Twinkling Watermelon

This Korean drama is at turns delightfully light and emotional. The music is superb. The actors are adorable. There are elements of coming-of-age, rom-com, and fantasy time travel. But, foremost, it embodies a celebration of life -- especially of aspects that are sweet and sparkly like the title, Twinkling Watermelon.

The emotional core involves the enduring dilemma faced by young people: whether to live a life that makes their heart beat or follow the lead of their parents. The main character Ha Eun-gyeol, a CODA (child of deaf adult) youth, grapples between following his passions and serving the needs of his family, when he is presented with an opportunity to change the trajectory of their lives by slipping back in time when his parents were his age. We're also presented with the question, would life really be better if the past changed to our liking?

As the story transpires, we see some of the joys and sparks of youth, its conflicts and uncertainties. It delves into teenage anxiety and mental health issues and the pressures from parents and society. The show also portrays beautiful friendships and loving, albeit sometimes misunderstood, family relationships. The deaf character portrayed by Shin Eun-soo is a gem. And Choi Hyun-wook is a master at capturing the spirit and zest of youth.

In a way, the show follows some of the winning formulae of other recent successes. As in the movie CODA, it peers into the lives of the deaf who face many challenges but lead meaningful lives. As in Someday or One Day, it makes you dream about rewriting the past, preventing accidents, and letting go of guilt and resentment. As in 2521 and the Reply series, it taps into 90s nostalgia, when times were simpler, when you had to run to a pay phone to answer urgent beeper messages and could drop by your friend's home anytime. So, in a way, it is not groundbreaking but a good story nonetheless.

If splitting hairs, the series is not without imperfections. Time travel presents logic problems. It's apparent from the proficiency of signing that the actors are not deaf themselves. And there is a reliance on common tropes to create obstacles for the characters. But I recommend you watch this for its emotional journey and uplifting message.

The main character's parents are deaf, but they are 'cheerful, healthy, and happy because they could communicate with their eyes, their hearts, and their hands.' We all have problems, but we can also grow, adapt, and have fun. The show promotes embracing music and loved ones: Seize the day, its joys and opportunities! ¡Viva la vida!

I literally have never cried this much while watching a kdrama. I was already having so many kdramas on my most favourite list but this has crossed all the boundaries. IT LITERALLY BLEW MY MIND!!! I don't even have words to express how much this drama meant to me. Even though it made me cry in almost every episode I also had a good laugh. It was such a heartwarming drama and it has definitely got the spot in my top dramas list. And yeah, the cast was perfect like I can't even imagine anybody else playing their roles🤧.

If not the best of all time, this drama has to be the best drama of 2023!!!

I hope it wins all the awards it deserves!!

The best kdrama in 2023!! Finally after very long time I have watched a good heart felt and beautiful drama.

All actors were too good and their chemistry was so so amazing. Their acting though<<<<<<33333. I felt their emotions, I cried with them , I laughed with them, I felt sad with them, writer made us to connect with each and every character in this drama. Writer give importance to each and every character that was the bestest thing. I suddenly felt like I should learn sign language that shows how much this show has an impact.

Hopefully we can see this kind of masterpiece again and again in kdrama world.

If you are looking for some heartfelt romance with great actors then please go for it!!

It will for sure be one of my top k dramas. It had my heart moved more than once. But it still kept the warm light hearted mood. It was a pleasent show to tune into after a stressful day. I really liked the complicated dynamic of hearing and hearing impaired. Most importantly how they actually used sign language. The main actors fit their role and acted it out sparkling. The story was well written and I can't really come up with something bad about it. Some of the main plot is something we seen plenty of times before, but made in a way I didnt mind that at all. Just if this genre is your cup of tea. This show is a must watch.

Really good drama that lets its four leads sparkle. Twinkling Watermelon features themes of family and identity at various times in the characters' lives, and while it looks like a fun ride on its nostalgic surface, this series has bigger emotional payoffs simmering just under the surface. Boy, do the final two episodes serve up the full force of the writer's prowess. In the end, each character develops the tools to help them communicate better whether through signing, music, or simply summoning the courage to ask the questions they never could. The male leads are excellent especially in the finale episodes but it's Choi Hyun-Wook, who has shone in everything he's done to date, demonstrating again why he'll be the next big thing in Korean tv.