ginger_yale

LOL there's gonna be in issue if you approach it the way you did which was to criticize LR as a drama trying hard to become like TW when thematically, they are completely different. The writers obviously had different visions in mind when they wrote their respective dramas.

I'm gonna respond w/ my observations. There are thematic differences between the 2 dramas. Even though both use time travel as a central plot device, their emotional cores and narrative purposes are very distinct. With Lovely Runner, the whole point was about fate and a shared sacrificial love that defies time. The timelines weren't just a plot gimmick but a way to reinforce the idea that no matter what, the ML and FL would always find their way to each other. The taxi driver/serial killer wasn’t really meant to be a character with deep motivations. He was a representation of the inescapable fate that was trying to pull them apart. There was a reason why he rarely had any lines nor did he have a compelling backstory to understand his motives. The drama really leaned into the idea of "if you fight hard enough, you can change your destiny," and it was their love (and the FL's positive influence on the SML in the previous timelines) that ultimately rewrote their tragic past. Meanwhile, Twinkling Watermelon had a completely different emotional focus. The ML went back in time to gain a deeper understanding of his parents and their lives before they became "parents" because it was obvious early on that he was already getting very burdened by his role as a "caretaker" in a family full of deaf people. The story was ultimately about familial love, growth, and appreciation for the sacrifices of the previous generation. There was also the healing of his parents' childhood wounds (esp the mother's which touched me the most). This was probably the reason why his dad's fate remained unchanged. So while both dramas involve altering the past to prevent future tragedy, their core messages diverge. Lovely Runner’s story is one of sacrificial love beyond time. That’s exactly the appeal—it’s about always choosing each other, no matter the odds. That kind of devotion is what makes the story hit so hard. Twinkling Watermelon is about filial love and learning to see one’s parents as people with their own dreams and struggles. To me it was an honorable tribute to all the wonderful mothers and fathers who raised their children in loving homes despite their own challenges. IMO, both can't be compared.

True. And TW was shown only in 2023 😂

Rewatching and I'm suprised to discover more stuff. Watching for the second time and it's even better.

Lol just because of the main character wanting to return to the past to save another character from a tragedy? A Cdrama also had somewhat the same plot years ago, so are we gonna accuse them both of being copycats too? Dramas will always be inspired by one thing or another. What's important is the execution and all and LR did it really well. And how can u compare the two when this is pure romance, with a changed fate for the main couple but Twinkling Watermelon is about youth and family with an unchanged outcome for the ml's dad? The ml in TW was confused & didn't even know why he was forced backed to the past and only knew of his mission a few eps in. He still failed to stop the accident in the end. Funny though even if TW was a great emotional drama, family values and all, I couldn't rewatch it because it's too slow paced for me & the love triangle was just super weird. To each his and her own I guess.

Finally got to watch Kdramas again after a year or so. Lovely Runner rekindled my love for Kdrama! This was such a beautiful show. Funny tho that people complain about the lack of realism. Did you not see the genre? It's a fantasy and unapologetically an ideal romance. For "realistic" love stories, go watch melos like 2521, Lovestruck in the City, or My Liberation Notes. I finally understood the hype.