Kayosai
A fun marathon
This show is sweet, addictive, and emotional. It was fun to binge (admittedly because it's coming off Netflix in my area, but I found it hard to stop watching regardless) despite putting me through an emotional roller coaster.
If the pitiful premise laid out in the first episode turns you off, keep going just a little while longer. The dramatic irony and payoff of this show is top-notch. I weirdly found myself rooting for ALL of the characters, even ones like Hye Mi, Kim Woo Cheul, Kim Yi Jin, and Shin Sang Ye... but ESPECIALLY No Ra, Minsoo, and Cha Hyeon Seok. Where can one find a man as devoted as Cha Hyeon Seok in this world?! And shout-out to the 친구s, Na Soon Nam and Park Seung Hyun — they're some real ones out there.
The show definitely feels a bit dated, with some "classic" tropes like wrist grabs, awful manhandling hero complexes, and one measly open-eyed kiss. I was frustrated from noble idiocy (YALL ARE TOO OLD FOR THIS, AREN'T YOU?), and I certainly would've been less tolerant had I watched it while airing. The last few episodes definitely dragged (probably from... 13-15?), which was a shame considering how strong and well-paced the rest of the show was. It's not even that there was a left-field mini-plot to fill up those last few episodes; perhaps it was the lack of one that made the show drag a bit? But the plot points that did happen all felt plausible. Thankfully, episode 16 redeemed the series with worthwhile endings for all. My only gripe with the ending was WHATEVER THEY DID TO SWEET MINSOO'S HAIR!! Unforgivable.
Second 20s was also a bit on-the-nose with the "life lessons." Living in the present and seizing the day are great messages imparted through the creative premise of the show, but it was delivered through maybe... 3-4 too many vehicles. I liked the nuance of considering how our past actions and anticipation of the future impact the present though. And the show brought up interesting social issues too, from sexual harassment in higher education, to nepotism and bribery, to the immense pressure and competition for classes/university admissions/recruiting, to socioeconomic disparity and the mounting unaffordability of financial independence in one's 20s. People of all ages will probably get something out of this show, whether you're a 20-something like me in need of the reminder to enjoy life in the carefree way we can only truly achieve at our age (without all the real-adult responsibilities) or a 38-year-old facing marital problems, or someone older seeking to empathize with the youth of today.
While this show wasn't perfect, it certainly made me think and feel things (strongly!). It's not as iconic as other shows from this era (I lump it in the era of The Heirs and such because it succumbs to pre-DOTS camera technology), and somehow it feels more dated than some of its contemporaries (Reply 1988; Misaeng). Despite these faults, its messages remain classic. And that makes Second 20s worth a watch — even today, in 2021!
If the pitiful premise laid out in the first episode turns you off, keep going just a little while longer. The dramatic irony and payoff of this show is top-notch. I weirdly found myself rooting for ALL of the characters, even ones like Hye Mi, Kim Woo Cheul, Kim Yi Jin, and Shin Sang Ye... but ESPECIALLY No Ra, Minsoo, and Cha Hyeon Seok. Where can one find a man as devoted as Cha Hyeon Seok in this world?! And shout-out to the 친구s, Na Soon Nam and Park Seung Hyun — they're some real ones out there.
The show definitely feels a bit dated, with some "classic" tropes like wrist grabs, awful manhandling hero complexes, and one measly open-eyed kiss. I was frustrated from noble idiocy (YALL ARE TOO OLD FOR THIS, AREN'T YOU?), and I certainly would've been less tolerant had I watched it while airing. The last few episodes definitely dragged (probably from... 13-15?), which was a shame considering how strong and well-paced the rest of the show was. It's not even that there was a left-field mini-plot to fill up those last few episodes; perhaps it was the lack of one that made the show drag a bit? But the plot points that did happen all felt plausible. Thankfully, episode 16 redeemed the series with worthwhile endings for all. My only gripe with the ending was WHATEVER THEY DID TO SWEET MINSOO'S HAIR!! Unforgivable.
Second 20s was also a bit on-the-nose with the "life lessons." Living in the present and seizing the day are great messages imparted through the creative premise of the show, but it was delivered through maybe... 3-4 too many vehicles. I liked the nuance of considering how our past actions and anticipation of the future impact the present though. And the show brought up interesting social issues too, from sexual harassment in higher education, to nepotism and bribery, to the immense pressure and competition for classes/university admissions/recruiting, to socioeconomic disparity and the mounting unaffordability of financial independence in one's 20s. People of all ages will probably get something out of this show, whether you're a 20-something like me in need of the reminder to enjoy life in the carefree way we can only truly achieve at our age (without all the real-adult responsibilities) or a 38-year-old facing marital problems, or someone older seeking to empathize with the youth of today.
While this show wasn't perfect, it certainly made me think and feel things (strongly!). It's not as iconic as other shows from this era (I lump it in the era of The Heirs and such because it succumbs to pre-DOTS camera technology), and somehow it feels more dated than some of its contemporaries (Reply 1988; Misaeng). Despite these faults, its messages remain classic. And that makes Second 20s worth a watch — even today, in 2021!
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