Twinkling Watermelon (2023)

It wasn't what I was hoping for

I guess I should be blaming myself for this, but after watching the first two episodes of Twinkling Watermelon, I was VERY interested in what could happen to Eun Gyeol after traveling back to 1995. The premise of the story also made me wonder how would the plot unfold, and what would be the overall message and the ending. My problem with this drama is that, unfortunately, even now that I'm done watching all the episodes I'm still wondering what were they supposed to be.

The beginning of the story introduces us to Eun Gyeol and his life as a CODA: the way he had to grow up and be mature at a young age, the responsibilities and burdens he felt on his shoulders throughout his childhood and his teenage years, and the way he felt guilty whenever he tried to actually live his youth.
As he went back in time, I thought to myself: "okay, so I guess that this time-travel will teach him to actually live his own life and stop looking after others and sacrificing himself for them, right?"

...except that Eun Gyeol does the exact opposite for the entire drama. He looks after his parents, works as hard as possible to fix their problems and make them happy, even puts himself in danger for their sake. The theme of living his own life and letting others live theirs is barely hinted at until the very last episode, where it's exposed like some sort of lecture rather than something Eun Gyeol has actually internalized and made his own. It also goes against the entire plot, because Eun Gyeol changed the lives of both his parents for the better, which actually ended up influencing the future of many people for the better as well. It felt more like Eun Gyeol was truly supposed to take care of his parents after all.

I also wondered if this time-travel was about him learning that his parents had to struggle in life, and that he wasn't the only one who had to suffer, but I really hope not because that would be a horrible theme. His life as a CODA and the struggles he had to face in his youth are not magically erased just because he finds out that Yi Chan and Cheong Ah suffered as well. Especially with the ending, I felt like Eun Gyeol's hardships were just swept under the rug and there was no actual communication between him and his family, which was truly a shame.

Something else that I couldn't understand at all was On Eun Yu's presence in the story. I might be biased here since I didn't like her character at all (and as much as I like Seol In Ah, I don't believe she was a good casting choice for a teenage character), but I seriously believe her presence was useless for the sake of the main plot. Even her "plan" didn't make any logic sense and felt like a huge waste of time. The screentime spent for her story could have been used to better explore Yi Chan and Cheong Ah's characters, or even better: it could have been used to create a more complete and satisfying ending. It really felt like the writers wanted to give Eun Gyeol a love interest at all costs, which was frustrating to see.

I can't say that I hated the story. It has a very interesting premise, most of the characters are loveable and it's a drama that makes one want to binge-watch everything in a day. I laughed, giggled, kicked my feet, got angry and cried with the characters, which is always great. There were multiple plot holes, but for the most part they were easy to ignore. I just had bigger expectations from it.

The production overall seemed good to me, but I wish they showed the characters better when they spoke in sign language, and I also wish they didn't use voice-overs whenever someone signed. The acting was also great, I especially loved Shin Eun Soo's performance as Yoon Cheong Ah and Choi Hyun Wook as Ha Yi Chan (and their moments together! So adorable!). The pacing is perfect in the first 10 episodes or so, then it started to feel a little draggy, but it wasn't too bad overall. The music is pretty good, I really liked the song choices for the different performances both in the past and in the present.

Overall I can say I had fun, so maybe give it a try for yourself! I can recommend it if you're looking for something that is both fun and tear-jerking.

Lire davantage

This is a charming drama that is better than its title implies. Choi Hyun Wook steals every scene he is in. He’s also a pretty good singer (assuming that was really him singing in the drama). The drama has a Back To the Future vibe to it and it doesn’t quite stick the landing but it comes close enough.

One thing I always wonder when I see dramas where the protagonist time travels to the past then returns to a changed present is what supposedly happens to all of the memories the protagonist had from his life before he time traveled. As a result of the changes he made noone else in his present life would have those same memories, right? And he would have no memory of his revised past.

I need to know in case I ever time travel.

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Sadly not for me

Everybody seems to love this show (as shown by the very high rating on here) and based on the premise it had EVERYTHING I love and thus it should've been perfect for me.

Sadly I didn't love this show.

Firstly, let's talk about some of the things that I personally loved:

● The deaf representation I thought was wonderfully done imo and they also didn't fall into some clichés that I personally despise.

● I loved Yi-chan, his relationship with his grandma and the band.

● Cheong-ah storyline was my favourite and I loved her character.

● I think they handled the themes of depression and suicide quite well and I was impressed by some of the conversations that were being had.

● Also I thought they way generational trauma was hanndles in the show was really nice.

● Tge parents relations in the present and in the past was the cutest and I love it, I genuinely would've loved a mini series just on their original timeline story.

Now let's mention some of the things I didn't enjoy:

● For almost the whole show I just couldn't stand Se-kyung, I was constantly annoyed by her and just couldn't find her likeable at all. As I said I did enjoy some of the themes that were explored through her character but because I was just so annoyed by her for more than half of the show, it became hard to enjoy the show itself when she's one of the main characters.

● After a while I just stopped being interest in the story and the characters, it just didn't manage to keep my attention. The plot itself to me just felt a bit too predictable and like many other time travel stories we've seen a thousand times so it was the characters job to keep me engaged, however, past a certain point, the characters and their relationships and stories just weren't strong enough for me to care.

● I personally hate the ending. I don’t want to spoil anything but yeah, just didn't like the rout they decided to go with.

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Watermelon on a sunny day vibes

Nov. 14, 2023

Twinkling Watermelon is the best KDRAMA of this quarter for 2023. Everything for me was just perfect. The writing, the dialogue, the execution of the scenes, the pace, and the ending. It was so well-done.

I genuinely haven’t felt this type of emotion within the past few years, but this KDRAMA gave me all the feelings that I need. There wasn’t any unnecessary filler and sub-plots. All the things that were presented, were in tied and put well together. There is nothing I can even say that is incoherently bad about Twinkling Watermelon. There is so much life lessons that were shown here like living for yourself and not for your parents. Live the life that you want. It is such a heart warming KDRAMA. I have definitely can say that this is an S-TIER KDRAMA.

It deserves the hype and the love that it is getting right now. Twinkling Watermelon has given me so much comfort that I know that I will be rewatching this again and again. I love how the youthfulness was shown. The fantasy aspect was amazing and I really feel that inner child of mine being healed in a sense.

The cast is amazing from the current time period to the past time period. They all executed their roles well and I cannot believe I am saying good bye to them. My Mondays and Tuesdays will now be feeling more hollow and the joy that this series have given me was truly just spectacular.

To Yi Chan and Cheong Ah: I truly believe that you guys are such important figures in terms of showcasing that you really gotta fight and push through with life. No matter how things can get rough and challenging. Seeing them push through and over coming their challenges is definitely a life lesson that I will be keeping in my mind. As I also flourish with age, and my youth will slowly disappear. I wish I can age and find a love that they have to each other.

To Eun-Gyeol and Eun-Yoo: I heavily relate with you guys. Having that expectations from my own parents definitely have made me feel super pressured and it did boggle with my mental health. I think your scenes have definitely triggered some of my own hidden emotions that I have been running away from as well. I guess a letter to myself is that like how you two were able to succeed and fight through the course of life. I will be able to tackle my problems head on too. And I will not have to resort to just running away from it.

I truly felt the roller coaster ride type of emotions while watching Twinkling Watermelon. I do find myself having comfort with the cast and the series. I wish you guys can give this show the love that it deserves. This show has definitely jumped into my top 5 Kdrama series for sure.

Viva la vida !

Lire davantage

I have so many emotions

I watched this show a while ago and after I finished it, I felt so empty because all the characters had grown on me so bad. I legit screamed when I saw one of the actors for a split second in another show.

Anyways. The plot is very easy to understand, but still intriquite with a lot of beautiful messages in it. I love the different types of characters you get to see, the different personalities and the different sceneries that other shows do not give you in the same way.

I also think all the romance in the show really felt true and not fabricated which I love because it can often feel very fake in kdramas.

The music! THE MUSIC! I friggin die for the music. The soundtrack can put me in a trance Istg. Like it's very thought through and fun when it needed to be. The music made the show much more lively and added a lot of emotion to the sadder scenes.

The show manages to be serious, sad, romantic and also friggin funny at the same time. I can't even count how many times I laughed during each episode because ir just felt like hanging out with your friends while watching.

I recommend very much! WATCH IT, Im holding you at gunpoint🫶

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Viva la Vida!

When this show was airing I did not watch it I just think that it might not be good. I am happy I did not watch this drama while it was airing it would be torture to wait on new eps. What I love about this drama was the 20th century theme as someone horned in the 21st century I loved it the music the friendship the characters had and what it taught me. Even though Eun Gyeol was not able to stop his father from becoming deaf he changed everyone’s life. This taught me that even though life is different from what we want it to be it is the people in it that makes it worth while. I loved the cast energy hope to see them again soon. Until then “Long live life!”. Viva la Vida, Watermelon Sugar!

Lire davantage

Good time-travel drama in a while but

The story, cast , music everything was perfect until last episode, the ending felt too rushed, that many important points that connect past to present were missed.
I wanted to know how Eun gyeol life changed in terms of wealth and family relations, did Yi Chan and Chung Ah meet again in US, what about the story that was present before Eun Gyeol time travelled and they didn't show anything about Eun Yu's & Se Gyeong story. I think a special episode where all the missed story should be aired to answer most of my questions.
Overall the drama was pretty good. Had many emotional scenes that had me in tears, osts are also pretty good. Do give it a watch. The idols have also acted well memorising the sign language.

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love it!!?

I don't have any words left to describe how beautiful this drama is. Apart from the storyline, the production crew also made sure that the songs included in this drama were all amazing and meaningfully beautiful.
Hats off to the story writer and the fantastic production crew. Also, a big round of applause was given to the actors who portrayed their roles perfectly. While watching the drama, you can see and feel that the actors became one with their respective characters
I think that this was by far the best drama released in 2023!

I'll be waiting for season 2 desperately!
🥰I didn’t want it to finish; I wanted more. It's such a refreshing story. It's one of my favorite ones.

I'm just amazed by this perfect drama💫

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Loved it!

I decided to just check the show out, thinking that I would probably not watch it. Boy was I wrong. I was hooked in just the first half hour. The show is such a rollercoaster ride of emotions that I did not like waiting for episodes to come out. It was one of those shows I had to watch as soon a I knew a new episode was out.

The generally premise of the show seems so generic, time travel, but the execution is unique and heartwarming. So many in this genre are about going back to stop a murder. How many of those have we seen. But this one is different. At first there is no clear reason for the main character to have been sent back. He has to figure that one out himself. And I like how each thing he does seems to make things worse at first. I enjoyed the plot twists and added tension, as new goals were added. And I think the ending provided a very enjoyable solution.

I think all of the actors did a good job, but in my view, Choi Hyun Wook stole the show. Don't get me wrong, Ryeoun was very good too, but Choi Hyun Wook's energy and humor made me look forward to each of his scenes.

Give it a try! You will know very quickly if you are going to enjoy the show or not.

Lire davantage

Amazing time travel drama

In summary, a time travel show with no loop holes.
The story is just perfect. There's no love triangle, villians were punished and a potrayal of kinship in this drama.

I loved everything about this show - from the storyline to execution to how they wrap up the story.
The pace was slow, I will recommend to watch 3 episodes to get hooked.

But towards the end, everything connects and it makes so much sense!
It is a masterpiece!!! Especially there's not much shows worth catching in 2023.
I rewatched episode 1 again right after the ending and this can be a loop.

Not to mention, the music choice is 100%. You need to watch it!

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