Nam Joo Hyuk and Kim Tae Ri became a favorite K-drama pair after they starred together in the 2022 hit drama Twenty-Five Twenty-One. Their acting felt natural, sweet, and emotional. Because of this, many viewers started to wonder if the romance was real.
In this post, I will share their drama connection, the cast, behind-the-scenes stories, dating rumors, and what they are doing now.
Twenty-Five Twenty-One cast (main friends)
The Twenty-Five Twenty-One cast has a strong “youth friendship” vibe. Fans often call the friend group the Taeyang High Squad (plus Yi-jin).
- Kim Tae Ri as Na Hee-do: a bright, strong high school fencing prodigy
- Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi-jin: a young man rebuilding his life after his family goes bankrupt during the IMF crisis
- Bona (WJSN) as Ko Yu-rim: a gold medalist fencer and Hee-do’s rival
- Choi Hyun-wook as Moon Ji-woong: stylish and popular, Yu-rim’s love interest
- Lee Joo-myung as Ji Seung-wan: top student with a rebellious side and a secret radio show
This cast made the drama feel warm, funny, and realistic.
Baek Yi-jin and Na Hee-do: Why people loved them
The relationship between Baek Yi-jin and Na Hee-do is often described as “mutual salvation.”
- When Yi-jin is at his lowest, Hee-do gives him hope.
- When Hee-do feels alone, Yi-jin supports her in a way her mother doesn’t.
They first meet when Hee-do is 18 and Yi-jin is 22. Later, they start dating when she is 21 and he is 25—this matches the title of the drama.
Fans still remember iconic lines like:
- “I’ll always be on your side.”
- “I love you in every way. And I hate you in every way.” (a famous misunderstanding scene)
Nam Joo Hyuk Kim Tae Ri chemistry: why it felt so real
Many people say Nam Joo Hyuk Kim Tae Ri chemistry is the biggest reason the drama became so popular.
They also had a strong visual contrast:
- Kim Tae Ri looks youthful and energetic.
- Nam Joo Hyuk has a soft, emotional, “puppy-like” gaze.
Their acting styles matched well too:
- Kim Tae Ri brought comedy and high energy.
- Nam Joo Hyuk brought calm emotion and deep feelings.
Even in interviews, they teased each other a lot. That made fans feel even more connected to them. This is why Nam Joo Hyuk and Kim Tae Ri stayed in people’s minds long after the drama ended.
Twenty-Five Twenty-One behind the scenes (BTS) stories
The Twenty-Five Twenty-One behind the scenes (BTS) videos were almost as popular as the episodes.
Some great moments include:
- Ad-libs: Kim Tae Ri improvised funny actions in scenes, like stuffing a bun in her mouth, and Nam Joo Hyuk laughed and broke character.
- Playful set energy: The cast was loud and fun. Nam Joo Hyuk often teased Kim Tae Ri during fencing and running scenes.
- The fountain scene: It took hours to film in freezing weather. BTS showed them using blankets and hot packs and taking care of each other.
These BTS clips made fans feel the cast was truly close.
Nam Joo Hyuk Kim Tae Ri height difference (and why people search it)
A lot of viewers talk about the Nam Joo Hyuk Kim Tae Ri height difference because it looks very noticeable on screen.
- Nam Joo Hyuk is about 187 cm (6’1.5″)
- Kim Tae Ri is about 166 cm (5’5″)
- That’s around a 21 cm (about 8 inch) difference
The director used this for romantic “heart-fluttering” moments, like:
- the umbrella scene (he tilts it to cover her)
- moments where he reaches over crowds to help her
- scenes where he leans down to meet her eyes
Twenty-Five Twenty-One ending explained (simple)
Many fans still search Twenty-Five Twenty-One ending explained because the final episode made people emotional—and sometimes angry.
Here is what happens:
- Hee-do and Yi-jin do not end up together.
- Yi-jin becomes a reporter and later works in New York during 9/11.
- After that, he becomes emotionally closed off and stops sharing his pain.
- Long-distance and different life paths slowly break them apart.
In the 2021 timeline:
- Hee-do marries someone else (the drama never shows his face)
- She has a daughter named Min-chae
- Yi-jin becomes a successful news anchor
The meaning of the ending is realistic: a first love can shape your youth, even if it does not last forever.
BaekDo couple: the fan nickname
The fandom name BaekDo couple comes from combining:
- Baek Yi-jin
- Na Hee-do
Some fans also call them the “Dimple Couple” because both actors have strong dimples when they smile.
Even years later, BaekDo fans still post edits, create alternate stories, and write fan fiction where the couple stays together.
Dating rumors: Are they together in real life?
Because Nam Joo Hyuk and Kim Tae Ri looked so natural together, dating rumors became very common.
But the key facts are simple:
- There is no confirmed relationship.
- Viral “evidence” videos on TikTok/YouTube often use weak proof (like similar items or blurry photos).
- In 2023 and 2024, some social media posts claimed “dispatch” style dating photos existed, but they were fake or used photos of other couples.
- Neither actor’s agency has confirmed they are dating.
They seem to be supportive former co-stars, not a public couple.
Where they are now (2024–early 2026)
Nam Joo Hyuk
- Enlisted in March 2023, discharged September 19, 2024 (military police)
- Appeared at Dior Spring/Summer 2025 in Paris after discharge
- Signed with a new agency FABLE COMPANY (January 2, 2026)
- Confirmed for Netflix drama Donggung (The East Palace), expected in the second half of 2026
Kim Tae Ri
- Starred in Jeongnyeon: The Star Is Born (2024) and it was a big success
- Won Best Actress (TV) at the 61st Baeksang Arts Awards (May 2025)
- Voice acting debut in Netflix animated film Lost in Starlight (2025)
- Set to host/star in a variety show project After-School Drama Club (2026)
They have not reunited for a new project, even though both work with Netflix.
