Twinkling Watermelon (2023)

I think I just found a new favorite Kdrama!

Sometimes, a hyped show is overrated. You keep turning it up and down, trying to figure out what others see in it but it makes no sense. Then sometimes, the show isn't bad by any means but it's definitely not as good as others say. But on very rare occasions, the show is actually as good as everyone says it is! Twinkling Watermelon is definitely one of those rare stars in the night sky. Sure, it's a musical and that is a bit irritating, but the show makes up for it with a very creative plot, amazing cast with natural chemistry, effective humor, and so much genuine emotional anchoring that not watching this show would be an absolute loss.
Now, obviously this has time travel and I think they did it in such an interesting way and we're not gonna over-analyse the logistics of it...anyway, I thought the way that this works out which is sort of similar to "Back to the future" was so cute. It's just so emotional when Ha Eun Gyeol, the main character, meets his parents for the first time.
The plot is complex, very complex, but the show doesn't fumble and it wraps it up so well. And I'm so surprised to be saying this but I think this show could've had maybe an extra 20 minutes to explain some bits from the ending even more! (I know, asking for more time when usually 16-episodes shows drag, already! WILD!) The whole thing is heavily relying on the relationships between the characters and these characters are just so easily lovable that watching the show is just so fun. I didn't totally love our female lead as she caused a whole lot of drama but the actress is a personal favorite and she did a good job and despite the frustrations, it's all a part of her character growth so I think it wasn't a bother. My favorite characters remain Ha Yi Chan and Chung Ah, though. And of course, nothing beats the relationship between Yi Chan and Eun Gyeol. It was so touching and I just wanted them to be happy. :(
I've already expressed my love for the four main actors but the supporting cast were wonderful too. Everyone was just right in their own position and they all did such a good job. Kudos all around.
I wanna gosh more about just the plot and the perfect humor and the fact that despite a little hiccup between episode 11 and 12, this show manages to escape the curse of epsidoe 12 and the show doesn't lose the narrative momentum in episode 12. Despite the fact that it could've ended at that point, the story does find an excuse to keep going but at least here the excuse they use lands well for the plot and facilitates the existence of some of the most emotional moments of the whole show in the final episodes. Overall, I'm just so impressed with the writing in this show. It stands out among the sea of repetitive (if still endearing) and overwritten shows that keep getting made. And I think this isn't even a webcomic adaptation, right?! An extra star just for that!!!!
The production is very good here. It's nothing revolutionary but there are little affects used here and there that just make the show quirky and unique. The story is mainly set in 1995 and the fashion is just the right amount of vaguely retro that it isn't offensively modern and still conveys the 90s aesthetic. At least they don't have a 30 year old woman wear a 2024 trendy hairclip!
I might rewatch this actually. I loved it.
Final comment: This show deserves its place at the very top of Top Shows list. It was a delight to watch and I recommend it to everyone!
P.S.: If anyone knows who the singers for the main characters are, please let me know! Thank you!

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THE BEST YOUTH DRAMA

its my first time writing a review it won't be that helpful but i just wanted to say how much i love this drama and that you should definitely watch it
it was one of the best drama i watched no words can't explain how good it is, i will literally do anything just to watch it again for the first time it had everything I love music ,youth, friendship, romance, time travel, fantasy. the romance is so good it literally had me giggling and kicking my feet like a high school girl and the FRIENDSHIP WOW where can i find friends like that? ;-; they should make more kdramas like this you will not regret watching it.

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Refreshingly good! Viva la vida!

This is a failure as a time travel drama since its ending has loopholes galore but as a family drama full of heart, this is one of the best. It doesn't have any major mind boggling concepts. You can almost predict the storyline but with cast's solid acting, their on point facial expressions, the simple story was really brought to life.

The main character, Ha Eun Gyeol, is kind, smart and handsome, the perfect son any parent would want to have. As a child of Deaf adults (CODA) with an older brother who was also Deaf, he always felt some guilt for being the only hearing member of the family. He tries to excel in studying so that people wouldn't say that his parents didn't raise him well because they were differently abled. But because of this, he began to feel like he was a trophy. It was only when he time travelled to the past that he was finally able to understand the struggles his parents had in their own youth.

When the MC returned to the future in the end, a lot of logical questions remained with me. Because I mostly enjoyed his journey and I kind of expected the changed future because of his interventions in the past, I chose to let them go and accept the drama logic as is. Everyone received their just ending so I'm good.

My main takeaway from this drama is Viva la vida, long live life. No one can live your life you. Life, like a watermelon, may have many seeds/struggles but it doesn't take away the sweetness that you can experience. Enjoy it, let it twinkle, but always choose to be kind when you can.

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Started off pretty good but the ending fell short

I’ll keep this review short for now but I might come back and write a full fledged review later on.

Overall, this was a warm-hearted drama that honestly started out pretty good. The drama went between light-hearted and funny to melodramatic and serious. Even though I wasn’t a huge fan of the switching, I think it was done decently well. I loved Cheong-Ah and I loved seeing her story play out.
But as for what I disliked, it felt like the last two episodes were too rushed and too many questions were left unanswered. The pacing could have been done much better, leaving more room for us to see Yi Chan and Cheong Ah’s love story develop more if they didn’t spend so much time on that love triangle earlier. I would’ve also loved to see the new 2023 be more fleshed out as well.

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THE BEST K-DRAMA EVER

I could also title this "the best show ever," because this drama has set a new standard for shows for me. Everything was perfect and I totally understand why the ratings for it are so high. Every episode was amazing and made me want to watch the next one as soon as I finished one. I am usually not a fan of time-traveling but the way it was done in this drama was amazing. And of course I have to praise the best drama couple ever, YiChan and CheongAh. Everything from the storytelling to the chemistry between them was perfect. And typically when I'm super invested in one couple I don't care about the other one but I was still very much rooting for EunGyeol and EunYu. I want to praise everyone involved in this amazing drama. I had to take a break and wipe my tears before writing my review because of the finale.

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So many emotions, plus a beautiful story

about family, friendship and the desire to find your own way. I really liked everything about this series. The time travel drama to my favorite 90s tells a beautifully elaborate story of love, friendship and family. Despite the emotional scenes, during which I cried like a turtle, the series had a warm effect on me. It was very good how good triumphed over evil. The cast and performances are excellent. What's quite exceptional about dramas these days is that it's great from the first episode to the last. He has no weakness. If you are interested in the topic of time travel, I definitely recommend this venture - you will not regret it. Yes, it will take a while (the series could be shortened a bit), but I can guarantee that you will really enjoy it. |9.5/10|

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a perfect blend of melodrama, light-hearted humor, and heartfelt moments

In this captivating 16-episode Korean drama, the narrative unfolds as a perfect blend of melodrama, light-hearted humor, and heartfelt moments. From the initial episode to the finale, the storyline progressively improves, delivering a touching and engaging experience. The cast, proficient in sign language, brings authenticity to their performances, enhancing the emotional depth of the drama.

One remarkable aspect is the enchanting music that accompanies each episode, leaving a lasting impression and warranting repeated listens. Choi Hyun Wook shines in his role, displaying exceptional talent in bringing a spectrum of emotions to the screen. His voice and infectious smile contribute to the drama's charm, solidifying him as a noteworthy actor.

The relationships depicted, whether in bromance or friendships, are authentic, and the romantic elements are delicately balanced. This drama proves to be a well-rounded experience, leaving a lasting impact with its captivating plot, talented cast, and a memorable soundtrack. The standout actor's outstanding performance and the genuine connections among the characters make this drama a compelling and worthwhile watch for enthusiasts.

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DROP EVERYTHING AND WATCH THIS✨️???

This is my first time reviewing a kdrama on here and I don't normally watch shows that have been hyped up a lot after the events of squid game (*cough cough*) but THANK GOODNESS I watched this because it had me SCREAMING CRYING BAWLING SINGING DANCING you name it! The scene with yi chan in the hospital with his grandma, with him trying to understand what she was saying literally broke me I fell asleep crying😫. In my opinion I think everyone should stop what they're doing right now and watch this show (I wat he'd it on hitv but you can also watch it on dramacool). As I'm writing this review I'm listening to the twinkling watermelon soundtrack specifically "SHINING". I'm now going to stop writing this review, open hitv and reach TW.

ps: Chung Ah is the cutest girl alive and yi chan is a whole green forest! THE SIGN LANGUAGE SINGING SCENE! THE CRY I CRODE!😫😫

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Viva la vida -- Long live life!

This Korean drama is at turns delightfully light and emotional. The music is superb. The actors are adorable. There are elements of coming-of-age, rom-com, and fantasy time travel. But, foremost, it embodies a celebration of life -- especially of aspects that are sweet and sparkly like the title, Twinkling Watermelon.

The emotional core involves the enduring dilemma faced by young people: whether to live a life that makes their heart beat or follow the lead of their parents. The main character Ha Eun-gyeol, a CODA (child of deaf adult) youth, grapples between following his passions and serving the needs of his family, when he is presented with an opportunity to change the trajectory of their lives by slipping back in time when his parents were his age. We're also presented with the question, would life really be better if the past changed to our liking?

As the story transpires, we see some of the joys and sparks of youth, its conflicts and uncertainties. It delves into teenage anxiety and mental health issues and the pressures from parents and society. The show also portrays beautiful friendships and loving, albeit sometimes misunderstood, family relationships. The deaf character portrayed by Shin Eun-soo is a gem. And Choi Hyun-wook is a master at capturing the spirit and zest of youth.

In a way, the show follows some of the winning formulae of other recent successes. As in the movie CODA, it peers into the lives of the deaf who face many challenges but lead meaningful lives. As in Someday or One Day, it makes you dream about rewriting the past, preventing accidents, and letting go of guilt and resentment. As in 2521 and the Reply series, it taps into 90s nostalgia, when times were simpler, when you had to run to a pay phone to answer urgent beeper messages and could drop by your friend's home anytime. So, in a way, it is not groundbreaking but a good story nonetheless.

If splitting hairs, the series is not without imperfections. Time travel presents logic problems. It's apparent from the proficiency of signing that the actors are not deaf themselves. And there is a reliance on common tropes to create obstacles for the characters. But I recommend you watch this for its emotional journey and uplifting message.

The main character's parents are deaf, but they are 'cheerful, healthy, and happy because they could communicate with their eyes, their hearts, and their hands.' We all have problems, but we can also grow, adapt, and have fun. The show promotes embracing music and loved ones: Seize the day, its joys and opportunities! ¡Viva la vida!

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How appetizing!

Watching Twinkling Watermelon was a rollercoaster of emotions for me. I laughed so loudly at times that I'm pretty sure I disturbed my neighbors, and there were moments when I needed to grab my box of tissues. Regardless of the emotion, one thing was certain—I absolutely enjoyed every moment of it!

I have to confess, I'm a bit biased when it comes to anything related to time travel because time travel shows are just plain fun for me. A series has to be really bad for me to give up and walk away, and Twinkling Watermelon was far from that. Every week, I eagerly looked forward to watching it, and it quickly became a priority over other shows on my list. Usually, in a series, there's a point where it slows down and gets a bit boring, but Twinkling Watermelon never hit that hump. Instead, it always left me frustrated that I had to wait for the next episode. If they had released it all at once, I'm sure it would have taken up an entire weekend for me.

It's difficult for me to pinpoint what I loved most about it—whether it was the captivating main characters, the awesome music, the engaging storyline, the meaningful dialogues that made me rewind to listen again, or the mix of fear and pain with sweet romance. So, I'll just conclude by saying that I loved the whole package—from the beginning to the end, it was a delightful experience.

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