Reviews

Twinkling Watermelon - A Heartfelt Symphony of Youth, Family, and Timeless Bonds

Twinkling Watermelon - Review

Twinkling Watermelon (2023) is a heartwarming and unique blend of music, fantasy, and coming-of-age storytelling that leaves a deep emotional impact. Directed by Son Jung-hyun and featuring a talented cast led by Ryeoun, Choi Hyun-wook, Seol In-ah, and Shin Eun-soo, the drama captivates viewers with its originality, touching themes, and nostalgic charm.

Story and Themes

The drama revolves around Eun-gyeol (Ryeoun), a musically gifted teenager born to deaf parents. After a mysterious incident, he travels back in time to 1995, where he meets a younger version of his father, Lee Chan (Choi Hyun-wook), and other characters tied to his family’s past. Together, they form a band named Twinkling Watermelon, bringing their love of music to life while navigating their relationships, dreams, and hardships.

The story is a masterful exploration of family, love, identity, and the intergenerational connections that shape us. It beautifully portrays the struggles of the hearing-impaired community and the emotional complexities of growing up. The time-travel element adds depth, allowing viewers to see how past decisions ripple into the future, blending fantasy with real-world emotions seamlessly.

Performances

Ryeoun shines as Eun-gyeol, delivering a heartfelt performance that balances youthful energy and emotional maturity. Choi Hyun-wook impresses as Lee Chan, embodying a playful yet deeply vulnerable character with charm and depth. Shin Eun-soo and Seol In-ah also bring grace and emotional weight to their respective roles, particularly in their portrayal of complex relationships and unspoken emotions.

The chemistry among the cast is natural and engaging, making their individual struggles and shared moments feel authentic. The dynamic between Eun-gyeol and his father, both young and present-day versions, is particularly poignant and serves as the emotional core of the drama.

Visuals and Cinematography

The cinematography is visually striking, with vibrant and nostalgic scenes set in the 1990s. The juxtaposition of modern and retro aesthetics creates a visually compelling narrative. The use of lighting and symbolic imagery adds a layer of artistry, enhancing the drama’s emotional resonance.

Music and OST

As a music-centric drama, Twinkling Watermelon delivers an exceptional soundtrack. The band performances are electrifying, with a mix of rock, ballads, and heartwarming melodies that resonate deeply with the audience. The music not only enriches the story but also becomes a character in itself, symbolizing connection, healing, and self-expression.

Strengths

Unique and emotionally rich storyline that blends fantasy and reality.

Outstanding performances by the cast, especially Ryeoun and Choi Hyun-wook.

Beautifully crafted visuals and nostalgic 1990s setting.

A memorable and emotionally impactful soundtrack.


Weaknesses

The pacing can feel uneven at times, with certain subplots either rushed or underdeveloped. Additionally, the time-travel logic may not satisfy viewers seeking a strictly coherent explanation, but this doesn’t detract from the emotional journey of the story.

Final Thoughts

Twinkling Watermelon is a gem of a drama that combines heart, humor, and music to create an unforgettable experience. It’s a celebration of youth, family, and the bonds that transcend time, making it a must-watch for fans of coming-of-age tales with a touch of fantasy.

Rating: 9.5/10
A moving and beautifully crafted story that will leave your heart full and your playlist enriched.

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MY ALL TIME FAV AND CLOSE TO MY HEART ?

King the Land - Review

King the Land (2023) is a charming romantic comedy that brings lighthearted fun and feel-good moments to viewers. Starring Lee Jun-ho and Im Yoon-ah, the drama blends humor, romance, and heartfelt storytelling into a delightful package, making it an enjoyable watch for K-drama enthusiasts.

Story and Themes

The story follows Gu Won (Lee Jun-ho), a stoic and reserved chaebol heir, and Cheon Sa-rang (Im Yoon-ah), a cheerful hotelier with an infectious smile. Their worlds collide when Gu Won is forced to manage his family's luxurious hotel chain, King Hotel, and Sa-rang becomes part of his team. The drama explores themes of love, personal growth, and the pursuit of happiness while offering commentary on workplace challenges and the social divides between the wealthy and working class.

While the plot doesn't break new ground in the romantic comedy genre, its execution is charming and engaging. The narrative is simple and predictable, yet it works well because of its lovable characters and lighthearted tone.

Performances

Lee Jun-ho shines as Gu Won, delivering a nuanced performance that captures his character's transformation from cold and detached to warm and vulnerable. Im Yoon-ah is radiant as Cheon Sa-rang, bringing energy, warmth, and authenticity to her role. Their chemistry is palpable, and their interactions are filled with both heart-fluttering and comedic moments that make their love story genuinely endearing.

The supporting cast also deserves recognition, particularly Sa-rang's friends and Gu Won's hilarious rivalry with his half-sister Gu Hwa-ran (Kim Sun-young), who adds drama and humor in equal measure.

Visuals and Cinematography

The drama is visually stunning, with lavish settings that highlight the grandeur of luxury hotels and the glamorous lives of the elite. The warm color palette and vibrant cinematography enhance the romantic and comedic atmosphere, making each scene a visual treat.

Music and OST

The OST complements the tone of the drama, featuring upbeat and romantic tracks that heighten the emotional and comedic beats. While the songs may not be as iconic as those from other K-dramas, they are well-suited to the narrative and help set the mood.

Strengths

Strong chemistry between the leads.

Lighthearted and humorous tone, perfect for escapism.

Visually appealing production design and settings.

Relatable moments and endearing supporting characters.


Weaknesses

The story’s predictability and reliance on common K-drama tropes may feel uninspired for some viewers. Additionally, the character development for secondary storylines is somewhat underexplored, leaving a few subplots feeling rushed or incomplete.

Final Thoughts

King the Land is a quintessential romantic comedy that excels in providing light, heartwarming entertainment. While it may not revolutionize the genre, its delightful leads, witty humor, and wholesome moments make it a comforting watch. Fans of Lee Jun-ho and Im Yoon-ah, or anyone looking for an uplifting and easygoing drama, will find this series immensely enjoyable.

Rating: 9/10
With its delightful charm and breezy storytelling, King the Land is a sweet treat for K-drama fans craving a feel-good romance.

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It's gonna be worthit and watchable

Goblin: The Lonely and Great God - Review

Goblin: The Lonely and Great God (2016) is one of South Korea's most iconic and beloved dramas, written by Kim Eun-sook and directed by Lee Eung-bok. With its unique premise, breathtaking visuals, and a star-studded cast, the show effortlessly blends fantasy, romance, and heart-wrenching drama into a timeless masterpiece.

Story and Themes

The drama revolves around Kim Shin (played by Gong Yoo), a goblin cursed with immortality, who longs to find his bride to end his eternal life. The story takes a turn when he meets Ji Eun-tak (Kim Go-eun), a cheerful high school girl who claims to be the "Goblin's Bride." Intertwined with their love story is the mysterious Grim Reaper (Lee Dong-wook), who shares an unexpectedly hilarious and touching bromance with Kim Shin. Themes of life, death, fate, and redemption are explored in poignant ways, leaving a lasting emotional impact.

Performances

Gong Yoo delivers a masterful performance, portraying the centuries-old goblin with depth, charisma, and vulnerability. Kim Go-eun's portrayal of the optimistic and resilient Eun-tak complements Gong Yoo's character perfectly, adding warmth to their chemistry. Lee Dong-wook and Yoo In-na (as Sunny) steal the show with their subplot, a bittersweet love story that captivates viewers. The bromance between Gong Yoo and Lee Dong-wook provides much-needed comic relief while also tugging at heartstrings.

Visuals and Cinematography

The cinematography of Goblin is nothing short of stunning. From the sweeping landscapes to the intricate details of historical flashbacks, every frame feels like a piece of art. The use of lighting and symbolism enhances the show's ethereal quality, creating an immersive experience.

Music and OST

The OST is a standout feature of Goblin, with tracks like "Stay With Me" by Chanyeol and Punch, and "Beautiful" by Crush becoming instant classics. The music not only enhances the emotional depth of scenes but also adds to the drama's iconic status.

Strengths

A richly layered story that balances humor, romance, and tragedy.

Stellar performances by a talented cast.

Exceptional cinematography and production design.

A memorable and emotionally resonant soundtrack.


Weaknesses

While Goblin is widely acclaimed, some viewers might find the pacing in the middle episodes slightly slow. Additionally, the show's heavy focus on fate and destiny may feel overly dramatic to certain audiences.

Final Thoughts

Goblin: The Lonely and Great God is a must-watch for fans of fantasy and romance. Its unique story, unforgettable characters, and emotional depth make it a benchmark in K-drama history. Whether you are drawn to its supernatural elements, heartwarming relationships, or philosophical reflections on life and death, Goblin has something for everyone.

Rating: 9.5/10
A near-perfect blend of fantasy and reality, Goblin is a show that will linger in your heart long after the credits roll.

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Outstanding production, interesting and touching stories

It reminds me so much of the English series, "Black mirror" which I loved and when I came upon the trailer of "Tomorrow and I", it sparkles a huge interest in me.

Ok, I won’t compare both series, I’ll mainly share my thoughts on this.

I want to say that I’m quite impressed by the high quality of the production and also of the cinematography, the visual effects, it was great. I’m serious because as it’s from Thailand, we know that when some series use effects it’s not that good and I also know it cost probably so much. In this case, I don’t know if they had to get some sponsors or even a collaboration from an American / English team ? But omg that was really good and impressive.

Although each story is set in a fictional world, they’ve still brought some issues that can, not only resonate in Thai people but also, around the world. We are all concerned, we are all revolve around these issues. That’s why I appreciate more the concept and the messages they want to convey, especially in the last episode.

For sure, these stories are not for everyone but I’m sure, atleast one or two can relate to some people. Personally, my least favorite story is Paradystopia, however I really like the retro vibes, it was really colorful and fun to watch it but not for kids.

The first story about a scientist woman on the moon set the bar high in terms of the development of the plot, the acting (for Ink Waruntorn I was quite surprised because she’s my favorite singer and to me she did a good job interpreting her character). And again in terms of the production and visual effects.

The third story is quite sensitive as it’s about religion but it was a bit too personal so I found it very interesting and engaging. The actor who plays the monk, I’ve never seen him in other works but I really thought he was a monk for real, he’s really convincing. However, in terms of the plot, especially the ending I was a bit disappointed as I wanted maybe another proper closure.

The last story is very relatable to me (climate change) but they did in a comical way with dark humor I guess. I'm crazy but I think it was my favorite of this anthology and I was so happy to see the child actress, Tangkwa who’s really talented and a ball of ray of sunshine (I’ve seen her in some previous shows such as Jack and Joker and The Murderer), she’s a rising star let me tell you! Tthe other child actress, I don’t know her but she also did a great job and if it was her real voice, I applaud her, she’s got a really beautiful voice!
The cast was perfect, it was very engaging but I was a bit taken aback by the turn of some event, not really disappointed to be honest.

To conclude, "Tomorrow and I" delivers a nice small anthology of sci-fi stories with cultural aspects and personal elements from Thailand. I hope you can find among these 4 stories, the one that click with you.

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(B)Romance is strong

I’ve watched School 2013 but it’s been a long time ago, therefore I didn’t remember much or nothing, that’s crazy, I just know Lee Jongsuk and Kim Woobin were in it, not more.

So I think, this is a really good serie that depict mainly the special relationship (a deep friendship) of Saint and Shin, and then, in the background, there’s also some high schoolers’ conflicts.

What I really liked is that they took time to introduce little by little some events to catch our attention. The pace was good although I would sometimes find it a little bit too long or maybe, they were focusing on some details that were not that important (or even, what I didn’t consider important).

However, it was still nice to follow their journey, it’s like a bit of coming of age, family matters, friendship matters and even to adapt in this kind of society that being called « High School ».

The school bullying is still alarming, concerning along with a lot of fight scenes so it might not be for you for this part. But still, this serie was very engaging and I also think it’s mainly because of the dynamic of SaintShin (the two actors did a great job) that carry the show. Their bound is very special and precious.

Oh and I really love the intro song, it suits so much the vibes of High school frenemy.

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Like a slap in my face

I’m speechless, I mean I don’t know how to begin with.. It’s raw, beautiful, it’s daring, it’s relatable… The series set the bar high in terms of the great acting, what they want to convey and the topics they’ve brought up in it but also of course, the really nice cinematography.

It feels like, each episode is like a movie in which we kind of witness what happened around him, his feelings, his relationships. It’s like following his chapters of his life.

After watching it, I had bittersweet feelings yet I’m impressed, it was a bit too real.

Sorry it was quite short but I think I sum up my thoughts on this series.

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So Good!

Looking to escape into a drama that will make you laugh a lot but maybe cry a little but leave feeling happy?

There aren't many dramas where the ending leaves me smiling and feeling ridiculously happy and satisfied, but this one did. The Romance of Tiger and Rose is a new favorite. With how it kept me laughing while needing to know what was going to happen, it was one I couldn't stop watching. It was a bit longer than needed. Yes, it's short for a C-Drama at 24 episodes, but I felt like it could have done better with a little less of the very dramatic last 8 or so episodes. And poor Ding Yu Xi did a fantastic job acting, but the makeup (or lack of) was jarring after seeing him in other roles. Still, there wasn't much about this drama that I didn't like. It was just soooo good!

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Not nearly as bad as some people say.

The story isn't as convoluted as people were saying.

I will say one thing, though. China has no idea how to portray mental illness. The ML has bouts of PTSD from a traumatic situation where he watched a child and his mother die and the writers are like "Oh, he has some weird hallucination thing. NO IDEA WHAT'S CAUSING IT! HERE TAKE ALL THESE PILLS AND STAY AWAY FROM THE FL FOR A BUNCH OF EPISODES TO CURE IT."

It's just convoluted and messed up that this is their take on mental health. If you can overcome that significant writing hurdle, then the show isn't all that bad. Pretty typical Chinese misunderstandings/relationship drama.

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Nice blend of comedy, fluff and drama.

I have not much to say, just I was very entertained with this series.

The story is of course not the best, but the acting is top notch. The only downfall is the kissing of MLs which, in typical traditional japanse style, is a dead fish kiss. When you can overlook this point, you get a nice blend of comedy and serious elements, solid story telling and some fluffy scenes. Production quality was top notch, intro & outro song fitted also very well and overall it's really entertaining.

So, if you have not watched it and you need something more on the light side, this is for you!

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This Drama is a Glass Pearl

This drama is a glass pearl. It's almost the real thing, but not exactly. Pretty to watch and is unique in it's way, but not memorable enough. The story follows Danwu (Zhao Lusi) as she journeys through life from being a slave pearl diver to a respected and successful business women. Along her journey, Danwu meets Yan Zijing (Liu Yuning), an established merchant who mentors and paves her way into the business world.
The first few episode was great, but as the story progresses, it became a little stale. It was watchable, but not enough for me to go "oh, what's going to happen next?". Now, the story line did not grab me, but the characters as an individual did. A perfect example of great actors, but bad story writing and/or directing. Danwu is a lovely character. She is strong, willing to push through any obstacle and learns quickly to adapt to situations around her. It was not love at first sight with Yan Zijing, but he grows on me. Like most ML, he looks bad and cold on the outside but really he's a charmer after a few episodes. I especially like that he does not overshadow Danwu despite all the "power and riches" he already had. He didn't just hand them to her, she physically and mentally worked for her own. Zhang Jinran (Tang Xiaotian) was a character made to like in the very first episode to the end. He have justice, loves and care for the FL, and serves as a good love triangle. Cui Shijiu (Chole Xie) is an interesting character as a whole. I like her character set up, but her arc falls short because she never really learns from any of the tragic events that happens to her (except towards the end of the drama she finally "wakes up"). Unlike Danwu, she's hell-bent on vengeance. And unlike Yan Zijing, the writer made her vengeance scheming not so smart.
I would recommend this drama if you are a big Zhao Lusi and Liu Yuning fan. I enjoyed watching every scene between Danwu and Yan Zijing, especially the sweet romantic interactions between them. However, if you're looking for good storyline to awe you, this drama will leave you luke warm. You won't necessarily dislike it, but at the same time clicking on the next episode won't be as tempting. Will I rewatch it again? Only if I want fan service of Zhao Lusi and Liu Yuning in a drama, then maybe.

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Unexpected

I really love this Kdrama. There was not even a single episode that I don't laugh and smile. The comedy is really good with a tons of romance thingy. The backstory of the main character is not being focused on that much, which I really like because it does make this Kdrama not cliche and same as other Kdrama as they always focus on the trauma thingy on that main character.

The main couple and side couple is really outstanding! They carry their role perfectly and I can see the strong chemistry between them tho.

In conclusion, this is a really good Kdrama. It is light and fun to watch. The romance and comedy is sooo balanced that you will love it.

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Beautiful drama! Amazing cinematography and acting

This was beautiful, I could watch it just for the cinematography, it blow me away.
The actors are great, every feeling and emotions greatly represented. It was a joy to watch.
The story is pretty interesting and consistent. I know it can be repetitive (his search and constantly being healed by her), but it was enough for me, much better than those confusing dramas with messy plots. The beginning of the story is more active, but the rest of it have such interesting pace, is lovely to what their feelings deepen, their live obsessions change, the importance of very little moment together. If you appreciate a poetic life of honor and commitment, this drama is for you.

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