Viva La Vida✨🍉:Long Live Life!

       Viva La Vida✨🍉:Long Live Life!

                        Here’s a thing about life…It may not give you everything you want, 

                               but it does hide small present for you from time to time…

                                                                -Twinkling Watermelon

                              

                                     

Drama Name: Twinkling Watermelon

Genre: Fantasy, Romance, Coming-of-age, Time travel

Year: 2023

Origin: South Korea

Number of episodes: 16

This drama “Twinkling Watermelon” is undoubtedly one of the best dramas I’ve watched so far. This kdrama is already receiving praises from everywhere and why not? The story telling, plot, setting, cast and characters are executed beautifully in a very soothing manner. The warm, cozy, wholesome vibe of the drama feels like eating a cool slice of watermelon on a summer day. Or like busking in the sun on a winter morning.

         

                                        

The story starts with showing a CODA (Child of Deaf Adult) child, Ha Eun Gyeol & his family. His parents might not hear anything but raised Eun Gyeol and  Eun Ho, who was also deaf, lovingly. Yet he feels burdened at times while taking responsibility of his familys’ on his shoulder as feeling like the voice that connects his family to the world.

In this series, Music plays a very important role. Music is shown as a medium a person connects with his emotions. Music is what connected Eun Gyeol to grandpa Viva, owner of an instrumental shop Viva music, who teaches Eun Gyeol guitar and brings out the prodigious talent for guitar in him.

”There are major and minor chords. You could say major chords sound happy while minor chords sound sad and gloomy. Major and minor chords must co-exist harmoniously for a song to sound delightful and happy. The same goes for life. Experiencing hardships and joyful moments helps you building your dazzling life”

                                       -Grandpa Viva; Twinkling Watermelon

However, Eun Gyeol ends up hiding his passion for music from his family and keeps maintaining the model student life fulfilling his parents wish.Things happen, years pass, in 2023, his father (Ha Yi Chan) comes to know that Eun Gyeol has joined a band secretly.

After an argument with his father Eun Gyeol finds himself in front of a magical instrumental shop LA VIDA MUSIC, appeared out of nowhere. Heartbroken and guilty Eun Gyeol sells his guitar there and collides with Ha Yichan after coming out of the store.

                                       

No! Not his dad Yi Chan. I mean, yes, his dad Yi Chan, but the 18 years old Yi Chan in 1995! Yes! Without any knowledge he travels back to 1995 and meets his dad, who asked him, “Are you Yoon Dongjin?” thinking he might be the guy he was looking for. Yes. Eun Gyeol found him well, healthy, talking and listening. His dad wasn’t born deaf. He could hear. How? So what had happened?

Most importantly, what will happen now?

That’s all. Not sharing any more of the story with you. No spoilers ahead. If you are already invested, go and watch it! But let me share a some of my thoughts with you:

                                                                                    

                                    

The majority of the plot is in the 1995 setting. Personally, I love the 90’s. So, I enjoyed the atmosphere a lot. The era was hard enough to find information about Eun Gyeol, who came out of nowhere and easy enough for Yi Chan to believe he might be some runaway teenager whom he let stay with him at his heolmeoni’s (grandma in Korean language) place. They became friends and started a band with Yi Chan’s classmates because Yi Chan wanted to impress a girl, Se Gyeong. (Not Eun Gyeol’s mother Yoon Cheong Ah). Can you imagine what must’ve gone through Eun Gyeol? Ha…ha…ha

   *while fighting

Eun Gyeol: “Appaaaa!!!!… you're cheating at the age of 18? You should be in love with Yoon Cheong Ah!

Yi Chan: Who’s Yoon Cheong Ah???........ *still fighting and struggling

                                    (Scene from Twinkling Watermelon)

Poor Yi Chan. :) 

Yi Chan & Eun Gyeol, the father- son chaotic duo, was one of a kind! Their fight, banter, fun and shared passion for music was absolutely humorous and delightful.Their bonding at every timeline, as friends or as father-son was beautiful and emotionally impactful. Throughout the series, the humor was at its peak. And obviously, their band!! “Watermelon Sugar”! Established in 1995. Loved it! There's a little story/inspiration behind naming the band "Watermelon Sugar" from "First Love Memory Manipulator" too! & the whole band thing was faboulous. Throughout the drama they played some popular & enjoyable 90's popular Korean song, which might have been really appealing to the native viewers. But we international audience enjoyed them too!

                  “ Music is something you can feel with your eyes, mind and heart”

                                                                 -Ha Yi Chan

                                                

“You lied that you’re my son, right? For some reason you were like my father. Even though I have never experienced a father's love. I get to experience something similar thanks to you. In my next life, I’ll be born as your father.” (Ha Yi Chan to Ha Eun Gyeol, 1995}

Another Important aspect of the series was Sign language. Incredibly shown. Not just as a method to communicate but to show what communication itself is! You’ll always find a way to communicate with whom you love no matter what! That’s what we saw when Yi Chan’s grandma gave a warm hug to Cheong Ah, Yi Chan learnt sign language just for her, when Eun Gyeol taught her sign language when no one taught her, telling her that he learnt sign language from his mother with tears in his eyes….

Every moment Ha Eun Gyeol spent with his parents was important, emotional, and beautiful. As Ha Yi Chan of the present had said, Eun Gyeol was an angel. True! He saved Cheong Ah from all abuses. He saved On Eun Yu from depression and suicidal thoughts.

“ You don’t have to try so hard to be impressive. Continuing to live is already a great feat.”

                                                                     -Ha Eun Gyeol

Yet among all, Ha Yi Chan gets some bonus points from me. Ha Yi Chan is a total vibe! Yi Chan was truly a shining, positive, bright character. The name Shining voice suits him. As Cheong Ah said, he shines the best when he sings. His childish behavior may make him look immature. But his concern about getting his dad’s restaurant back for his grandma, working rather than going to college to take care of her, his looking after everyone shows how mature he is! A perfect 18 years old. His getting confessed from Cheong Ah and him later confessing his feelings for her are my favorite scenes! (No spoiler). Also, all of them going on a trip for a music camp scenes were pretty fun and refreshing! 

                              

                                        “You own your feelings, I own mine”

                                                                        -Yoon Cheong Ah

 In a scene where he dreams of a life he wants, he doesn't miss anyone he loves, his grandma, Cheong Ah, Eun Gyeol, the other sugar boys, whom he thought Se Gyeong too! I’m sure he had a similar experience though Eun Gyeol hadn't been there.

                        

             “You can never get back your  youth, You need to let loose and have some fun”

                                                                          -Ha Yi Chan 

Overall, Twinkling Watermelon was a refreshing youth drama. You can totally get the refreshment, excitement of being a 18 year old high schooler, trying to twinkle in your youth. It’s a journey of fun, friendship, music and love.

                                          

                                                             ~✨~

                                          

I am not someone who looks for life lessons in a series, but subtly this drama teach us so many things... All our dreams may not be fulfilled, we may not get the career we imagined when we were young. Life always won’t end up the way we want. However, we shouldn't give up. Life always has something beautiful for us. Didn't Yi Chan end up becoming the face of Goliath series?- guitars that can spark other guitarists' lives? 

While watching the drama, at times you will giggle, at times you will laugh, at times you will weep like a child. This drama is full of humor, emotion, friendship with a hint of romance. Despite being a time travel story, the plot is easily understandable. You’ll think and realize your parents' feelings as well. Once they were young too, they had their fair share of struggles too which they overcame just to be your parents. It will motivate you to twinkle and shine bright in your youth! Kudos to all the cast & crew for this amazing project.

Tried to review it giving minimum spoilers and referring to some key points which you'll only understand after finishing it! 

                        

 

‘“Let yourself twinkle while you can. Do things that will make your heart flutter. It won't make your world come crashing down”

                                                                       -Ha Eun Ho 

Recommended for everyone! 

Happy watching!

                                             

                                           “Viva La Vida” - painting by Frida Kahlo

                                                          (Viva La Vida means - “Long Live Live”)

Written by: Nishat Tasnim Zannat