Fated Encounters
In the sixth episode of Twenty Five Twenty One, Yi-Jin brings her mother to the internet cafe to communicate with her husband via webcam. The pair exchange loving messages to one another, with Yi-Jin there, writing down her words. ..
After they walk along the beach, the pair reflect on their lives and what’s happened so far. Yi-Jin tells her he wants to find someone he can share his life with, which is enough for her to agree.
Yi-Jin no longer running from his problems and going back to Seoul after all. This catches up to Yi-Jin’s message, as he leaves a voicemail for Hee-Do and leaves. In his bag happens to be a written note from Yi-Hyun, telling him to make his life a success.
We follow Yi-Jin as he rushes to the hospital and updates the media on the crash. He reports on the victims, their families, and what has happened since he last visited them.
Yi-Jin manages to keep the dogs calm for a few minutes so he can give the report. Just as he drops the phone, the dogs start barking again. Phew!
Yi-Jin, a broadcast journalist, walks past a bookstore and notices that the new Full House Volume 15 has been released. ..
Hee-Do is an Olympic gold medalist and a national icon. She’s been back to Korea for the Olympics, and her coach has said they’ll meet up soon. But what about when she’s back in the U.S.? Will she meet up with Yi-Jin?
Hee-Do and Ji-Woong head back to class where Ji-Woong is still enamored by Yu-Rim and realizes the pair are in the same class. Both Hee-Do and Yu-Rim fall asleep while completing their exam questions. Tellingly, Yu-Rim still gets more answers correct.
Yu-Rim is under a lot of pressure from her coach. He berates her for losing to Hee-Do and tells her she needs to make sure she wins gold no matter what. Part of that comes from extra training. However, Hee-Do overhears this and calls out Yu-Rim for training at night, telling her to be quiet when she comes in.
The pair end up fighting that afternoon, with Hee-Do admitting she’s on her way up and has studied all of her fencing matches. She knows her posture and understands how she fights, hence why she wins so much.
Hee-Do also confirms that she is the one who gave her the umbrella that day. In retaliation, Yu-Rim simply tells her she should have stayed a fan rather than trying to be her rival.
Interestingly, at the UBS offices, Yi-Jin is encouraged to join the boss as they head down to the Asian games. Of course, this could mean he gets a chance to see Hee-Do. UBS only get to report on the fencing, they don’t get to broadcast the soccer or wrestling, which certainly disappoints the boss.
Yi-Jin and Yi-Jin’s encounter on the streets of Seoul is a heart-wrenching reminder of the continuing effects of the financial crisis in Korea. Despite their best efforts, they are quickly surrounded by protestors who demand that they share their stories. Yi-Jin is determined to get to know Yi-Jin better, but he is quickly overwhelmed by her passion for activism and her desire to make a difference.
He hands over Full House Volume 15 and apologizes for his tardiness. The pair have a heart-warming chat… until Hee-Do introduces him to her boyfriend. Oof. It’s the guy from the plane, Ho-Jin, and they even have matching key-rings. They have nicknames for one another too, with Yi-Jin struggling to hold back his laughter when he finds out they’ve only been dating for 3 days. ..
When Hee-Do leaves, she admits that her heart skipped a beat when she saw him earlier. Yi-Jin admits that it was hard for him too but he has a good-natured reaction to Hee-Do in a relationship. However, for now it’s on to Gyeongju to help report on the games. And of course, Yi-Jin shows up in his flashy sports car.
The final of the Asian Games looks set to be a battle between two of the best wrestlers in the world. Yu-Rim and Hee-Do have been bitter enemies for years, with Yu-Rim even telling Hee-Do that she’ll teach her a lesson during their bout. Hee-Do is unphased and remains determined to make her dream a reality.
However, upon arriving at the station, she finds out that her Japanese opponent has her fencing gear and is able to take it with her. She races back to Yeongcheon station in order to retrieve her sword, only to find out that the girl has already left.
Yu-Rim is interviewed by Yi-Jin, who is not exactly happy about it. Hee-Do knows he’s a trainee reporter and didn’t bother telling her, despite the promise made months ago. This only fuels her rivalry up more.
Although Hee-Do manages to get her fencing sword back, there are bigger problems afoot. The train she’s supposed to be on is delayed indefinitely and time is of the essence. Hee-Do charges off the train and runs into Yi-Jin who grabs her hand and helps drive her to her match with enough time left on the clock. There’s less than an hour until her game.
Yi-Jin uses his credentials to pass a police blockade, racing up to the stadium to make sure Hee-Do can make it in time. He even tells the senior there that if they don’t let him pass, they’ll be denying a gold medal winner. It’s a tiny bit of dialogue but enough to really hammer home just how much he believes in her.
Hee-Do and Sweetie Pie were only together for 2 weeks and she wanted to experience a break-up. The thing is, she technically already has, given Yi-Jin leaving town broke her heart.
Yu-Rim and Hee-Do are two of the most promising young athletes in South Korea. They are set to compete in the country’s biggest match of their careers next week. Who will come out on top? Will it be Yu-Rim or Hee-Do? We’ll have to wait and see! ..
The Episode Review
It seems that Yi-Jin and Hee-Do are destined to be together. The pair constantly run into one another, with Yi-Jin now following his dreams and going from delivering newspapers to reporting for them. This has allowed him to branch out and actually make a life for himself. ..
Yu-Rim and Hee-Do continue to compete against each other, but their relationship has become increasingly strained. Recently, their rivalry has taken a new turn as they openly despise one another. ..
There is a lot at stake in this match and who will come out on top is still up for grabs. While most would probably bank on Hee-Do coming away with the gold, it would also be good for her growth to see Yu-Rim come away with the title, doing so by studying Hee-Do’s movements and ability ahead of their clash.
The drama Twenty Five One has managed to create a perfect balance of drama and romance, making it an enthralling watch.
The cliffhanger is agonizing because we don’t know what will happen next week.
