Netizens Have Mixed Feelings About The Age Gap In K-Drama “Twenty Five Twenty One”

The leads’ relationship has sparked a debate.

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This article reveals plot details of a current movie or series.

Recently, tvN premiered its new K-Drama Twenty Five Twenty One. It’s currently running with new episodes every Saturday and Sunday. For international viewers, it’s also released on Netflix simultaneously. It stars Kim Tae Ri, Nam Joo Hyuk, Cosmic Girls‘ Bona, and Lee Joo Myung.

Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi Jin (left) and Kim Tae Ri as Na Hee Do (right).

At the time of writing, only four episodes have been released. While it has generally received positive reviews thus far, viewers are mixed about a central plot of the drama.

The K-Drama alternates between the present day and the past. It begins with Kim Min Chae (The King’s Affection‘s Choi Myung Bin), who quits ballet, discouraged during the COVID-19 pandemic. She then runs away to her grandmother’s (Seo Jae Hee) house, where she ends up going through her mother’s items, including a journal, from when she was a teenager in 1998. The majority of the show focuses on the mom, Na Hee Do, played by Kim Tae Ri, in flashbacks as Min Chae reads about her mom.

In a time when dreams seem out of reach, a teen fencer pursues big ambitions and meets a hardworking young man who seeks to rebuild his life.

— Netflix

Choi Myung Bin as Kim Min Chae. | Netflix

Despite being two very different time periods, it shows the parallels of today with the past. While kids may feel discouraged and struggle due to the difficult circumstances created by COVID-19, people struggled in the late ’90s too due to the IMF (the International Monetary Fund) crisis.

By May 1998, 80% of households had suffered from lower incomes. Unemployment more than tripled from 2.05% in 1997 to 6.96% in 1999. South Koreans participated in a gold collecting campaign in the hopes of paying off the loans. Approximately one-quarter of the nation’s population participated in the campaign from all social classes, selling gold such as wedding bands and sports medals. $2.2 billion was raised from the gold campaign.

— Wikipedia

| Netflix
| Netflix

The show is also said to focus on the romantic lives of five characters, with the main focus being on female lead Na Hee Do, played by Kim Tae Ri, and male lead Baek Yi Jin (sometimes romanized as Back Yi Jin), played by Nam Joo Hyuk.

“Twenty Five Twenty One” cast. | Netflix

At the start of the drama, Yi Jin moves out on his own and takes part-time jobs after his chaebol family goes bankrupt. He ends up meeting student fencer Hee Do several times.

First, he delivers newspapers to her house. She also frequents the comic store he works at. Naturally, they end up developing a friendship.

| Netflix & tvN

Yet, knowing they are the two leads, viewers suspect that it will develop to more, especially based on the end of Episode 4.

However, viewers have mixed feelings about the relationship due to their age gap. Currently, Hee Do is 18, and Yi Jin is 22.

| @uncoverlilac/TikTok

Hee Do even reacted shocked to discover Yi Jin’s age, being he was older than she initially imagined. She claimed that she thought he was only two years older.

| Netflix

Considering the four year age gap and the fact that she’s still just a high school student, some of the interactions are offputting for viewers. Why would a grown man choose to spend his free time with a teenager anyway?

| Netflix

Of course, in most places, 18 is considered legal age. So, it’s not like he would catch a case if he were to develop feelings at this time. Still, considering the difference between the Korean and international ages, it raises more questions.

| KHE Times

As Koreans consider one’s time in the womb as counting towards age, they are always about a year or two more than they would be internationally. So, does this mean Hee Do is actually only 16 or 17? If so, viewers may have genuine concerns.

At this time, Hee Do and Yi Jin portray (or at least attempt to) an innocent relationship. They’re simply two neighbors who sometimes hang out.

| Netflix

Yi Jin and Hee Doo have promised to be happy together, taking a break from the stress of their everyday lives.

| Netflix

Additionally, Yi Jin had told Hee Do that she reminded him of himself when he was younger.

| Netflix
| Netflix

Nevertheless, fencing gold medalist Go Yu Rim (Bona) has begun to be suspicious (and jealous) of the two spending time together. She’s not only Hee Do’s classmate and rival but a family friend of Yi Jin.

| @kdramassential/Twitter

The relationship between Yu Rim and Yi Jin has not been made clear as of yet, but she claims he was her “first love.” Hee Do even asked him if they were dating after seeing them together. So, both girls are suspicious of the other regarding Yi Jin.

Bona as Yu Rim. | Netflix
| Netflix

Actually, when Hee Do asked Yi Jin about Yu Rim, he responded cautiously. He explained that there’s nothing between them and that high schoolers should date high schoolers, and likewise, adults should date adults.

High schoolers should date other high schoolers. Grown-ups should date other grown-ups.

— Baek Yi Jin

| Netflix
| Netflix

This reassured viewers that nothing was happening between Hee Do and Yi Jin as their relationship progressed. Still, at the end of Episode 4, the characters appeared to be developing feelings for each other already.

| @kdramadaisy/Twitter

Of course, the chemistry is undeniable between them. So, this pleased fans of the drama.

@_yourdito_

He so in love with her istg😭#twentyfivetwentyone #fyp

♬ original sound – yes

| @kdramacheese/Twitter

Although, other viewers have actually disagreed, saying nothing romantic was going on during these moments, claiming that things are still strictly platonic. Many believe the characters will respect the age difference during this time period but will change as the characters grow older.

| @_yourdito_/TikTok
| @_yourdito_/TikTok

Some other plot summaries for Twenty Five Twenty One describe it as “the story of when they first meet when they are 22 and 18 years old and fall in love when they meet again at age 25 and 21,” hence the K-Drama’s title. So, Yi Jin and Hee Do will reconnect later on in their 20s and ultimately fall in love. Considering this, most viewers don’t find the age gap as much of an issue.

@miaguogo

Reply to @uncoverlilac if you actually read on the plot it’s not confusing 😊 #kdramatok #kdramafyp #namjoohyuk #kimtaeri #twentyfivetwentyone

♬ original sound – mia 金阳

And whether Yi Jin and Hee Do will be endgame or not remains a mystery as Hee Do’s child in the present-day doesn’t have his name. The daughter’s surname is Kim, and Yi Jin’s is Baek.

Viewers have been developing theories about the drama’s direction, as so few episodes have been released thus far. Based on a scene in the present day, Hee Do reminisces with her mom, looking at an old photograph of her friend group from when they were young, and Yi Jin’s name is mentioned. It’s a brief moment and not a lot to go by. Based on what was said, though, some wonder whether he has passed away or may return for the two to reconnect once again. If that’s the case, both being in their 40s in the present day will make the possibility of a relationship better than ever.

Kim So Hyun (left) and Seo Jae Hee (right). | Netflix

Nontheless, most of the show focuses on a young Hee Do with an older Yi Jin. It’s in some ways ironic that a conversation was sparked based on age gaps due to the characters considering the actors themselves have an age gap but the reverse. In real life, Kim Tae Ri is older at 31, and Nam Joo Hyuk is younger at 27 in international ages.

Similarly, Kim Tae Ri acts opposite Choi Hyun Wook. They play classmates, but he was born in 2002! They’re both great actors, and Tae Ri truly doesn’t look her age.

@jiminsdramas

Still shook shes 32 #kdramatok#kdramafyp#twentyfivetwentyone#namjoohyuk#kimtaeri#twentyfivetwentyonekdrama#choihyunwook

♬ original sound – Jimin

All that being said, Twenty Five Twenty One will not be the first K-Drama nor the last to have a questionable age gap relationship between the leads, of course. Comparatively speaking, it is relatively not all that bad…

| tvN & Netflix

Last year, KBS‘s Young Lady and Gentleman faced criticism for a significant age gap between its leads. Read more below:

KBS’s New K-Drama “Young Lady And Gentleman” Sparks Online Debate Over “Creepy” Character Settings

Source: Wikipedia and Netflix

Twenty Five Twenty One