From being set up as the main antagonist in the start to actually having viewers side with Councilor Park by the end, Bloody Heart did a bloody great job. This drama is one of the best for me. Thank you beanies for recommending it on the wall
In the back of my mind, I always found it slightly weird that Yi-jin never had /made any friends of his own age. That’s a bit on the edge even without the love line, no?
That said, I love those guys. If I could go back, I think I’d stop watching right there.
I saw it as a choice to keep himself to himself as his rich former friends dumped him and he felt shame and grew up too quickly due to the responsibility of being the eldest son. He had also vowed to get things sorted and made a commitment to not being happy as his dad had caused pain to others. He did jobs he was working on his own or working stupid hours so I think the kids adopted him as their senior/older brother and he was dragged along unwillingly at first but they grew on him.
I also think Yi jin’s prior connection with Yu rim and her family meant that he was already used to hanging with that age group plus he had a younger brother of a similar age so to me it made sense and was acceptable.
I never felt like it was a jarring friendship – maybe because when I was at university, there were several older students who were naturally integrated into our circle, and, frankly, a 4 year gap in my eyes isn’t even a big one 😆
In my mind, him already being a professional and not relying on his parents was what made him feel like a grown-up in opposition to the high schoolers.
Anyways, I get what you mean, there are creepy people out there predating on younger kids. But somehow, I never felt uncomfortable about Yijin hanging out with the kids because he always kept clear boundaries, and very often it felt like he was just going back to the last point in his life when he felt happy and growing up from there
Ji woong appreciation post.
He was the perfect amount of cheesy, cool, cute and sweet!! Never too cringey. I personally loved each of his cheesy one liners xD😆💯
This post reminds me how much I appreciated the acting of the actress who played Yu-rim. Having to Star with the formidable KTR, it wouldn’t have worked the way it did had the actress’s acting chops were not on par with hers. Bravo!
So little dramas focus on female friendships for their own sake, not as a plot device to get the leads together. But 25/21 does it well. I have always been annoyed at dramas because I feel like while they often show that the female lead’s friend is always there for her in her hard times, the female lead’s support for her friend in her times of need, is always lacking imo. Alsoo, the “support” is always about boys. But not in 25/21. You Rim and Hee Do’s friendship evolves to be so pure and genuine, I love it!! Their progression from fan to enemies to best friends was so well done (and they barely talked about their respective boyfriends). Their hugs seemed so warm and comforting for each other. The 2001 match scenes were the best of them. I love their relationship. The best thing for me in this drama🧡🧡
This is so true, their friendship journey was a key feature of the drama especially the fact that they were friends online but enemies in real life at one point.
I think the female friendships in Melo is my nature, Radiance, Thirty nine and Dear my friends were examples of solid two way friendships outside of a love interest.
Logging back on dramabeans after months because 25/21 made me. My first bean of 2022.
Honestly the 2009 interview scene was so painful and so beautifully portrayed by the actors. Even though, from the hints, I knew from the start Hee Do and Yi Jin will not end up together, the dialogue, “congratulations on your wedding” was still very painful. Made me really sad for them. And did I mention the actors did a wonderful job here?? I could feel the nostalgic pain in their mannerism.
Regarding the ending, I am split between both sides. The drama was about youth and memories and moments not lasting forever. So I understood the breakup scene. I understand that people grow apart. But on the other side I also can’t help believe, that the kind of love Baek Yi Jin and Hee Do shared, they could have made it. The communication gap could have been overcome but again, maybe this is exactly what they learn from their break up? The sparse information we have about Hee Do’s current/future life tells us that she is currently living apart from her husband, for whatever reason. And this happens sometimes in life. The very thing that you avoid, you end up destined for it. Maybe this time Hee Do and her Kim smth significant other actively put in effort to communicate and this has helped their relationship survive. But whatever, I don’t want to think too much of her current/future life with someone else even if I am okay with the ending. I like the next to zero info we have regarding it.
All in all, 25 21 is an extremely well done slice of life youth drama, both my favourite genres🧡🧡.
PS; Expect some more posts and screenshots in a while (maybe in a few days idk) 😄😄
Do give this article a read beanies. 20 Korean words have been added in the Oxford dictionary. It\’s fascinating to see the impact k-dramas have had globally. https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/05/asia/korea
pfft..what a lackluster finale. So disappointing! There were of course some lone good scenes but overall my dissatisfaction with this season increased ten times after today. Ik Sun and Jun Wan getting back together where they started was a nice touch (even if it happened at the very end (😒). I feel like nitpicking every single detail but I am not going to except for one– why did they leave the Hawaii story hanging?? (the pictures that Jung Won used to black mail Jun Wan into joining the band). With approx 1.5 to 2hrs of screen time each week, they couldn’t take out a few tiny moments to give the viewers the complete story?. What’s the point of leaving it hanging? Did the writer completely forget about that? Did the viewers forget too and I am the only one who is annoyed? Or they mentioned it but it totally escaped me? I know its not a very significant detail and so my question arises from part annoyance and part curiosity.
my grip with this one is that there is loose end for everyone except for the supporting cast. dont get me wrong. i like jae hak and Gyeoul but they have their arcs properly resolved irks me tbh. im an avid Bidulgi supporter so i was crushed to see their 9 eps long angsty trope end like that for 1 mins 30 secs out of 2 hours eps finale. their scenes have no cohesion from one ep to another, especially after iksun confession scene at restaurant. i’m sure Iksong, Gomgom and Wintergarden followers felt the same way with how they end their arcs.
I have been hearing that the chances for s3 are less, which came as a surprise. I have been watching this season with the expectation that there will be another season. Over all, my interest for the show dipped and WinterxGarden lost its steam (for me). So maybe its a good thing. I don’t know if they will be able to satisfactorily wrap up the series next week but I hate that we still do not have any clarity between Jun Wan and Ik Sun. That it is literally the only couple I care about in the show (ChuxBear too), even after the creators did them dirty by splitting them up. This is one reason I do not like multiple season formats in hollywood shows. They need a a new story for each character each season, and so they end up ruining characters or couples, in this case. Since Junwan and Iksun got together really early in the previous season, they needed a new story for them in season 2 and thus entered noble idiocy. I would have liked it if they had instead shown that even with the many ups and downs that came in their relationship in long distance, they stuck it out and are now stronger as a couple.
Moving on, If they really do not intend to make another reason, I wish they had sailed the SongHwaxIkJun ship and the ChuxBear ship earlier so we could have had a few days with them, to warm us up or in SonghwaxIkjun case, convince us that yes they can be a good couple even if you didn’t want them together. One other thing that I felt was that the five friends shared the screen a lot less this time (not counting band practices) which is a pity honestly seeing how the show shines the most when the five are together.
With my thoughts out of the way, I am now prepared to bid adios to this show next week (perhaps forever).
I also thought that the show lost some of its poignancy though every case being a success. Did we have any deaths? (Other than the off-screen icu guy)
And what you said about all 5 of them. Those scenes seemed to be chopped right down. 🙁
A big FAT heart is what the show is❤️. I’m gonna miss it so much😭😭 My Monday’s wont be the same. Once again, thank youu writer-nim for this gem. Would love a s2 but only if its as good as s1. Awaiting your next drama,
Ayye these two are so cuute<3
Also, I got my wish with Hae Knag and Se Yoon playing mixed doubles together but with a nice little twist that I dont hate XD
We need more couples who share their weakeast moment with each other and not the opposite! They’re honest with their feelings and they always help each other! The middle school students but know way better than the other couples!
Hahaha this scene😂. But on a side note, I loved the attention on Woo chan, I love how Jeonnam’s victory does not rest entirely on Hae Kang’s shoulder, but on each of the racket boys. After all, the drama was all about friends and team work. It was the reason Hae Kang left badminton and the reason he started playing again <3
Mom coach did sum it up as well, as the other coaches were surprised by the win. Yes, in a desperate and extended match, skill and confidence usually wins which the Seoul team had, but in the end what made Joenam team win was their trust for each other. True teamwork.
All the attention is well deserved cause Woo Chan is really good looking. I love how the show stressed on how he plays defensive and how that is well suited to doubles. I love the teamwork these boys had. It made me jealous, wistful and totally in awe of them.
MeloMe
December 26, 2022 at 10:05 AM
My new favourite heroin #Jung-ah #Consort Park #Queen Yoo
MeloMe
December 26, 2022 at 10:07 AM
Even though I have a very measly bean count for 2022, this drama was the best styled one
MeloMe
December 26, 2022 at 3:10 AM
SPOILER ALERT FOR BLOODY HEART
From being set up as the main antagonist in the start to actually having viewers side with Councilor Park by the end, Bloody Heart did a bloody great job. This drama is one of the best for me. Thank you beanies for recommending it on the wall
korfan
December 27, 2022 at 6:29 PM
This was a good show and Jang Hyuk was fantastic in it. Glad you enjoyed it!
Eazal
December 31, 2022 at 1:45 AM
I think this one is the best drama for me in 2022.
MeloMe
December 26, 2022 at 12:45 AM
You know you have been reading too much psychology when you read “Jung” as “Yung”, as in Carl Jung (pronounced as Yung)
MeloMe
June 6, 2022 at 2:14 PM
Juts some kids and one adult creating memories together
Jance
June 6, 2022 at 3:27 PM
In the back of my mind, I always found it slightly weird that Yi-jin never had /made any friends of his own age. That’s a bit on the edge even without the love line, no?
That said, I love those guys. If I could go back, I think I’d stop watching right there.
Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
June 6, 2022 at 11:25 PM
I saw it as a choice to keep himself to himself as his rich former friends dumped him and he felt shame and grew up too quickly due to the responsibility of being the eldest son. He had also vowed to get things sorted and made a commitment to not being happy as his dad had caused pain to others. He did jobs he was working on his own or working stupid hours so I think the kids adopted him as their senior/older brother and he was dragged along unwillingly at first but they grew on him.
Jance
June 7, 2022 at 3:10 AM
Yeah logically it makes sense, just emotionally it feels a bit off. Maybe because there are so many creepy stories that have a similar premise….
Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
June 7, 2022 at 3:38 AM
Yep (former social worker in the house) definitely been there😒
Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
June 9, 2022 at 12:46 AM
I also think Yi jin’s prior connection with Yu rim and her family meant that he was already used to hanging with that age group plus he had a younger brother of a similar age so to me it made sense and was acceptable.
Fly Colours
June 7, 2022 at 8:46 AM
I never felt like it was a jarring friendship – maybe because when I was at university, there were several older students who were naturally integrated into our circle, and, frankly, a 4 year gap in my eyes isn’t even a big one 😆
In my mind, him already being a professional and not relying on his parents was what made him feel like a grown-up in opposition to the high schoolers.
Anyways, I get what you mean, there are creepy people out there predating on younger kids. But somehow, I never felt uncomfortable about Yijin hanging out with the kids because he always kept clear boundaries, and very often it felt like he was just going back to the last point in his life when he felt happy and growing up from there
Fly Colours
June 7, 2022 at 8:51 AM
*for clarification: when I say university, I mean from 18 years old on
MeloMe
June 6, 2022 at 1:47 PM
Ji woong appreciation post.
He was the perfect amount of cheesy, cool, cute and sweet!! Never too cringey. I personally loved each of his cheesy one liners xD😆💯
MeloMe
June 6, 2022 at 1:24 PM
Just Yu Rim and Hee Do together🧡🧡
This drama goes under the tag of “moments like these I wish I knew how to gif” :(🥹
mmmmm
June 7, 2022 at 12:11 AM
This post reminds me how much I appreciated the acting of the actress who played Yu-rim. Having to Star with the formidable KTR, it wouldn’t have worked the way it did had the actress’s acting chops were not on par with hers. Bravo!
Fly Colours
June 7, 2022 at 8:29 AM
I adored Heedo and Yurim. Shipped their friendship even more than I shipped their respective lovelines
MeloMe
June 6, 2022 at 1:12 PM
So little dramas focus on female friendships for their own sake, not as a plot device to get the leads together. But 25/21 does it well. I have always been annoyed at dramas because I feel like while they often show that the female lead’s friend is always there for her in her hard times, the female lead’s support for her friend in her times of need, is always lacking imo. Alsoo, the “support” is always about boys. But not in 25/21. You Rim and Hee Do’s friendship evolves to be so pure and genuine, I love it!! Their progression from fan to enemies to best friends was so well done (and they barely talked about their respective boyfriends). Their hugs seemed so warm and comforting for each other. The 2001 match scenes were the best of them. I love their relationship. The best thing for me in this drama🧡🧡
Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
June 6, 2022 at 11:34 PM
This is so true, their friendship journey was a key feature of the drama especially the fact that they were friends online but enemies in real life at one point.
I think the female friendships in Melo is my nature, Radiance, Thirty nine and Dear my friends were examples of solid two way friendships outside of a love interest.
MeloMe
June 4, 2022 at 1:52 PM
Logging back on dramabeans after months because 25/21 made me. My first bean of 2022.
Honestly the 2009 interview scene was so painful and so beautifully portrayed by the actors. Even though, from the hints, I knew from the start Hee Do and Yi Jin will not end up together, the dialogue, “congratulations on your wedding” was still very painful. Made me really sad for them. And did I mention the actors did a wonderful job here?? I could feel the nostalgic pain in their mannerism.
Regarding the ending, I am split between both sides. The drama was about youth and memories and moments not lasting forever. So I understood the breakup scene. I understand that people grow apart. But on the other side I also can’t help believe, that the kind of love Baek Yi Jin and Hee Do shared, they could have made it. The communication gap could have been overcome but again, maybe this is exactly what they learn from their break up? The sparse information we have about Hee Do’s current/future life tells us that she is currently living apart from her husband, for whatever reason. And this happens sometimes in life. The very thing that you avoid, you end up destined for it. Maybe this time Hee Do and her Kim smth significant other actively put in effort to communicate and this has helped their relationship survive. But whatever, I don’t want to think too much of her current/future life with someone else even if I am okay with the ending. I like the next to zero info we have regarding it.
All in all, 25 21 is an extremely well done slice of life youth drama, both my favourite genres🧡🧡.
PS; Expect some more posts and screenshots in a while (maybe in a few days idk) 😄😄
mmmmm
June 5, 2022 at 12:02 PM
I love this show a lot. It’s an extremely well-done show. *throws confetti**
But this cracked me up as it’s so true, “what you didnt want ended up being what you’re destined for”. It’s so true it hurts. 😂
MeloMe
December 15, 2021 at 7:03 AM
Attack
mindy
December 15, 2021 at 8:18 AM
True Crime makes me feel so uncomfy!
MeloMe
November 22, 2021 at 10:37 AM
Ok I love this pairing buttt the josean part aaahh. I tend to not like Korean period dramas 😭
https://mydramalist.com/article/kim-min-jae-and-kim-hyang-gi-offered-to-star-in-tvn-drama-joseon-psychia
bong-soo
November 22, 2021 at 12:03 PM
Thanks for the heads up on this project.
Ally
November 22, 2021 at 5:07 PM
Ohhhhh, I think I’ll like this one.
jillian
November 22, 2021 at 6:10 PM
Oohhh KMJ in sageuk. I liked his portrayal in Goblin.
MeloMe
October 8, 2021 at 5:34 AM
Do give this article a read beanies. 20 Korean words have been added in the Oxford dictionary. It\’s fascinating to see the impact k-dramas have had globally.
https://www.cnn.com/2021/10/05/asia/korea
wapz
October 8, 2021 at 6:35 AM
Interesting! Seoul may just become Asia’s entertainment hub in the next few years.
MeloMe
September 20, 2021 at 2:24 PM
pfft..what a lackluster finale. So disappointing! There were of course some lone good scenes but overall my dissatisfaction with this season increased ten times after today. Ik Sun and Jun Wan getting back together where they started was a nice touch (even if it happened at the very end (😒). I feel like nitpicking every single detail but I am not going to except for one– why did they leave the Hawaii story hanging?? (the pictures that Jung Won used to black mail Jun Wan into joining the band). With approx 1.5 to 2hrs of screen time each week, they couldn’t take out a few tiny moments to give the viewers the complete story?. What’s the point of leaving it hanging? Did the writer completely forget about that? Did the viewers forget too and I am the only one who is annoyed? Or they mentioned it but it totally escaped me? I know its not a very significant detail and so my question arises from part annoyance and part curiosity.
Broken is Bidulgi OTP trash all the way 🕊 🕊 🕊
September 20, 2021 at 7:18 PM
my grip with this one is that there is loose end for everyone except for the supporting cast. dont get me wrong. i like jae hak and Gyeoul but they have their arcs properly resolved irks me tbh. im an avid Bidulgi supporter so i was crushed to see their 9 eps long angsty trope end like that for 1 mins 30 secs out of 2 hours eps finale. their scenes have no cohesion from one ep to another, especially after iksun confession scene at restaurant. i’m sure Iksong, Gomgom and Wintergarden followers felt the same way with how they end their arcs.
i wish they managed the plot they planted better.
neener ~ Inside the Magic Shop ~
September 20, 2021 at 10:45 PM
You’re not alone. I want to know EXACTLY what happened and not leave it to my imagination xD
MeloMe
September 11, 2021 at 12:55 AM
The look on Jun Wan’s face lmao!
I have been hearing that the chances for s3 are less, which came as a surprise. I have been watching this season with the expectation that there will be another season. Over all, my interest for the show dipped and WinterxGarden lost its steam (for me). So maybe its a good thing. I don’t know if they will be able to satisfactorily wrap up the series next week but I hate that we still do not have any clarity between Jun Wan and Ik Sun. That it is literally the only couple I care about in the show (ChuxBear too), even after the creators did them dirty by splitting them up. This is one reason I do not like multiple season formats in hollywood shows. They need a a new story for each character each season, and so they end up ruining characters or couples, in this case. Since Junwan and Iksun got together really early in the previous season, they needed a new story for them in season 2 and thus entered noble idiocy. I would have liked it if they had instead shown that even with the many ups and downs that came in their relationship in long distance, they stuck it out and are now stronger as a couple.
Moving on, If they really do not intend to make another reason, I wish they had sailed the SongHwaxIkJun ship and the ChuxBear ship earlier so we could have had a few days with them, to warm us up or in SonghwaxIkjun case, convince us that yes they can be a good couple even if you didn’t want them together. One other thing that I felt was that the five friends shared the screen a lot less this time (not counting band practices) which is a pity honestly seeing how the show shines the most when the five are together.
With my thoughts out of the way, I am now prepared to bid adios to this show next week (perhaps forever).
Jance
September 11, 2021 at 4:39 AM
I also thought that the show lost some of its poignancy though every case being a success. Did we have any deaths? (Other than the off-screen icu guy)
And what you said about all 5 of them. Those scenes seemed to be chopped right down. 🙁
MeloMe
August 11, 2021 at 6:27 AM
A big FAT heart is what the show is❤️. I’m gonna miss it so much😭😭 My Monday’s wont be the same. Once again, thank youu writer-nim for this gem. Would love a s2 but only if its as good as s1. Awaiting your next drama,
Yours Sincerely,
Melo
Eazal
August 14, 2021 at 1:12 AM
These kids have all my heart!
MeloMe
August 11, 2021 at 6:18 AM
Random screenshots of our Racket kids together pt2
MeloMe
August 11, 2021 at 6:17 AM
Random screenshots of our Racket kids together pt1
MeloMe
August 11, 2021 at 6:08 AM
Hahaha Hyung Jong got invited only to be removed again. Why are all Asian parents the same with their spamming of chatrooms?😂
purplesheesh
August 11, 2021 at 7:25 PM
My Mom and Aunts send me shining shimmering splendid Good morning and God Bless you gifs EVERY. SINGLE. DAY.
Mani-chan
August 11, 2021 at 8:38 PM
My dad’s phone is full of all these good morning messages and he never seems to delete them. I’ve just stopped telling him now lol
MeloMe
August 11, 2021 at 6:00 AM
Ayye these two are so cuute<3
Also, I got my wish with Hae Knag and Se Yoon playing mixed doubles together but with a nice little twist that I dont hate XD
Kurama
August 11, 2021 at 6:10 AM
We need more couples who share their weakeast moment with each other and not the opposite! They’re honest with their feelings and they always help each other! The middle school students but know way better than the other couples!
gimzy🐣
August 11, 2021 at 8:11 AM
These two cuties gave me more butterflies than that horrid butterfly couple people on social media go crazy about.
MeloMe
August 11, 2021 at 5:45 AM
These cheer cards also deserve a mention
MeloMe
August 11, 2021 at 5:40 AM
Hahaha this scene😂. But on a side note, I loved the attention on Woo chan, I love how Jeonnam’s victory does not rest entirely on Hae Kang’s shoulder, but on each of the racket boys. After all, the drama was all about friends and team work. It was the reason Hae Kang left badminton and the reason he started playing again <3
MeloMe
August 11, 2021 at 6:01 AM
Want to mention that In Sol shoulders equal responsibility for the win even if he didn’t play, all because of his valuable analytical insights!!
Jingbee
August 11, 2021 at 5:02 PM
Mom coach did sum it up as well, as the other coaches were surprised by the win. Yes, in a desperate and extended match, skill and confidence usually wins which the Seoul team had, but in the end what made Joenam team win was their trust for each other. True teamwork.
Mani-chan
August 11, 2021 at 8:53 PM
All the attention is well deserved cause Woo Chan is really good looking. I love how the show stressed on how he plays defensive and how that is well suited to doubles. I love the teamwork these boys had. It made me jealous, wistful and totally in awe of them.