Deciding to change citizenship for her family’s situation, Yu-rim says goodbye to dear friends in Twenty Five Twenty One.
Interviewing Hee-do from the news studio, Yi-jin congratulates her on the recent gold medal. Hee-do then reveals that the toughest match for her was the one in Madrid in 2001. Going back to that time, Yu-rim’s decision to join the Russian team causes an uproar.
Marcie Line watches Twenty Five Twenty One on Netflix
Episode Recaps: 01 & 02 | 03 | 04 | 05 | 06 | 07 | 08 | 09 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 | 14 | 15 | Finale + Review |
Twenty Five Twenty One Episode 14 Key Moments
“It can’t get any worse than this. For me, seeing my parents suffer is the worst that can happen.”
Curious about what happened to her mom’s romantic relationship, Min-chae searches for her mom and Yi-jin online, and watches an interview in 2009.
In that interview, Hee-do reveals that the toughest match for her was her winning the gold medal in the final match with Yu-rim in Madrid in 2001. Although they were both once part of the national team of Korea, Yu-rim transfers to become an athlete for Russia.
Part of the flashback recalls them drinking altogether, Hee-do and Yi-jin announcing their relationship. They all get drunk, and Yu-rim and Ji-woong ride the bus together to go home.
Receiving a sudden call, Yu-rim rushes to the hospital worrying about her father who was in an accident. However, she witnesses her father being berated by the victim’s family.
With all that happening, Yu-rim, although has been set to sign up for another professional team, informs Coach Yang that she needs a lot of money and plans to withdraw her membership in a professional team in Korea.
“I didn’t know that this job would involve so much drama.”
Ready to write an article about Yu-rim joining a new team, Yi-jin overhears about Yu-rim’s situation canceling her contract to accept the offer in Russia.
Realistically talking about their debts, Yu-rim finalizes her plans to change her nationality for the Russian team with the support of Coach yang.
Hearing also about it from the agency she talked with, Yi-jin also visits Yu-rim hesitating to cover the news. However, she lets him cover the news about her despite the probability of a public uproar.
To bid farewell to Yu-rim, they eat a homecooked meal and bring gifts that help adapt to the new country. Longing for the presence of Yi-jin in the group, they open the television, but see the exclusive Yi-jin covered.
Angered with that exclusive, Hee-do confronts Yi-jin about his job as a reporter exploiting people’s misery.
“Sometimes being selfish can be the most considerate thing to do.”
Emptying her lockers, Yu-rims gets flooded by reporters, and is stuck at the gym. Hee-do comes in time to save Yu-rim in the gym.
Using a fake mannequin, Hee-do invites the reporters over for Yu-rim’s press conference which turns out to be fake. Through that, they are able to escape the gym together.
They eat together, but Yu-rim gets recognized and gets refused to be served for being a traitor to the country.
Deemed a traitor, Yu-rim defends herself from the harsh words, and fights for her rights as a customer.
She then thanks Hee-do for helping her develop into a person who could defend herself while also crying about her honest thoughts on leaving the national team.
“It would be selfish of me to hold on to you when I can’t promise you anything.”
Trying to appease the victim’s family, Yu-rim’s father brings side dishes, but gets tossed aside given the situation the victim is in.
Yu-rim cries to Hee-do, and tells her that she stopped diving. Ji-woong hears from Hee-do, and Yu-rim thanks him for being someone she can lean on.
Walking back home together, Yu-rim tells Ji-woong not to wait for her, sounding as if ready to give up on their relationship. Even with those words, Ji-woong holds onto their love, and talks about how he picked up a lot of jobs to save up to meet her.
The day comes to her flight, Yu-rim says bye to Seung-wan and Hee-do. Ji-woong rushes to the airport, receiving a text about Yu-rim’s flight, declaring his intention to fight for their love until the end.
Back in 2009, Yi-jin ends his interview with Hee-do, congratulating her on getting married.
Twenty Five Twenty One Episode 14 Musings
At the start of the episode, the bubbly youthful atmosphere could be appreciated with them all getting drunk together. However, transitioning to the next parts of the episode, one cannot avoid feeling sorry for Yu-rim.
From a bright smile and a positive outlook for the future, we could see the change in Yu-rim’s eyes. Her courage to find ways to support her family can be both frustrating since we could see how her youth is cut short.
On a lighter note, her choice also highlights her mature side to think realistically and practically for her family’s sake. Although her problem has long been existing, what makes it different is that now she is happier and supported by her sincere friends.
Looking also at Yi-jin in this episode, we could note how he is torn with his duty as a reporter. Even though he does not want to hurt the people around him, he is put to choose between the two.
Notable progress has been present with Hee-do and Yi-jin, but this episode which covered the 2009 period points viewers to think that they did not end up together.
Congratulating Hee-do on her wedding, a lot of possibilities could be considered, but their relationship, regardless of the outcome in the last two episodes, has probably expressed warmth to the fullest when they were together.
Watch the latest episodes of Twenty Five Twenty One every Saturday and Sunday on Netflix.
Photos: tvN
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