When it comes to series I wonder why I watched, the series I’m about to review ranks high on the list. And it’s simply because why do I have to cry buckets because I’m watching your show? But I’m reviewing it now because it is one of the best K-dramas I’ve seen to date. I hardly see any Korean movies that don’t take me on an emotional rollercoaster, but this was off the charts. Anyway, I’m already reviewing it without knowing, so let’s just get into it.
Twenty-five Twenty-one (2022)
The story starts with the present when Min Chae quits ballet and runs to her grandmother’s house. While she’s there in her mother’s old room, she stumbles on her mother’s diary and from there, the story is told of her mother, Na Hee Do in 1998, who transfers from her old school to a new one because they’ve closed down their fencing program and she needs to pursue her passion.
There she meets her idol in the fencing sport, but unfortunately, they become rivals. In the high school setting, the struggle for the true meaning of friendship, love, passion and sacrifice comes into play. To crown it all, we have the charming Baek Yi Jin whose relationship with Hee Do constantly dances on the line between friendship and love. Can Hee Do achieve her dream to be on the national fencing team? What would become of her relationship with Baek Yi Jin? Does everyone get a happy ending? The possibilities are endless.
My Review and Rating
So, I was struggling not to give off too much there because I wanted to avoid spoilers as much as I could. I don’t think I may fully succeed but let’s see how it goes. I’ll start by appreciating Kim Tae Ri who played the teenager, Na Hee Do. When I saw her age, I was in shock that a woman in her thirties could pull off being a teenager so effortlessly. It’s sort of a bildungsroman series, so you see her evolution from a teenager to a woman. But even then, I thought she was a teenager playing the role of a woman, not the other way around. Pretty brilliant stuff.
What I would not call Twenty-five Twenty-one is a romance series, because it is not one. It’s a series that celebrates passion for one’s goal and the value of friendship like no other. Watching the friendship dynamic from idol-fan to rivals to friends and then best friends, was like watching a caterpillar morph into a butterfly. Maybe not an excellent comparison, but you get my drift. It was truly an amazement seeing how that played out.
Then we move to the waterworks. Why did they have to make it so sad? I nearly fell into depression with how this series kept making me cry. Why can’t you make the smiles and laughter last forever? Why can’t you give everyone the happiness they deserve. I learnt about sacrifice and priorities. About how two people can conveniently set plans and life watching them as they set it, knowing fully well that she’s not going to let their well-laid plans materialize. We’ve got our passions, but if something or someone was a priority, wouldn’t you compromise for them? Wouldn’t you chase after them? Why can’t you seize your happiness and hold steadfastly to it?
You guys, this is getting personal and I’m beginning to have the waterworks again remembering how this drama panned out, but I won’t let the enemy win, lol. Anyway, this series had brilliant OSTs. The soundtracks were amazing. And I have a personal favourite that I can hardly listen to without crying. I’m a hoarder, as you know, so I’m, not keen on sharing this track. But if you saw the drama, you would know what the track is. So yeah, this is your motivation to see the series. Nothing for you over here, lol.
All in all, I will never regret seeing Twenty-five Twenty-one. It’s a series with far too many valuable lessons for me to regret even though the ending wasn’t too pleasing. Oh, I forgot to add that I learnt about fencing. Who knew that it was such an interestingly impressive sport. I always skipped in my sports viewings, but since I saw this series and learnt the rules, I’ve loved every moment of fencing as a sport. Giving this series an 8/10. Two points out for things not going my way. I’m petty like that. Hah! Really guys. Go watch this and touch gold like I did.
