Kpopmap Romantic Pick: Kim TaeRi Teaches Nam JooHyuk To Find Joy In The Little Things In "Twenty-Five Twenty-One"

Kim TaeRi and Nam JooHyuk get closer to each other in the latest episode of "Twenty-Five Twenty-One"!

Ishani Sarkar, Kpopmap Editor
4 min to read · Published : Feb 16, 2022 · Updated : Jul 14, 2023

Kpopmap Romantic Pick: Kim TaeRi Teaches Nam JooHyuk To Find Joy In The Little Things In "Twenty-Five Twenty-One"

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Welcome to our sweetest Editor's Choice Kpopmap series: the Romantic Pick! In this series, with articles released on Wednesdays, we pick the most heart-fluttering, impactful, and aww-worthy scene from ongoing K-Dramas and/or movies and analyze it from start to end.

You can click here to find all our Romantic Picks, in one place.

Today, we have a wonderfully touching and playful scene from the K-Drama "Twenty-Five Twenty-One" for your consideration. "Twenty-Five Twenty-One" tells the story of young people and their growing pains, set during the tumultuous IMF crisis in South Korea. Starring Kim TaeRi, Nam JooHyuk, WJSN’s Bona, Choi HyunWook, and Lee JuMyeong, this drama portrays an intersection of the cruelty of the times and the resilience of youth.

Episode 1 of "Twenty-Five Twenty-One" perfectly introduces the characters, revealing just enough for us to be able to connect with them on a root level as well as be curious about them. In episode 2, the characters get to know each other and revel in the newfound dynamic that develops between each of them. Kim TaeRi as Na HeeDo and Nam JooHyuk as Baek YiJin grow fond of each other rather quickly, finding complementary qualities that make up for their shortcomings. Baek YiJin brings a much-needed voice of reason to Na HeeDo whereas Na HeeDo livens YiJin up with her spirited personality and innocence. This exchange finds its peak in one particular scene in episode 2 that defines their relationship for the episodes to come.

Spoiler Alert!

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HeeDo seeks YiJin to bring him money for her ruined borrowed copy of "Full House" and catches him at an unfortunate time. As we've learned earlier, YiJin's family went bankrupt during the IMF crisis and his father decided to divorce his wife on paper and hide away. Unable to find their boss, his father's employees locate YiJin and torment him to reveal his father's location, which is unknown even to him! It is here that YiJin vows to never be happy even for a moment again.

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HeeDo unintentionally eavesdrops on the conversation before approaching him with her dues. Tired of hearing about money, YiJin pleads for her to distract him with something else and she metaphorically sweeps him off his feet, whisking him away to her happy place. Soon after, they arrive at her old school playground where HeeDo reveals that turning a water fountain upside down and letting it run is what makes her the happiest. Amused yet unimpressed at first, YiJin slowly eases into HeeDo's world, allowing himself to take in the simple joys of life.

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He rushes to turn all the water fountains upside down, essentially creating their own rain cloud as water pours down on them. After pushing each other into the torrent and splashing water around, both seem to have their hearts pumping with exhilaration. To avoid getting caught, however, they run and run until they can't anymore and spend a gentle, reflective moment together.

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HeeDo assures YiJin that while he has promised never to be happy again, it is alright to be happy when he's with her and she'll keep his secret forever. Thus, a poignant and sincere bond develops between them, that will undoubtedly frame their love story from here on out.

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"Twenty-Five Twenty-One" is already making viewers' hearts race with its gripping yet youthful storyline and we cannot wait to see how its characters grow into their complete and fulfilled selves.

Are you watching "Twenty-Five Twenty-One"? Share your thoughts with Kpopmap in the comments section down below!