“Twinkling Watermelon” Review: A Time-Travel Full-On Feels Fest

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Imagine being a high schooler by day and a guitar-slinging rockstar by night. Now toss in a wild time travel twist where you land smack in the ’90s, jamming with your teenage dad in a band called Watermelon Sugar.

Got your attention? Good. Keep those scrunchies and baggy jeans handy, because “Twinkling Watermelon” is the time-traveling, heart-tugging epic you just can’t miss.

Meet Eun Gyeol, our main guy.

He’s got the whole perfect student gig down by sunrise, and by sunset, he’s shredding on his guitar.

Dreamy, huh?

But here’s the kicker: Eun Gyeol’s parents are deaf. They might not hear his music, but they totally feel his vibe. How cool is that?

Then, one day, Eun Gyeol wanders into a curious little music shop and—boom—he’s thrown back to the 1990s.

Talk about a plot twist!

He bumps into his dad, Ha Yi-Chan, who’s only 18 and clueless about what’s coming.

Awkward? You bet.

Awesome? Absolutely.

They team up with some killer characters like Choi Se-Kyung, the “Cello Goddess,” and Yoon Chung-A, who’s tough on the outside but a total sweetheart deep down.

Watch “Twinkling Watermelon” Trailer

This show dives right into the deep end of family ties and the magic of music. It’s all about making connections where you least expect them and the highs and lows of being a child of deaf adults (CODA) in a world full of sound.

Music isn’t just background noise here. It’s what binds the whole story together, making every moment feel epic.

The storytelling? Pure magic.

Time traveling isn’t just for kicks—it’s what makes everything in the show click. It’s about growing, learning, and finding your groove in the most unexpected ways.

Mix that with a dash of fantasy, a splash of romance, and a soundtrack that hits all the right notes, and you’ve got a show that’s more than just TV—it’s a whole vibe.

Eun Gyeol’s life? It’s like a wild emotional theme park. One minute, you’re cracking up over his high school stunts, and the next, you’re reaching for tissues as he tries to bond with his dad in the ’90s.

Choi Hyun-Wook as young dad Ha Yi-Chan? Totally nails that infectious teen spirit.

And Ryeo Un, playing Eun Gyeol? He’s so genuine, you’ll be cheering for him from your couch.

Don’t overlook the power ladies of this show!

Seol In-A, a.k.a. the “Cello Goddess” Choi Se-Kyung, is all grace and strength.

Shin Eun-Soo plays Yoon Chung-A, a hearing-impaired girl with layers deep enough to drown in.

These aren’t just side characters. They’re the spice in this watermelon salad.

For those not from Korea, “Twinkling Watermelon” gives you a peek into the ’90s K-style—think retro fashion and tunes that’ll have you nostalgic for a time you maybe never knew. Plus, knowing a bit about CODA life and Korean sign language will crank up the feels and make the drama even more gripping.

But even if you’re new to this, the big themes—family, love, finding yourself—are pretty universal.

Sure, the show’s time jumps might make you pause and ask, “What year is this again?”

And yeah, some folks like Se-Kyung might need a bit more screen time to fully shine. Minor bumps on an otherwise smooth ride.

“Twinkling Watermelon” really holds its own in the fantasy romance playground. Imagine “Back to the Future” meets “The Time Traveler’s Wife,” then sprinkle in some Korean flair.

“Twinkling Watermelon” really holds its own in the fantasy romance playground. Imagine “Back to the Future” meets “The Time Traveler’s Wife,” then sprinkle in some Korean flair.

The time-hopping? It’s not just cool. It’s a full-on storytelling powerhouse. It’s a rare treat to see music, fantasy, and deep feels mingle so well.

This show packs laughs, tears, and all the heart-thumps in between. It’s more than just binge-worthy. It’s a full-on feels fest.

Trust me, you’re in for more than just a show—it’s a whole mood.

So, should you dive into “Twinkling Watermelon”? Heck yes—total no-brainer!

Imagine your all-time favorite playlist that smashes together fantasy, romance, and killer tunes into one epic binge-fest that grabs you by the collar and refuses to let go. Whether you’re a seasoned K-drama addict or just testing the waters, this show’s got your number.

It’s basically a giant love letter to the power of music, showing how a good beat can leapfrog through time and space, doing things words can only daydream about.

This tale is like your favorite comfort blanket, but made of time travel and melodies, wrapping you up so tight you might as well be sipping on hot cocoa. You’ll tag along with Eun Gyeol, who’s juggling the double life of being a CODA by day and a secret rockstar by night.

He’s making friends in unlikely places and figuring out the whole family and friendship puzzle.

If your jam is stories that yank on your heartstrings while pushing characters to grow right before your eyes, then girl, you’ve hit the jackpot.

The production? Off the charts! From the smooth-as-butter directing to visuals that’ll knock your socks off, every single shot is a visual treat.

And the tunes? They’re so fire they’re practically another main character, cranking up the emotional volume to eleven. They’ve captured the ’90s so perfectly, you’ll swear you’ve time-warped.

“Twinkling Watermelon” is knocking it out of the park. It’s snagging thumbs-ups from both sofa critics and the pros.

Fans are raving about the gutsy storytelling and emotional whirlwind. Reviewers are doffing their caps at its smart look at family dynamics. They also praise the slick way it folds music right into the storyline, making it pop out in a sea of cookie-cutter shows.

My bottom line? “Twinkling Watermelon” is that show you’ll keep coming back to, mixing up fantasy, romance, and beats in a way that’ll have you smashing the replay button. 

My bottom line? “Twinkling Watermelon” is that show you’ll keep coming back to, mixing up fantasy, romance, and beats in a way that’ll have you smashing the replay button. It’s a cozy ride through family challenges, the enchantment of tunes, and the whole finding-yourself saga.

So grab some popcorn, get comfy, and let this K-drama sweep you off to another era. Trust me, it’s a trip worth every minute.

Loved this rundown? Feeling some type of way about “Twinkling Watermelon”? Drop a line below or smash that share button to get this convo popping with your K-drama squad!

And hey, if you’re ready to binge, this gem kicked off on September 25, 2023, on tvN and is streaming now on Viki for all you global drama hunters.

“Twinkling Watermelon” OST: Shining (sung by Kim Han Gyeom)