The phrase “coming of-age” would make a great Spotify playlist name but admit it or not, it could sound kinda scary if you’re new to the concept of all. What the future holds could be a mixture of excitement and anxiousness. Thankfully, there are shows that tell you that you’re not alone and a lot of people of your age go through the same feeling! Here’s a list of shows you can relate to if you are (or about to) hit your twenties (and they’re spoiler free too!)
FRIENDS
Every young adult in their 90s surely grew up with this friend group. Although the six of them make a great platonic chemistry, the series shows how different their paths are as individuals. By the end of its last season, this show pointed out how you don’t have to feel pressured to be on the same pace as everyone else because everyone has a different timeline. Some people are about to start a family, some have unstable careers and some have to make great sacrifices for the people they love. Whether it’s for Rachel’s iconic outfits or for the dreamy Joey Tribianni, this show is definitely an adult’s must watch.
The Summer I Turned Pretty
Do you ever sit back and reminisce the feeling of your first, innocent teenage crush? Then this series will hit right in your feels! Apart from that, what to look forward to about this show is how it tackles how young adults who grew up with one another handle the changes as they grow individually. It also portrays the perspective of a young adult as he watches his family emotionally detach from another. Prepare yourself for an emotional rollercoaster on this one and by the end of the show, decide–are you team Conrad or team Jeremiah?
Never Have I Ever
One of the things a typical Filipino young adult struggles with is having opposing perspectives from the environment they grew up with. Although she’s not a Filipino, these adolescents could definitely relate to Devi, and Indian, who studies in America was raised in a traditionally Indian environment. After going through a horrible year due to a physical injury, Devi aims to elevate her social status in school. If you’re looking for Asian and LGBTQ+ representation in a Western series, you should definitely binge on this show. A unique factor about this show is how it portrays a young adult who wishes to live differently, in terms of culture, without villainizing the culture she grew up with.
Twenty Five Twenty One
When you have to make a choice between fully committing to your career or affecting the reputation of your loved one, how must you handle it? This is the main conflict within the relationship of two young adults, Baek Yi Jin and Na Hee Do. The two main characters aim to become successful in their chosen career despite being affected by South Korea’s economic crisis. While supporting each other as lovers, what they didn’t expect is that their careers would interfere with their relationship. Baek Yi Jin is a sports news reporter who at one point has to broadcast the controversies of his significant other, Na Hee Do. Twenty Five Twenty One portrays the story of people who persist on the things they’re passionate about despite life’s constraints.
