Skip to main content

4.2 - Episode 2 of 25, 21

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 2 of 25, 21, the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Kim Tae-ri as Na Hee-do and Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin. We discuss:

  • The songs we feature in this episode: Very, Slowly by BIBI and Shining Man by Shin Min Yong

  • The many encounters between Hee-do and Yi-jin in this episode

  • The contrast between cheerful and emotional Hee-do and the stoic, sad and burdened Yi-jin

  • How we learn more about Yi-jin’s life: how his family split up, his short stint in the military, his little brother, and how he’s been threatened by his dad’s creditors

  • How Hee-do has achieved her dream of transferring to Yu-rim’s school and now, Yu-rim is cold and hostile towards her

  • The encounter between Hee-do and Yu-rim from five years earlier, when Hee-do beat Yu-rim during a junior fencing competition

  • How we get introduced to the other characters, including Ko Yu-rim, Moon Ji-woong and Ji Seung-wan

  • The gold campaign and how it turns out that Hee-do’s mom did not turn in her wedding rings

  • The K element we saw in this episode is triangles, potentially lots of them!

  • Two other K Drama elements that we need to add to our list: 24) when two people turn out to have a connection from their past; and 25) the obligatory abs scene when a man’s amazing abs are displayed

  • Our favorite lines from the show

  • The song 25, 21 by Jaurim, which was played at the end of this episode, and how it maybe gives us a clue about how this show is going to end

References:

### 

K Drama Chat is a weekly podcast where we take one Korean (K) Drama each season and and recap and analyze each episode. K Drama Chat is available on Apple Podcasts, Google Podcasts, Spotify and Stitcher.

Comments

Popular posts from this blog

11.10 - Podcast Review of Episode 10 of When Life Gives You Tangerines

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 10 of When Life Gives You Tangerines , the hit K Drama on Netflix starring IU as Oh Ae-sun and Park Bo-gum as Yang Gwan-sik as young adults, then Moon So-ri as Oh Ae-sun and Park Hae-joon as Yang Gwan-sik as older adults. We discuss: The featured song during the recap: “Theme of Ae-sun” by Park Sung-il, the musician who also wrote “Theme of Gwan-sik,” “Spring in a Heartbeat,” and “Two Faced Summer” from this OST. The Baeksang Awards wins for this show—Best Drama, Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress, and Best Supporting Actor—and how validating it feels to have picked a gem for Season 11 of our podcast! How this episode focuses on three mothers and their powerful love for their children: Ae-sun, Yeong-ran, and Chung-seop’s mom. The symbolic and cultural significance of white rice, and how Bu Sang-gil uses it as a weapon in his drunken tirade. Oh Seong’s boiling anger against his father and sister, and his tragic learned behavior from witnessin...

12.17 - Special Episode About the Art and Science of Screenwriting with Ellen Sullivan

Today, we have a special episode of K Drama Chat where we’re joined by longtime listener, friend, and screenwriter, Ellen Sullivan . We talk about the art and science of screenwriting and how the best K Dramas follow—or creatively depart from—dramatic structure to deliver compelling, emotional stories. In this episode, we discuss: The shows that are heavily spoiled in this episode: Crash Landing On You , Mr. Queen , Mr. Sunshine , When the Phone Rings , and Captivating the King . Ellen’s background as a screenwriter and technical writer, and how her passion for K Dramas began with My Mister. The Western three-act structure versus the Korean four-act structure (gi-seung-jeon-gyeol), and how each style approaches storytelling and character development. Detailed examples of setup, midpoint, and conclusion in Crash Landing On You , Mr. Queen , and Mr. Sunshine . What makes these shows work: believable character arcs, clear motivations, strong midpoint turns, and emotional payof...

12.15 - Podcast Review of Episode 15 of Extraordinary Attorney Woo

Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 15 of Extraordinary Attorney Woo , the hit K Drama on Netflix starring Park Eun-bin as Woo Young Woo, Kang Tae-oh as Lee Jun-ho, Ha Yoon-kyung as Choi Soo-yeon, Ju Hyun-young as Dong Geu-ra-mi, Kang Ki-young as Jung Myung-seok, and Joo Jong-hyuk as Kwon Min-woo. We discuss: The songs featured during the recap: Prom Dance by Roh Young Sim and Brave by Kim Jong Wan. How this episode is a cautionary tale about phishing and spear phishing, with a detailed breakdown of cyberattacks and how they work. Attorney Jang's arrogance and failure as a leader, and how he nearly ruins the Raon case due to his insecurity and inexperience. Choi Soo-yeon and Kwon Min-woo taking bold risks in court to argue Woo Young Woo’s theory, saving the case. The disturbing courtroom suicide attempt by CEO Bae In-cheol and what drove him to such a public act of despair. Woo Young Woo’s heartbreak and the poignant conversation where she reveals to Jun-ho that she’s afr...