Twenty-Five Twenty-One

 Friendship, Family

Kim Min-Chae is a ballerina. She saw her competitor performed better than her and she thought that she was going to lost anyway. She decided to give up on ballet. Kim Min-Chae threw away her shoes and ran away to her grandmother’s house. Her mother, Na Hee-Do tried to encourage her not to give, but she refused to listen.

Kim Min-Chae saw a diary in her mother’s drawer. She read it up.

It was back in 1994, Na Hee-Do is a member of her high school fencing team. Although she did not perform well, she still in love with fencing. Every Saturday, she went to another high school to watch Ko Yu-Rim training. Ko Yu-Rim was her idol, who won the gold medalist in fencing. She was obsessed with her. Due to the South Korean financial crisis, the high school fencing team gets disbanded. In order to continue her dream to become a fencing national team, she decided to transfer to Ko Yu-Rim’s school. She begged her coach to accept her. After numerous attempts, she failed get herself transferred school. Due to her determination, her mother, Shin Jae-Kyung, who was anchor, she got Na Hee-Do transferred to Ko Yu-Rim’s school so that she can continued her fencing training.

Na Hee-Do met a guy, Back Yi-Jin, whom he worked many part-time jobs in her neighborhood. The South Korean financial crisis also causes Back Yi-Jin’s father's business to go bankrupt. This leads to a life change for Back Yi-Jin, from living the life of a wealthy person to a poor person. While studying, he works part-time jobs like delivery newspapers, worked at the rented bookstore etc.

Back Yi-Jin was attached to Na Hee-Do. He found her an amazing person who always cherish for what she had. He also learnt a lot from her too. Back Yi-Jin felt encouraged whenever he was with her. Na Hee-Do also saw the creditors who came to his place to look for him. they spoke those harsh words and demanded money from him. Even though he went for numerous interviews, he failed every each of them. He was desperate and wanted to find a proper job in order to clear their debts. Na Hee-Do was unable to help him financially, but she gave him mentally strength and support for him.

Na Hee-Do was really happy when she finally entered the same school as Ko Yu-Rim. She never expected that Ko Yu-Rim actually disliked her. She was kind of disappointed. During the training, they also being bullied by their senior for training after 11pm. Na Hee-Do did not think that training at night was actually wrong. After being scolded by her coach, she finally thought of a way to handle the issue. She asked everyone to train at night together.

Na Hee-Do used to communicate with her messenger friend. Both of them did not know each other. However, they chat with each other regarding their feelings and thoughts. They promised one another not to share their personal information or meet with one another. However, Na Hee-Do never knew that her messenger friend was Ko Yu-Rim.

Ko Yu-Rim was closed to Back Yi-Jin. His father company sponsored her for fencing. She was glad that the company has been supporting them until the financial crisis occurs. Although Back Yi-Jin became poor, she still being friend with him. Ko Yu-Rim was unhappy when she saw Na Hee-Do and Back Yi-Jin together. Back Yi-Jin has no feeling for her. He treated her as his junior.

Back Yi-Jin has been staying at Ji Seung-Wan’s house. He rented a room there. Ji Seung-Wan did not know until one day she saw the shirt that Back Yi-Jin wore and also the tape recording of Back Yi-Jin in broadcasting club. Ji Seung-Wan was the class monitor. She was the number one student in the class. She joined broadcasting club and she was closed with Moon Ji-Woong and Na Hee-Do.

Moon Ji-Woong was secretly in love with Ko Yu-Rim. He asked Na Hee-Do to give Ko Yu-Rim her favorite drink every day. Even though Na Hee-Do dislike Ko Yu-Rim, she has no choice but needed Moon Ji-Woong help to teach her how to dance. One day, Ko Yu-Rim found out that Na Hee-Do has been putting her favorite drink in her cupboard. She misunderstood that Na Hee-Do was a hypocrite person. After hearing from Moon Ji-Woong, she realized mistake.

Due to Na Hee-Do hard work and also with her coach guidance, she managed to secure a place in national team. Back Yi-Jin also believed in her and gave her strength to compete before she joined the competition. Her effort finally paid off. These has shocked Ko Yu-Rim and her mother. Ko Yu-Rim started to worry and scared of Na Hee-Do due to her childhood memory that she lost to her.

Na Hee-Do was happy after she won the competition. She was too excited and wanted to tell Back Yi-Jin about it. However, she realized that he has gone. He left a fencing sword at her house. He coloured both blue and red (represent national team) to encourage her to become the best fencer. The next day, she realized that he has moved out from Ji Seung-Wan’s house as well. She was upset but she also rooted for him to find a better place to work.

Back Yi-Jin and his brother went to stay with her mother, because the creditors also looking for his brother to ask for money. In order to avoid them, Back Yi-Jin decided to stay for the time being. He continued to find a job but he failed. In order to live, he has to work at the market.

Due to Na Hee-Do achievement, she was going to stay at the national sport school for training. Before she left, she borrowed some of the tape recording of Back Yi-Jin. She needed to hear his voice in order to gain strength. She worked really hard the training center and also won a medal at the competition. She also left a voice message for Back Yi-Jin every day. After working, Back Yi-Jin also listened to Na Hee-Do message every day. He was proud of her when he watched her at the television.

Back Yi-Jin decided to went back to Seoul as he promised Na Hee-Do that he will come back. He bought her favourite comic Full House Episode 15 for her. He worked as a trainee at UBS broadcasting station. It was the place where Na Hee-Do’s mother works too.

Back Yi-Jin saw Na Hee-Do at the street. He chased for her. Na Hee-Do also surprised to see him there too. She invited him to meet her new boyfriend whom she dated for 3 days. Back Yi-Jin was surprised when Na Hee-Do mention about her boyfriend who was also a fencer.

Later, Back Yi-Jin becomes a sports reporter for a broadcasting network. He went to the Asian Games where Na Hee-Do and Ko Yu-Rim were going to compete with one another at the final. Na Hee-Do knew that everyone was rooting for Ko Yu-Rim and hoping that she will win the match. However, Na Hee-Do         also determined to become her rival.

Before the final match began, Na Hee-Do realized that her bag has been switched with another contestant. She was nervous and quickly contacted her opponent. Luckily, she was able to get her sword back. While she was on her way back to the competition, the trained has been delayed. Back Yi-Jin heard from his colleague that the train has been delayed. It reminded him that Na Hee-Do was also in the train as well. He rushed to the train station to look for her. He also personally brought her to the stadium. He had a brief interview with her and wished her best of luck. Na Hee-Do told him that she has broken up with his boyfriend because she wanted to experience the feeling of broken up between couple. Back Yi-Jin was shocked to hear from her.

During the final match, Na Hee-Do managed to defeat Ko Yu-Rim. However, Ko Yu-Rim was unsatisfied with the referee’s result. She cried at the podium and said in front of the reporters that it was a bad call. When the reporters interviewed Na Hee-Do, she was really unhappy with their questions. The nation claimed that Na Hee-Do stole the gold medal from Ko Yu-Rim. Na Hee-Do left the press conference on the spot and left the gold medal there. She was frustrated and angry towards Ko Yu-Rim for making her gold medal not honorable. Both of them argued with one another and Na Hee-Do left the team and walked alone in the street.

Back Yi-Jin was worried about Na Hee-Do. He tried to correct what his senior reported in the news. He also tried to look for her. Finally, he managed to find her at unknown town. Na Hee-Do wanted to be alone, but he scolded her for her wrong doing at the press conference. He persuaded her to come back to the training center.

Na Hee-Do and Ko Yu-Rim have been kicked out from training center. They were going faced disciplinary action from the national team. Na Hee-Do saw Ko Yu-Rim’s father came to fetch her. she suddenly missed her father. Her father passed away since she was young. She went to the store to have some food. Then, she watched the news presented by Back Yi-Jin. Back Yi-Jin managed to have an interview with the referee to correct the situation. The old man at the restaurant recognized Na Hee-Do. they congratulated her and encouraged her to move forward. Na Hee-Do was pleased that Back Yi-Jin had helped her to clear her name.

Na Hee-Do has no way to go. She went to the school and decided to stay at the secret classroom. Suddenly, the guard locked up the door. Na Hee-Do wanted to go to the bathroom but she couldn’t. She called Back Yi-Jin for help. At the same time, she listened to Back Yi-Jin’s recording. Back Yi-Jin looked for Moon Ji-Woong and Ji Seung-Wan in order to help Na Hee-Do to open the door. All of them was shocked when they listened to the recording of Back Yi-Jin confessing his love to another girl.

Na Hee-Do was a bit jealous toward Back Yi-Jin. She continued to talk to her messenger friend. Ko Yu-Rim suggested to meet up with one another. To a surprise, Ko Yu-Rim never expected that Na Hee-Do was her messenger friend. She hid herself and left Back Yi-Jin there. Back Yi-Jin accompanied her as she mentioned about meeting messenger’s friend. Na Hee-Do thought that Back Yi-Jin was that friend, she was emotional and said that I have to had him. Back Yi-Jin explained that he was not the one she was going to meet. Na Hee-Do felt embarrassed and quickly went home.

Ko Yu-Rim heard that the kids bad mouthed about her in the washroom. Na Hee-Do was there too. She fought with the kids for badmouthing Ko Yu-Rim. Ko Yu-Rim was touched and also fought with the kids as well. Ko Yu-Rim admitted that she was her messenger’s friend. From that moment onwards, both of them became closer to one another.

UBS broadcasting was planning to film a documentary of Na Hee-Do and Ko Yu-Rim. Back Yi-Jin decided to take up the task. He talked to them and respected their opinion before they release the documentary. During the interview, Na Hee-Do and Ko Yu-Rim mentioned that they never went to school trip like other kids do. Back Yi-Jin planned a trip and brought Na Hee-Do, Ko Yu-Rim, Moon Ji-Woong and Ji Seung-Wan to a trip together.

Back Yi-Jin was rushing to home to report his news to the broadcasting. He bypassed Na Hee-Do’s house. Na Hee-Do invited him to come to her house to do the report. Later, Na Hee-Do’s mother came back and she was surprised when she saw Back Yi-Jin at her house. She shared her experience and warned Back Yi-Jin to transferred to another department so that it won’t hurt their relationship.

Back Yi-Jin started to like this career after he saw how Na Hee-Do’s mother professionally deliver the news although she was drunk. He was amazed on her. He became the sport reporter. He was happy and wanted to treat Na Hee-Do a nice meal since she was the one who make him change. He also confessed his feeling towards her. However, Na Hee-Do felt that there is no word to describe their relationship. It is complicated.

In order to bring Ko Yu-Rim to Moon Ji-Woong’s concert, he begged Back Yi-Jin for help. Back Yi-Jin used the interview matter as an excuse to bring Na Hee-Do and Ko Yu-Rim to the concert. Everyone was happy about it. Moon Ji-Woong also asked Ko Yu-Rim out and Ko Yu-Rim also agreed with it.

Na Hee-Do saw the chairs made by her father was not in good condition. She told her mother about it. Her mother also promised her that they will go the carpenter to fix the chairs. However, that day, her mother was having a team dinner and also have to report on news flash. Na Hee-Do waited for her mother at home. In the end, she decided to take those chairs to the carpenter by herself.  One of the chairs fall and broken. Her mother was on her way home and saw the incident. She scolded Na Hee-Do for carrying those chairs to carpenter during raining day. Na Hee-Do argued with her that she did not really care about her father and she also never mentioned about him ever since he passed away. The next day, Na Hee-Do realized that all the chairs has gone. She was really upset. Back Yi-Jin saw her while he was on the way home. She told him everything. Back Yi-Jin comforted her to make a new one similar to her father’s.

Na Hee-Do went to the carpenter with her savings. She wanted to learn carpentry with the carpenter. She never thought that making a furniture was that hard. Suddenly, she saw those chairs and she recognized them right away. The carpenter explained that those were the chair that brought by Na Hee-Do’s mother who asked her to repair. Na Hee-Do was sorry to her mother. Earlier in the morning, she even ignored her mother. Her mother asked her to get ready so that they can visit her father’s tomb. They promised one another that they will visit him often from now on.

Na Hee-Do planned to join the National team rather than entering the college. However, her mother against the idea. She talked to Ko Yu-Rim about it. Ko Yu-Rim decided to join the National team in order to earn more money for the family.   

Ji Seung-Wan stopped a teacher who constantly abused students. She called the policeman. However, the policeman could not do anything about it. Ji Seung-Wan then broadcasted the incident in her private broadcasting radio. She mentioned the school’s name as well as the teacher’s name. The teacher gave her two options: 1) drop out of the school 2) write an apologized letter and read them in front of the students. Ji Seung-Wan decided to drop out of the school because she can’t apologize to the teacher. Although it was a waste that she was unable to finish her study, she was happy with her decision. In the end of the day, Na Hee-Do and Moon Ji-Woong attended the college entrance exam.

Na Hee-Do, Back Yi-Jin, Ko Yu-Rim, Moon Ji-Woong and Ji Seung-Wan used to gather at Back Yi-Jin’s room. They talked about the end of the world. Right before they entered year 2000, Na Hee-Do kissed Back Yi-Jin. She wanted to do that and she has no regret about it. however, Back Yi-Jin stepped back and tried to draw line between them. Na Hee-Do could not understand and asked him why. He just explained that he loved her just like how he cared about her. Na Hee-Do did not give up, she kept coming to his house and looked for him. Back Yi-Jin was waver towards her and started to begin their relationship. They told their friends about it.

Ko Yu-Rim’s father hit a student and the student lay in the hospital. Her family has to bear the cost for the medication as well as compensation to the family. Ko Yu-Rim was upset when she saw her family arguing over money matter. She decided to change her nationality so that she can earn more money for her family to settle their debts. This decision was difficult.

Ko Yu-Rim told her friends about it. To be honest, she did not want to leave either. Back Yi-Jin heard the news and he tried to approach Ko Yu-Rim. He did not want to report on her news. However, as a reporter, he has no other choice. He felt embarrassed to face everyone. Na Hee-Do scolded him for reported the news which really hurt Ko Yu-Rim. Since the news outbreak, everyone was trying to contact her. The reporters followed her everywhere. The nation also scolded her being a traitor for giving up her nationality.

Ko Yu-Rim told Moon Ji-Woong don’t live for her. She wanted him to love others if he met ones. She could not be able to promise him anything as she did not know when she will be back to Korea again. Moon Ji-Woong did not give up on her. He worked several part-time jobs to earn more money so that he can fly to there to meet her.

Everyone said goodbye to Ko Yu-Rim except for Back Yi-Jin. Back Yi-Jin cried alone as he can choose between work and life. He was once tried to transfer to another department to work, but his boss rejected it. He never expected that this day will come. Na Hee-Do’s coach also talked to him about her past experience with Na Hee-Do’s mother. They used to be close friend, but they friendship broken after Na Hee-Do’s mother reported on the bribe case of her.

Back Yi-Jin felt guilty and did not know what to do. He was surprised to see Na Hee-Do standing in front of him. Na Hee-Do understood how he felt and she also apologized to him for what she said earlier. They both comforted one another and promised to stay together forever.

After Ko Yu-Rim moved to Russia, she still kept in touch with Na Hee-Do through email. Na Hee-Do also shared with her about what happened in Korea. Moon Ji-Woong started his fashion blog and Ji Seung-Wan also attended college. One day, Ko Yu-Rim did not reply Na Hee-Do. Na Hee-Do wondered what had happened to her. However, she understood what she had gone through. Na Hee-Do was stressed when her coach kept pushing her to win the gold medal. Same goes to After Ko Yu-Rim as well. In the final competition in Madrid, despite Hee-do's victory, their sincere friendship attracted media attention and deeply touched the audiences.

Na Hee-Do’s mother and Back Yi-Jin were happy for her. they decided to celebrate her victory together. Unfortunately, Back Yi-Jin was unable to come due to work issue. Na Hee-Do’s mother asked her whether will she be okay to be in such relationship. Back Yi-Jin always said sorry to Na Hee-Do for disappointing her due to his work. Na Hee-Do told her mother that she got used to it since her mother was an anchor too.

Back Yi-Jin planned a trip with Na Hee-Do. On that day, Na Hee-Do was very excited and waited for him at the train station. Back Yi-Jin gave her a call and cancelled the trip due to incident happened in New York. He kept apologized to her and also informed her that he was going to fly the next day. Although Na Hee-Do was disappointed, she still supported her boyfriend.

Back Yi-Jin was busy to cover the news of 911 incident. He had a hard time there and took medicine for sleep. He was stressed and depressed too. Both of them has lesser time to talk to one another. As time passed, Na Hee-Do and Back Yi-Jin’s relationship started to drift apart. Back Yi-Jin decided to apply a permanent job at New York. He came back to Korea for a short while to pack his things. He mistakenly took Na Hee-Do’s bag at the airport. Na Hee-Do also just came back from oversea. He returned her bag at her house. Na Hee-Do expressed that both of them has drifted apart and she wanted to break up with him. Back Yi-Jin could not understand, and he tried to get back to her. However, he decided to let go as well.

During the gathering, Na Hee-Do told her friends that she and Back Yi-Jin have broken up. Everyone was shocked to hear that. Na Hee-Do bought a new handphone. She wanted to cut the original couple plan. However, the salesperson told her that they needed both of them to sign the cancellation contract in order to sign up a new one. Na Hee-Do called up Back Yi-Jin to settle the matter. While they were on their way back, Back Yi-Jin suddenly exploded. He wanted an explanation from Na Hee-Do for their break up. Na Hee-Do told him that they were only couple during good day and they blamed one another during bad times.

Na Hee-Do did not contact Back Yi-Jin anymore. One day, she fell sick due to break up. She wrote her thought in her diary. She did not mean to say those things to him. She was glad to have him by her side. Na Hee-Do dropped her diary in the bus. Someone took the diary and sent it to Back Yi-Jin. Back Yi-Jin was surprised to read Na Hee-Do. He also wrote his though on her diary. He passed the diary to the bookstore owner to return to Na Hee-Do. However, the owner only returned to her after 20 years.

Back Yi-Jin was going to leave Korea. Na Hee-Do went to the bus stop to see him for the last time. Both of them hugged and cried for one another. 7 years later, Back Yi-Jin returned to Korea. He bought a new apartment for his family to stay. Na Hee-Do’s mother was going to retire. She recommended Back Yi-Jin to take over her place. Back Yi-Jin became the anchor for UBS. His first appearance was interviewing Na Hee-Do won the gold won in oversea.

Ko Yu-Rim has retired 2 years ago. She opened a fencing club and earned a lot of money. Moon Ji-Woong ran his own fashion business as well. Both of them was going to marry soon. Na Hee-Do already married. She planned to retire after wining the gold medal. Ji Seung-Wan, who worked as an assistant producer. She received a call regarding her father’s passed away. All her friend attended the funeral. Back Yi-Jin came late and he missed to chance to meet everyone.

Kim Min-Chae finally finished reading her mother’s diary. She was inspired by her mother’s determination for sport. She decided to continue her ballet class. Na Hee-Do was proud of her daughter and hope that she can experience those wonderful moment with her friends.

https://www.soompi.com/article/1511888wpp/nam-joo-hyuk-and-kim-tae-ri-promise-to-always-be-there-for-each-other-in-fresh-faced-twenty-five-twenty-one-poster