Last 25/21 of the Century: What ‘2521’ Means to K Drama Fans

Yesterday marked the last 21st of the 20th century, a date and year that K-drama fans kept close to their hearts. It was a reminder of a story that stayed with them long after it ended, one they continued to celebrate on the 21st of every month this year. But why was it celebrated this much? What does Twenty Five Twenty One (2521) mean to those who hold it very close to their heart?

​

It’s a coming-of-age drama which first premiered on 2022. Told in a series of flashbacks read through a diary by the daughter, Kim Min-chae (Choi Myung-bin), we start to know Na Hee-do’s youth. Played by Kim Tae-ri, Na Hee-do is an aspiring fencer who pushes herself to be her best. Through her, we meet the other characters, including the male lead played by Nam Joo-hyuk. He plays Baek Ye-jin, a college dropout struggling to stay afloat while supporting his family after they declared bankruptcy. This is the premise, and while it feels like a simple story, it is told from a fresh perspective. The drama never tries too hard; it never creates a coincidental situation where the leads get everything right. In fact, often the times are against them. But they choose to persevere.

2521 isn’t escapism, as most dramas are; it’s a life lesson. We see characters grow into who they are and the experiences that shape them.

We see a 22-year-old tell those who lost money because of his father’s bankruptcy that he will never be happy again. A 19-year-old fencer in a slump never lets anything stop her from practicing, determined to improve. The class president Ji Seung-wan stands up against physical violence and drops out of school for her friend. A national fencer leaves fame behind for money so she can finally live a stable life and provide for her supportive parents. Their friendship, love, rivalry, and support are what we crave in our youth.

Another big positive was the friendship between Moon Ji-ung and Ji Seung-wan. Choi Hyun-wook and Lee Joo-myung play these roles respectively. To see a healthy platonic friendship between a male and a female is not that easy in K-drama. But here we have them who absolutely love each other, who are best friends but are never romantic with each other. Nor is there a jealousy angle with his love interest. This dynamic also sets the tone for how women are written in the show.

That sensitivity carries into the portrayal of all the female characters in this film. All are different, not always likable, but have a good heart. Na Hee-do’s mother character is another complex character, where they show a woman with a job as someone complicated but not a villain. Yes, she did wrong, but over time, we tend to forgive her. We tend to understand her passion and her desire to pursue her dream.

The Timeless Appeal of 2521