[Ishani's Picks] Top 10 Reasons Why "Twenty Five Twenty One" Is Brilliantly Tugging At Our Heartstrings

One of the most highly awaited K-Dramas of 2022, "Twenty Five Twenty One" has finally premiered worldwide and viewers are smitten, to say the least. Starring a captivating cast of actors: Kim Tae-ri, Nam Joo-hyuk, and rising stars Choi Hyun-wook, Kim Ji-yeon, and Lee Joo-myung, "Twenty Five Twenty One" is well on its way to becoming one of the most beloved dramas of the year and it hasn't even reached its second week of broadcast. Here's why.

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1. "Twenty Five Twenty One" has managed to capture an audience consisting of little children to teenagers, young adults, as well as grown-ups and it shows in the ratings it has garnered over the first two episodes. While not everyone can relate to the timeline of thenarrative, they can still identify with the characters, their hopes, and dreams and as such, resonate with the pulse of the story.

2. With "Newtro" being one of the most potent trends in South Korea in recent times, it is not a surprise that the nation is responding so well to "Twenty Five Twenty One". However, the 90s nostalgia is a global phenomenon and it hits different even if you haven't lived through the times. From the OST to the opening and ending edit, everything about "Twenty Five Twenty One" calls on his aesthetic, and needless to say, it is wonderfully effective.

3. Na Hee-do, played by Kim Tae-ri stands in as the poster child of innocence, sincerity, and most importantly, hard work in this drama. She goes from being a fencing prodigy to someone who's rather average but instead of letting it discourage her, she works hard with unwavering focus until she reaches her goal. This inspiring persistence is what has moved innumerable viewers.

4. Baek I-jin, played by Nam Joo-hyuk goes from riches to rags but what affects him in the worst way possible is how other people have to suffer because of his father's bankruptcy. Unlike Hee-do, he doesn't seem to have it in him to, quite literally, aim for the stars anymore but that doesn't deter him from doing his best with what little resources he has left. Baek I-jin is the universal underdog we all root for and once again, viewers from all over the world have united to cheer I-jin on.

5. One of the highlights of "Twenty Five Twenty One" is the preppy high school romance we can see blooming between the "pretty boy of Class Seven" Moon Ji-woong (played by Choi Hyun-wook) and the Olympic gold medalist Go Yoo-rim (played by Kim Ji-yeon). From an "opposites attract" trope to a possible love triangle with Ji-woong's best friend Ji Seung-wan (played by Lee Joo-myung), this storyline has everything we love about campus romances.

6. While love and friendship occupy a central position in the drama, the core of "Twenty Five Twenty One" also carries the spirit of sportsmanship and the thrill of competition. From riveting rivalry to enemies turned best friends, this drama will take you on a journey of adrenaline, laughter, and tears that you do not want to miss.

7. "Twenty Five Twenty One" opens with the portrayal of three generations of women: Kim  Min-chae (played by Choi Myung-bin), Hee-do's daughter, Hee-do and Sin  Jae-kyeong (played by Seo Jae-hee), Hee-do's mother. It particularly draws on the way their lives mirror each other, as well as the way they have experienced the world differently, owing to the times. Not only is this a neat storytelling device but it is also a brilliantly nuanced approach towards understanding our characters and their motivations.

8. When it comes to the appeal of "Twenty Five Twenty One", one simply cannot deny the effortlessly magical chemistry between Hee-do and I-jin. Bringing complementary personality traits into the mix, Hee-do and I-jin's relationship develops naturally yet steadily, keeping us on our toes about the future of their dynamic. Besides, both Hee-do and I-jin are so endearing that we cannot help but grow fond of them.

9. "Twenty Five Twenty One" does an incredible job of capturing the wave of change brought forth by the IMF Crisis on the collective consciousness of the nation. While the primary impact was all too apparent, the ripple effect was just as significant. While one lost the security of his family (I-jin), the other almost lost her dream (Hee-do) and so millions of lives were affected in a million different ways. "Twenty Five Twenty One" is not just a drama, it is a journal of the generation.

10. Finally, when all is said and done, "Twenty Five Twenty One" is a story of resilience, inspiration, love, laughter, and growth. Each character faces the tumultuous age they are thrown into with resolute determination, tenacity, and perseverance and we can only hope that they'll come out stronger in their own unique ways. After all, the spirit of youth can never give up.

If you're still debating on whether you should start watching "Twenty Five Twenty One", I sincerely urge you to give it a try because you'll walk away with an 11th reason for why it is so incredible.

You can watch new episodes of "Twenty Five Twenty One" every Saturday and Sunday, only on Netflix. Happy streaming!

By Ishani Sarkar

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"Twenty Five Twenty One" is directed by Jung Ji-hyun, written by Kwon Do-eun, and features Kim Tae-ri, Nam Joo-hyuk, Kim Ji-yeon, Choi Hyun-wook, Lee Joo-myung, Seo Jae-hee. Broadcasting information in Korea: 2022/02/12~Now airing, Sat, Sun 21:10 on tvN.