‘Twenty-Five Twenty-One’ Sparks New Flame in Retro Youth Melodrama as Heo Nam-jun Meets Shin Ye-eun

JTBC's weekend drama ‘Twenty-Five Twenty-One’ is igniting a new spark in the retro youth melodrama genre. In the previous episode, the protagonist Go Yu-rim (played by Kim Da-mi) was about to confess to her first love Han Jae-pil (played by Heo Nam-jun), only to discover his affections were directed towards her best friend Seo Jong-hee (played by Shin Ye-eun), leaving her shocked.

As Jae-pil asked Yu-rim to pass on a note with his contact information, she froze, unable to speak. This unexpected turn of events, following three coincidental meetings that Yu-rim believed were fate, left viewers sighing with disappointment.

Newly released stills ahead of the March 21st broadcast hint at Jong-hee and Jae-pil's developing connection. The two are seen on a full date course, visiting a music café, a Western-style diner, and a clothing store, showcasing a growing closeness. While Jong-hee had previously shown no interest in Jae-pil, his awkward and tense demeanor suggests the beginnings of romantic feelings for him.

However, a pre-released teaser showed Jong-hee tearing up Jae-pil’s note from Yu-rim, stating firmly, “I’m not interested in dating. And he doesn’t know anything about me,” raising questions. Despite this, after her date with Jae-pil, Jong-hee confesses to Yu-rim, “Strangely, I’m starting to care a little,” hinting at a potential shift in her feelings.

The upcoming episode will focus on the evolving relationship between Jong-hee and Jae-pil, and how Yu-rim navigates her complex emotions between her best friend and the first love she wished to believe was destiny. The production team commented, “The storms of youth each character is experiencing, unaware of each other’s feelings, will lead them in unexpected directions,” urging viewers to tune in.

‘Twenty-Five Twenty-One’ episode 4 airs on Sunday, March 21st, at 10:30 PM KST on JTBC.

Kim Da-mi debuted in the 2018 film ‘The Witch: Part 1. The Subversion’, instantly rising to stardom with her powerful performance. She has since proven her acting prowess and versatility through dramas like ‘Itaewon Class’ and ‘Our Beloved Summer’. Her unique visual combined with a deep understanding of her characters allows her to showcase new charms in every project.