“Twenty-One Twenty-Five” and its Filming Locations

1998 is a special year for Koreans. One day, news suddenly broke that South Korea had run out of dollar reserves, marking the onset of the IMF crisis. Many companies went bankrupt, large corporations closed down, and underwent restructuring, leading to widespread job losses. Koreans, without knowing why, became poor overnight. This special, sad year sets the backdrop for the drama “Twenty-one Twenty-five.”

Story Line of the “Twenty-One Twenty-Five”

In July 1998, Na Hee-do (Kim Tae-ri) of Seonjung Girls’ High School’s fencing team admires and dreams of chasing after Go Yu-rim, a student from the neighboring school and an Olympic fencing gold medalist. Despite her father’s passing, she grows up lacking nothing, dreaming of becoming a fencer with her news anchor mother. However, the aftermath of the IMF crisis leads to the disbandment of the school’s fencing team. Devastated that her world has disappeared, Hee-do decides to transfer to Taeyang High School, where Go Yu-rim is.

Baek Yi-jin (Nam Joo-hyuk), the son of a wealthy, well-off family, lived a luxurious life. However, due to the IMF crisis, his father’s company goes bankrupt, and his parents fake a divorce. His younger sibling is sent to live with his aunt, and Yi-jin himself ends up living in a shabby room with broken windows. Although he was admitted to Yonsei University’s engineering college, he has to take a leave of absence due to difficulty in paying tuition fees, living a tough life delivering newspapers in the morning, working part-time in a comic book store in the afternoon, and being harassed by debt collectors at night.

Filming Locations of “Twenty-One Twenty-Five”

Jeonju Hanok Village in the “Twenty-One Twenty-Five”

In the drama, Yi-jin says, “The orange tribe doesn’t live in places like this.” He refers to areas around Jeonju Hanok Village. Jeonju Seohak-dong Art Village is featured as the backdrop, with Na Hee-do’s (Kim Tae-ri) house also located within Jeonju Hanok Village.

Information about Joenju Hanok Village

Jeonju Hanok Village, situated in Jeonju, North Jeolla Province, South Korea, stands as a beacon of traditional Korean culture and history, making it a must-visit destination for tourists. This village is particularly famous for its large collection of traditional Korean ‘hanok’ houses, preserving the essence of Korea’s rich cultural heritage.

For those planning a visit, Jeonju Hanok Village is conveniently located in the heart of Jeonju, easily accessible from Seoul by bus or train within approximately 2-3 hours. Upon arriving in Jeonju, visitors can reach the village via a short bus or taxi ride from Jeonju Station or the bus terminal.

The village boasts around 800 hanok structures, many of which are still residential homes, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the traditional Korean architectural beauty. The village offers a variety of traditional experiences, including hanbok (traditional Korean attire) rentals, traditional tea ceremonies, and hands-on traditional craft making. Moreover, Jeonju is famed for its iconic dish, bibimbap, providing visitors with a plethora of dining options both within and around the Hanok Village.

When visiting, it’s recommended to rent a hanbok for a more immersive experience. Additionally, renting an electric scooter can be a convenient way to explore, though it’s important to always be mindful of pedestrian safety.

In conclusion, Jeonju Hanok Village offers a seamless blend of traditional Korean aesthetics and modern conveniences, making it an ideal spot for those looking to experience the unique charm of Korea’s past and present coexisting harmoniously.

Website of Joenju Hanok Village

Schools in the Drama “Twenty-One Twenty-Five”

Seonjung Girls’ High School, where Hee-do originally attended, is “Gochang Dae-seong High School,” and the school she transfers to, Taeyang High, is “Nonsan Girls’ Commercial High School.” Baek Yi-jin’s comic book store is “Jeonju Seohak-dong Art Village’s Sori Bangatgan,” and the tunnel where Hee-do and Yi-jin ran hand in hand is “Jeonju Hanbyeokgul.”

Na Hee-do’s house

Address: 5-19 Omokdae-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do: Croosing Guest House

The place where Yi-jin and Hee-do first met, adorned with a fairy-tale house full of red rose vines.

This is private property and an actual residence, so visits are declined.

Myeongjin Book Rental Shop (Comic Book Store)

The place full of memories for the two, where Yi-jin worked part-time and where Hee-do often came to rent comics.

This place is located in Seohak-dong Art Village in Jeonju and is actually not a comic book store as shown in the drama “Twenty-one, Twenty-five.”

Seohakdong Photo Gallery (‘Seohakdong Sajin-gwan’) is run by professional photographer Kim Jihyun. 

Inside, the wooden columns and white walls are mingling very elegently. The photos on exhibition are exclusive to this photo gallery.

Address: Seoseohakdong 189-20, Wansangu, Jeonju

Google Map

Opening hours: 1100-1800 (closed on Mondays and Tuesdays)
Homepage of Seohak-dong Art Village

Hanbyeokgul (Hanbyeok Tunnel)

The tunnel where Yi-jin and Hee-do looked at each other and said, “When we’re together, let’s be happy for just a moment, secretly.” It is famous for its outstandingly beautiful scenes in the drama.

It is a 2-minute walk from the Jeonju Natural Ecology Museum. This tunnel was constructed during the Japanese occupation to sever the spirit of Hanbyeokdang by drilling through it and creating the Jeolla line railway. Now, the railway has been removed, and it has become part of the Jeonjucheon walking path, serving as a road leading to Hanbyeokdang, the Jeonju Natural Ecology Museum, and the nearby Seungam Village.

It takes about 15 minutes to walk from Hanbyeok Tunnel to Hanok Village, and the scenery along this short path is so beautiful that it’s recommended to take a leisurely stroll.

Address: 2 Girindaero, Wansan-gu, Jeonju, Jeollabuk-do

Google Maps location of Hanbyeokgul

Where to Stay in Jeonju Hanok Village

Traditional Hanok Stays (한옥 숙박)

Hanokjib

• Description: A traditional Korean house offering an authentic Hanok experience with floor heating (Ondol).
• Location: 99-6, Omokdae-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do
• How to Get There: From Jeonju Station, take bus number 79 and get off at Jeondong Cathedral. Walk 10 minutes to the Hanok Village.
• Making a Reservation

Soriwool Hanok Guesthouse

• Description: A beautifully restored Hanok with modern amenities. Offers cultural experiences like tea ceremonies.
• Location: 99-5, Pungnam-dong 3-ga, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do
• How to Get There: From Jeonju Station, take bus number 79 and get off at Jeondong Cathedral. Walk 10 minutes to the Hanok Village.
• Making a Reservation

Jeonju Hanok Living Experience Center

• Description: Offers traditional Hanok rooms with shared bathrooms. Guests can participate in traditional Korean activities.
• Location: 99-6, Omokdae-gil, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do
• How to Get There: From Jeonju Station, take bus number 79 and get off at Jeondong Cathedral. Walk 10 minutes to the Hanok Village.
• Making a Reservation

Modernized Hanok Stays (모던 한옥 숙박)

Hanok Hotel Gguldanji

The Hanok

• Description: Offers a mix of traditional Hanok architecture and modern convenience, with private bathrooms and air conditioning.
• Location: 54-8, Pungnam-dong 3-ga, Wansan-gu, Jeonju-si, Jeollabuk-do
• How to Get There: From Jeonju Station, take bus number 79 and get off at Jeondong Cathedral. Walk 5 minutes to the Hanok Village.
• Making a Reservation

The Song “Twenty-One Twenty-Five”

The song “Twenty-One Twenty-Five” by Jaurim shares its title with the drama and is actually featured as part of the drama’s soundtrack. The lyrics include the line, “I dreamed a dream that was painfully happy,” which beautifully complements the heart-wrenching song by Jaurim and the content of the drama, adding to the emotion.

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