The Rivalry

Episode 3 of Twenty Five Twenty One starts with Min-Chae being woken up by her mother, demanding she show up at physical therapy. It’s 11am and she still isn’t out of bed. Eventually Min-Chae does show up therapy, after some initial hostility between Hee-Do and her mum. ..

Hee-Do and her friends, who are all dancers, have been discussing the topic of ballet for a while now. They all think it’s a great way to keep your heart rate up and stay in shape. But Hee-Do admits that she didn’t quit fencing because it constantly made her heart flutter.

In 1998, Yi-Jin dropped off the newspaper at Hee-Do’s place with an attached note telling her the new code for the door. ..

Coach Yang is telling the girls that they need to study hard and work to increase their rankings if they have any hope of qualifying for the fencing team. However, Yu-Rim is still the top dog here and when it comes to studying, she too has issues. She’s told to stand outside class when she forgets her textbook, kneeling with her hands up in the air.

Ji-Woong senses an opportunity and takes it, throwing his textbook toward Hee-Do and heading out into the hallway so he can talk to her. He certainly does well in wooing her, even sorting out so they don’t have to kneel anymore. ..

Hee-Do, determined to make the national team despite the odds, charges out separately to grab a copy of Full House Volume 12 when news about it is released. Yu-Rim, also determined to make the national team, follows Hee-Do to the bookshop. ..

The two main rivals in the school are Hee-Do and Yu-Rim. Hee-Do is the one who gets the volume first, while Yu-Rim is not happy when she finds out. After all, he was her first love.

This love story began with Yi-Jin’s wealth, not her personality. Yi-Jin quickly reminded her friends and family that she fell in love with him because of his car, not his personality.

Yi-Jin takes Yi-Hyun out for a burger and the latter’s bullies show up. They begin pushing him around until Yi-Jin steps in and stops them. He threatens the trio, ripping off their name badges and promising to kill them if they mess with his brother. ..

When they finally leave, Yi-Jin tries to offer some advice to his brother, who eventually admits that he misses his mum and dad.

Coach Yang offers Hee-Do a big opportunity. She’s going to compete in the nationals given two competitors above her pulled out. Hee-Do is ecstatic – but obviously Yu-Rim is not.

Yi-Jin hides around the corner from creditors that night, but Hee-Do finds him and urges him to come out.

Yi-Jin, a recent college graduate, rushes to his home to find a note in his mailbox. He reads it and is shocked to learn that his family has been deported back to China.

Yi-Jin’s father, Hee-Do, is running late for work and decides to take the bus instead. When he gets on the bus, he realizes that his son Yi-Jin is not on the bus. Hee-Do tries to find Yi-Jin, but he’s already gone.

Yi-Jin manages to catch up to the bus and finally has a chance to talk to his old friend, Yi-Jin’s dad. They share a few words before Yi-Jin’s dad leaves for work. Yi-Jin is relieved and happy to have finally been able to see his old friend again.

Yi-Jin’s bus ride home is filled with worry as she runs around looking for her father. She admits that she was worried about him and is grateful that he’s safe.

Eventually, the pair find their way home together after communicating with their mystery person on chat. They continue to discuss the idea of meeting, but ultimately decide against it.

Coach Yang tests Hee-Do’s credentials and how serious she is about training. Sh wants her to run to Yang’s house with weights on, do 1000 fentes everyday, along with running up and down the mountain with spring water. She’s also tasked with remembering choreography for dances too.

Hee-Do is always working hard to improve her lunges, but unfortunately this riles up Yu-Rim, who calls out Hee-Do for interjecting when a senior shows and demands they listen when spoken to.

Yu-Rim is apathetic and even questions Hee-Do’s tenacity for standing up for herself, telling her she needs to just take it. Hearing such a defeatist attitude from someone she initially idolized and liked is just too much and she eventually leaves, telling Yu-Rim to clean the floors herself.

When Hee-Do returns home, she takes down all the pictures and newspaper clippings of her ex-boyfriend, Yu-Rim, from the walls.

Yu-Rim, the person Hee-Do is speaking to online, was in the wrong. Hee-Do has promised to always be on her side, and she has admitted that she communicated with Yu-Rim in the wrong.

The Episode Review

The reveal that Yu-Rim is the mystery girl who Hee-Do has been communicating with all this time sets up a really nice power play between the two. It’ll be interesting to see how Hee-Do handles this when it’s revealed who she’s talking to. ..

The rivalry between the two girls is growing, and their different attitude toward training and work is becoming a major issue.

Yu-Rim’s refusal to be pushed around by seniors is a far cry from Hee-Do’s attitude. Despite winning a gold medal, it’s clear she doesn’t have quite the same hunger and fiery tenacity that Hee-Do has. Hopefully though it’s enough for her to find that motivation to press on and do better.

This episode delivered another decent episode, leaving the door wide open for where the next chapter may go.