The Truth About ‘Twenty-Five Twenty-One’: Was It Really That Good?

The show kicks off in 2020 with a girl quitting ballet and running away to her grandmother’s house. While there, she stumbles upon her mother’s diary from 1998, a time when South Korea was deep in the IMF crisis*, setting the stage for the K-drama to begin.

*IMF Crisis: The IMF crisis refers to the financial struggles in the late 1990s when South Korea faced a severe economic downturn and had to seek assistance from the International Monetary Fund. This period was marked by widespread unemployment, business closures, and significant social and economic challenges.*

Back in 1998, Our protagonist, Na Hee Do (the girl’s mother), is first seen excitedly heading to Saturday class to see “that kid.” While we assume it’s her boyfriend, it turns out to be her idol, Go Yu Rim, a fencer whom Hee Do aspires to compete against. Her joy quickly turns to dismay when her school’s fencing club is shut down. Determined to continue pursuing her dream, Hee Do sets her sights on transferring to Tae-Yang High, where Yu Rim trains.

Back home, she runs into her mom, a news anchor, a workaholic, and an all-around distant mother figure,  and asks to transfer schools. Her mom, fully aware of Hee Do’s struggles in fencing, immediately says no and tells her to quit since she’s not good enough. The rejection, however, only fuels Hee Do’s resolve.

Meanwhile, outside, a paperboy, Baek Yi Jin, shows up to deliver the newspaper, unintentionally eavesdropping on the argument inside. Long story short , he throws the newspaper, breaks Hee Do’s fake statue, gets an earful about it (especially since there’s a sign that literally says “No Newspaper”), and they part ways. Turns out, Yi Jin just moved to the neighbourhood and is juggling two jobs — delivering newspapers and working at a comic book store. Why does this matter? Because Hee Do is a regular at that very store, where she always picks up the comic Full House. This chance interaction sparks the beginning of their relationship.

Back to Hee Do’s transfer desperation. After a dramatic night of begging the Tae-Yang High fencing coach to teach her (only to be rejected but encouraged to transfer), she decides it’s time to get creative. By that, I mean she hatches a series of ridiculous plans to force her school into kicking her out  so she’ll have no choice but to transfer. From picking fights to sneaking into a club as a minor, her attempts hilariously fail.

At the club, she runs into Yi Jin again, and we learn that he used to be rich  until his family lost everything during the crisis. He, being the responsible adult in this scenario, drags Hee Do out of the club and gives her a solid scolding about making dumb choices and terrible planning. Hee Do continues her mission to join Tae-Yang High’s fencing team. After enduring a series of tests, losing her belongings, and relentless persistence, the coach finally agrees to let her join. What Hee Do doesn’t know is that her mother secretly visited the coach earlier, asking her to give Hee Do a chance — a heartwarming twist that quickly turns comical when we realise Hee Do lost all her things for no reason.

Overjoyed, Hee Do begins her new chapter at Tae-Yang High, thrilled to be on the same team as Yu Rim. But before we get to that long-awaited fan moment, Hee Do meets Moon Ji Woong, the resident pretty boy with a raging crush on Yu Rim. We also meet Ji Seung Wan, the class president and Ji Woong’s childhood best friend. Finally, the big moment arrives and  Hee Do meets her idol. She beams, expresses how honoured she is to be on the same team, and then, bam. Yu Rim shuts her down cold and tells her she won’t last — a shocking and disheartening turn. Before we even have time to process this, we cut back to Yi Jin, who’s still trying to navigate his new life.

We learn that his family once sponsored Yu Rim’s fencing career, a relationship that ended when his family lost their fortune. Yi Jin moves into Seung Wan’s family’s guesthouse, and we uncover the root of Yu Rim’s hostility towards Hee Do: years ago, Hee Do defeated Yu Rim in a fencing match, leaving Yu Rim feeling threatened ever since. This rivalry only intensifies when Hee Do wins another significant match against her.

As for Hee Do and Yi Jin, their bond deepens during a whimsical night of waterfalls and laughter. In an emotional moment, Hee Do overhears Yi Jin telling his father’s former employees that he’ll never find happiness again. Not on her watch. To cheer him up, she playfully makes a pact: he can only be happy with her, and only in secret — a sweet and unforgettable moment that captures their unique connection.

A few days later, Hee Do’s coach informs her that she’s been given a rare chance to compete in the nationals after two competitors withdrew from the lineup. Then, we get another layer to Hee Do’s life ,  her online friend. Throughout the drama, we see her exchanging messages with this mysterious person, who, on this particular day, tells her exactly what she needed to hear: Yu Rim was in the wrong for not standing up for herself when an older girl got mad at them for practicing late at night. Their conversation is adorably supportive, showing just how close they’ve become. Just as we’re admiring their heartwarming dynamic, the show drops a bombshell: The anonymous online friend? None other than Yu Rim herself!

Meanwhile, Yi Jin is struggling to find a job, but Hee Do’s chaotic personality keeps lifting his spirits. Eventually, the big day arrives,  Hee Do competes for a spot on the national team and makes it all the way to the finals. With her sharp instincts, she quickly adapts to her opponent’s moves and wins! While she’s celebrating, Yi Jin leaves town with his brother, heading to Pohang, where his mother is staying. Life moves forward and Hee Do moves into the national team dorms… and ends up rooming with Yu Rim.

Months pass, and Yi Jin returns to Seoul as a trainee reporter. Meanwhile, Hee Do wins a bronze medal in a fencing competition, while Yu Rim struggles under mounting pressure from her coaches. Yi Jin and Hee Do eventually reunite, with Yi Jin giving her the long-awaited Full House Volume 15.

Fast forward to the Asian Games. Hee Do and Yu Rim both make it to the finals, facing off in an intense match. The deciding moment? They both land a hit at what looks like the same time. But Hee Do is declared the winner.

Yu Rim, convinced she touched first, complains to the referee. He stands by his decision. The problem? Everyone wanted Yu Rim to win, so the entire country jumps on board, painting Hee Do as a fraud. The controversy explodes when Yu Rim, feeding the flames, tells reporters she was robbed. What should have been Hee Do’s greatest moment becomes one of her worst.

Fortunately, Yi Jin isn’t about to let her sit in that misery. He picks her up and she demonstrates that fencers actually know when they win. Conclusion? Yu Rim was just being a sore loser. Yi Jin then tracks down the referee and persuades him to give an interview, clearing Hee Do’s name and restoring her honour.

Days pass, and the long-awaited online friend meetup is finally happening. Hee Do and Yu Rim each plan to carry a yellow rose so they can recognise each other. Sounds simple, right? Well… Yu Rim arrives first, spots Hee Do holding the rose, and immediately panics. Instead of facing reality, she nopes out and hands the rose to Yi Jin, making a run for it. Enter Hee Do, who now sees Yi Jin holding her signal flower. However, the truth hits soon enough — it’s not him.

Yu Rim continues to hide her online identity as Yi Jin begins work on a documentary featuring both fencers. When some girls badmouth Yu Rim, Hee Do intervenes and fights them. This leads to an argument where Yu Rim finally confesses that she’s the anonymous friend. They share an honest, heartfelt conversation, patch things up, and their relationship undergoes a dramatic shift.

Time moves forward, and the squad, Yi Jin, Hee Do, Yu Rim, Ji Woong, and Seung Wan, head to the beach. This trip gives us some much-needed bonding time, filled with fun, chaos, and unexpectedly deep moments. Their friendships feel solidified. But just as we’re basking in their youthful glow, we cut to the 21st century, where Hee Do casually drops the bombshell that she doesn’t even remember the trip. Time really does fly, doesn’t it?

Back in the past, the group returns home, their bonds stronger than ever. Yi Jin gets promoted and is now in charge of the documentary. Meanwhile, Hee Do’s mom? Still on brand. She misses yet another meet-up with Hee Do, reinforcing the long-standing rift between them. The rifts origin started back in 1993 when Hee Do’s father passed away and her mother chose to broadcast breaking news instead of attending the funeral.

Even as her resentment lingers, Hee Do’s relationship with her mother begins to mend, thanks to a set of chairs. But these aren’t just any chairs, they’re ones her father crafted before his passing. While Hee Do had assumed her mom threw them out, she discovered that her mother had them repaired. This revelation cracks the ice just a little. It fully melts when they visit her father’s grave, and her mom tearfully admits she’s still deeply affected by his loss.

Time moves on, bringing significant change. Seung Wan, the school’s top student, shocks everyone by dropping out of school. Why? After a notoriously abusive teacher beats Ji Woong until he bleeds, Seung Wan reaches her limit. Despite corporal punishment being banned, no authority figures take action, even when she calls the police. The final straw comes when the teacher demands Seung Wan beg for forgiveness and publicly promise not to challenge him again. Refusing to compromise her principles, Seung Wan drops out, making a bold stand against injustice. While her classmates admire her courage, the decision marks something deeper — the end of an era. The high school years are coming to a close.

Shifting dynamics continue as Yi Jin begins to avoid Hee Do after she kisses him on New Year’s. Though he tries to create distance, his resolve falters, and they eventually enter a relationship.

Things take a sharp turn for the worse when Yu Rim’s father is involved in a car accident, crashing into someone else. While her father comes out of it mostly unscathed, the other boy is not so lucky. With the mounting financial burden, Yu Rim, feeling trapped, decides to change her nationality to Russian to receive financial support. It’s a heartbreaking decision, and Yi Jin, now working full-time as a reporter, is forced to betray his friends by announcing her decision. The nation’s reaction is swift and harsh, branding Yu Rim a traitor.

We reach 2000, and Yi Jin, unable to hurt his friends further, transfers to local news. Even though Yu Rim is now in Russia, she and Hee Do continue to stay in touch, exchanging messages frequently. But as the pressures intensify, especially with a crucial Madrid match coming up, the friendship starts to strain.

Finally, the Madrid match arrives, and both Hee Do and Yu Rim make it to the finals. Hee Do wins, but the moment is bittersweet. The two break down in tears and hug, showing the world that despite everything, their friendship still transcends the fierce competition. This moment, dubbed “Friendship before borders,” becomes a symbol of the deep emotional toll they’ve both endured.

Time continues on and Hee Do and Yi Jin are still in a relationship. Ever since Yi Jin transferred to local news, he’s begun to slowly put his career over their relationship more and more, leaving Hee Do feeling things she’s felt before with her mom. Regardless, she continues to put up with it and makes it work. That is, until their anniversary comes. With their anniversary approaching on September 12, 2001, Hee Do waits at the airport for Yi Jin. But as she watches the news of the 9/11 attacks, she starts to piece together why Yi Jin is late. Yi Jin cancels their trip and rushes to New York to report on the devastating events. Hee Do tries her best to be supportive, but the emotional toll of Yi Jin’s trauma and guilt starts to take its toll.

The following year, Yi Jin accepts a job offer to move to New York, and their relationship, already hanging by a thread, starts to unravel. Hee Do, unable to ignore the distance between them, grows frustrated. After a suitcase mix-up unexpectedly reunites them, they have a heartbreaking realisation — they’ve drifted apart and are living in completely different worlds. When Hee Do ends their cellphone couple’s contract, they revisit their relationship one last time. While Yi Jin hopes to reconcile, Hee Do is resolute, citing deja vu and the parallels between her life with Yi Jin and the challenges she faced with her reporter mother. Yi Jin candidly admits that her unwavering support had become a burden. With that, their relationship officially ends.

Years pass. Time has changed everything, and we see the fruits of their hard work. Yu Rim, now retired from fencing, owns her own fencing school. Ji Woong has built a successful website and clothing brand. Seung Wan is now leading reality TV shows. Hee Do, on the verge of retiring from fencing, looks back on everything she’s achieved. And Yi Jin? He returns to Korea, now a prominent news anchor.

The show concludes with an alternate ending to their breakup which was  how they would’ve wanted it to go. Hee Do thanks Yi Jin for always supporting her through her loneliness, and Yi Jin expresses his gratitude for her unwavering support during the toughest times. They both admit that things didn’t turn out the way either of them hoped and despite their separation, they acknowledge the impact they’ve had on each other’s lives before parting ways for good.

The End.