This review may contain spoilers
I’m sure I won’t say anything that hasn’t already been said, but I had a blast watching Twinkling Watermelon. Between this show and Weak Hero Class, Choi Hyun-wook has become a must-watch actor for me and I think his character is the highlight of this show. The time travel plot is nothing new, but what really made this show work were the characters. Eun-gyeol is possibly the least chill time traveller there has ever been but it was hilarious to just see him calling other high schoolers mom and dad immediately. His dynamic with both of his young parents was so good. The relationship between his young parents was my favorite part and I wanted so many more scenes of young Yi-Chan and Chung-ah. The friendships between all of the characters were so much fun and I loved the nineties setting.
This drama almost made it into my top five ranking, but I did have some issues with the plot. The first couple of episodes were hard for me to get into and I think all the scenes taking place in 2023 just were so much less interesting than the ones in the past. While the adult versions of his parents were fine, they were not the beloved young versions that we got from the past. Especially for his dad, I think it was very hard to see him as the same person as young Yi-Chan, even after everything he had been through. The pacing also felt pretty off, with a lot of the mysteries or secrets being drawn out really far and then the show not really having time to resolve them effectively. The show could’ve either tried to make some of the plot points less drawn out or it could’ve used a couple extra episodes. The last episode felt way too rushed as the show tried to wrap up all of the loose ends.
The characters in Twinkling Watermelon became so dear to me by the end of the show that it really did make up for most of my issues with the plot. The show is worth watching for Choi Hyun-wook’s performance alone.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Sweet at the core though a jumbled exterior
This is one of the first dramas I've seen where I think the story felt undercut by the time travel conceit at the point that it happens or that it happens at all. There is so much powerful societal topics from the opening set up of the drama with Eun Gyeol family facing discrimination because of their disability, them being impoverished, Eun Gyeol's pressure to be the perfect from his family and himself, always having to be their voice, to be the pride his father can show off, his relationship with his older brother Eun Ho, Eun Ho as an athlete with an disability who is living a very eventful life outside of that as well, Eun Gyeol's love for music, his street smarts and book smarts, his parents tenacity to embrace the joy in their lives, etc. It's more like the beginning for a whole different show. Eun Gyeol's ability to be shrewd with people's intentions to protect his family as a child isn't used as consistently once he's a teenager, instead mostly relying on his academic ability and guitar playing.While Eun Gyeol does learn about his parent's hardships with the time travel, it does not pay off the characters at the set up. It just ends with basically an alternate universe where his family is rich and famous that Eun Gyeol doesn't even get to experience for himself through new memories and how it has affected the dynamic between him and his family. I think it would have been more fascinating if Eun Gyeol could travel back and forth between the two timelines, learning information from the past that he could not or not completely change, but could improve his relationship with his family in the present instead. There was not enough time in the new present once Eun Gyeol arrived to at least emotionally reconcile with the most important relationship to the entire series, which is Eun Gyeol and his father. It's weird that no one from the Watermelon band can remember his name either, since Yi Chan and Chung Ha give the exact name to their kid. Did they not name him after their friend?
Eun Yu's plan to have her mother Se Kyung to get with a first love so she would never be born never made any sense from the start because she not possessing her mom's mind, she's in an entirely different body. Even if she got the first love to fall in love with her, her mom is on an entirely different continent. The show never played it like she misunderstood this, so it's doubly bewildering. Her romance with Eun Gyeol was also really tacked on and her own journey as a character was really pushed to the side. Her relationship with her mother was really traumatic to the point one of the first things she did when she went back in time was to set up a noose in her mother's childhood bedroom where she was going to commit suicide. Did she have love for music on her own? Is photography her true passion? Her own grandfather is the powerful ghost that gained godly powers in death that organized this trip for her, but she's basically there to support his star pupil.
Having neither Eun Gyeol or Eun Yu figure out that they are both time travelers until the end also made it pointless to have two time travelers as helpers to each other. Their opposing goals may have been an intriguing premise on paper, but the execution made it redundant. It would have been more interesting if Se Kyung really was the person that Eun Gyeol was interacting with all along. She has a real bond with Chung Ha, really uninterested with Yi Chan, and was actually in love with her future doctor husband with the golden pipes. This could have been an amazing friendship and partnership that could have interesting ramifications for the future they create rather than yet another bland forced romance with no chemistry. Yi Chan's obstinance in winning over Se Gyung also went into uncomfortable territory with him only outwardly choosing Chung Ha when Se Gyeong ditches the performances. Chung Ha deserves so much better than that, but at least when the show finally gets to them, they are a truly sweet couple
I love it so much that everyone around Chung Ha makes an effort to communicate with her, either through writing or learning sign language for her. Yi Chan who has trouble focusing on school subjects got very conversationally fluent, very fast, and it helps that they were also both learning at around the same time. The way that her internal life is shown by her thoughts and drawings is very nice as well. Her abuse at the hands of the step mom was horrific with her father who had enabled this was also really rushed. He honestly didn't react apologetically enough finding out what he had allowed to happen to her once he understood the scope of it. 12 years of it, my heart broke so much for her when Eun Gyeol finally found her, when someone finally cared enough to find her. This is yet another of a long list of issues of the show bringing up really intense topics, but not addressing them fully. Her future kid looks exactly like her mother who is taken away for unknown reasons also never explained by the show.
It was really interesting to watch this drama and High Cookie coincidentally back to back, both starring Choi Hyun Wook in the main roles but with very different personality types. I'm very curious to see his next role after this one. His Yi Chan is very effervescent, energetic, and tenacious, truly the heart of the show, living out his goal of shining in his youth as much as he can to the max, while being kind to the elderly and kids. His time traveling son giving him the sense of fatherly love he was missing was so touching because he's the one that modeled that kind of love for his son. Their friendship and reciprocal love for each other is really sweet, though I'm not sure how to feel about the gay jokes the show makes. It makes sense for Eun Gyeol's intensity towards Yi Chan to be taken as a crush and the show doesn't seem to have anyone disgusted by it. Walking a very fine line. The ultimate car related accident is handled better than most kdramas, instead of the character randomly running into traffic, which the show actually has them do multiple times as red herrings, it's actually attempted murder, and Yi Chan saves his bestie/son.
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
Coisa mais lindinha do mundo esse dorama
Gostei da mãe dele se desafiando a viver sem deixar que a surdez fosse um obstáculo e ver todos que fizeram mal pra ela no olho da rua. As expressões faciais do irmão mais velho do protagonista falando em libras são fantásticas, pena que apareceu poucas vezes. O final foi até onde deveria, talvez se estendessem mais ficaria estranho, mas achei meio forçado eles ficarem ricos. Queria ter entendido melhor como foi essa transição e ver mais sobre alguns personagens menos explorados como a mãe da menina surda e os pais da menina que viajou no tempo, não ficou bem claro o motivo do divórcio.Was this review helpful to you?
The Blurred Lines Between Family and Friends
Twinkling Watermelon is a heartwarming slice-of-life drama that blends time travel, music, and story about friendship. It follows a high school student who is a CODA (Child of Deaf Adult) who has a deep love for music. One day after a fight with his father who doesn't agree with his passion, he stumbles into a mysterious music shop and is transported back in time where he meets a younger version of his father. As he explores the unfamiliar world of meeting the younger version of his parents, he forms a band and tries to change the course of his family’s fate while discovering the power of friendship, love, and self-acceptance.One of the drama’s strongest points is how it portrays the reality of being a deaf person and those around them. Instead of treating it as just a plot device, Twinkling Watermelon dives into the struggles and emotions that come with it. It also shows the challenges of communication, the isolation, and also the beauty of understanding between friends and family.
Another highlight is how well the drama explores friendship and brotherhood. The relationships between the characters, the bandmates, friends, or family—feel genuine and heartwarming. The way they support, fight, and grow together makes the story so good.
Music definitely has a huge role in this drama and it’s one of the things I loved the most. The OSTs in particular are catchy which reminds me again how OST is a vital feature of K-drama.
When it comes to acting, Shin Eunsoo, who plays the younger version of main character's mother is the star. She delivered an incredibly moving and natural performance (irl she is not deaf). Some cast members have scenes where their acting is a bit off, but because the chemistry between the actors is so strong, it’s not that hard to overlook it.
Again, it isn’t a perfect drama, but it’s definitely one that leaves a lasting impact. I just love how the drama managed to make me as If I am a part of the line-up and delved into the growth of the characters. It is definitely worth watching.
Was this review helpful to you?
Mastercall
It has been a staple ever since I remember, that K-dramas are associated with, corny, mid, pacey, and shallow stories on the level of every other bland soap opera trash show. With all the rosey plots that have the same characters, the same build-ups, and the same resolution. They feel like lazy reskins of otherwise, very boring third-grade media releases. Or so I thought, prior to watching Twinkling Watermelon.Before watching, or even attempting to give this show a go, I was recommended to do so, but to avoid looking at any posters, or reading the synopsis, or even looking up the tags or the genre. I went completely and utterly blind on the show, and I think, that was the best way to experience it, as those mentioned give off way too much about the whole mystery running the narrative.
Think of it as the coming-of-age story that would change your outlook on all sorts of levels. Family, friendship, education, compassion, and dreams.
For me, this show taught me not just about life, but also that I shouldn't underestimate Korean dramas anymore, because this has been peak television.
Was this review helpful to you?
I feel like I want to eat watermelon too
when I saw the dragon studio logo, I was obviously going to watch the drama. At first I wasn't interested but there are lots of videos on TikTok showing footage of the drama which looks warm.Sure enough, when I watched episode 1, this drama was already very interesting. Maybe the plot was a little slow in episode 1 and almost made me distracted, but in episode 2 it started to get more interesting.
I appreciate the acting of all the actors in this drama which is very soulful and beautiful. The sign language they displayed really made me want to remember the sign language lessons I had studied.
I really enjoyed the acting, ost, storyline, production and all the details. I hope this drama will get an award because it is very beautiful and heartwarming.
thank you to all the crew and cast for creating this very beautiful drama.
Was this review helpful to you?
Estava esperando mais!
Havia escutando tanto desse dorama, que era maravilhoso, que eu precisava assisti, que não sei se fui com muita expectativa e acabou com isso influenciando. Mas não achei nada demais.Tem uma história legal! Que faz você refletir muito! Mas o enredo no meio do caminho para mim se tornou cansativo. Fazendo até com que eu parece um pouco pra conseguir retornar a assistir.
Não é ruim, vale a pena assistir, mas para mim não está no top de doramas espetaculares. Não senti aquela faísca.
Was this review helpful to you?
Good Enough
Korean Drama '' Twinkling Watermelon '' is a slice of life, music, and fantasy drama.The drama uses time travel to its fullest, smoothly using it to push the story forward, without forgetting about it once the plot starts unfolding. Rather, it is always there, and spices up the story here and there.
Also, the family drama was at its finest, intense enough to keep things dramatic, but also with sensitivity and sweetness throughout the family interactions.
The music, in addition, was pretty enjoyable, as were the performances by everyone in the cast. And even though the romance was cheesy and not its strongest suit, it was nice enough.
So, overall, seven out of ten.
Was this review helpful to you?
solid show with great actors
I binged this show in 2 days!!! I was totally hooked!!! I seriously adored all of the actors, every one of them played their parts really really well (especially the young cast) !!!!!HOWEVER, I found parts of it a little cliche, I honestly expected a better soundtrack for a show about music, and I didn't like the ending. The ending felt very rushed and like they just wanted to put a bow on top of everything all pretty without doing all the effort to get there. I actually didn't hate the love triangle in this show, I felt the time-travel aspect put enough of a twist on it so it wasn't too cliche. I also sincerely appreciate how the love triangle didn't last for the entire show like many others do. I felt like the plot got a little messy in the fourth quarter, but it was acceptable, there really is no way to make a time travel show not have plot holes and weirdness going on. I also felt like they kind of overdid it with the connections thing, like not everyone has to be connected in weird ways... sometimes people just live unrelated lives.
BUT I still found many many things I loved about this show. I loved how good the actors were and I felt like (as someone who isn't deaf and knows exactly 0 deaf people) it was good representation of deaf people and the struggles they face. I really liked
Ha Eun Gyeol's character arc, and Ryeoun's acting was quite good. He really mastered his character and I felt that he wholly cared only about the others, without a hint of selfishness (for the most part). . I also sincerely loved every single second that Ha Yi Chan was on screen (he's so hot). I felt that Choi Hyun Wook absolutely devoured this role, like there wasn't a single time during the entire length of the show where I felt like his acting was off. Same thing for Shin Eun Soo she absolutely ate up this role and perfectly conveyed her character in every single scene. Seol In Ah's acting was good, but I didn't feel the same greatness that the other actors delivered. I really can't pick anything out in particular that I thought was bad or wrong, but her vibe wasn't quite there as much as the others.
FINAL THOUGTS:
It was definitely worth the watch and I might recommend this to friends and such. It was a fantastic coming of age story and it was very touching. The time travel was much better executed than many other similar shows, and overall I enjoyed this show. I wasn't bored once!!
Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
I wondered what people found about this series to rate it so high. After a few episodes, I've become a bit of a fan of this cast. The time travel thing is a bit of an overused plot, but the story remains cute and unique.Only one person in this family can hear and speak, the brother and parents are deaf. He loves playing the guitar and making music but feels guilty towards his father who wants him to become a doctor. “Ottokee?” Please the father or follow his dream?
He has a flashback to the past and finds himself in 1995, he meets his young parents and wants to avoid an accident to change the future of his family for the better, but he must be very careful, otherwise there could be big problems, such as the possibility of not being born .
I really liked the guy Ha Eun Gyeol (actor Ryeoun), a great guy between Park Bo Gum and Cha Eun Woo.
Interesting to see sign language. I also appreciated all characters and the beautiful songs.
For those who don't know, the singer of Spine9 is a singer of iKon.
PS: I was wondering what the watermelon was in the title and I discovered that it refers to Frida Kahlo's last painting, called "Viva la Vida" which had watermelons as its subject.
Was this review helpful to you?
Nostalgia, music and fluff with a side of cringe...
This could have been a 10 if only I would have loved the male leads character as much as I loved the rest of the characters in this really fun drama.A drama that has so much good to offer combining nostalgia, with the right to communicate/language, the world sucks (yet again), people with disabilities are human too and being a kid that is different from the rest of the family has it's problem's too... all surrounded by lovely teen spirit, love, music, friendships, and shining, glittery fluff... Just the look on a the young version of them moms face when she sees someone use sign language pretty much had me thinking ok this is it, I love it and it is now my favourite drama...
As I mentioned in the first line this could have been a 10 but then the cringe took over and offered me a few of my pet peeves showed up, I cant really complain about the acting of Ryeoun as Ha Eun Gyeol but his character was mostly fun in the beginning but got on my nerves more and more as the story progressed. His interactions and chemistry with Seol In Ah and
Choi Hyun Wook where however top, top, top. I have been impressed with Choi Hyun Wook for quite a while but this drama made me appreciate him even more as well as completely fall in love with Seol In Ah and Shin Eun Soo.
Definitely a drama I recommend to most, when in need of fluff, fun and more or less predictable twists (some more predictable than others). This drama is an easy binge that offers a little bit of everything and with the exceptions of a few moments of annoying the overall feel to this drama is I want more!
P.s. Rating by episode ep 1-2: 8, 2-14:10, 15-16:7,5 = 9, pretty much follow the male leads character progression and regression... but not only.
Was this review helpful to you?
STRONG pacing issues, engaging storylines resolved off-screen and a very rushed ending.
So finally finished this... Can't believe it took me this long... But I struggled with the first 4 episodes... then was entertained up to episode 10... and then for some unknown reason slugged through the last 6 episodes.I really wish I liked this as much as everybody else but for some reason this show wasn't "it" for me. I can't say it's a bad show... But reading other negative reviews... I finally was able to put my finger on what made me struggle with this show：
1. The pacing
2. The pacing
3. The pacing
Basically, this show was really good at creating interesting and engaging storylines but then didn't give enough time to them. It spent too much time on the less engaging ones. It didn't deliver on the romantic front for both couple... It was better on the friendship and youthful aspect, but it didn't deliver at all on the most interesting storylines created such at the relationship between Cheong Ah and her father nor between Se Kyung and her daughter or Se Kyung and her father or Se Kyung and her adoptive parents。 I'd rather they didn't introduce these conflicts if they had no intention of giving them a proper amount of time to be resolved in a satisfactory way... when there was a resolution for that matter because some questions are just... not answered. Yes I'm frustrated.
The end was rushed so that's another minus.
Now, most people really enjoyed the show and were able to get over it in spite of its flaws... And I get it, some of my favorites have plotholes and flaws I just disregarded because ultimately these shows delivered on what I cared most... But this show didn't. It introduced lots of storylines and only delivered on those I cared the least while giving some off-screen resolution if any to the ones I cared the most.
This made each episode feel really really overly long to me.
I know I'm part of the minority so don't let my opinion deter you from watching it. I still gave it a 7 which in my book means that it was enjoyable in some way.
Was this review helpful to you?
