Sparkling Watermelon (2023)

Long Live Life ─ with flaws, scars and healing

This was one of the dramas I actually didn't plan to watch until I saw the spoilers of the first episode on Twitter ─ and absolutely liked how the premise was about CODA. I also enjoy watching dramas of a child time travelling and meeting their teen parents so I didn't hesitate to give it a try and I am so glad that I did.

‍Starting from the name, throughout the episodes they made a reference to Frida Kahlo's Sandías / Viva la Vida (Long Live Life). In Mexican folk culture, watermelon is commonly found in representations of the Dia de los Muertos (Day of the Dead) celebration ─ so at first, I thought the story might mostly focus on angsty side of life. However, it was just another connection with how Eungyeol's life changed thanks to music shop owner and how his death affected more than one life. So, it wasn't about sadness or fear of death but mostly about natural path and development. Thus, Sparkling/ Twinkling Watermelon is such a nostalgic name for this drama because it can be interpreted as: Radiant life/youth, sparkling performance, or a sparkling period of time in youth before they became adults. And I really like it when the name actually summarises the storyline.

When it comes to acting, everyone did a great job at portraying their characters. As for characters, I must admit, for me, mostly Ha Yichan and Yoon Cheongah stood out ─ as teens and adults. Their characters were beautifully written and acted. They weren't perfect but they were perfect with their flaws, scars and their healing processes.

The drama also showed beautiful dynamics ─ whether it was friendship or parental relationships.

At the end, just like any other time travel drama, there were unanswered questions, discrepancy and some "what if" scenarios. But overall, it was an enjoyable watch.

link to edits: https://youtube.com/playlist?list=PLI-LyvxxdMxDG3OaZjOkQIQUXWkuLTosF&si=HlG3s3wpE07lYOTL

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Refreshing

Honestly one of the best series that I have seen where persons that have a different way of life is depicted. The family life that was shown is so accurate to the ones that persons with hearing limitations have to face. As someone that knows sign language but doesn't have to, it was nice to see a story that revolved around it. All the concerns that go with being in their situation was real and I appreciated having them in such an amazingly positive light.

The story was new to me, having the hint of mystery and time travel and a sprinkle of romance...Sorta. The life conversations I couldn't follow because I don't know the signs used, but it was still beautiful to watch. I must say, for a person that supposed to be "super smart" Gyeol was pretty dumb too many times, but it was funny so I excused most of it. His passion and understanding were his driving force to help everyone he met, I mean he did have direct relation to them, but even if Ha Yi Chan was a stranger I would risk it all to help him also. He is honestly so amazing, his thirst for life and living it to the fullest because he wants to help his grandma. I wish he got the world, but he got the next best thing. He was kind and caring while being a fool, there was no reason to not love him. I literally cried when his tape got left in street because of you know what. Worst yet when he was standing on the roof of the hospital after his grandma visited him. I tell you there was no more heartbreaking scene than these moments. Yoon Cheong Ah was such an amazing example of resilience, strength and determination seeing her growth into having friends that she trust was sweet. Her teacher though, lets just say she needed more than a time out and I was sooooooo happy when all her maids got fired.

The ending honestly wasn't amazing but I loved how things turned out, it was slightly underwhelming but I still liked it.

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Viva La Vida! Viva La Music!

In short: This Kdrama worth the hype, and it's not overrated! It's almost perfect!

Why it's not perfect? Because I think, they could've done more with the storyline in the present, and of course, in some cases the time-traveling plot is inconsistent, but honestly, I don't really care, because THIS ISN'T A SCI-FI, this is Kdrama about FAMILY!

I don't really know what should I say, I don't want to go into spoilers, so the only thing I can say is that, this show is well-written, every character is amazing, and so called "villains" are good too. I mean, not good people, just well-written and the actors did a fantastic job!

The show captures really well how hard it is to be a teen, or being a parent, or just being alive in general.

I was a bit disappointed that they didn't do much with Se Kyeong and Eun Yu, but I get it, the main focus was Eun Gyeol's family!

If I'm being honest, my favorite character was Cheongha, after all the bad things that happened to her, she never lost hope, never give up and raised her kids later. I liked her adult version, but I LOVED her young version even more! Shin Eun Soo is an incredible actress, and she's very likable as well.

Anyway, I don't want to mumble for long, if you didn't watch this Kdrama yet, watch it now!

Lastly: The OST is also amazing. For 16 hour, I was a teen again!

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MY NEW COMFORT KDRAMA

I was in a HUGE kdrama slump. i had no interest in watching any new releases especially ongoing dramas… i was even in my cdrama era for awhile but Twinkling Watermelon brought me out of my slump. I had like no expectations for this drama. I just kept seeing it on my TL and saw it was highly rated on Viki so i wanted to give it a chance. The first 2 episodes were really depressing and confusing for me so i kinda had to push through and i’m so glad i did because i instantly got hooked on episode 3 and i’ve been tuning in every week since episode 7 from then on. I love everything about this drama from the storyline, family, friendships, romance, music, comedy, angst, acting, etc. It’s everything i look for in a kdrama. ‘90s youth band dramas will always be my comfort. I know people refer to this as a time travel drama but i see it more as a youth drama. Anyways, we have 4 more episodes and i’m wishing for a happy ending because i can’t really predict the ending at all… I just know i’ll go back to this drama a lot and you’ll see my talking about it 3 years from now.

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un answer question

a lot of unanswer questions

1. his father in 1995 just only hurts his ear ,but he still can talk but why? for 28 years he never talk?
2. what happen with yoon chung ah before ha eungyeol back to 1995? how she becoming so poor?
3. what happen with choi se gyeong birth secret? her mom death and her adoption
4. why choi se gyeong nice with yoon chun ah?
5. chung ah mother?
6. it really doesn't make sense, oh eun ya goal is to find her mother's first love, then make them together? But her mother has gone to the US, even if she is close to her mother's first love it won't change anything, because they are different people. so this is a useless effort
7. so choi se kyung first love is oh?
8. about oh eunya suicide friend?
9 and in the last how eun ya know that who the la vida music man is? mr jonathan young face in magazine still same with 1995
10.didnt know what happen with yoon chung ah and ha yi chan before ha eungyeol back to 1995
11. didnt know what happen with choi se gyeong and oh eun ya after they back to 2023

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One of the best kdrama !!

TWINKLING WATERMELON is one of the best Kdramas of all time in every aspect. Well, this is my first time writing a review!! I've come across many beautiful dramas but this drama has my whole heart because it was so comforting. The way this drama portrayed each character and their emotions was just mind-blowing. From start to end, it got me on the edge of my seat, and the character development was just WOW. You will feel like you're a part of the drama where you giggle wholeheartedly, weep like a child, and feel sad and happy with every moment. I felt a mixture of emotions while watching this show but it felt comfortable, soothing, and warm inside. Kudos to the cast and crew for coming up with this beautiful drama. The screenplay and the narration of the story were just fantastic. Ryeoun (Eun-gyeol) carried the whole show to the next level with his natural and nuanced acting. He was soo cute in every way. I enjoyed Ryeon and Choi Hyun-Wook's screen time. This father-son chaotic duo made every episode funny and beautiful with their versatile acting. Choi Hyun-Wook (Ha Yi-chan) will be my favorite character of all time. He showed how to turn someone's shortcomings into something really beautiful with his outstanding delivery of emotions. I've never seen any of Shin Eun-soo (Cheong-ah) dramas, this is my first show and I was stunned to see her performance. Though she was deaf and dumb in the whole drama, her twinkling eyes spoke every emotion that can't be described with words. Whenever she smiles, you'll feel her joy, whenever she cries, you'll feel her sorrow and her silence will shatter your heart. Mother-son duo screen time will break and mend your heart at the same time for sure. The endearing love between Omma and appa, and Ajussi and ajumma will make your heart flutter. Seol In-ah's (Choi Se-kyung / On Eun-yoo) chemistry with Ryeoun was at top notch. Seol In-ah did a great job with her acting and showed that everyone has flaws and struggles in their life and that ending our life is not the only solution. Though the ending was bittersweet, it was the perfect ending that we all wanted. It ended with the note that everything happens for a reason, hold on there, and live your life to the fullest without pondering over the things.

🍉 WATERMELON SUGAR....VIVA LA VIDA 🍉

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best kdrama in 2023

viva la Vida 💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉🌟🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉this is just roller coaster of emotions amazing acting by whole cast great ost , story,bgm,all over all awesome 👍😎✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉✨🍉💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓💓🪄💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜💜🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟🌟

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A very HUMAN story right when we need it.

The weight of words and actions in this show is amazing. Not just in spoken word but every time they're using sign language, the character puts the entire weight on it. It is so comforting yet so heartwrenching at the same time. The cast and the performance is exquisite, to the point I'm just riding along with the characters and not thinking "Oh, the actors are amazing!"

Ha Yi Chan as a character has so much depth, both as the adult and the teenager. Him learning sign language just to be able to communicate with Chung Ah, out of curiosity and kindness. And then being able to watch the exact moment he falls for her like Ha Eun Gyeol narrates is honestly a feel good moment. The way his character grows to hear Chung Ah through her own words is amazing.

Chung Ah as a character is done PROPER justice by the actress [I forget name, my bad.] The expressions, the weight her actions carry and the story she has all on her own ties the entire thing together. I haven't been so taken by a character in a long time.

Ryeoun as Ha Eun Gyeol and Seol In Ah as Choi Se Kyung ground the show as the time slipping characters. the great part about these characters is their individual motive.

Each character has motive or rather grow into their own. It's a really refreshing portrayal of a teenage drama, even if it's in a cliché plot tree. The story carries enough heart to make the characters absolutely steal the show.

It's a MUST WATCH!

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BEST KDRAMA THIS YEAR

i really like how the story is going, is so refreshing and they chemistry is another level, the main roles are THE visuals, this show make me wanna learn sing language to help another people express themselves❤️i can not wait for the next week for more episodes...... 😭choi hyun wook is a diamond in this industry, he can play whatever the role is, he is very versatile, i really really hope he can explore all his talent he is basically the future MAIN ROLE of KDRAMAS, and Seorina character is sooooo cute and funny, and Ryeoun character is so mature even if he is so young. With each episode I feel more attached to him, he is firm in what he wants and that is admirable, Eun Su's character is very cute I really liked her pairing with Hyunwook

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this is the most 2023's adorable kdrama

I'm totally in love w cheong ah and yi chan's relationship CAUSE LIKE SHE IS SO CUTE AND HE YK MAKES HER AND HIM BE EVEM MORE PRETTY CUTE AND FUNNY IM IN LOVE😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 its the most amazing couple this year in my opinion. I simply love the way how he always tried to speak w her and learned it all just for her ITS CRAZY IM GONNA CRY😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭😭 im 10/10 for side couples 😪

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WATCH IT or NOT?

THE DRAMA WE ALL NEEDED IN 2023!

Here's my opinion soup of why you should WATCH IT:

OMG!OMG!OMG! Much of a rollercoaster, innit? Absolutely love what I am watching and what I watched so far. I am super curious at the end of each episode as to what's next. I really love the pace at which the drama is going. Certainly, keeping me on my toes. Just can't get enough and I don't think it was a good idea to watch it during the airing. Had I known how amazing of a drama this was and how addictive it is, I would have watched it after its airing.

Storyline is so interesting and so well knit, with the different themes that it addresses like friendship, first love-crush, family relations, time-traveling, and more. Now, although all these themes packed into a single storyline is not something new or OG, this drama has quite the charm that makes it feel different. It may remind you of 18 Again, at a certain point, but don't be fooled or quickly judge it so. This feels and is different because of its character dynamics. Not to mention, how much I love the casting for this drama. Got a great cast. Also, I say so because Choi Hyun Wook is one of my biases. He's such a great actor and truly a watermelon popsicle to the eye, especially because of the type of character he is playing. FR. Anyways, the character dynamics is what makes this drama worth watching and I must appreciate the casting director for such excellent casting depicting the synergy.

Personally, I am not a "time-travel" theme watcher but this drama just broke my record. Got me hooked. It bought me with it's rom-com theme. If you're like me, who's not a sucker of time travelling series and finds it overrated, this storyline can be trusted and you can watch it. They backed it so up well with romance (love triangle), comedy, musical vibes, and school-setting. I have had such an emotional connect since the beginning because of scenes that touched my heart and got me teared up (in a positive way). At no point I felt a disconnect as a part of the audience. Which is sooo rare with the dramas of today. And this makes the drama even more special.

I really like rom-com and it is perfectly well done in this drama, given the beautiful cast and the school setting in which it will take place. I really like a good love triangle (or maybe square?). It also gives the vibes "she fell first, but he fell harder" which I absolutely love and we get to see it growing.

Most importantly, I really like that there is no toxic equation or nothing toxic or extremely negative. It all seems warm and happy with slight misunderstandings in relations being resolved or unravelling truths within the story over time travelling. It does give twinkling watermelon to me.

Moreover the negative roles in the drama makes it seem like a modern day princess story where the prince comes at the rescue and to set her princess free. The magician or the helper is from the future and it happens to be their child! This is just magical in the sense of refreshing drama given the chaotic reality of today.

If you liked the review, I hope the drama excites you just as much and that you enjoy watching it.

Thankyou for reading and Happy Watching!

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One of the best kdramas of 2023

I am honestly left empty after finishing this series, especially after following it since it started airing.

I’ve become a hyunwook fan since weak hero class and started following his work ever since and was so excited when i saw this promoted.

Especially since i saw that this show would be time travel!!! I LOVED IT!!!

The way the plot moved and how well everything was flowing, the friendships the tropes literally everything!!

I cried so much at how well the actors conveyed their emotions and also, i am just so happy to see deaf people and sign language representation. The fact that the actors learned it is so special, it made me want to learn it myself.

Such a beautiful show, it’s a show you just have to watch really…

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