A Tender, Honest Look at Growing Up Between Worlds
Twinkling Watermelon is a beautiful and heartfelt series that offers a believable and sensitive portrayal of what it means to grow up as a CODA (Child of Deaf Adults). The show captures the silent pressures, emotional weight, and quiet resilience that often come with balancing two worlds—all through the lens of adolescence.The story is touching without ever feeling overly sentimental. It strikes a rare balance between realism and warmth, showing both the struggles and the joys of navigating life as a kid who’s also had to grow up a little faster than most.
Hyunwook delivers a strong, grounded performance, bringing depth to every scene he’s in. But it’s Ryeoun who truly stands out—his portrayal is layered, expressive, and absolutely deserving of all the praise he’s been receiving. His ability to carry the emotional core of the series is remarkable.
While the ending did feel slightly rushed, it doesn’t take away from the overall impact of the story. Twinkling Watermelon is a quiet gem—poignant, well-acted, and deeply human.
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This review may contain spoilers
Will Definitely Be Added To My ‘Favorites’ Box!
SPOILER:99% of the time, I only watch K, J and C dramas. I can’t remember when last I watched anything from Hollywood.
My criteria are that all episodes must already available AND already subtitled, plus it must be romantic with a happy ending. So, now you know something of why I put a spoiler alert.
Because you’re probably unfamiliar with the cast, I’ll try and make them memorable.
Eun Gyeol ( Ryeoun) Guitar Man ML1
Ha Yi-chan ( Choi Hyun-wook) ML2 Guitar Man’s Dad
Cheong-ah (Sin Eun-soo) FL1 Cello Girl
Se-kyung (Seol In-ah) FL2 Deaf Artistic Girl and ML1’s Mom
Along with other delightful and some scary characters. In fact, one of the really good looking 1995 band members has his bad past create quite a bit of havoc.
This is not a light-hearted rom-com, though many parts had me laughing so much my stomach hurt. I got swept away on a roller coaster of emotions, and cried my eyes out in parts, too. In fact, I cried so much cos at one stage it seemed hopeless, soI went back to check again if it DID actually have a happy ending! Some of it was chilling, where the headmistress plays her part-( in abusing Deaf Artistic Girl)- so convincingly you can’t help be appalled, and end up hating her (headmistress.)
Guitar Man is the CODA- Child Of Deaf Adults to his parents and also a a deaf brother. He tries really hard to be selfless and to subjugate his guilty passion for music and guitar playing. He isn’t successful so plays anonymously initially. I think this is clever, to make his passion music and to bring in the musical CODA.( In sheet music it signifies that the musical composition is nearing completion. Guitar Man was taught that by the grandfather of Cello Girl when the grandfather was teaching him to play the guitar. This is how all the lives in a drama series entangle.)
Most of the time Guitar Man succeeds in being the obedient child who strives to excel academically,and in all other areas, where he can be seen as an asset, and good example, so his parents can bask in the reflected glory. His parents aren’t knowingly bad in this respect, it’s almost an unconscious pressure they exert.
When Guitar Man’s Dad discovers his son’s secret passion, they clash, and Guitar Man rebels, and lands up at the time travel musical shop. Once he travels back in time he meets his charismatic, often hot-headed, but always well-meaning 1995 Dad. Cello Girl also travels back in time via the same music shop. She’s had enough of her home-life/situation, too. The younger version of his Mom, Deaf Artistic Girl is , of course, already there , and also enters the picture. So their lives, Drama-land style, intertwine.
Guitar Man and Cello Girl are unaware that both are time travellers until nearly the end. She tries to help Guitar Man prevent any disaster which might be the reason for Guitar Man’s 1995 Dad going deaf.
I got a bit lost with Cello Girl’s back story, as I thought she was the adopted child who was supposed to replace a child who died. That she was the adopted child who took up the cello in a desperate bid to try and gain her alcoholic Mom’s attention. How is she then a carbon copy of her 1995 “Mom” then? Confusing, or maybe it’s just me that is confused.. I never had time to go over earlier episodes to see how I missed some of that story so I will definitely need to watch it again. But even if I weren’t confused, I will watch it again, sometime in the future.
Both time travellers leave the only chance that they can, when the two moons appear in the sky. Guitar Man, who left 1995 feeling like a devastated failure re-enters a very different 2023 . Him and Cello Girl meet up again.
The ending satisfied my romantic bent. A lovely and very romantic kiss between our leads. It seems to me that the female leads in most dramas generally aren’t allowed to kiss so much as just be the recipient, so it is almost always up to the man to make it convincing, but Shin Eun-soo participated nicely. Ryeoun put his heart and soul into this series. Love his acting...loved the guitar playing parts (of both the men.) Many actors can’t cry convincingly- he acts very well generally -and cries absolutely convincingly.
The second leads were captivating and adorable. Again. Choi Hyun-Wook kisses beautifully (and cries convincingly). So nice for us, their audience, as often, though the second leads are shown to be romantically together, you hardly ever have a really breath-taking romantic moment/ satisfying kiss between them. This series was refreshingly different. .There’s a lot of gaps in this series. We learn that the Dad of Deaf Artistic Girl was hell-bent on hustling her away abroad to study poste-haste. How did Guitar Man’s parents then meet up again? What happened to them, and to other characters, in the years from 1995 ? Surely an 8 part side series could be made here?
To conclude: if you like the romantic, coming- of age time- travel genre that has some depth, it is well worth watching.
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The challenges of youth and the optimistic outlook for the future
“𝙒𝙝𝙖𝙩’𝙨 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙧𝙞𝙜𝙝𝙩 𝙖𝙣𝙨𝙬𝙚𝙧? 𝙇𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙩𝙝𝙖𝙩 𝙢𝙖𝙠𝙚𝙨 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙗𝙚𝙖𝙩. 𝙇𝙞𝙫𝙞𝙣𝙜 𝙖 𝙡𝙞𝙛𝙚 𝙖𝙨 𝙖 𝙩𝙧𝙤𝙥𝙝𝙮 𝙛𝙤𝙧 𝙢𝙮 𝙛𝙖𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧. 𝙒𝙝𝙞𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙫𝙚𝙧 𝙄 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚, 𝙢𝙮 𝙝𝙚𝙖𝙧𝙩 𝙖𝙘𝙝𝙚𝙨 𝙗𝙚𝙘𝙖𝙪𝙨𝙚 𝙤𝙛 𝙩𝙝𝙚 𝙤𝙩𝙝𝙚𝙧 𝙤𝙥𝙩𝙞𝙤𝙣 𝙄 𝙙𝙞𝙙𝙣’𝙩 𝙘𝙝𝙤𝙤𝙨𝙚.”– 𝘏𝘢 𝘌𝘶𝘯 𝘎𝘺𝘦𝘰𝘭
I kind of wish I could meet my parents when they were younger. That'd be cool, right? There are some plot holes in the show, but honestly, it’s still a really good drama. It makes you think about how our parents have their own stories and perspectives. I wonder how many of us really try to understand them. Plus, you get a glimpse into the lives of CODA, youth, parental relationship, first love etc . They’re all flawed in their own way, but they’re working to become better versions of themselves.
Oh, and the music? Really good.
It's actually inspired me to learn sign language.
Cons:
The time travel part wasn't well explained(which is a common problem in many time travel dramas.)
There were some little errors between scenes.For example, the male lead has a guitar in one scene, but in the next, he’s ruining without it. Although it’s a minor detail, if you pay close attention, it can be distracting.
The male lead is way too persistent with the second female lead.Sometimes it felt like they were throwing in romance with the main female lead just for the kid's sake. But, hey, I get it they were trying to show that first love craziness. Lol.
The ending felt rushed and overly optimistic. I was actually curious about the second female lead's family and how she’d get along with her parents in the future.
Overall, I’d give it an 8.7 out of 10.
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This review may contain spoilers
Loved it but something was missing
I honestly loved the story. I liked how it was going but the ending felt a little off? I felt like there could be more to the ending. Like how Chung Ah reacted to Yichan's hearing loss, how they overcame the struggle. Or something like how Eun yu:'s family ended up in 2023, though there were not any changes but yk Eunyu met Sekyung in 1995. I felt like in the ending it was more focused on Eun gyeol and Eun yu and they didn't show much of the struggle of Yichan and Chung Ah. But otherwise i absolutely loved the story . I loved how well written the characters were. I loved Chung Ah's father's character development, how he tried to rebuild his relation with his daughter. And I'll be honest I was more interested in Chung Ah and Yi chan than the main couple 😶🌫️ idk but they seemed wayy too cute 🙈Was this review helpful to you?
VIVA LA VIDA ???????
Hands down best kdrama of 2023 or to say best of all time (atleast in my opinion), It is an all-round show, telling us the story of a CODA (Child of deaf adults), which will make you laugh, cry, happy and sad all at their BEST. A show about a family, love, dream, passion, child-parents relation and those fluttering hearts at the age of 18 (With the addition of TIME-TRAVEL). All four main leads RyeoUn, Choi Hyunwook, Shin Eunsoo and Seol Inah were amazing in portraying the details of their characters.PS : Twinkling Watermelon ✨️🍉 has one of the most beautiful and pure love story with a historic confession, Most favourite CHAOTIC father-son duo, CALM-BEAUTIFUL mother-son duo in the world of kdramas!!!
HOPE this show reaches to larger audience so all can feel the joy and beautiful emotions with it 💝
VIVA LA VIDA!!! WATERMELON SUGAR!!!
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Sweet and Refreshing: A Heartfelt Journey in Twinkling Watermelon
Twinkling Watermelon is a charming and light-hearted coming-of-age story that blends elements of romance, friendship, and youthful dreams. Set in a small town, the series revolves around the lives of high school students navigating their way through adolescence, each facing their own challenges and discovering themselves along the way.At the core of the story is the blossoming relationship between the main characters, whose interactions are filled with sweet moments and lighthearted banter. The chemistry between them feels genuine, and the narrative slowly unveils their deepening connection as they support each other through personal struggles. The dynamic between the characters feels very authentic, making their experiences resonate with anyone who has ever been in their shoes.
The series shines in its portrayal of the complexities of youth, balancing the excitement of first love with the harsh realities of growing up. The characters are well-developed, and you can’t help but root for them as they face various obstacles that come their way. From dealing with academic pressures to navigating family expectations, Twinkling Watermelon captures the essence of what it means to be young and searching for a place in the world.
Visually, the show is vibrant and full of youthful energy. The cinematography complements the light tone of the story, with scenes that are bright and aesthetically pleasing, capturing the innocence and joy of the characters’ journey. The pacing of the story is steady, though some may feel that certain aspects of the plot could have been developed further. There are moments where the drama slows down, but these lulls are often offset by the emotional highs of the characters’ personal growth.
One of the standout features of the show is its soundtrack, which perfectly complements the overall tone. The music is nostalgic and evocative, enhancing the emotional depth of the scenes and adding another layer to the storytelling.
However, Twinkling Watermelon isn’t without its flaws. At times, the story can feel a bit too predictable, especially for fans of youth dramas. While it has its fair share of heartwarming moments, some of the conflicts and resolutions feel a bit too familiar. The drama also lightly touches on deeper issues, but doesn’t explore them in great detail, which could have added more depth to the overall narrative.
In conclusion, Twinkling Watermelon is a delightful and heartwarming series that captures the essence of youth and first love. While it may not break new ground in terms of plot, it’s a feel-good, charming watch for anyone who enjoys light-hearted romance and character-driven stories. The relatable characters, sweet moments, and positive messages make it a show worth watching, especially for fans of coming-of-age dramas.
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This review may contain spoilers
Viva la Vida
Want a feel good drama that highlights the importance of family & shows the lengths a child will go to for the sake of their parents (in a non-toxic way)? Watch this! It portrays these aspects beautifully with an abundance of heart & humor. 🩵The ML has the responsibility to help his deaf parents & younger brother communicate with the world. This leaves him little time to focus on himself. When he discovers a talent for playing music, a fire is lit within. Then an accident happens &, burdened with guilt, he puts his dreams aside & focuses on his family. But his love for the guitar never dies, so he performs in secret with a hidden identity.
Drama happens, his father demands he quits, they fight… & the ML is magically transported back in time. He meets his dad as a teen who can HEAR & believes that his purpose in being there is to stop whatever caused his dad’s hearing loss from happening. Cue all sorts of hilarity from this chaotic duo!
Then he meets his mom too & just… *sigh*. Their relationship is so sweet. The ways he protects her & his efforts to better her life are so loving. The cast did such a great job showing that, before becoming adults with responsibilities, our parents were once teens with hopes & dreams too. 🩷
And the whole aspect of his parents falling in love? Precious! This is a really good drama. The music, friendships, familial bonds, & dual love stories are so fun! 🫶🏻
_________\\__________//________
-⬇️ S P O I L E R S 🚫 B E L O W ⬇️-
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…
….
……
The things I always want to know 😏😉…
- First(real)Kiss : MC - ep.10, SC - ep.14💋
- Together : Both Couples - ep.13 👩🏻❤️👨🏻
- BreakUp: Nope
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back to the future in korea
everything is in the title, really. I loved back to the future, and I loved this remake. of course, so many things are different because it's in Korea, but there are a lot of similarities in the main lines. this being said, the last episode was rushed and it felt lacking. that was frustrating because all the drama is so well done it's a shame they didn't CODA it (wrap it beautifully). but it's a wonderful drama, just dive in!when to watch? when you need some comfort story.
audience; anyone, it's a family friendly story.
have fun!
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A super heartwarming story: perfect for summer!
This drama did a great job showcasing a beautiful relationship between characters with a beautiful plot and story. I loved most of allthe relationship between the band members and the way they’d always go along with the ML’s plan despite not agreeing with it all
the time: isn’t that what friends are for? Of course the romance was great too: a super cute and innocent high school romance. The whole drama made me feel nostalgic for my high school days! Also, for those sentimental
people out there (like me), there were a bunch of memorable quotes to remember! I’d highly recommend this, especially if you’re watching during the summer, as the vibes are perfect!!
Viva la Vida!
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This review may contain spoilers
Twinkling Watermelon is like the Umbrella when the Sun rays burn you, a comforting feeling.
Twinkling Watermelon is one of my favourites this year. Underrated in my opinion, it deserves so much more love. The casting and their acting is phenomenal starting for minor character to major ones. We were foreshadowed how Yi Chan's youth was his last chance to shine and Eun Gyeol despite his efforts couldn't undo the accident but through his trial and errors we navigate through the lives and struggles faced by our parents which are very similar to our own but due to the gap in terms of age and communication we feel like our problems are greater, beyond repair and hurt the feeling of our parents. Just like Eun gyeol and Eun yu we get a glimpse of life and see it in a brighter lens, relationships may sour over time if we can't communicate better and They sure teach us how to do that.The best dad and son awards of the year goes to YI CHAN & EUN GYEOL.
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Twinkling Watermelon: A Beautiful Symphony of Youth, Family, and Love
Just when I thought I was getting drama fatigue, Twinkling Watermelon arrived like a gift. This show made me laugh, cry, feel goosebumps, and most importantly—it made me appreciate life and my parents even more deeply. It’s not just a drama about time travel or fantasy. At its heart, it’s about understanding between generations, healing family bonds, and cherishing the emotions that come with youth.The relationship between parents and children is the true soul of this story. Watching the main character journey through his father's youth and slowly understand him with fresh eyes was emotional and profound. It’s the kind of drama that stays with you long after the final episode.
The writing is beautiful—though there were moments where I felt frustrated with certain plot developments, it never took away from the emotional impact. The cast did a phenomenal job. Every actor felt deeply connected to their character. You could see and feel the sincerity in every scene. Special thanks to the team behind this for casting actors who truly brought this world to life.
This drama captures the magic of youth: first love, friendship, dreams, and the chaos and beauty of growing up. And the love stories? So pure, so tender, and so unique. There’s even a historic confession scene that will melt your heart. Add to that the unforgettable father-son duo full of chaos and laughter, and the mother-son duo that radiates calm and warmth—these bonds are what make this show shine.
Twinkling Watermelon is not just a drama, it’s an experience. One that fills your heart and makes you reflect on your own relationships.
Highly recommended for anyone who loves youth dramas with real depth, emotional storytelling, and a perfect mix of humor, warmth, and fantasy.
Viva la vida. Watermelon sugar forever. 🍉✨
Rating: 10/10
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Milk & honey, the combination that can never go wrong.
From production, casting, storyline, and even music, nothing is disappointing except the fact that this series has come to an end. Watching this was like feeling a breeze of warm and cold while drinking milk with honey, remembering when I used to do the same in my grandparent's house. Watching this series has brought comfort in a way I can't explain. This series has taught that everyone has the right to feel wronged as in a way we all have been wronged. This gives the vibe of a dark rainy day as well as ice cream in sea, the ratio of the happiness and sadness done right in a very comforting way. I can't even explain why I like this series, all I can say is I just do.Was this review helpful to you?
