This review may contain spoilers
I watched this because of its rating on this site…
Once you get past the ridiculous name, this was a fun drama! It’s far from my favorite time-traveling/90s nostalgia series, but it’s definitely above average.My favorite part was the father-son relationship between Eun Gyeol and Lee Chan. Eun Gyeol’s concern and over-protective fawning over his father was adorable, and the comedy built around all those silly misunderstandings was next-level hilarious! And of course I loved all the band members—they were such an easy group to cheer for.
I also loved the inclusion of deaf characters, and how it affects—not only them—but those around them. Even when the story veered into darker territory, the core message revolved around friendship, hope, and the profound need to feel heard. Eun-gyeol’s protective instincts towards his mom was definitely another highlight for me. Every time he stood up to her awful stepmother, I cheered.
I may be in the minority, but my main issue was the predictable plot that occasionally dragged. That, and I struggled with certain story and character choices—particularly Eun Yoo. I never quite warmed up to her role in the story, and struggled to connect with her as a character. She came across as overly dramatic and illogical (her “sob story” wasn’t extreme enough to justify suicide and her “first love” plan didn’t even make sense. She was hard to take seriously.)
However, I found Se-Kyung’s character much more sympathetic, with a more compelling backstory—so it’s a shame they traded her out for her boring daughter. I honestly would’ve preferred to see ajumma in the past as an actual “helper” who returns as her younger self to overcome her regrets, and finally make amends with her father. Adding the daughter felt like a cop-out, like she was shoehorned in to force an unnecessary romance with Eun Gyeol that would survive the time-skip back to the present. Frankly, their romance added very little to the overall story—nothing ajumma couldn’t have accomplished in her place, and ultimately, I just didn’t feel much chemistry between Eun Gyeol and Eun Yoo. The only romance that really mattered, anyway, was Eun-Gyeol’s parents—and they were sweet, but a bit lukewarm as well, since the writer kept wasting time on the other couple. I would’ve preferred more focus and buildup for them to make the final payoff more satisfying.
It was a fun drama overall, but not one I’d outright recommend unless you’re a fan of the actors or this particular genre. I think it could’ve been better, but it was enjoyable for what it was: An amusing, far-fetched fantasy with short flashes of brilliance, and an ending that didn’t (completely) disappoint.
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EASILY one of the best k-dramas ever.
"i came up with a name for you.""for me? my name? what is it?"
"shining voice. i can't hear your voice, but i can see it, i feel it. you shine the brightest when you're doing music, it's when you look the coolest."
words can't express how much i love this kdrama.
it was full of life lessons and it made me realize a lot of things. no matter how much eungyeol tries to stop yichan's accident, it will always be his fate and it's inevitable. it shows that not everything goes the way you want them to be, and we just have to learn to accept that that's how life works. the scene where yichan's grandma finds out he got deaf, and said "i will give you my ears" made me cry so much it hurts. when yichan tried to turn up the volume of the tv and proceed to hear nothing... and when eungyeol was talking and he said, "what are you saying? i can't hear you... i can't even hear my own voice." 😭💔
i love yichan and cheongah's relationship. i wish i saw more of their past life (without eungyeol's time travelling) like how they met in college, and fell in love. i also wish i saw their wedding (it would've been cute) and the band as the groomsmen. eunho also deserved more than 5 mins of screentime. honestly, i wish this series was longer! 16 eps wasn't enough.
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Youth
I am so in love with this drama. Not only because of the well-written storyline and chemistry between the actors but most especially with the PACING. The story isn't dragged out or too quick, it feels just right. Just right for you to understand the premises of the fantasy aspect of the story, immerse yourself in it, resonate with the characters and to be able to feel the drama as a whole. Each episode leaves you with your heart full. I've found myself attached to this drama that I don't see any flaws at all.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
This is hit because?
I love this drama the pain that the main character went through and the other casts. But it doesn't only leave us with sadness but with enjoyment, cuteness, romance and comedies. I couldn't wait for all the episodes to come out because it was just too good to wait. The acting of the cast is the top tier you can feel the characters. This drama hits me hard as it shows the reality of a child who wants to be the perfect child for the parents. It shows no children are ever perfect they just hide it. It also shows the love of a child for their parents. I'm glad to say I could watch this drama over and again and I will never stop crying or laughing from watching. Although the acting is insane from the sadness to their chaotic sides this drama catches my heart. I always sympathise with every character. I would like another drama like this. The music scenes were great i replay the songs all the time. This drama has a lot of plot twists and one of the reasons i cannot let go of this drama.Was this review helpful to you?
Viva la Vida. LONG LIVE LIFE!
There are shows you watch for entertainment, and then there are shows that quietly crawl under your skin, settle into the rhythm of your heart, and leave you with a gentle ache long after the final scene. Twinkling Watermelon is the latter.The drama reminded me that life, no matter how messy or unpredictable, doesn’t need to be perfect in order to shine. One quote in particular has carved itself into me, something I’ll carry on my shoulders as I move forward in my own life:
“Life didn't have to be perfect for it to shine. It's the little moments that make your life twinkle—what you experience when those moments come together. And happiness is what you experience when those moments come together.”
As I border between the peak of my youth and its slow, inevitable farewell, this line swallowed me whole. It’s the kind of sentiment that sneaks up on you, the kind that makes you stop scrolling, stop rushing, and simply feel. Because Twinkling Watermelon is exactly that—a story about small, fleeting, incandescent moments that piece together something much larger than themselves.
Watching it felt like being reminded of something I had always known but often forgot—that happiness doesn’t arrive in grand gestures or flawless lives, but in those imperfect twinkles we gather along the way. For me, Twinkling Watermelon was a reminder that my own fleeting youth is still worthy of being lived brightly, no matter how tangled or uncertain it may be.
"My days must twinkle as radiantly as possible." ✨🍉
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K-Drama Review: Twinkling Watermelon
Twinkling Watermelon is one of those rare K-dramas that instantly grips your heart and doesn’t let go until the very last frame. From the storyline to the acting, it was truly a binge-worthy masterpiece. What sets this drama apart is how it beautifully intertwines youth, family, music, and identity—while also offering a refreshing and respectful portrayal of the deaf community, something rarely done with such care in mainstream media.One of the most touching aspects of the show is how it reflects the untold stories of our parents’ youth. Often, we forget that our parents were once teenagers too—with dreams, heartbreaks, and friendships just like ours. This series opens a portal into that world, and it does so with warmth and nostalgia. It reminds us to see our parents as people, not just caretakers.
The friendship dynamics in this drama were absolutely heartwarming, with genuine chemistry among the characters. The bond between the band members, especially Lee Chan’s bright and lovable character, was the soul of the series. Lee Chan, for me, was the absolute standout—funny, full of heart, and so real. He brought so much joy to the screen.
However, while the drama starts strong and keeps a steady pace throughout most of the journey, the ending felt noticeably rushed. After all the emotional build-up and efforts the characters made—especially involving time travel and personal growth—the conclusion didn’t quite give the satisfying closure we hoped for. Important elements, such as the transformation they were working toward, were barely shown. The fate of the female lead’s family was left in the dark, and too much emphasis was put on Eun Gyeol and Eun Yu’s romance in the final episodes, overshadowing other meaningful plotlines.
It almost felt like there was more to tell, more to show—but they simply ran out of time. That lack of depth at the end did affect the overall experience. Still, the show’s strength lies in its relationships and emotional core, especially the friendships and family connections.
Despite its flaws, Twinkling Watermelon remains a touching, unique, and emotionally fulfilling drama that’s worth watching. It gives voice to those often overlooked, tells stories that matter, and reminds us that music, love, and understanding can bridge even the widest generational gaps.
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BRUH I REALLY RECOMEND IT
If u lov the time traveler stories this is for u The story follows a CODA guy that loves music but hides it from his parents, when he had a fight with his father he went to a store that reminded him of somthing of his childhood and he enters after he leaves the store he realize he was on 1995 , he made friends of his father and tries to change his destiny and he finish enjoying a lot and finding his first love, the story is amazing it has a plot twist each chapter and the ost... AIGO i love the ost it makes you dance while you are watching the serie the cast is handsome too , if you love friendship dramas this is for uWas this review helpful to you?
Twinkling Watermelon: A timeless masterpiece!
From the characters to the storyline, to the emotions and the nostalgia for a time I’ve never even experienced, Twinkling Watermelon is truly a masterpiece and the best show I’ve ever watched. I loved the characters so deeply. Every single one of them was written to perfection. I see myself in all of them — in their struggles, their passion, and their love. I felt everything so intensely. No show has ever pierced my heart this deeply.The visuals and cinematography were stunning, always bathed in that nostalgic filter that made everything feel like a dream. The OST was absolutely beautiful. I could rewatch this show a million times and never get tired of it. I’m so grateful for the joy and brightness it brought to my life. Overall, the most beautiful story I've ever experienced about youth, music, friendship, and love. Viva la Vida! 🍉
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Still crying btw.
OMG THAT WAS SUCH A ROLLERCOASTER OF EMOTIONS I CAN'T-"Should I watch Twinkling Watermelon?" YES, YES YOU SHOULD.
The story is something I've never seen before. The actors have great chemistry. The music is amazing!!! Shining and Higher are my favorites. And the drama overall gives an important message:
"Live your life instead of inconveniencing yourself to change others' lives."
I cried because it is A COMEDY. This drama made me laugh, when even Backstreet rookie, which genre was comedy, didn't. There are sad moments, and even though the end is happy you just can't stop yourself from crying because of all the pain the characters experienced.
And readers, most importantly, thank you, and also...
VIVA LA VIDA! 🍉💕✨️
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masterpiece
I loved watching this, the beginning confused me but everything falls into place and makes sense after.This is the kind of Kdrama that has such an interesting story it kept me hooked and it was just so good. The ending isn’t as good as I thought it will be but it’s still fine because watching the show was generally a great experience! This kdrama will remain one of my most favourites.
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not the story I was expecting
I was so excited for this drama but I just feel like we could’ve gotten somewhere had we stayed in the present. we could’ve gotten a story line about him and his brother instead which is what I really was looking forward too. Him expecting his family not to understand him just because their deaf was something that effected his views on himself and his whole family. We also had this strange concept of being in the past and present until we he goes to the past is when you find out it’s not another side character. once I got the change in the story line I was over it tbhWas this review helpful to you?
just endure the first 3 eps , after that is just on point
first 3 eps i really thought it was boring , so much so that i had to read some reviews and even write one to rumble a bit to release some frustration , but im glad i didn't gave up , ep 4 everything changed , only after is that you understand the reason , its to establish what you want so that the rest of the drama feels so perfect , the story , the acting , the music , characters even tho sometimes they behave like 4yo , i really loved everything after it , its my third kdrama with 9 star after its okay not to be okay and snowdropWas this review helpful to you?
