The Korean drama Twenty-Five Twenty-One is one of the drama titles that has successfully achieved double-digit ratings in this March 2022 broadcast slot. Starring famous actors and actresses such as Nam Joo Hyuk to Kim Tae Ri, this drama has been eagerly awaited by Korean drama connoisseurs for every episode.
However, behind the enthusiasm and success of Twenty-Five Twenty-One thanks to the double-digit rating, this drama has received criticism. Launching Pink Villa, some viewers of the drama criticized Twenty-Five Twenty-One as a series that 'romanized' the relationship between teenage girls and grown men.
This has also become a debate, where some parties feel uncomfortable when watching it, while there are other parties who do not mind. This expression was conveyed by several viewers through one of the fan communities.
In the 10th episode that aired on Sunday, (13/3), there was a scene where Baek Yi Jin (Nam Joo Hyuk) who is said to be 23 years old, confessed his love for Na Hee Do (Kim Tae Ri), a woman aged 23. 19 years old. Through the confession of these feelings, Hee Do reciprocates Yi Jin's feelings.
The 4-year age difference between the characters Baek Yi Jin and Na Hee Do had raised pros and cons, because 19-year-old Na Hee Do was considered 'too young' to have a relationship with 23-year-old Baek Yi Jin.
Moreover, Hee Do's character is still a high school student. If Hee Do is no longer a teenage girl but an adult woman, viewers are more able to 'accept' the love confession scene.
Not without reason, viewers think that the production side should be more careful or reconsider. The reason is, broadcasts from a media certainly have a big influence on their viewers.
Prior to Twenty-Five Twenty-One, there were several drama titles that received similar criticism regarding the age difference and 'romanticizing' the relationship between adults and younger people. From Young Lady and Gentleman (2021) to Melancholia (2021).
For those of you who have watched Twenty-Five Twenty-One, what do you think about this?