Twenty Five Twenty One
2022
Original language: Korean
- drama
The story
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.
What it’s like
Warm, sun-washed youth with a bruised undertow: bright gymnasium light, saturated school-uniform color and the clean white of fencing jackets against worn 1998-era Seoul streets, all shot with a soft, slightly handheld intimacy that lingers on faces during quiet pauses. The sound design leans on the sharp metallic clack of blades and the hush of a training hall, broken by gentle piano and the hum of a crowded city. Its vibe is wistful and hopeful, with a steady ache of money worries and small kindnesses, best suited to a rainy weekend binge or a late-night watch when you want to feel both tender and motivated. The pacing is unhurried and episodic, with long stretches of training, part-time work and ordinary meals that let the characters' arcs unfold slowly: a determined young athlete who learns to bend, and a worn-down, hardworking young man slowly rebuilding his footing, drawn together across years. Intensity is low: fencing bouts are sporty rather than brutal, with occasional tension and a few tearful scenes, and no gore or sexual content. It suits viewers who want a grounded, emotionally generous coming-of-age romance with a nostalgic, human texture.
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