Reviews

There's No Beautiful Love At All...

I watched this 4 years ago when it was the hot topic in my country. However, I immediately got bored after 2 episodes and dropped it. But this week, I decided to give it another go and see if I'll like it since I've been really into cdramas this year. Sadly, I still did not like it, but I still managed to force myself to finish it.

First off! OH MY GOD... I don't get the hype for this. The audacity to call this "A Love So Beautiful" when this is such a fetish fantasy, poorly written drama. There was no beauty whatsoever, the characters make me fucking angry for how dumb they were all written, there was no redeeming arc, it felt like they were all the same as they were in high school when they became adults, they didn't mature at all.

In the beginning, it was BORING as hell, too many side plots to drag out the show, that don't even contribute that much to the story. I'm all for slow burn story and no matter how many side plots you're going to pull... IF you can pull it off and tie it all together. But here.... *sigh* oh my god, they were all just distractions.

Around the middle, it kinda started getting heated, because finally, the ML started moving and that's because 2nd ML is really doing that grind on getting the FL's attention. It was kinda exciting, but that's where the bad character writing really shows...

Out of all the characters, I think the 2nd ML is the only likable character here. The goated character. I would've understood if they ended his character after the High school part, but no, he showed up again when they were all in college, clearly to be wronged again. It would've been great if he and FL were the endgame.

ML is too cold as if he's some kind of robot, a character with no soul. Like the dude didn't even smile throughout the show... well, he did twice... like one in the early episodes if you watched the extra bits after an episode and second when Xiaoxi made her smile about something related to food???? When he was a doctor, I get it, you're too busy doing operations, I can also see he really wanted to spend time with FL, but he didn't do SHIT to at least explain his side to make FL understand as why she can't spend that much time with her. They only brought up the "Oh my patient died that day that's why I didn't say anything when you broke up with me, because I had a lot going on my head" like get that shit outta here... when you're girl is trying to break up with you, always try to save it and see what you can fix or did wrong, no matter how busy you are.

Xiaoxi. like, girl??? how can you be so dumb?? In the beginning, her character is only to annoy ML for how in love she is with him. I think 'When I Fly Towards You' did this well, But here it's sooo insufferable. and she kept bouncing back from ML to 2nd ML like she's soooo fragile when it comes to ML, but when they finally broke up, I don't get why they did this, they time skipped 3 years, right? and she got back with ML only in the span of 2 episodes?!??!?! It would've been great if they showed 1-2 episodes of FL healing from the breakup and what 2nd ML filled to help her with that.

Jingjing. I really had fate in her to be a good character since she was FL's best friend, but most of the time, she's so useless. When FL is going through struggles about love, she could've been there to give her the words of advice that she needs, but when she is actually there instead she would just "It's alright" and then a few moments later would encourage FL to fix her relationship with ML, like what?!?!?! I don't get how as a girl she can't see how red flag ML was. There was no moment for at least once to consider advising FL into loving the 2nd ML. smh...

Lu Yang. Also a dumb character. I understand you want to help your bro get his crush but at least point out his own red flags first. But what do you expect from a clearly idiot written character. Also, in what rights does he have to be angry with jingjing and throw tantrums, when jingjing admitted her love for the school doctor?!!??! he's just a friend?!?!? I would've understood if he pointed out that "no, you're still a minor, you're too young for him". On top of that, he finally confessed and tried to get closure, but the dude pushed her away, so wtf?!?!?

In the later episode, it kinda got fast paced a little and the ending is soooo anti-climactic, like wtf was that ending?!?!? and as I've said the characters didn't mature at all, because the way they act and talk is still the same, like you're all adults now, so at least act the part, mygoood...

I will admit this was a cute drama, I think I will like this IF I too was still in high school and didn't have a loved one, but sadly I'm not, so I wouldn't recommend watching this. was planning on doing a review without spoilers, but I couldn't really help it, as I need to point out where this drama fell off(in my opinion).

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Evil for evil

A series about a lawyer who faces a corrupt law firm and gangs after he gets involved with a gang member and provides legal advice. He and his brother witness a crime scene. They are forced to help the criminal clean up the crime scene, so Soo Dong begins to exploit them until they become partners in the business. Because of one wrong referee’s decision, life changes for the worse, so he farms. The seed of evil was seeded within him until he became a monster. He was trying to get rid of the monster that frightened him. The lawyer was able to get rid of Moon Sang and tried to betray Seodong and get rid of him, but the opposite results appeared. He discovered Seodong and killed his brother. They were two monsters fighting, and killing became easy for the lawyer just to get rid of them. Seodong gave orders to someone to kill the policeman after he gave the policeman false information that Seodong would transport the body, which is the only way to catch him red-handed, but they killed the policeman to implicate Seodong and get rid of him, of course. The plot is wonderful and made me surprised by the lawyer’s decisions and how he changed, and after losing everything he felt remorse. The dialogues were wonderful. The acting was great. Very good, wonderful series worth watching

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Nothing Special

Yet again, another Thai BL that, one, does not live up to its expectations, and two, does not live up to its title. This was a typical formulaic standard, trite, and tropey BL that I could have written even if I were in a coma. It is pretty much epigonic. Only the names were changed. Had this been more creative or even a thought-provoking series or one that even tried to be a little bit different, perhaps it might have been more impactful. As it is, it became another run-of-the-mill BL with little creativity with one exception. That exception and disappointment was the secondary relationship. They were most interesting but were not the main focus. Too bad. They were way more developed than the primary couple.

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Light & Heavy at the Same Time

This drama had been on my plan to watch list for a while, but I had been putting it off because I was worried the comedy would be too in your face or forced, which usually makes it unfunny for me. However, and even though I was watching/started quite a few dramas already, I decided to add one more to the list on a whim. This was because the ones I really wanted to watch had entered their multiple day breaks and the other ones I do have episodes available to watch aren’t keeping my interest.

During the first episode, or at least the first 30 minutes or so of it, I thought I would end up dropping this because the beginning of the episode wasn’t appealing to me and the comedy did feel a bit forced. But this soon changed as I kept watching.

For me, the comedy handled the comedy aspects of it well. Even when the comedy was too far out there, it had the right amount of angst, mystery, action, and seriousness to balance it out. This for me worked well because they didn’t overdo it on either the comedy or the tragedy. Another issue I encountered was a bad case of second lead syndrome. Don’t get me wrong, the king was endearing in his own right, but I felt the second male lead was better as she would have never have to guess what was in his heart. However, in the last episodes, I am glad he didn’t do what I was yelling at him to do and get what I wanted because the female character introduced then was perfect for oorie second male lead. She was as gentle, honest, protective, and fierce, in her own way, just as he was in his. I would have honestly loved to watch a few more scenes with them interacting, but I am glad they didn’t give him a miserable ending, of dying, becoming a villain, or eternally longing for someone who didn’t love him back, as they sometimes do in other dramas.

This drama was light and fluffy, while also being angsty in the right amount and at the right time. I enjoyed watching a grand queen dowager who, albeit trusted the wrong individuals, was not a raging evil plotting monster. I also enjoyed watching that the king’s main court lady and eunuch were loyal and never betrayed him. And most of all I loved that everyone received their just desserts at the end. The OST was nice and for me this is worth rewatching.

Was it a masterpiece? No.

Was it what I needed at the moment? Definitely, yes.

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Suspending your disbelief will require brain damage

As a preface, I only saw the first episode. Might be it gets better, but judging by the other reviews it only gets worse.
In the first episode, there are 0 likable characters. Everyone is driven by some lowly emotion, jealousy, drive for 1st place, hatred, etc.

The reason I took 5 minutes out of my day to write this is too warn others about how ridiculous this show is. First things first, the mother of the MC literally runs heels first into the principal, bumping his teeth out from the impact. She walks out in front of 100 people and goes about her day normally. I hoped it was a fantasy. It wasn't. Then I hoped she would at least face some consequences, you know, like police going after her or something. Nothing happened. It's literally ridiculous. The characters are ridiculous, the events are ridiculous, the acting is ridiculous.

I give it an unwatchable/10. You've been warned.

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unexpected religious experience

As a Christian i am not very familiar with Buddhism but i admire the life of Buddhist monks and this movie more than anything shows the human and spiritual side of them. also the differences between them. No one is perfect but everyone has his purpose.
it was a very enjoyable production for the reason that the movie offers a 2-hour escape from every day life and makes you think about living in simplicity in the monastery and with the nature.
I was expecting a light comedy drama but this movie made me think about my life vocation and the meaning of life and death.

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The best drama. The cast and Characters, especially , Yoon Cheong Ah and Ha Yi Chan ❤️. Their Chemistry, was the couple of the year. But I need the music to be an album, because it was OFFFF the Charts. Every song they played as a band ( Watermelon Sugar) was addicting. I was already hooked when I saw the trailer. I normally wait for all episode to drop, but I could not wait. Every episode that aired I Wanted more. I was in Joy when when Ha Eun Gyeol (the son), Ha Yi Chan (the dad) and Yoon Cheong Ah (the mom). Their chemistry was GOLD, but changing his dads faith for going deaf, was emotional. The 1st, 2nd, 3rd episode had me LOL. Ha Eun Gyeol was surprised to see his dad interested in music and he did not know his dad and his mom knew each other from the past, not from when Ha Yi Chan was learning sign language. The more I get to the story, the more I end up spoiling. THIS is my first review. MY rating: 10/10 and even more.

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Didn't expect this to be so romantic

The beginning of this drama is a little confusing, because there's a short opening scene in the present and then there's a long (!) flashback that lasts for more than half of the entire series. I recommend ignoring that and just focusing on the rest of the story, which luckily doesn't use flashbacks and flash-forwards as much as I feared.

The story itself is good, but nothing exceptional: a fated encounter between a member of a gang and a high-school student leads to them having to live together for a while and slowly develop feelings for each other. The plot also follows the story of two other members of the gang and the love triangle between them and their boss. I feel like the organized crime aspect of the plot should have been explored more, especially in terms of who is aligned with whom and what do these gangs actually do other than fighting each other whenever they meet.

The romance can be good or not, it all depends on personal taste: it feels like the love stories don't have solid foundations and they're mostly based on the ideas of "fate", "soulmates", and more in general the will to give up on anything for a lover. The main characters seem to share this extreme sentiment when it comes to love, so if that's too much for you, I can't recommend watching. I personally found it very romantic - maybe a little too idealistic to feel real, but it's also nice to dream every now and then, isn't it?
I believe that the couples featured in the drama are the best part. The acting is not stellar, but they deliver their performances very well and their chemistry was enough to glue my eyes to the screen.

I can't say that this story was great, or that I'd recommend this drama for its plot. On the other hand, I had fun and the couples are very sweet and memorable to me. I believe you should give it a chance if you like romance with a good amount of angst.

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A Time-Traveling Melody of Love and Nostalgia

oh my! "Twinkling Watermelon" is a time-travel love story that hit me right in the feels. Picture this: Eun Gyeol, a high school whiz by day and a guitar-wielding maestro by night, accidentally stumbles into a 90s time warp. Yes, you heard me right, time travel!

Now, this isn't your average time-travel tale. It's a heartwarming blend of laughs, romance, and music. Eun Gyeol's meet-up with his young dad, Yi Chan, is like a comedy goldmine. Imagine trying to play matchmaker for your own parents while your future dad thinks you're a lunatic. Hilarious, right? But the twist? Yi Chan ends up falling for a cellist, not Eun Gyeol's future mom. Talk about turning the love story playbook upside down!

Let's talk tunes. Oh, the music! It's not just a soundtrack; it's a time-traveling jukebox of 90s hits and soul-soothing originals. Eun Gyeol rocks out with his dad's band, trying to play cupid through melodies. It's like a musical journey that transports you to the good old days.

The characters are the cherry on top. Eun Gyeol's struggle to keep his parents' love on track while navigating the awkwardness of time travel? It's relatable, and you can't help but root for the guy. The band members add spice to the mix, making you wish you had a gang like that in your own life.

Well, the pacing hits a few bumps, and some story bits could use a little more TLC. But who cares when you're swept up in a whirlwind of laughter, romance, and sweet tunes? This series hooked me with its charm and left me feeling all warm and fuzzy inside.

"Twinkling Watermelon" isn't just a show; it's a time-traveling symphony that'll make you laugh, cry, and maybe even dance a little. It's a sweet escape into nostalgia, exploring the messy business of changing destiny. Trust me, you're in for a treat – a watermelon-flavored treat that'll leave you smiling and maybe a little teary-eyed. 🍉💫❤️

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Total waste of time

This lakorn annoyed me so much I'm writing a review about it.
As someone who has low expectations for lakorns, that watches and loves them for the drama and the messiness, someone who embraced the nonsense and toxicity, I hated this one more than I can express with words.
I can't believe the writers wrote this with their eyes open, seems like they used a spinning wheel of tropes and bullspit to put it together, that would explain why more than 10 episode are a copy/paste thing.
I can't believe the director and producers looked at this and went "yep, air it", like...how?
Not a single enjoyable character (maybe Tin, yes, the r@pist villain, the bar is that low), not a functioning braincell in sight.
No logical development, no character growth (just random forgiveness).
The comedy is comeding, the chemistry between the leads no where to be found and this their second drama together...
If you want to suffer do it for something that's worth it.

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The Perfect Coming Out Love Story Does Not Exis- Well It Does

I have so many things to write about this series. So many that I know I can't complete if I start ranting.

So I will just keep it short.

First of all, exceptional script, perfect acting, phenomenal music, top notch cinematography. I loved the symbolism of hibiscus flower.

I loved how there is jealousy but there is no ill feeling. The is heartbreak but there is very mature ways of dealing with it. There is good communication. There is very well written female character arc. There is genuine care between friends. There is the best supportive big brother everyone deserves.

Let's talk about the actors. PP Krit and Billkin. Hats off boys. The chemistry, the soft glances, the smirks, the hint of jealousy, the rivalry, so so perfect. I have watched a few rivals/friends to lovers dramas, but the sublime calmness in each of their actions were brilliantly portrayed.

There is visceral reaction of pain, there is confusion, fear of judgement, there is everything that we can completely relate to. The characters are not something out of showbiz but they are like us, normal people. The characters are humane.

There are missing opportunities, some angry miscommunication but at the end of all requited love.
Even the title of the series is so poetic. The story flows like river along with the plot and the characters.

This series will be among my top 10. I am forever indebted to the whole for making this series, a true creative gift.

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To those who want to watch this

If you are in to friendship-goal drama then this drama is for you. There is a little, very very little romance only so don't worry, also they're not cringey.
Overall this drama is 10/10 for me. The story, the plots, the characters, the fighting scenes, most especially the acting and how every actor portrayed their character, everything is perfect. What I liked the most is how they highlight the friendship, the courage of every character and the character development.
This is worth your time if you're the person who need some inspiration. You really can relate to the characters in this drama.

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We all deserve a twinkling life!!!

Starting off with one of my favourite lines in the show;

“Here is a thing about life
It may not give you everything you want..
But it does hide a little present for you from time to time..
I hope you can endure
The cruel hardship life throws your way...
So you can receive the present life tucked away..
To you and every one you want to protect..
VIDA LA VIDA...LONG LIVE LIFE”

- MASTER

Twinkling watermelon was a beautiful and heartwarming and heart wrenching coming of age drama about youth friendship love music family time travel bromance acceptance trauma parental love and understanding ..all of this can be used to describe this drama.

The cast was spot on ( I love how each of the actors managed to make their roles shine)

The characters were all written beautifully..I loved the imperfect setting for the characters which made them relatable and also made their characters growth and development natural and beautiful...they also each had their charms which added to the beauty of the story and the characters them selves.

The story was a roller coaster of emotions....I found my self laughing alot and crying alot most of the times but I loved how it had this aspect of consistency hence remaining to what it was originally set out out to be...a beautiful and heartwarming drama about healing friend ship youth family music and many more.

The acting was AMAZING, I think this was the dramas greatest weapon....the actors and actresses had a natural potrayal or emotions it almost felt real at some point...the acting was the kind that could move you in an instant and make you feel the characters pain and happiness.

The chemistry between the couples was undeniably good...I loved both and hoped to see more of them...one couple being calm and beautiful and the other being chaotic and fun.

The osts were beautiful and nostalgic.

The dialogue was well thought out educative and relatable..there were many life lessons thrown in both directly and indirectly through the different scenarios the characters go through...I loved how the drama tried it's best to potray disabilities as a gift that should be appreciated and something you can feel proud of rather than a burden or something that can make you feel insecure about your self.

This drama managed to touch various sensitive topics that kept me invested considering the fact that they were things that happen in out actual lives and things that we could all relate too in one way or another....which I definetly loved so much.

The ending was heartwarming and heart wrenching yet beautifully captured...I hoped it was a bit longer since I wanted to see more but either way I felt satisfied to some extent.

Do I recommend this drama?

Definitely....if you want a drama with amazing casting, acting, a consistent and beautifully written plot, with well thought out dialogue, life lessons, music friendship, growth, family, love then this is exactly what you should be watching...and you can thank me later.

EASILY ONE OF THE BEST DRAMAS OF 2023

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