Twenty Five Twenty One Closing Thoughts

Before I share my closing thoughts, I wanted to briefly mention that I did not write my highlights for episode 15 and 16. Unfortunately, I did not plan my schedule out properly to allocate time after each episode to write my thoughts. I usually write my posts right after I finish each episode because that’s when my thoughts are the most free flowing and easy to write down, but I let my schedule slip for a couple of days. When I tried to write out my highlights then, it was too difficult to remember what my thoughts were. So I apologize for not having highlights for the last two episodes! I do however want to share my final thoughts about this korean drama.

Final Thoughts

Before I even started watching this korean drama, I knew that the ending was a huge controversy. When I was researching korean dramas to watch, almost every mention of 25-21 had some sort of comment about the ending. I already took that as a sign of “Oh the main leads aren’t going to be together”. That did put sort of a bad taste in my mouth but I really really liked the synopsis of the korean drama. The idea of rebuilding your life and pursuing your dreams and ambitions is the current theme of my own life.

I’ll most likely get chewed out for saying this, but I am glad that the show ended as it did. I thought the writers did a great job portraying Nee-Do and Yi-Jin’s relationship at the end. They showed us a very balanced and what I felt like was almost a realistic representation of what it’s like to handle a growing career and an important relationship. We got to see the good side of the relationship: spending time together and doing cute things like buying matching suitcases. We also got to see the bad and difficult side of their relationship: the loneliness from long distance, the constant promise breaking, and eventually the realization from Yi-Jin that the career was more important than the relationship. They even showed the two arguing and fighting like I think any couple would. Overall, I felt like the last two episodes really did a good job portraying and wrapping up the romantic journey between Nee-Do and Yi-Jin.

If this drama came out when I first started watching korean dramas right out of college, I would’ve been so disappointed at the ending because I would’ve wanted the happy ending. Like come on…they spent 15 episodes building up the relationship only to have it end in one episode? Yeah they used time jumps (like 5 months later or 11 years later) to fast forward their relationship in the final episode but I don’t think I would’ve understood how that was more significant than the time span of their relationship over 15 episodes (which I think was maybe like 3 years). A part of me still wishes it was a happy ending because who doesn’t want a happy ending with these two amazing characters & actors?

The show also did a great job incorporating the progression of each of the 5 character’s journey into their 20s. Seeing the awkwardness of Yu-rim and Ji-ung was quite refreshing because high school love is always cringe haha. Seeing them follow through with their talents by becoming entrepreneurs was awesome. The maturity that Seung-wan bought to the group helped control the high energy the group had. Although we didn’t see much of her journey after leaving the high school, she was still able to find herself a job and stay mentally stable.

I thoroughly enjoyed the entire soundtrack (my favorite song is Your Existence by Wonstein). It’ll definitely be a part of my korean drama playlist on Youtube.

I can see myself rewatching this show. It’s definitely a top 3 korean drama show that I would recommend anybody to watch.

Thanks for reading!