Spoiler Alert:  Do not read this article if you havn’t watched TFTO, or if you are patiently awaiting TFTO Series 2.

Like many viewers, I was initially disappointed with the ending of TFTO but eventually I realized there is more to the Hee-do, Yi-jin tale than has been presented.  There were many anomalies and indicators that pointed to a continuation of their relationship.  For example, Min-chae is 15 years old during the Covid19 crises indicating that she was born in 2006 or 2007 at the latest.  Why did Yi-jin congratulate her on her marriage in the 2009 interview after she won the gold medal in LA?  The question 5 that he deleted from the list, with obvious embarrassment, may have revealed a secret connection between them.

TFTO provides many clues, and probably some misleading ones, about the future of Na Hee-do and Back Yi-jin after their break-up.  They still had strong feelings for each other as displayed in the very emotional scene where they cried and embraced just before he left to take up the position in New York.  Nevertheless, based on an analysis of the available information, and a little bit of imagination, their relationship could have a rather eventful future along the following lines.

When news of their breakup travels through the Korean fencing team several male members hit on Hee-do, an attractive and talented female who is suddenly free.  She may have been reluctant to get involved in romantic relations because of the bitter breakup with Yi-jin, but over time she probably puts her concerns aside and becomes attached to one of them, but apparently not Jong Ho-jin, ‘sweetie pie’.  A steady relationship likely follows as the fencing teams travel together with regular contact between them.  Assuming the partner is Kim Eun-su, who is mentioned later in connection with her diary, they likely share travel, meals and, perhaps secretly, rooms.  Unlike the love affair with Yi-jin, where timing was difficult and he was often late or missed rendezvous, regular and frequent contacts come with their positions as National Team membrs.

Dates are critical to understanding this tale.  Hee-do and Yi-jin broke up in 2002 when he left for the NY to take up the position there.  Therefore, Hee-do may have become involved in a serious relationship a year or two later, say 2003 or 2004.  It could have proceeded to the point of marriage by 2005, the year of her gold medal victory at Prague.  However, as she commented later, “You never know till you actually walk down the aisle” so the marriage appears to have been a deep disappointment to her.  Fond memories of her love affair with Yi-jin still haunted her and she sometimes felt she was cheating on him.

Renewed contact with Yi-jin may have resulted from her gold medal victory in 2005.  Did he interview her on that occasion and congratulate her on her wedding?   A celebration dinner with her mother and Yi-jin possibly follows providing an opportunity for them to catch up on their respective situations including her separation and pending divorce.   Hee-do’s mother, Jae-kyung, has always had a soft spot for Yi-jin and encourages their renewed relationship by conveniently being out when he visits, which he does with increasing frequency.   They must keep their new relationship secret because of the reporter-subject problem and her divorce proceedings.  Nevertheless, the affair may have blossomed into a new romance.  One can speculate that Ye-jin suggests that they go on trip, compensation for the one they missed in 2001, and to give them more time together.  As mentioned earlier, Hee-do has never been to Jeju and wants to go there, so it is the perfect destination.  A volcanic island about 30min from Seoul by air, it is popular for romantic getaways.  Yi-jin takes care of the booking, with separate rooms as insisted by Hee-do.  Famous and easily recognizable, she doesn’t want a scandal while she is seeking a divorce.

They fly to Jeju city and drive to a secluded resort on the south coast of the island.  ‘Far from the maddening crowd’, they have a delightful holiday, visiting many of the unique sites on the island by day and enjoying sunset dinners in the evenings.  The volcanic origin of the island is clearly visible with walls of volcanic rock enclosing fields and paths paved with the same material.  Hee-do’s superior level of fitness soon becomes evident.  There are long stairs down into the huge Mahjang lava tube that had carried lava during the last volcanic eruption.  Also, Mount Hallasan is a comfortable walk for her, but Yi-jin comes puffing and panting behind.  Nonetheless, Hee-do is supremely happy.  She can finally enjoy the deep heartfelt pleasure of spending day and night with the man she loves, the one who first penetrated her heart.    Before leaving Jeju, they take out forms to register their marriage as soon as her divorce is finalized and return to Seoul with a stronger bond than ever.  Hee-do is also joyful a few weeks later when it is confirmed that she has a baby on board.  She informs the coach and takes a year off from competitive fencing.

They are now in an exceptionally delicate situation, however, as Hee-do is seeking an uncontested divorce and her connection with Yi-jin must be kept secret because of his work at UBS.  Her estranged husband soon gets word of her condition and refuses to sign the divorce he had agreed to.  Eventually he relents but not before the baby is born and named Kim after him rather than the father.  Thus, Min-chae appears in the series as Kim, not Back.

After a year off for maternity, Hee-do is not in shape and is doubtful she can recover her competitive form.  When she confides her concern to Yu-rim during an online chat she volunteers to help and goes to the training centre regularly with her.  Yu-rim is still in excellent condition because of her fencing school and easily defeats Hee-do.  In a short practice bout, the score ends at eight to zero.  Hee-do is devastated but Yu-rim is secretly delighted, sweet revenge for an old sore.  However, losing to Yu-rim a few times riles Hee-do and arouses her competitive spirit.  She works furiously to get back into shape for competitions including the LA games.  Regular bouts with Yu-rim enable her to monitor progress. Eventually they reach parity and Yu-rim declares that Hee-do is ready to take on the world, which she does winning gold in LA.

Concurrent with these activities, Ji Seung-wan bonds with Yi-jin’s brother, Yi-hyun, leading to a wild and adventuresome relationship.  Yi-jin frowns on their activities but can’t say too much as they are both aware of his secret connection with Hee-do.  

A beautiful wedding for Moon Ji-ung and Yu-rim with some special effects courtesy of the groom.  He designs custom made clothes for his close friends attending the wedding.

Hee-do and Yi-jin continue to maintain absolute secrecy about their close relationship.  They are both well-known public figures and register their marriage secretly in Jeju.  She sometimes wears a wedding ring to indicate her marital status but refuses to reveal the identity of her partner.  This situation continues through 2009 when she wins gold in LA.   Question No. 5 that Yi-jin deleted from the list prepared for the interview was probably about her spouse.  However, her unspoken comment during the interview reflected the reality of their relationship: ‘Wherever you are, I’ll make sure my support reaches you.  I’ll take care of everything.  See you then.’   That certainly sounds more like a statement from a life-partner than an old girlfriend from almost a decade earlier.

Hee-do’s daughter, Kim Min-chae is an important factor and her birth date can be deduced from indirect pieces of information.  She is 15 and mentions that her school trip was cancelled this year because of Covid-19 restrictions.  Thus, she must have been born in 2006 or 2007 at the latest.  That would have given Hee-do just enough time to get back to the level of fitness and competitiveness required for the LA games in 2009.

We also learn that Min-chae is anxious to have her father back home.  He is unable to come for short visits because of covid-19 quarantine rules in Korea and the country where he is posted.  That gives a small clue as to who and where her father is.  Her online search also provides clues to his situation.  She finds that there is an undefined connection between Yi-jin and Hee-do at the time of the LA games and there is a mention of ‘diplomatic tensions’ in his connection.  This suggests that he may have become involved in diplomatic work.  This could have led to an overseas posting at a time when Min-chae was too young to remember him and would explain why she doesn’t recognize him in a photo from 1998.  Covid rules restricted travel to Korea from 2019 to early 2022.  The quarantine rules have been relaxed so it is now possible for Yi-jin turn up as the father of Min-chae, reuniting the family and everyone, including many fans, will be happy.

With congratulations to all the performers in Twenty Five Twenty One, Series 1.  

Beautifully executed.

JWP,  August 14, 2022