Today, we’ll be discussing Episode 5 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:

• How Baek Yi-jin has left town without a trace, to the angst and sadness of Na Hee-do and Ko Yu-rim.
• How Baek Yi-jin and Na Hee-do manage to communicate with each via messages left on each other’s pager voice mail.
• The contrast between Na Hee-do, who is confident and gets what she wants, while Baek Yi-jin has lost all of his confidence, he leaves town, and he can’t find a job.
• How Baek Yi-jin’s mom doesn’t know how to support her sons, while Na Hee-do’s mom can’t find it within herself to support and believe in her daughter.
• When Na Hee-do tells Ko Yu-rim that she didn’t want to be on the national team, but be Ko Yu-rim’s rival, it feels like a threat.
• Na Hee-do has secured a spot on the national fencing team, but her happiness is tempered by Baek Yi-jin’s disappearance, Ko Yu-rim’s coldness, and her mother’s indifference.
• Our surprise when we found out that injeolmi is a real thing! Injeolmi is a type of rice cake, often covered in some type of coating.
• The K Drama elements in this episode: alcohol, the FILA product placement, crying, holding hands, and first snow.
• The gorgeous cinematography in this episode, especially at the end of the episode.
• The background and career of the amazing Kim Tae-ri.
• The shows we’re watching now. Joanna is watching Something in the Rain and One Sprint NIght, while Sung Hee has just finished Divorce Attorney Shin Sung Han

References

• The History of the Two-Way Pager
• Drinking in South Korea: 7 Tips on Handling a Hoesik
• Travel guide to Pohang
• What is injeolmi
• Maangchi’s Injeolmi Recipe