Twenty-Five Twenty-One brings a poignant closure to the romantic journey of Na Hee-do (Kim Tae-ri) and Baek Yi-jin (Nam Joo-hyuk) across its 16 episodes. Since its premiere in 2022, this acclaimed Korean drama has captured audiences on Netflix, weaving a tale of love that is both nostalgic and heart-wrenching. The storyline unfolds in the present when Hee-do’s daughter, Kim Min-chae (Choi Myung-bin), discovers her mother’s diary, prompting a series of flashbacks that reveal the depth of Hee-do and Yi-jin’s relationship.
Throughout the series, viewers witness the blossoming romance between Hee-do and Yi-jin during their high school years, leading to an agonizing separation. Following their split, both characters pursue independent paths, achieving career milestones and navigating various relationships. While Hee-do ultimately finds love and has a daughter, the identity of Min-chae’s father remains a mystery.
The Split Between Baek Yi-jin and Na Hee-do
Diverging Paths
At the outset of Twenty-Five Twenty-One, it is evident that Yi-jin and Hee-do are no longer together. The show subtly hints at a breakup that occurred after their passionate whirlwind romance in 1998. As the final episode unfolds, the painful details of their last night together emerge. Yi-jin’s commitment to his journalism career clouds his relationship, while Hee-do dedicates herself to her aspiration of competing in the Olympics, leaving little room for their romance to thrive.
A climactic argument erupts one evening, marking the end of their relationship. In a moment of anger, they exchange harsh words and part ways. Shortly after the breakup, Yi-jin encounters Hee-do’s diary, the same diary Min-chae cherishes in the present. When Yi-jin discovers the depth of Hee-do’s feelings through her entries, he rushes to reconcile, only to confront a poignant truth: their paths are irrevocably diverging.
The heartbreaking reality is revealed: Yi-jin is bound for America, and Hee-do is committed to representing Korea on an Olympic stage. Regardless of their emotional bond, the circumstances dictate a heartbreaking farewell, both apologizing for their words and parting ways without deeper wounds.
Kim Min-chae’s Discoveries
A New Revelation
Min-chae keeps her secret discovery of Hee-do’s diary close until the series finale. Since her mother’s breakup, Hee-do has achieved Olympic success and built a family, while Yi-jin has returned to South Korea as a prominent news anchor, serendipitously working alongside Hee-do’s mother. In a twist of fate, Min-chae presents the diary to Hee-do two decades after the split, revealing a poignant final page that Hee-do never penned.
This unwritten page contains Yi-jin’s heartfelt sentiments, expressing his enduring love for Hee-do and reflecting on the regrets stemming from their breakup fight. Instead of returning it directly to her, he entrusted the diary to a shopkeeper, who forgot about it until Min-chae’s chance encounter. Hee-do’s emotional response to Yi-jin’s words underscores the enduring connection they once shared.
The End of Their Story
Hee-do’s New Reality
In a reflective moment, Hee-do revisits the poignant site where her relationship with Yi-jin concluded in 1998. Here, she contemplates the futility of their arguments, acknowledging the love that was overshadowed by misunderstandings. Instead of dwelling on their hurtful exchanges, she imagines how different their farewell might have been had they expressed the love documented in the diary.
In a transformative revelation, it is confirmed that Hee-do has moved on to build a fulfilling life with a husband and daughter. Walking away from her past with Yi-jin, she heads home, leaving the narrative open-ended and allowing viewers to ponder her future.
Interpreting the Conclusion of Twenty-Five Twenty-One
An Unfinished Journey
The conclusion of Twenty-Five Twenty-One sparked debate among fans, with opinions varying widely on its execution. While some view it as a poignant and realistic portrayal of love lost due to circumstance, others find it frustrating, feeling it undermines the character development throughout the series. The narrative adeptly highlights the central idea that despite deep emotional ties, external pressures can lead to irreversible consequences.
While a reconciliation seems unlikely given their ambitions at the time, the potential for future connections remains. The notion of a “one that got away” resonates profoundly with viewers, prompting speculations about whether Yi-jin and Hee-do might reconnect in later years, perhaps finding their paths crossing again when circumstances allow.
A compelling parallel can be drawn from an anecdote shared by the Facebook page Humans of New York, which narrates a similar tale of love rediscovered after decades apart. This anecdote illustrates that while life may lead hearts on separate journeys, it is entirely possible for lost connections to be rekindled, even after a substantial passage of time. The timeline may not have aligned for Hee-do and Yi-jin in 1998, and arguably not in 2018, but possibilities abound for their future, whether it be 2028, 2038, or beyond.
Reception of the Series Finale
Diverse Reactions to the Finale
As one of the most celebrated romance dramas on Netflix, Twenty-Five Twenty-One’s finale polarized audiences. It is rare for a series to conclude with such starkly contrasting viewpoints, as discussions surrounding the last episode exemplify a passionate divide. While some cherish the authentic realism presented in the characters’ separation, others lament it as an unsatisfactory culmination that detracts from the show’s overall narrative.
Supporters of the series finale highlight the authenticity of the characters’ journey, reading their separation as an inevitable outcome of the timing and circumstances surrounding their lives. This perspective frames the narrative not as a traditional romance, but as a story of love hindered by the need for personal ambitions.
Conversely, critics argue that the conclusion undermines the romantic premise, leaving many feeling cheated of the customary happy ending typically expected in such stories. While the finale may have disrupted standard tropes, it’s evident that varying opinions exist on whether this was a welcome deviation or an unsatisfactory resolution.
Ultimately, the artistic decisions made in Twenty-Five Twenty-One’s conclusion stand out for their depth and complexity. The emotional performances remain commendably strong, reinforcing the notion that while the ending diverged from viewer expectations, it did not negate the show’s compelling storytelling.
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