Rainbows, youth, and first loves
Ready your tissues. Legit colds and tears. Not to be taken lightly.
I have been charmed by a few kdramas recently but Twenty Five Twenty One would be my favorite.
If you’re familiar with Our Times (one of my fav films) it’s like this but packaged differently.
An honest, deep, and really moving take on life, friendship, the times, and dreams. I loved that the characters have a solid dream outside of having a life partner.
The writer’s taste on good music and novels was really evident, too.
It is refreshing to watch an innocent relationship grow over the course of time, without any romantic intent or expectations. This drama is not about surfaced attraction or forced connections, it is about the characters’ appreciation and support for each other in changing seasons of their lives.
First Loves, Dreams and Rainbows
Na Hee-Do is a dreamer. Back Yi-Jin is rebuilding and recovering his life.
The first episodes feel like a real big hug from the universe. Conversations are simple yet warm, and it can wrap around whatever it is you’re feeling at this point in your life.
We were made to believe that we can give up on our dreams when we fail at our first attempts but who cares if we try again? Nobody even keeps the score if we do.
Na Hee Do failed so many times at fencing, Back Yi Jin seems to be turned down all the time, but both of them were brought together to root for each other.
Back Yi Jin: “You are by far the most experienced fencer when it comes to losing. Those losses were blocks to build yourself stairs leading up… Take your time to climb it and take whatever you want.”
Na Hee Do: “Why do you root for me?”
Back Yi Jin: “Because you give me hope. And I want more for you. When you do well, it makes me want to do well, too.”
When Back Yi-Jin couldn’t believe in himself, Hee Do assures, “Wherever you are, I’ll make sure my support reaches you.”
It feels so good to believe in someone.
It feels so good to be rooted for.
Diaries, Friendships and Uncomplicated Youth
Na Hee Do loved to write and kept a lot of journals to herself — she kept sentimental things, wrote about her days, and recorded everything she could to remember. (I could relate a lot!)
And how can I forget the Taeyang Squad. They are for keeps.
They saw me laugh, weep, and grip my chest all throughout their journey.
At one point in their lives, their dreams were crushed by the times. They figured things out together, fought with and for each other, and stayed at each other’s side when life was too heavy to take.
This brings me to a nostalgic return to the uncomplicated days of my youth. It made me realize that growing apart is a choice, just as growing together is a choice.
Life happens, seasons change, but you can choose the ones you will keep in your life.
Love Without Regrets — Honest, Deep, and Really Moving Take on Life
Some important and honest things to note here, (1) the leads live a normal life and they weren’t made ideal just because they’re leads. (2) they grew apart even when they didn’t want to (3) they lost a lot before they reached their dreams.
“Let’s love with no regrets while we’re alive” hit me to the core. It wasn’t even complex but it was so deep. The series didn’t try to sugar coat the struggle of reaching your dreams, growing apart with your first and greatest love, understanding your parents, and more.
Hee Do perfectly captured what it means to root for someone you love:
“I want to stay by your side
and watch you grow into a great person.
…You lead this world we live in to a much better place.
That’s who you are.
So… don’t hurt too much. Hang in there.”
If there is one series that made me deeply appreciate my current season and dreams, it is this. It made me cry buckets and buckets of tears (because of the countless times your heart will be moved). It was such a beautiful yet bittersweet journey, meeting and watching the characters throughout the years — growing up, overcoming hardships, and rooting for each other to live and love without regrets.
Thank you for the good tears, Na Hee Do and Back Yi-Jin.
