Distance begins to grow between Hee-do and Yi-jin after an event that rattled the world in Twenty Five Twenty One.
Back in their final match in Madrid in 2001, Hee-do wins, and hugs Yu-rim as both of them are aware of how their words were twisted by reporters during their pre-match interviews. Hee-do and Yi-jin’s trip as a couple gets postponed as Yi-jin covers news in New York.
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 15 Key Moments
“There aren’t many things that we can do as we want in this world.”
Seeing the hate vandalism against Yu-rim, Yi-jin cries on his knees for being the reporter that made the whole country turn its back on Yu-rim. Hee-do comes to console Yi-jin while cleaning the vandals together, assuring him that she could be someone he can lean on.
Aware of the discomfort of losing objectivity and hurting people one is close to, Yi-jin transfers to another department. Covering local news, he becomes busier, affecting his dates with Hee-do.
However, the two still make their relationship work with Hee-do understanding Yi-jin’s situation most of the time.
Keeping in touch with Yu-rim, Hee-do updates her through email on how Seung-wan has been able to enter university, and Ji-woong booking a flight to Russia. Missing each other dearly, Ji-woong arrives at the door of Yu-rim in Russia.
“A time when friendship and love were all that mattered in life. A time like that lasts only for a moment.”
With the number of email updates she sends, Hee-do notices that Yu-rim is not responding to any of them, and begins to worry. Still worried about Yu-rim, Hee-do hears and sees the reports of Yu-rim claiming that Hee-do is no match for her.
Holding a press conference on one of her practices, Hee-do brings the clock with her, and tells the reporters not to twist her words. In that, she wishes for the best outcome for the match regardless of the opponent.
The day comes for their fencing matches in Madrid, and Yu-rim waits outside the room of Korea. Coach Yang sees her, and calls Hee-do for her, but Hee-do declines to see Yu-rim as she sees the need to win.
Advancing to the finals, Yu-rim and Hee-do recall how their warm words during the interview were twisted in the reports. With Yu-rim seeing those, she begins to hesitate to communicate with Hee-do.
Their scores get tied with one point away to win, and Hee-do wins the match. Knowing what each other has been through, Yu-rim and Hee-do both cry and hug each other after the match.
Aware that her daughter has been reading her diaries, Hee-do at present wishes her to have the same passion and experience in life. With her daughter curious about what happened next that event, Hee-do narrates that she lost her diary that recorded those events.
“Life is precious. Let’s love with no regrets while we’re alive.”
Although he is assigned to cover new year’s eve, Yi-jin and Hee-do still greet 2001 together with an overlooking view. Hee-do tells her wish to Yi-jin, which is a couple plan since they talk often.
Passing by the area, Hee-do witnesses Yi-jin covering an accident, and is shaken by the overwhelming emotions at the site. Sharing his experience with his senior, Yi-jin’s senior tells him to grow numb and take a different approach to such emotions.
Yi-jin gets drunk, and excitedly sees Hee-do in the pub also as his senior brought her there without him knowing. They sleep together, and Hee-do reassures Yi-jin how he can bring people to better places as a reporter.
Scheduled to have dinner together with Hee-do and her mom after her match in Madrid, work suddenly blocks Yi-jin’s way. Going back home, Hee-do’s mom asks her whether she could bear such a set-up in a relationship.
“If this is hell, I believe I need to tell people that this is hell.”
Planning for their 600-day anniversary, Hee-do and Yi-jin buy matching luggage bags for their trip. However, their plans get postponed with an incident that rattled the world. Although Yi-jin told her to go back home, Hee-do sees the note Yi-jin has prepared for her.
Assigned to cover news in another country, Yi-jin flies to New York right away, and faces negative reactions from survivors as he requests an interview. Days pass by where he covers heartbreaking stories while Hee-do comes back to the training center, and religiously watches him on the news.
Tired and drinking pills, Yi-jin becomes more disheartened while also hearing from his superior about his doubts about the existence of hope in the world.
With all her might, Hee-do tries to send her support to Yi-jin, but he appears to be drained from everything. Hee-do hears from her mom that Yi-jin applied for the opening in New York.
Despite their plans and promises together, the New year comes again and Hee-do and Yi-jin celebrate it alone separately.
Twenty Five Twenty One Episode 15 Musings
Two sides of reporters are reflected in this episode. No matter how angering it may be, reporters have the power to twist the words of their interviewees, evident in Yu-rim and Hee-do’s experiences.
However, maturing together and knowing each other well, the bridge between them remains intact. Their hug after their final match is sentimental, implying how borders are not a hindrance to friendship flourishing.
On another note, we also get to see the respectable side of reporters who cover heartbreaking events and accidents. Despite their nature of work, they too, also feel emotions, and sometimes get drowned in its weight. The events are truly saddening, and doubting the existence of hope is likely when negative events appear to be constant.
Together with Yi-jin’s career growth is also the growth of distance between him and Hee-do. Although Hee-do tries to make it work, the demands of Yi-jin’s work come their way.
With the failed plans and unfulfilled promises together, it is still a question of whether it is a boulder that they should overcome together or the end of their relationship.
Although the end is near, and we are not ready to let go, we could admire the whole process and only look forward to them cheering for each other sincerely regardless of the outcome.
Watch episodes of Twenty Five Twenty One on Netflix.
Photos: tvN
[wpedon id=”2271″ align=”center”]
