i've had time to think about and process the 2521 ending and i'm finally ready to talk about it. first, i'd just like to say: WOW. i'm so happy i randomly decided to click "play" on episode 1 one day because watching this show was truly such a satisfying journey. the cast was phenomenal, seeing nam joo-hyuk and kim tae-ri together on screen was such a treat. the cinematography, the soundtrack, the writing, the feeling of nostalgia that this show provokes... 2521 is definitely one of my favorite kdramas of all time.
with that said, i don't claim the ending. a lot of people have said, "if you're not happy with the 2521 ending just because baekdo weren't endgame you clearly missed the whole point of the show," but i'd have to disagree. it's not just the lack of a baekdo endgame that didn't sit right with me, it's the ending that all of the characters got in their adulthood that turned me off.
seung-wan had stated in episode 10 that she found life to be boring, which is a sentiment that a lot of teenagers share. their lives are micromanaged by the schools they attend, the parents they live with, and all of their time is taken up by studying and trying to climb the step-ladder to adulthood. but even ten years later, seung-wan does not seem happy. she still finds life boring, she shows no satisfaction or attachment to the job she has chosen and she says herself that she is only able to see her friends during events like funerals. they may have hinted at a change in her love life with the return of yijin's brother, but considering how much emphasis was placed on having a "rEaLiStIc EnDiNg," his return just seemed very random and fanfiction-like.
yurim's ending also didn't satisfy me. don't get me wrong, i am so ridiculously happy that her relationship with jiwoong survived time and distance, and i'm also glad that she was finally able to gain the financial stability that she had always craved. but again, the emphasis was placed on what she chose as a profession following her retirement from fencing. we can't forget WHY yurim was so determined to make money, and the reason was her love for her family. she wanted to lessen their burden, pay off their debts, and provide them with a better life. i think seeing her with her parents in the present day would have been a lot more fulfilling in terms of a "happy ending."
and heedo... oh heedo. i can understand the baekdo breakup given the context of episodes 15 and 16, but i also think that a huge disservice was done to heedo's character in the name of being "realistic." because what were we shown? heedo lived her childhood alone until she was finally granted a short span of time to enjoy passionate love and friendship before it was ripped away from her. at the end of the day, heedo begins her journey alone and ends it alone. not only does she lose the friends that made her youth so memorable and the love of her life, but she also loses the sport that she lived and breathed for. in adulthood, she no longer finds fencing to be fun. she gets bored of winning. the girl who went through so much effort to transfer schools, worked so hard to join the national team, won three gold medals, and wanted nothing more to fence... quit. all athletes retire at some point but what she chose to do with her life afterwards had no relation to fencing whatsoever. i find that to be TRAGIC.
she shows no attachment to her husband in the present day, he's barely a part of her day-to-day life and she doesn't even mention him in passing. this nameless, faceless man that our best girl heedo spends her life with has no presence in her home, in her life, or even in her thoughts. she doesn't even have a ring on her finger. her reaction to yijin (his face during the 2009 interview, his words found in her diary in 2022) even years after their breakup is visceral, instinctual... and that's why she returns to the tunnel, erases the beach day from her mind, and just seems to have no trace of happiness in her. from where i'm sitting, her story seems like a tragedy full of regret, loneliness, and a bitterness for the direction her life took in the name of "growing up."
yijin also seems to be alone in the present day. it's a shame that he dedicated his life to a career that caused him to begin smoking, drinking, losing sleep, and sucked the hope out of his very being. it's also a shame that his "happy ending" consists of bringing the family together that provided him no form of support during the hardest time of his life. his parents may be his blood, but heedo was his family. and he lost her in a breakup that wasn't even reciprocal. they didn't part ways mutually, he was abandoned yet again during a time when he was struggling with issues completely out of his control. his ptsd and depression were never addressed and, just like heedo, he began and ended his journey completely alone.
why was a rookie reporter sent to the other side of the world indefinitely to cover a foreign story in the first place? why was jae-kyung only able to establish a close relationship with her daughter after ending her career? why did she have to choose? why did baekdo break up after their first and only fight? why did heedo say she would make sure her support always reached yijin when she made no effort in episodes 15 and 16 to help him in any way? were all of their words JUST WORDS? why were there so many remnants of yijin in heedo's present day home if they have no relationship at all? why did yijin and heedo have to lose their friendship, their love, their understanding, the very essence of their bond, just to become strangers with no tie to each other's lives after they broke up because "that's how real life is"? why did minchae even pick up that diary in the first place?
The Creature: You made me, therefore you must bear the consequences of my creation.
Victor Frankenstein: Nuh-uh
The Creature: fym nuh-uh?
shannon elle - clouds
The Pitt— "8:00 P.M."
AEMOND TARGARYEN + tumblr tags
a/n. i had so much fun writing it as someone who's first language isn't english lmao
┆彡 BANG CHAN [ 방찬 ]
YOUR #1 FAN
he kinda knows how it feels to speak another language abroad - but he had felix
so he encourages you to talk to him even if he doesn't understand a thing
plot twist!! he does!!
yes, the second he found out that you speak [language name] he started taking duolingo lessons and watched youtube videos to improve!!
and yes, you knew i mean the green ass owl was spamming his phone more than the kids
and trust me, he learned a lot.
"--so the girl came up to me, gave me a flower and said i'm really pretty!" you finished telling the story that happened today: a cute, 5 year old girl indeed said that. you were about to translate, when chan spoke up... in [language name].
"awh, that's adorable!" he grinned and watched your jaw drop in shock "and in fact... you are really pretty"
"CHAN!" you grinned and started peppering his face in kisses as he giggled "you're getting better and better!"
that was also a reason why he wanted to learn your language.
but after some time you offered him that you can teach him and he has never been happier!!!
┆彡 CHANGBIN [ 창빈 ]
now...
when you mumble something to yourself or talk to someone in your native language he'd instantly smirk and look at you with literal hearts in in his eyes
but inside...
HE'S SCREAMING CRYING SHAKING
he finds it the hottest thing ever.
and you're mad at someone (or at him) and scream/scoff something... we must stay focused, brothers. we. must. stay. focused.
and yes, he learned a couple of compliments just to leave you stunned as you make him (even if you don't know that)
"asshole" you scoffed, crossing your arms on your chest as han ate last piece of pizza.
"what was that?" jisung asked with furrowed brows and full mouth.
"you're hot" changbin suddenly said in your native language and your head snapped towards him, eyes widening.
"what did he say?" han kept on asking questions. changbin just smirked and you were left speachless.
"you're hot as well, baby" you played along after your head cleared a bit.
"are they insulting each other?" han mumbled and you just laughed.
┆彡 LEE KNOW [ 리노 ]
honestly? he'd be pissed off he can't understand you while you're talking to your parents or friends on the phone
because he has a feeling and he's right you're talking about him
that's why he started learning it.
and yes, he dragged han into it as well so he could practice his pronunciation
but besides that?? it always leaves him speachless
you can insult him to his face and he'd find it hot
and if someone laughs at you or points out your accent or the fact that you speak your first language... well, they're already dead.
HE MELTS ON THE SPOT WHEN HE CATCHES YOU TALKING IN BABY VOICE IN YOUR LANGUAGE TO HIS CATS
*ahem* yeah, coming back...
"no, mom! i swear! we don't live together... yet! okay, relax i was kidding!" you scoffed and looked at lee know, sending him a soft smile "i mean, why not? first of all, his cats. i sent you pictures, you must admit they're beyond adorable. second of all i... well-- mom! i love him and i think it's only a matter of time when i move in to his place-"
"you're more than welcome to do it right away" lee know said in your language, smirk growing on his lips.
"what? no, mom he's not..." you mumbled
"hello mrs l/n!" he said, yet again, in your language.
"i gotta go!" you scoffed and hung up, throwing your phone over to the couch "what was that?!"
"it was me accepting your offer of us living together" he grinned, switching back.
"dumbass" you mumbled and placed a long, sweet, sweeeeeet kiss on his lips.
┆彡 FELIX [ 필릭스 ]
THIS BALL OF SUNSHINE RAINBOWS GLITTER JOY AND HAPPINESS
he'd support you endlessly and tell you over and over not to feel shy to speak in your language
he's lovestruck when you do so
hearts in his eyes pt2
and before you know it, he's learning it too. but with your help from the beginnig!!
he's so excited about it and as he infects others with his joy - he also spreads his knowledge as well
so yeah, the other members know basics of your language too.
he'd write notes on sticky notes and leave them in random places and it just makes you melt (even if there are mistakes - that's normal, he's still learning and trying his best!!)
"i made your favourite cookies" felix said in your first language, bursting into the room.
"yum! can i have some too?" chan asked in your language. your jaw dropped, eyes jumping from chan to felix with boyish smiles on their faces
"hey, don't forget about me!" i.n shouted in [language name] as well.
"what the f-" you muttered and seungmin's hand flew over to cover your mouth as felix approached you, laughing
"no cursing in this household!" seungmin said and after stealing a cookie, he ran away.
"what just happened?" you asked felix in english. he placed a kiss on your nose and just sent you a mischievous smile.
"enjoy the cookies, dear" he said in your native language, giving you one of his baked goods.
┆彡 HAN [ 한 ]
the first time he hears you speaking your native language is in the common room
everyone was there as you kicked the door wide open, jumping and screaming something not quite understandable
then he realised. and he froze for like,, good 15 minutes
MANS WAS SHOCKED
and from then he just wants you to hear you speak your native language 24/7
he gave up on learing it though (he still tries but not as eager as before)
but! he did learn some jokes and he tells them at random times
members tease him about he just stops functionating when you say something in [langauge name] but he's just too stunned to speak
loves your accent and the way your voice slightly changes when you speak it too <33
"i forgot the word... uhmm..." you whined and frowned, thinking out loud in your native language "not lovely... not scary either... shoot"
i.n shook his head as he nudged changbin to look at han. here he goes again.
eyes widened, mouth slightly open and watching you in awe like a kid staring at a candy in a candystore.
"got it! approachable!" you switched back, nodding your head and looking at jisung "what?"
"nothing" he smiled innocently, shaking his head. gosh, he's so whipped for you.
┆彡 HYUNJIN [ 현진 ]
insert pikachu surprised face. everytime you speak.
he'll look at you either like you're casting a spell and he's about to die or full of love and admiration. no in between.
but he loves when you speak the language SO MUCH,,
it makes his heart flutter i am not joking.
and your accent makes his heart go brrrrrr
he'll learn some simple and basic phrases, pick up lines and some iconic quotes from movies
loves the way you write in [language name] too. i'm not kidding.
he could watch you for HOURS.
and he's so so so stunned when he watches you text i swear
sucker for you telling him random stories in your language to sleep :(
"hey y/n..." hyunjin leaned over dramatically, resting his head on his hand and propping his body on his elbow. with a corner of his eye he caught you texting your mom in [language name].
"well hello there" you smiled softly and put down your phone, focusing on him. his brows furrowed slightly and he seemed to think aout something deeply.
"i hope you know CPR, because you just took my... breathing-- no, breath away!" he said after a while and started giggling, wrinkles forming around his eyes. your jaw dropped and soon enough you started chuckling too.
"you're so cute, i love you" you mumbled in [language name] and were about to lean in and kiss him when he gasped dramatically, almost falling down from the bed.
"i understood that!" hyunjin called out and grinned like a child. a smile grew on your lips.
"now gimme that kiss!" he hummed and closed the distance between you two.
┆彡 SEUNGMIN [ 승민 ]
will randomly ask you to say someting in your language or to translate something he just said
pretty chill on the outside
inside? seungmin.exe has stopped working
learns curse words (okay, and cute stuff to persuade you)
actually, he learned them from you...
when you're watching a korean movie/drama he insists on having subtitles in your native language
sometimes he repeats some words after you...
... or says these that he remembered out of the blue
"mushroom" seungmin said suddenly, causing you to laugh and the other members to look at him in confusion
"you okay? do you have a cold?" chan stood up and this made you laugh even more, throwing your head back.
"guys, i think something possesed them" lee know mumbled.
after you calmed down, seungmin looked very proud of himself even though he had no idea what he just said.
"so?" he asked, eyes full of joy.
"you said mushroom-- but that was so random, min!" you giggled and the others started laughing too. seungmin took a mental note to remember that.
┆彡 I. N [ 아이엔 ]
whipped. that’s all i have to say.
every time you are about to say something in your native language he shushes everyone!!
will learn it but mostly just to understand the memes and jokes so he can send you some and you two can laugh together!!
when it comes to speaking - he nails it. how? no idea. but he picks up pronunciation pretty quickly!!
his heart goes crazy when you call him nicknames in your native language <3
changed his preferred language in his phone to [language name] and had … a lot of fun with that
won't admit but loves to eavesdrop when you're on the phone, talking in your native language
"uhh y/n...?" i.n entered the living room and came up to you, placing a quick kiss on your forehead before plopping down next to you.
"hmm?" you hummed, looking at him. he grinned and handed you his phone, your eyes immediately noticing that he changed the preffered language to [language name]
"i'm stuck" he laughed, shaking his head.
"dumbass" you tsked in your native language and he'd just smirk. he watched you change the langauge back. "here, it's normal again"
"wait, look--!" i.n showed you his contacts and you melted as soon as you saw your contant number being saved as sweetheart in [language name].
[ masterlist <3 ]
7:00 A.M. // 9:00 P.M.
This is yet another example of their cruelty and violence.
Ewan Mitchell as Michael Gavey in Saltburn
"if you're going to write dark fiction you should explicitly state that it's not okay to do in real life so that a child doesn't see it and think it's okay"
actually i don't cater my art to children, my art is not intended for children, and it's not my responsibility to parent them. hope this helps
she/her. desi. standbi. certified bollywood buff. multifandom.dupattas. sunflower fields. lotuses. cigarettes in lehengas. phool. kajal. yeh aankhein.लोग जुड़ते गये और बनता गया कारवाँ, मेरी जान
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