life. Mostly 25 21 delivers the valuable life lessons like it centers on pursuing one's dreams, mother-daughter relationships, sacrifices, first love, friendship, and family, rather than just romance line it covers every element from love to family relationships.

Yi Jin & Hee do love story is beautiful, realistic and heartbreaking. Throughout their journey we can find one's real love, supportive and care towards our loved ones.

I enjoyed the platonic friendship between Ji-Woong & Seung-won because not every close person can be lovers for me it's more than love called friendship. I like Seung-won character & her personality bold and honest straightforward person.

Bona masterfully portrayed her Ko Yu-rim character it represents many of us in today's generation, like complexities, as an ideal and fresh-faced star fencing player on one side but a struggling 19-year-old on the other side.

And the mother daughter relationship between Hee do and his mother is more realistic. Baek Yi Jin family story would represent the family affection and parental love, brothers relationship beautifully..

And one the best part is they choose the 3 Major World contemporary issues to run their story in these days. And WoW they perfectly dealt with the contemporary issues like the IMF crisis, 9/11 and COVID 19 pandemic how this are effected the real lifes of people in those days.

Screenwriting & Direction & Cinematography departments cast departments :-

Another element that can be appreciated about Twenty-Five Twenty-One is that director Jung Ji-hyun has used nostalgia as props rather than mere timeline elements. The director has also maintained a fast pace for the storytelling, keeping the audience engaged. It requires a team effort from the cast, crew, and writer to create an experience for the audience that can move us from tears to outrage to laughing in minutes.
We deeply value their efforts.
The cinematography is also one of the key highlights of the drama. Many Korean dramas carry outstanding cinematography, but I'm marking this as one of the best aspects of Twenty-Five Twenty-One. Dramas typically use a variety of lighting effects ( Colour grinding) to differentiate between two (or more) story timelines. Interestingly, in this drama, they used the same colour filtration. This helps the story telling ( narration ) to connect the two timeframes of the story displaying that certain feelings and experiences travel from present to past generations of characters.

It’s hard for me to imagine anyone else playing Hee-do and Yi-jin and other 3 main characters but them. The entire cast delivers excellent performances, but Kim Tae-Ri as Hee-Do and Nam Joo-Hyuk as Yi-Jin stand out for their ability to capture how the characters support one another.

Ending :- There is absolutely nothing about this series that I dislike. Especially the ending.. The ending received mixed responses simply because Most of the watchers wanted/expected Yi Jin & Hee do end up together irrespective of the story point, but it was unexpected they gave a realistic ending and in my opinion that is what ultimately makes the ending memorable and satisfying. It reflects our real-life scenarios and characters from everyday life.. Yes, in real life or fantasy ( drama world ) not everyone lovestory and gets a happy ending, How
1) Most people don’t end up with their first love because it depends on the circumstances around them.
2) Not everyone doesn’t choose love over their career.
(be rational)
3) Nothing is predictable, that is what the drama is about so as a kdrama lover we are always ready to adapt new/realistic endings not criticizing them badly.

Finally:-
It's a complete nostalgic ride, I may never encounter a coming-of-age drama like 25 21, It's literally created a deep, unique spot in my Heart. This drama made me cry, laugh, and experience all kinds of emotions and 25 21 - overall a love-friendship-inspirational drama for every viewer irrespective of age. The side characters and friendships were equally important as the lead couple, the humor was wonderful and the time span the backdrop presented the story with an enjoyable contemporary environment.
I recommend this drama to everyone who loves kdramas.

My Favourite Line " Life is precious. Let’s love with no regrets while we’re alive " - Baek Yi Jin 🌻

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