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.Vond je deze recentie nuttig?
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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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Inspiring....
Initially thought that this would be a full blown romance drama. But watching it from ep 1, you can immediately tell that it is more of a story about hope, dreams and friendships.Kim Tae Ri is definitely one of my favs after seeing her in Mr. Sunshine. As Na Hee Do is the polar opposite of her character then. Her character is very inspiring in that she does not back down from criticisms even though she is wasn;t that good of a fencer at the beginning. The story really shows that you can do anything if you put your mind into it.
Nam Joo Hyuk was perfectly as as Yi Jin. His doeful eyes goes well with his character who faces hardships after a privileged life failed due to the IMF fiasco.
I loved how the drama gave the 5 main leads their own moments to shine in the spotlight. This is an ensemble who works well together indeed.
The 90's vibe is so nostalgic. Seems not so long ago, we were all living the life with pagers and analog phones. Truly, mankind has done great steps in improving technology
All in all, this drama is worth the watch. Definitely worth a try
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A sad ending remains in the hearts of the people.
Twenty-Five Twenty-One is going to be a drama I'll rewatch whenever I get the chance to (after Happiness) because I don't think you understand, I'm OBSESSED.To be honest a lot of viewers are very unhappy with the ending and I empathize, but as a very INFP person (lol) this was one of the most realest, pure ending of a relationship, or ending a certain chapter in your life. It was a beautiful poetic line to a romance novel.
The leads fated meeting, fated love, fated breakup, it later was so apparent how much both of the leads have grown and matured emotionally and developed sense of perceptives towards life. Some harsh decisions do destroy the people around you but it's never intentional and these concepts are what I found so endearing and beautiful.
In conclusion, I'll forever live this fantasy of being in the squad of Moon Jiwoong, Ko Yurim, Ji Seungwan, Na Heedo and Baek Yijin. I'll never get over them emotionally. :")
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Been waiting a long time for a drama like this.
To me, this drama is like a blend of Reply 1988 and Weightlifting Fairy. The focus of romance, family life, and friendship (all while keeping the plot rather realistic) is everything a k-drama fan desires and it's not often that it's done so perfectly. Not only did this drama bring out every emotion possible in me, but it left me smiling after I finished it. The acting was amazing and the side characters' stories are main character worthy...if you know what I mean.YOU MUST WATCH THIS!!! These types of Kdramas...WE NEED MORE PlEASEEEE!!
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Freely flying but anchored. Like a lone kite.
Food analogy: sweet and spicy tteokbokki(Delicious and chewy, makes you keep on digging, the sweetness on the tongue feels melancholic and warm but the spice keeps it hot and brings you to tears but,
But You Don't Wanna Stop)
Story is sweet and inspiring and sad and interesting and simple and complex. Will keep you hooked. Will make you hate. Will make you love. Will make you cry. The vibes are pretty similar to Reply 1988 from my POV. If you are looking for a bitchin story. It's it.
Nam joo hyuk and Lee tae Ri has already proven them before and they are a treat here aswell. Look out for the other three MCs, A great performance and such flexibility and ranges. Loved everyone in the cast though.
Rewatch value is low, Coz journey once is enough. This won't be my Go-to drama. For reason you have to watch to find out.
P.S: People who like cotton candy stuff will be pleased and disappointed at the same time coz, even though this will make you feel good, it will force you to come back to reality as well.
So, Give it a go. For the hope. For the reality.
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Predicament
From the moment I started to keep up with this drama, I fell in love.If something makes me feel nostalgic and fills my heart with warmth at the thought, of course I will hold onto it dearly. This drama had given me those feelings and so much more. The youthful innocence mixed with navigating independence, the struggle to provide and be present while wanting something for yourself, and the presence of love as a way of life rather than an arrangement.
Those are all things that were so beautifully addressed by our lovely cast and story.
Yet, the last episode lacked all of this. It lacked the authenticity and uniqueness this drama had. Perhaps, the goal was to show that not everything happens the way you think it will, but I firmly believe that lesson can be taught in different ways.
Why did the ending feel so unnatural? It was likely because in an effort to do something new, the story fell into a vague grey area where it lost its way.
Of course, I will never forget the way my heart fluttered when Baek Yi Jin did whatever he could to supprt Heedo. I will never forget how touched I felt when that group of friends navigated their youth together.
Is it so wrong to have wanted more for them? I don't think so.
I can't pretend that the story leading up to the finale didn't have a tight grip on my heart that loosened out of confusion upon watching the ending. But at least I can look back at those moments that fill me with joy and remember that there was a time when things were different.
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A BEAUTIFUL KDRAMA
A healing drama, from which I learned so many things to fight for your dreams but also that it's okay to give up when that doesn't make us happy anymore.A drama with a majestic cast of actors, well-developed characters, a fresh but deep plot that.
When the characters were happy we were happy with them and when they suffered we also suffered with them.
I have nothing more to say than I loved it, I was so anxious for the weekends to come so I could see it.
And although the ending was bittersweet, I cannot blame the decisions of the leads, break up was also an act of love for themselves and for the other, I couldnt think of Na Hee Do living everything that caused her so much pain in her childhood for her mother And I couldn't imagine Baek Yi Jin giving up on his dreams after all the stuff he went through. One of the best kdramas the I've ever seen.
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amazing
everything was rlly good. the ending had me disappointed for a while but it was realistic i get it. it was still nice. i cried every episode atleast 3 times. i don't want it to end rlly. watching shows that r rlly good while they r airing is the best cuz it keeps u waiting for every episode and it lasts long but it's so sad when it ends lol. i would rewatch this over and over again till my eyes pop out. bona was honestly so cute too lmao. i came for bona and taeri and im so glad i did cuz this is definitely one of my fav romance dramas nowVond je deze recentie nuttig?
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The essence of human bonds
Oh out of all Kdramas I had to come across twenty-five twenty-one when I was just starting out on the genre. As an avid anime fan who had delved slightly into Jdramas, I started out with twenty-five twenty-one, fresh out of a fallout with someone I deeply cared for over three years, looking for a change from anime. I had picked it up because I have always enjoyed sports dramas when it came to anime and saw an essence of work similar to the mangaka Mitsuru Adachi. The first episode had me hooked, particularly because my impression of kdrama before was that they generally develop female protagonists in a very narrow way. Kim Tae Ri nailed Na Hee Do, who genuinely gave out a shonen protagonist energy, with her deeply expressive acting, the story revolving and developing through her. Over the course of catching up week to week, I had the opportunity to watch dozens of other kdramas, which in hindsight make me appreciate how masterful this work was.I think one of the most wonderful thing about this drama is that it is very human, The interactions and energy between the characters is very human and the idea of really really close individually growing completely distant is a very relatable and human facet of reality. In fact I loved the split they did with the episodes spending over 10 episodes developing the foundational facet of their bond, 3-4 episodes on the bloom, and 1-1.5 episodes on the fallout, particularly because in real life, the bitter fallout is only a small and temporary facet of a human relationship, even though it may be very impactful for the tiome being. The most important parts are the happy memories you make with an individual over the course of your relationship is what should be the point of focus which is what was wonderfully done. I was emotionally shaken at the end of the last episode because the themes hit too close to home. While in some ways it intensified the emotions I was going through, being in a similar place in life, I think it also helped me overcome the resentment which had built up for the other person, making me realize that I have had too many happy memories and have deeply cared for the other individual which is what i would want to remember them by.
And oh the music, don't even get me started. Jaurim's piece just feels like a jigsaw fit with the show (which makes sense since it probably inspired the show in the first place). And of course, Wonstein, Bibi, and all the other pieces fit perfectly with different stages of the story.
All and all I think this drama probably lies in the top cream of the things I have watched with one piece, sakamichi no appollon, and sangatsu no lion. I definitely think this show has definitely helped me get back to my original perspective on how to remember human relationships at a very hard time in my life and I am thankful for it!
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Loved it but hated it
I don't want to Lower my score because that would be too unfair for the magnificent acting of the cast, ESPECIALLY the main couple's, the amazing cinematography and story (for most episodes) BUT... but...The point of the show is how we mature through our experiences and relationships (especially first love). The problem is that the main leads never overcame their relationship with each other. They still have feelings for each other and regrets till the end of the show (present), which nullifies the whole point of the story!!! I hate sad endings in general, but I hate them even more when they exist just to exist without actually contributing anything to the story. If they had at least moved on, it would have been a better ending, a sad but nonetheless well made ending, which unfortunately, for me, it was not.
Also mature doesn't equal miserable and filled with regrets. But that's exactly what I got from this ending. Some relationships are worth fighting for... they're not just stages that lead to our "miserable" adult life... People can be successful both in their professional lifes and in their relationships. We don't need to sacrifice either of them for the sake of the other...
All in all I loved the first 13 (more or less) episodes but I cannot find the ending ideal nor realistic, which ruins the story for me. People express love differently but I cannot fathom 2 people loving each other so much, in a resolvable situation, instead of trying to work things out, they just break up. Both relationships and work alike require effort to maintain.
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