Tanky Toon

There could be even ties to organ harvesting.

https://www.visiontimes.com/2025/09/28/report-links-xis-brother-to-plot-against-actor-yu-menglong-amid-australian-princess-rumors-generals-longevity-boast.html

Yup I read that too, it's like how that one agency in Korea has multiple suspicious deaths surrounding its staff and artist and no it's not GM.

Rumors about celebrities being alleged escorts or kept woman/man are nothing new in the entertainment industry. That's how monied clientele works. And yes sometimes being attractive is not all that in some circles. It has its pitfalls.

yeah read about that too. but he is probably one of many victims. The others we probably don't even know about. There's a lot of atrocities in the world that we cannot even fathom. at this point, I'm half half, as in I do hope that it was really an accidental fall and he did not suffer in the way that they described it because it was heartbreaking. The other half of me, probably thinking that death is "Easier" because to live in fear is not exactly living either. Poor mother with an only son, I'm pretty sure he would also have stuck it out for the love of his mom.

Very little justice happens in the world, even in the most progressive countries, there are countless victims of power struggle involving money, politics and crime. Much more in less transparent countries where corruption is as normal as eating rice. The saving grace I guess here at least we know that there's a few people like YML who didn't sacrifice his dignity for profit, and still be the humble person that he was, where I'm sure other people would have turned a blind eye or easily caved in to these nefarious activities just to avoid being victims or to advance their careers. Just like those people in the party who did nothing to help him, and in fact, more likely to be complicit in his death.

I love slow burn romance. Give me longing glances, emotional repression, even years of unresolved tension if it pays off in fire. But this wasn’t slow burn — it was just slow. Like wading through lukewarm bathwater, tepid and bland, with no heat in sight. The “romance” mostly consisted of walking, flower-staring, and meandering scenes that had the narrative commitment of a lost tourist. I needed toothpicks to keep my eyes open — and not in a binge-worthy, “I can’t stop watching” way, but in a “why am I still awake for this?” way.

And then there was the dreaded intoxicated first kiss. Can we retire this trope already? It wasn’t romantic, swoony, or even messy fun — just tired. They also tried to stir in angst with the ex-boyfriend and his one-dimensional outbursts, but it barely registered, except give Xi Fan the trauma-induced backstory she needed to see Su Ye in the first place, and later an excuse to run into Su Ye’s arms.

Oddly enough, I found myself liking Xi Fan’s parents. The resolution Xi Fan had with her parents was surprisingly healthy and mature — they were quick to recognize their shortcomings and have an honest heart-to-heart with their daughter, which was refreshing to see. For once, the elders weren’t the source of melodrama, and even Professor Yu — Dr. He’s grandfather — added a layer of warmth. But liking a handful of side characters isn’t enough to drag me through a drama that refuses to spark.

In the end, The Best Thing felt like a drama that wanted to be tender and introspective but ended up sleepy and safe. Sweet couple, yes. But sweetness without spice just leaves a bland aftertaste — and no amount of face card could make that worth finishing.

I have mixed feelings about this drama — the kind that makes you sigh dreamily because the main couple is genuinely sweet, then immediately sigh again out of frustration because the story itself feels like a slow descent into narrative purgatory. Zhang Ling He was the magnet that pulled me in; his face card could carry an entire dynasty, but sadly, not this drama. Xu Ruo Han was lovely too, more than holding her own. So let’s be clear: the leads were not the problem. The problem was everything happening around them — or rather, the lack thereof.

Full review in the spoiler below:

Yes the FL too is at fault. I didn't say she's blameless. In my original review I didn't specify any gender as being the culprit.

I'm not going to watch the rest of the drama if the setup is already problematic, even if it gets better later. Any character redemption will be contrived and I'm not going to justify any romance coming out of such toxic relationship.

You are entitled to form your opinion as am I and my review still stands. People are free to form their own judgement.

Not sure if this is legit but a few reports surfaced saying the same thing:

https://www.news18.com/movies/hollywood/chinese-actor-yu-menglongs-final-text-before-death-goes-viral-they-may-kill-me-anytime-9607078.html

If you don't see anything wrong when a ML basically stalks the FL, even though she clearly doesn't want to be found to the extent of hiding her identity, and then proceeds to lock her up to prevent her from escaping and wrings her neck when she doesn't want to obey, then sorry, I can't help you.

Yeah there are a lot of gatekeepers, as if we are sheeples that have the same tastes and are not allowed to have different options. SMH

Probably the writers thought that Haruka will be jealous if her boyfriend rocks girl clothes/makeup better than she does! Hahah, but I agree with you, somehow they have more chemistry with Hikaru dressed up as a girl. Maybe it's because he's more confident that way. Also I got so used to Hikaru's visuals as a girl, one of the most convincing portrayals IMO, that I almost forget what he looks like as a man.

Don't get me started on how the word "masterpiece" is being bandied around so much that it lost all essence of its original meaning. God forbid Leonardo Da Vinci will ever hear his masterpiece is in the same league as all these "masterpieces." I'm pretty sure he will roll in his grave.

No, you have to pay to watch. And the app is not in English.

Akane’s journey to discover her voice — and the band’s eventual fusion of clashing styles — was the emotional core. The creative friction, the push-and-pull of personalities, resonated far more than the late-stage romantic subplot, which felt like an afterthought. If there had to be romance, I’d have preferred the adaptation stick to the novel’s original ending with Kazushi. Naoki, written as emotionally detached (possibly neurodivergent or asexual), didn’t need a love arc. His most compelling dynamic wasn’t with Akane at all, but with Sho — the hot-headed guitarist whose chemistry with Naoki sparked more than any scripted romance. And yes, I only realized halfway through that Sho was the same actor from Cherry Magic. Oops.

While it never reached the fluffy warmth of I Will Be Your Bloom, Glass Heart had far more, well, heart. Takeru Satoh’s portrayal of Naoki was quietly devastating — especially during that haunting English solo, which nearly made me swoon for someone supposedly incapable of inspiring swoons. The production was sleek, but the pacing veered into rollercoaster territory, leaving little room for nuanced character development. Naoki’s sudden emotional pivot toward Akane felt especially forced, undermining the careful restraint that had defined him.

Despite the uneven emotional payoff, Akane’s arc held firm. For a moment, I feared she’d be overshadowed by Yukino (played with quiet magnetism by Takaishi Akarii), but Akane remained the beating heart of the story. Glass Heart may stumble in its execution, but it delivers a resonant message: finding your rhythm isn’t about being the loudest — it’s about being heard.

This drama had me from the premise alone: a small-statured, big-dreaming drummer joining a band of musical prodigies. Akane’s underdog energy was irresistible — the kind of aspirational grit that makes you root for her even before she picks up the sticks. I expected romance to creep in, as it often does, but then came Naoki: reclusive, obsessive, and seemingly married to music. From that moment, I knew this wasn’t going to be a love story — at least not the kind with roses and longing glances. This was about artistry, ambition, and the messy business of finding your own sound.

Full review in the Spoiler below:

The beginning is slow, yes, but it earns its pace by laying out Eun Gyeol’s family dynamic with care. Ryeo Un, whom I hadn’t seen before, delivers a quietly compelling performance — a son caught between sound and silence, duty and dream. He doesn’t overplay it, and that restraint makes his emotional beats land harder. Seol In Ah, usually relegated to supporting roles, gets to stretch here. Playing two distinct characters, she’s versatile and surprisingly grounded.

On the other hand, I was less convinced by Choi Hyun Wook. I couldn’t decide if he was overacting or if the writing forced his hand, but the disconnect between his youthful portrayal of I-chan and the subdued adult version (played by Choi Won Young) was jarring. It stood out even more when compared to that with Yun Cheong A — a character, played by two actresses and yet they somehow kept the character’s essence intact across timelines. That consistency made her arc more emotionally resonant.

Now about the time travel mechanics? Just suspend your disbelief. The drama isn’t about that. It’s about perspective — how seeing someone’s past can reshape your understanding of them. Eun Gyeol learns to see his parents not as obstacles, but as people with their own silent battles. The theme of communication runs deep, especially in a story where three characters are deaf/mute. Their condition forces effort, while others (like Cheong A’s stepmother) weaponize silence. The older I Chan’s outburst — “How will I know if you don’t tell me your dreams?” — hits like a gut punch, because it tells you that communication IS important.

Then there’s warmth too: I Chan’s grandmother feeding a band of teenagers despite her humble means, grounding the show in small acts of love. I wasn’t here for the romance, and honestly, I wanted more closure on Eun Gyeol’s parents — how I Chan and Cheong A found each other again after the timeline shift. And the ending? I wish it leaned into earned understanding rather than rewriting their lives into glossy success. A return to their humble beginnings, with Eun Gyeol choosing to communicate and pursue music anyway, would’ve been more honest. The “magic eraser” ending felt too clean.

Still, if you overlook the shortcuts, Twinkling Watermelon is a warm, thoughtful drama. Not a masterpiece — let’s retire that word for a while — but a story that understands the power of perspective, and the quiet revolution of being truly heard.

I almost didn’t pick this up. The title, the poster, the vibes — everything screamed slice-of-life, and that genre and I have a long-standing cold war. But the internet wouldn’t shut up about it. “Best thing since sliced bread,” they said. I caved. And while I won’t echo that sentiment (and don’t get me started on the word "masterpiece" — it’s been diluted to the point where it’s lost all meaning --- even my 10/10 favorites don’t get that crown), I’ll concede: Twinkling Watermelon is quite good.

Full Review in the spoiler below:

Wholeheartedly agree, I don't trust inflated ratings on iQiyi or Even Viki. I trust MDL ratings more. God forbid Thai BL shows are on Douban ..they are one of the most critical raters among all platforms that make IMDB look like they are being kind by giving a 6.

For an extensive look:

https://www.youtube.com/live/6cgyw_oHLvY?si=902czgDqzNyWhtHi

It's because the government is doing its best to cover this story up. How can they catch the criminals when they are the ones who are complicit in this?

https://www.youtube.com/live/6cgyw_oHLvY?si=902czgDqzNyWhtHi

Exactly!!! Some people who have not lived in a communist regime will not know how the "law" works there. There's no such thing as a "fair" law in China! The law in China only serves one Party, and often the will of one man! For those people who live in "democratic" societies, and thinking that Egad!!! how can there be state-sponsored Crimes??? It's just as naive as thinking that politicians tell no lies.