Twinkling Watermelon (2023)

if you love someone, you will always find a way to communicate with them!

honestly at first i thought i had started this kdrama too late (bc i was busy and i was already almost half of the series when i started) but i literally eat every single episode in two days, and i found myself for one month patiently waiting for the next episodes. i'm so grateful for the only existence of this serie bc it made me feel happy for monday and tuesday coming!!
genuinely i don't know how to start, the story, the time travel, the cast, the couples, the music, I LOVE EVERYTHING
I love the way they introduce us to the main story, with this kid called eungyeol who lives all her young life focus on make his parents proud instead of worrying about the things he loves, bc his family for him was always his priority
The part when eungyeol and his father argue in 2023 in sign language was one of the most painful and beautiful scenes i have seen in my life, and after that, this kid "magically" travel to 1995 and meet the young version of his father, I LOVE IT?!
the first thought it came to my mind in the middle of watching the series was "i hope they don't victimize his parents by proving them right about what they believed was best for their child" but we (eungyeol and us as spectators) discovered together how painful was his past (yichan) with his own family, and how awful was life for his mom, cheongah, and why yichan particularly didn't like the world of music his son wanted for his own life, It was a reminder of everything he lost.
The series develops in a good and fluid way, making me more excited every week for a new episode.
But when they introduces eunyu as her mom, i was worried for my beloved couple cheongchan and how painful it must have been for cheongah to feel like she lost the chance to be with yichan because of her return, but after they made things clear with each other (and each couple), it was easier for me to love her character.
If I have to say something about a character it is about how much I loved the character of Cheongah (played by Shin Eunsoo), her construction, her story, the way she saw the world, I felt that she was a very sad and lonely person behind that mask, but I am very grateful that Yichan has appeared in her life (because her son is right, her smile is very beautiful)
I firmly believe that her character is one of the reasons why the public in general loved the story, as it was well described, narrated and interpreted, at all times it was seen how capable she was as a human being, and even if her hearing disability prevented her from doing some things (like when she tried to ask for help for Yichan and couldn't, and then she left because she couldn't do anything else (I cried a lot)), It wasn't an impediment to interacting with the rest of the world bc the problem WAS NEVER HER, on the contrary, it was how the world reduced her to her disability (especially in her own home and how they mistreated her for the same thing???), causing her to decide to isolate herself from the rest.
but finally, he met sekyung, who was the first one who had a nice interaction within the school, later it was yichan, whom he constantly met, and when he discovered that she was deaf, the first thing he did was LEARN TO COMMUNICATE WITH HER the way she needed, not what made him feel comfortable (because he could perfectly write everything on paper) HE LEARNING SIGN LANGUAGE (yichan the fucking standard!) and finally, when his son discovered that she was his young mother, he did everything possible to open the way for her to communicate and relate to the world, something that was prevented for 12 years of her life :( a fact that allowed her to communicate with many more people, eunyu, the band's friends, among others, they always saw her as an equal, adapting to what she needed <3
I think Cheongah is a very complex character and I feel that they handled it very well with the tools they had, both in narrative and acting, I hope that next year they give ALL the awards to Shin Eunsoo for her wonderful performance, no one could have done it better than her (actually rooting for her winning best new actress at baeksang awards 2024).
yichan, my beloved yichan, i'm so grateful it was played by choi hyunwook (aka my baby), he did it so well, his character is so silly (in a good way) but he had his own story too, and i love how they tell us about it, and why he protected cheongah so much!
even if i thought the ending could have been better (in terms of explaining some things, give us some scenes and not deleting cheongchan scenes to us :)), i love it so much, HIS FAMILY DESERVED THAT ENDING
there's a lot of things i want to say about this serie but i think it's enough

if you really want to watch a good youth show with a funny, sad but hopeful storyline, you are going to learn a lot watching twinkling watermelon! i hope you enjoy it as much as i did, best kdrama of 2023 so far!!

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Arguably the best Drama of 2023

Twinkling Watermelon is one of those dramas you stumble onto because you either saw it pop up on your feed or you saw your mutuals whispering about it on their social media pages.

What happens when a son ends up going back in time and meeting his 18 year old parents? How does he interact with them? How does he change their lives?

This story is everything we want to be able to do and experience by going into the past and leaves you feeling so many emotions - love, happiness, hope and even helplessness.

This is a story that will make you laugh, cry and get up and live your life. Go watch it. Every second of it is worth it.

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Twinkling Watermelon: A Radiant Ode to Life's Resilience & A Undeniable Work of Art

"Twinkling Watermelon" is a poignant exploration of life's challenges, seamlessly interweaving the themes of disability and the often-overlooked struggles of parents. Parents experience parenthood for the first time in their lives, and they are constantly learning how to be good parents as they navigate the journey. Despite being human and prone to struggles and mistakes, they remain open to hearing our voices, driven solely by their heartfelt desire for our ultimate happiness. The show masterfully delves into the delicate tapestry of human emotions, portraying a narrative that encapsulates the essence of perseverance, resilience, and the undying spirit of life.

"Twinkling Watermelon" goes beyond the typical portrayal of disability, skillfully integrating the narrative with the intricate dynamics of familial relationships. The portrayal of disability is not merely a plot device but a central aspect of character identity, fostering a deep connection between the audience and the protagonists. The storyline delicately addresses the theme of arguing with parents, shedding light on the often-misunderstood struggles that precede parenthood. The narrative unfolds with a focus on the main characters, each facing their unique set of challenges. The characters' emotional journeys are portrayed with authenticity, capturing the unspoken sacrifices and hardships parents endure, subtly urging the audience to empathize and appreciate the depth of a parent's love.

What sets this drama apart is its unwavering commitment to delivering a message of hope and resilience. The main characters serve as beacons of inspiration, demonstrating that life, no matter how challenging, is a constant twinkle that should never be extinguished. The narrative encourages viewers to recognize the struggles inherent in existence but emphasizes the importance of finding happiness amidst the difficulties. The drama's core message resonates powerfully: "Never give up on your life, give up only on giving up on your life because you can't wait until your life isn't hard anymore before you decide to be happy." This mantra becomes a guiding light for both the characters and the audience, urging everyone to find joy in the midst of adversity and to embrace life's challenges with courage.

To sum up, I believe that "Twinkling Watermelon" stands as a testament to the beauty of the human spirit, skillfully addressing the topics of disability, familial relationships, and the indomitable will to find happiness. Through its exceptionally talented cast member, well-developed characters and profound storytelling, the drama leaves a lasting impression, reminding us all that life's journey may be tough, but within the struggle lies the opportunity to discover the true radiance of existence. Let's all Twinkle every single day of our life and never forget that life is a gift no matter how hard living is.

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We all deserve a twinkling life!!!

Starting off with one of my favourite lines in the show;

“Here is a thing about life
It may not give you everything you want..
But it does hide a little present for you from time to time..
I hope you can endure
The cruel hardship life throws your way...
So you can receive the present life tucked away..
To you and every one you want to protect..
VIDA LA VIDA...LONG LIVE LIFE”

- MASTER

Twinkling watermelon was a beautiful and heartwarming and heart wrenching coming of age drama about youth friendship love music family time travel bromance acceptance trauma parental love and understanding ..all of this can be used to describe this drama.

The cast was spot on ( I love how each of the actors managed to make their roles shine)

The characters were all written beautifully..I loved the imperfect setting for the characters which made them relatable and also made their characters growth and development natural and beautiful...they also each had their charms which added to the beauty of the story and the characters them selves.

The story was a roller coaster of emotions....I found my self laughing alot and crying alot most of the times but I loved how it had this aspect of consistency hence remaining to what it was originally set out out to be...a beautiful and heartwarming drama about healing friend ship youth family music and many more.

The acting was AMAZING, I think this was the dramas greatest weapon....the actors and actresses had a natural potrayal or emotions it almost felt real at some point...the acting was the kind that could move you in an instant and make you feel the characters pain and happiness.

The chemistry between the couples was undeniably good...I loved both and hoped to see more of them...one couple being calm and beautiful and the other being chaotic and fun.

The osts were beautiful and nostalgic.

The dialogue was well thought out educative and relatable..there were many life lessons thrown in both directly and indirectly through the different scenarios the characters go through...I loved how the drama tried it's best to potray disabilities as a gift that should be appreciated and something you can feel proud of rather than a burden or something that can make you feel insecure about your self.

This drama managed to touch various sensitive topics that kept me invested considering the fact that they were things that happen in out actual lives and things that we could all relate too in one way or another....which I definetly loved so much.

The ending was heartwarming and heart wrenching yet beautifully captured...I hoped it was a bit longer since I wanted to see more but either way I felt satisfied to some extent.

Do I recommend this drama?

Definitely....if you want a drama with amazing casting, acting, a consistent and beautifully written plot, with well thought out dialogue, life lessons, music friendship, growth, family, love then this is exactly what you should be watching...and you can thank me later.

EASILY ONE OF THE BEST DRAMAS OF 2023

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a really fun, feel-good drama

Twinkling Watermelon was nothing like I expected — its heartfelt in both writing and performance, and is an enjoyable story with a happy ending.

Of course there are flaws, but none that completely overshadowed the story. Some things that I wanted more from were (1) the inconclusive way they handled Eun Yoo’s anxiety and (2) somewhat of a lack of acknowledgment that what they went through is what made them who they are in 2023, but these are rather minor things compared to what this drama brings.

As far as I know, the people behind the production are able-bodied, but this was a positive, warm, and non-exploitative representation for people with disabilities. The show treated each character with fairness and didn’t dish out pity or over-emphasize what they lacked.

There’s also something so warm and tender about the the whole concept of the drama, which is the guilt and love we feel towards our parents, and the outpouring of empathy, grief, and protectiveness we feel when we realize they were once our age too. I love this concept. Though it’s more fairy tale than science fiction, it’s healing and speaks to how much we wish we could could’ve protected our parents once we’ve seen them as human beings.

Great cast, fun writing, and good music!

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VIVA LA VIDAA!!

In love with this kdrama, it was beautiful from start to finish, a good message about love, family, friendship and our dreams.

Excellent cast, the music, the performances, everything was perfect.

tvn excelled with this drama, keep making dramas like this, dramas that you don't want to stop watching, dramas that touch your heart and soul, dramas that are good from the beginning.

I'm still crying with that perfect ending.

The best drama of 2023, I want more episodes, I don't want to let go of the watermelon sugar, I will miss you too much, my Mondays and Tuesdays will not be the same

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My standard have been raised now my drama life is ruined

if I had to summarise this series in one word it would be either perfect or a masterpiece I can put it with boys over flowers and say it is better…

it was based around music so I loved it anyways… the acting… the casting and even the plot and story were amazing I mean they could do a little bit more with the step mother fiasco but all is well that ends well and the ending was satisfying

many things still remained unexplained because of the abrupt end but the whole story had a grip

it was fast paced and had no nonsense in it I must say they sped up the ending a little but common not everything can be perfect but it is a masterpiece

I must say it is the first series after love between fairy and demon that made me think wowww I am in love.

I can bet 10yrs of my life that it is the best series of 2022 and 2023 because I didn’t find anything this good in these 2 years


Thank you so much for making such an addicting and amazing series
You have successfully ruined my karana life by raising my standard

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Amazing storytelling, i sobbed

The whole thing was so heartwarming and beautiful. It was aggressive when needed, and extremely realistic in every way except for the magic time travelling part. Everyone's lives, experiences and feelings were explained and well represented, and i felt that nobody was left behind.
The four main actors did an amazing job, they're so good. I loved that they were completely different and unique in their own way. The way it's written! Omg, i loved that we can see the parents in many different scenarios, how they are there for each other when things were tough in adulthood, how they met and fell in love, and how they continued to love each other when their lives were better financially and socially in the end. We don't usually get to see these many dimensions in a couple's relationships in series. I loved seeing them grow up together.
The only thing is that i wish the ending was a bit longer, and we could see how On Eun Yu's life changed too, and how her's and eun gyeol's relationship was now that they got back, her dinamic with his family and all.

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top kdrama of this year!!!

I loved everything about it. This 2023 gem quickly catapulted itself to the top of my kdrama favorites, and trust me, it's worth watching! The characters are the heart and soul of the show. Eun Gyeol's earnestness and unwavering love for his family will make you root for him, while his teenage father, Yi Chan, offers a charmingly clueless counterpoint. The supporting cast is equally captivating, from the enigmatic bandmates to the sassy best friend. The series effortlessly portrays the power of love in its many forms – filial, romantic, and platonic, it celebrates family bonds, second chances, and the pursuit of dreams, all wrapped in a heartwarming glow. Whether it's a tender moment between parent and child or a tearful scene of first love, the show tugs at your heartstrings without resorting to a full melodrama. And also the soundtrack is a vibrant pop-rock symphony that perfectly complements the on-screen action. Each song feels organic to the story, adding layers of emotion and energy to every scene.

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