Baek Yi-jin begins the series as a young man whose family has been financially devastated by the IMF crisis, scattering his household and leaving him to support himself through a string of part-time jobs. Despite hardship, he is thoughtful, steady, and kind, and he becomes a source of encouragement for Na Hee-do as the two grow close.
Determined to rebuild his life and restore his family's dignity, Yi-jin sets his sights on a career in broadcast journalism, gradually working his way from delivery and rental-shop work toward a position as a reporter and news anchor. His ambition and his deep affection for Hee-do form the twin engines of his arc.
As the years pass, Yi-jin's professional rise and the demands of adulthood test his relationship with Hee-do. His storyline captures the tension between chasing a hard-won career and holding onto first love, and it contributes much of the drama's bittersweet, reflective tone.
Baek Yi-jin is one of the central figures in Twenty-Five Twenty-One, a romance/coming-of-age/drama/korean/sports series that aired on tvN from 2022. Within the narrative of Twenty-Five Twenty-One, Baek Yi-jin serves as a pivotal character whose decisions and relationships drive key story arcs throughout 2022 (Season 1). The character's journey has been central to many of the show's most memorable and discussed moments.
Portrayed by Nam Joo-hyuk, Baek Yi-jin has become one of the most recognizable characters in modern television. Nam Joo-hyuk's performance brings nuance and depth to the role, creating a character that resonates with audiences on both intellectual and emotional levels. Nam Joo-hyuk's work has been recognized with 1 major award, reflecting the critical acclaim their portrayal has received.
Explore More on TVCeleb
TVCeleb.com is the internet's most comprehensive resource for television character fandom, covering 635 acclaimed TV series with 1982 detailed character profiles and 1613 actor biographies. Our coverage spans 155 genres across 145 networks and streaming platforms, with content organized to help fans discover, explore, and engage with television from every angle.
Browse our collection by genre to find shows in your preferred category, by network to see what's available on your streaming platform, by decade to explore different eras of television history, or by curated lists that group characters by archetype and achievement. Each show page features expanded synopses, production details, and video content, while character pages include detailed arc analysis, key episodes, quotes, trivia, and fan ecosystem mapping.
Every character on TVCeleb is scored using our proprietary Fan Heat Index, which measures engagement, social activity, meme velocity, fan art density, and fandom longevity on a scale of 0 to 100. This data-driven approach provides objective insight into which characters have inspired the most passionate and active fan communities. Use the search page to find any character, show, or actor instantly, or start browsing from our homepage to discover what's trending in television fandom today.
? Frequently Asked Questions
Baek Yi-jin is played by South Korean actor and former model Nam Joo-hyuk, known for dramas such as Weightlifting Fairy Kim Bok-jou and Start-Up.
Yi-jin starts out working odd jobs after his family loses its wealth in the IMF crisis, then pursues a career in journalism and becomes a news reporter. His growth and his romance with Na Hee-do are central to the story.
