Some Thought Kim Tae Ri’s First Kiss Was During K-Drama “Twenty Five Twenty One,” But That Couldn’t Be Further From The Truth

She’s a very experienced kisser, but this is her first with a male co-star…
News
Koreaboo

Content Warning

This article includes descriptions of graphic content that may disturb some readers.

Spoiler Alert

This article reveals plot details of a current movie or series.

If you’ve been watching tvN‘s latest K-Drama Twenty Five Twenty One, like us, you were probably especially excited when the leads had their first kiss in the latest episode!

Nam Joo Hyuk as Baek Yi Jin (left) and Kim Tae Ri as Na Hee Do (right). | tvN & Netflix

If you’re new to the drama, it’s currently being released simultaneously on Netflix for international viewers. The story of Twenty Five Twenty One alternates between the present day and the past as it parallels the struggles of youth during both the COVID-19 pandemic and the IMF (the International Monetary Fund) crisis. However, it also focuses on the romantic lives of five characters in the ’90s, with the main focus being on female lead Na Hee Do, played by Kim Tae Ri, and male lead Baek Yi Jin (sometimes romanized as Back Yi Jin), played by Nam Joo Hyuk.

In a time when dreams seem out of reach, a teen fencer pursues big ambitions and meets a hardworking young man who seeks to rebuild his life.

— Netflix

In Episode 12, the characters fear the world will end due to “The Year 2000 problem” (also known as the Millennium bug, Y2K problem, Y2K bug, Y2K glitch, Y2K error, etc.). So, Hee Do and Yi Jin ring in the new year together, and as the clock strikes midnight, going into 2000, she kisses him for the first time.

The kiss that started when I was nineteen ended when I was twenty. It was now a new year and a new century. I guess I also wanted a change for myself.

— Na Hee Do

Fans of the drama were excited for the couple’s beginning as we have watched this couple’s journey for 12 episodes now. Kim Tae Ri fans also recognized the actress’ first small screen kiss.

| @taeri_yeosin/Twitter

This meant that she had mainly done feature films before with kissing scenes. Yet, one netizen was amazed that this was Kim Tae Ri’s “1st kiss ever,” believing that the actress hadn’t had kiss scenes before.

Of course, that’s just not the case. Kim Tae Ri is an accomplished actor and 31 years old (international age). Of course, she’s experienced when it comes to kissing. So, her fans reminded the internet of the actress’ previous work, particularly The Handmaiden.

The critically-acclaimed 2016 erotic psychological thriller The Handmaiden is undoubtedly one of Kim Tae Ri’s most notable projects, and it’s also sapphic AF. Based on the 2002 novel Fingersmith by Sarah Water, the film went on to win awards, including at the 71st British Academy Film Awards.

A woman is hired as a handmaiden to a Japanese heiress, but secretly she is involved in a plot to defraud her.

— IMDb

In The Handmaiden, Kim Tae Ri portrays a Japanese heiress’ maid, and they fall in love. She won several acting awards for the role.

“The Handmaiden” poster.

There are quite a few spicy scenes in the film. Anyone who has seen it knows that it’s a film best watched by yourself, especially to be avoided watching with one’s parents.

Considering the risqué nature of that film, netizens were stunned at the idea that Kim Tae Ri was so innocent that her Twenty Five Twenty One role would contain her “first kiss.”

Netizens wondered what her many sensual kiss scenes throughout The Handmaiden could be referred to if not this. So, some suggested creative alternatives.

Even those who have not seen The Handmaiden are well aware of just how erotic the lesbian love story is.

So, one fan broke down Kim Tae Ri’s acting career related to onscreen kisses. Believe it or not, The Handmaiden was actually her first kiss scene as it was also her debut film! Considering the subject and her skills, it’s remarkable.

The same year as The Handmaiden, Kim Tae Ri appeared in a cameo role in the Korean series Entourage before her first K-Drama lead role in Mr. Sunshine which contained no kiss scene. So, Twenty Five Twenty One is technically her first K-Drama kiss!

Until Twenty Five Twenty One, Kim Tae Ri had no kiss scenes with male co-stars. Rather, she had kiss scenes with two different actresses. Besides The Handmaiden, she was in Moon Young. So, she has appeared in a couple of GL (Girl Love) films.

Moon-Young (Kim Tae-Ri) holds a camcorder while walking through a subway station. She films people there. For Moon-Young, her home life is like a living hell with her alcoholic father verbally abusing her. One day, Moon-Young leave home to avoid her father. She walks around without having a destination. Moon-Young hears a loud sound and she follows the sound. A woman shouts, calling somebody. Moon-Young films the woman, but the woman notices her.

— AsianWiki

Scene from “Moon Young.” | KT&G & Sangsangmadang

The original commenter had a great attitude when corrected! Besides, it surely brought a lot of humor to everyone.

Some have even said that Twenty Five Twenty One has sapphic vibes and implicated GL relationship, possibly due to Kim Tae Ri’s acting.

Read more below:

K-Drama “Twenty Five Twenty One” Fans Say It Radiates Sapphic Vibes—Here’s Why

Source: Wikipedia and Twitter

NSFW Moments

New 19+ BL K-Drama Cast Shock With Sexy Photoshoot

New K-Drama’s Unexpectedly NSFW Moment Leaves Audience Laughing

LE SSERAFIM’s Chaewon Goes Viral For Unexpectedly Inappropriate TikTok

LE SSERAFIM Members Blurt Out The C-Word During Live Broadcast, Yunjin Has To Explain It To Them

View All (207)

Next Page
Scroll to top