TvN’s Twenty Five Twenty One is now receiving a huge backlash over the relationship of Baek Yi Jin (Nam Joo Hyuk) and Na Hee Do (Kim Tae Ri). As Na Hee Do is only 19, a minor in South Korea, and Baek Yi Jin is already 23, fans seem to be divided on their romance.
In Twenty Five and Twenty One Episodes 9 and 10, Baek Yi Jin already confessed his feelings for Na Hee Do. Although this is already foreseen, viewers couldn’t help but question this particular storyline.
Twenty Five Twenty One Episodes 9 and 10
The series tells the story of a young trying to rebuild his life after a financial crisis bankrupts his chaebol family. Baek Yi Jin and Na Hee Do have a platonic relationship, but they eventually fall in love.
So at the end of Episode 9, Na Hee Do wasn’t sure what to call her feelings for Baek Yi Jin after they spotted a rainbow together.
“You always lead me to do what’s right and to a good place,” Baek Yi Jin said.
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“That’s my definition of our relationship, also known as a rainbow,” Na Hee Do answered. “Wait. You said it wasn’t a rainbow. You still haven’t said what it was if not a rainbow.”
Baek Yi Jin confessed his real feelings for Na Hee Do.
“Love. It’s love. I love you, Hee Do. I don’t need a rainbow,” he revealed.
He continued to let his feelings out in Twenty Five Twenty One Episode 10, saying,
“Well. You see, this has nothing to do with what you think of me. Whatever you do, or no matter what you look like, I’m in love with you for you are. Right. I couldn’t ask for anything more than to make you happier by telling you how I feel about you.”
Na Hee Do accepted his love.
The Backlash over Baek Yi Jin, Na Hee Do’s Romance in Twenty Five Twenty One
After the recent episode’s release, a lot of viewers expressed their concerns over the show’s decision to publicly romanticize a relationship with a minor, AllKpop noted.
"The production team should have reconsidered the scene as the media has an impact,” one fan said.
"I feel uncomfortable depicting a mutual love with a minor who still wears a school uniform,” another revealed.
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“Why couldn't the show wait until after Kim Tae Ri graduates for a scene like this?" asked another one.
According to Koreaboo, the legal age in Korea is 20 years old. In this case, Na Hee Do is only 19, while Baek Yi Jin is already 23.
Some see Twenty Five Twenty One as normalizing an older man to have a romantic relationship with a minor.
Some said the show should have featured an adult Na Hee Do instead of having a romance with Baek Yi Jin. Many even called the male protagonist a “creep” for developing feelings toward a minor instead of a woman his age.
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Not only that, though, they also pointed out the cringe-worthy scenes where Baek Yi Jin touched Na Hee Do when he grabbed her on the arms, wiped her cheeks and held her arm. They also noticed his longing looks at Na Hee Do.
Anyhow, as of this writing, people behind Twenty Five Twenty One and the artists themselves are yet to give their comments about the issue.
For more Twenty Five Twenty One news, stay tuned to EpicStream!