Twinkling Watermelon tells the story of aCODA boy with a natural talent formusic, who fights with his father to pursue his dream of becoming aguitarist in a band. After the fight, he travels back in time to 1995. He joins a band with his childhood father and forms a band called Watermelon Sugar with the suspicious youths he meets there, and communicates with them through music.[4]
Ha Eun-Gyeol is the youngest son of a nuclear family, his elder brother and parents are deaf and mute. Eun-gyeol has passion and talent for music, which he develops further with a lonely old man who runs a guitar shop. Eun-gyeol secretly performs in street busking shows and becomes a part of a band.
While performing on a stage show, Eun-gyeol is caught by his father Yi-chan who is disappointed to hear he dreams of a career in music. In an outburst of anger, Eun-gyeol tells him he's not their family interpreter and can not live only to satisfy his expectations. He decides to quit music after the altercation and attempts to sell his guitar at a mysterious shop and gets transported back in time to 1995.
He meets Yi-chan as a highschool student and is astonished to see he does not have speech or hearing impediments. He befriends him, joins his band and makes it his mission to ensure he does not get into an accident that caused him to lose his hearing. Yi-chan is pursuing music to impress Choi Se-Kyung, a popular cello player. He stumbles across Yoon Chung-Ah, who is extremely reserved.
Choi Se-Kyung's behavior changes almost overnight, being more outgoing and bubbly with Yi-chan and his friends. Eun-gyeol learns his mom Chung-Ah is mistreated by her stepmother and is prohibited from learning sign language. He convinces her father to let him teach her sign language. Eun-gyeol later learns Se-Kyung is actually Eun-yoo (Se-Kyung's daughter) who also time travelled like him. Gradually, Eun-gyeol and Se-Kyung develop feelings for each other and so do Chung-Ah and Yi-Chan.
Eun-Gyeol thwarts multiple dangerous situations that risk Yi-chan's life. He also helps Chung-Ah's father bond with her better and expose the stepmother and her children for mistreating her. Despite all of Eun-Gyeol's efforts, Yi-chan gets severely wounded in a car accident while attempting to save Eun-Gyeol. He loses his hearing and is heartbroken but Eun-gyeol pursuades him to never give up.
Shortly after, Eun-Gyeol is transported back to his present life and is initially disappointed that he couldn't save his father. But, he learns that the school band had not grown apart. Chung-Ah's dad had helped them financially and best of all, Yi-chan still pursues music, overcoming his disability. He also meets and reunites with Eun-yoo.
Eun-gyeol is the only hearing person (CODA) in a family of deaf people. He is a model student by day, and a guitarist in the band at night. After having an argument with his father, where his father learned of his musical interest, Eun-gyeol time slips to 1995 and meets his parents when they were younger. He strives to know more about his parents' youths and shine their lives.
Yi-chan is a hot-blooded boy who seems to have jumped out of a cheerful cartoon. He lives with his grandmother who owned an accommodation house named Snail House. In the present, Yi-chan is Eun-gyeol and Eun-ho's father, who can neither longer speak nor hear. He is proud of Eun-gyeol's achievements as a model student at school who he hopes will become a doctor.
Choi Se-kyung is the cello goddess of Seowon Arts High School who was considered to be everyone's muse with her innocent beauty and elegant aura reminiscent of a scene in a movie. She was idolized by many boys either from her school or neighboring schools. Se-kyung is the daughter of the owner of Viva Music, a store that existed during Eun-gyeol's childhood. In the present, she has inherited the Viva Music store which has been redeveloped into a luxurious home. She keeps her father's handmade guitar, which she gives to Eun-gyeol as her father had wished.
On Eun-yoo: Se-kyung's daughter who looks exactly like her during her youth. Her mother dolls her up and forces her to become a cellist to follow in her footsteps. She lives in a disharmonious family until she is 18 years old, when her parents divorce. Upset with her mother's controlling behavior and her drinking habit, and after finding out that her father has remarried, she time slips to 1995 so that she can find her mother's first love, and cease her existence.
As a child, Chung-ah was a cold and isolated girl who was born deaf. She dreams of a sparkling life like the great Mexican painterFrida Kahlo. Chung-ah is aloof towards other people except to Choi Se-kyung, who is much friendlier toward her. In the present, she is the loving mother of Eun-gyeol and Eun-ho and owns a chicken restaurant.
Ma-joo is the band manager and Yi-chan's childhood friend. He is knowledgeable and resourceful. In 2023, Ma-joo owns MJ Entertainment who manages a famous rockstar Yoon Dong-jin.
A genius bassist, Hyun-yul was a former member of gangster and bullies called Jindo Dog. After meeting Choi Hyun, the owner of Baekya Music Store, he changed his life and started focusing on music.
Eun-ho is Eun-gyeol's older brother who is born deaf and dreams of becoming a national Paralympics taekwondo athlete. Due to his handsome appearance, Eun-ho is popular on social media, to which he has been addicted since childhood.
Choi Hyun is the owner of musical instrument store Baekya Music, later renamed as Viva Music. He was a famous rock star whose popularity decreased after his girlfriend became pregnant. His girlfriend is actually Choi Se-gyeong's real mother. He is supportive of aspiring musicians who seek his advice about music even later in life, when he tutors Eun-gyeol on the guitar.
Jung Sang-hoon as master of the mysterious musical instrument store La Vida Music. Through the store, Eun-gyeol and Eun-yoo time travel to 1995. He keeps in touch with both time travelers through their dreams by calling them on phones, even broken ones.[20]
Woo Je-yeon as On Ji-hwan,[23] a second-year student at Myeongsae University Medical School who serves as vocalist and guitarist for the band Golden Mess. He is Choi Se-gyeong's boyfriend and later her husband, and also Eun-yoo's father. However, their marriage falls apart because of their different approaches to parenting.
Kim Tae-woo as Yoon Geon-hyung,[24] Cheong-ah's father who is the chairman of Jinseong Musical Instruments. As a businessman, he frequently travels so he has no idea how abusive Cheong-ah's step mother is.
Kim Joo-ryoung as Lim Ji-mi,[25] Cheong-ah's live-in tutor and later stepmother who serves as chairwoman of Seowon Arts High School Foundation. She uses harsh methods to torture Cheong-ah, who will be the next chairwoman of Jinseong Group.
Kwon Do-hyung as Yoon Joo-yeop,[24] Lim Ji-mi's biological son and Cheong-ah's stepbrother.
Lee Soo-min as Yoon Sang-ah,[24] Lim Ji-mi's biological daughter and Cheong-ah's stepsister who is a student at Seowon Arts High School. She looks down on poor boys no matter how handsome they are.
On September 5, 2023, production companyPan Entertainment announced that it has signed a production and supply contract withStudio Dragon forTwinkling Watermelon worth 15.6 billion won.[8]
Twinkling Watermelon was ranked number one in viewership in twelve regions including the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Germany, Netherlands, Belgium, Czechia, Denmark, Sweden, New Zealand, Saudi Arabia, and more in the week the drama's finale episode was released. Furthermore, it also charted in the top five in 64 countries.[31]
Twinkling Watermelon : South Korea viewers per episode (thousands)
Season
Episode number
Average
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
1
644
664
738
1040
808
801
803
694
860
788
744
833
823
850
771
972
802
Source:Audience measurement performed nationwide byNielsen Korea.[32]
In the table above, theblue numbers represent the lowest ratings and thered numbers represent the highest ratings.
This series aired on a cable channel/pay TV which normally has a relatively smaller audience compared to free-to-air TV/public broadcasters (KBS,SBS,MBC andEBS).
According toGood Data Corporation,Twinkling Watermelon concluded by setting a record for rising buzzworthiness share for seven consecutive weeks and securing first place in TV+OTT drama buzzworthiness in its final week. In the week it concluded,Choi Hyun-wook ranked third,Ryeoun fifth, andShin Eun-soo eighth in TV+OTT drama performer buzzworthiness.[33]
^abcShin, Young-eun (August 18, 2023).'반짝이는 워터멜론' 려운·최현욱·설인아·신은수, 대본리딩 현장 공개 [Ryeo-woon, Choi Hyun-wook, Seol In-ah, and Shin Eun-soo, revealed script reading scene for 'Twinkling Watermelon'].Star Today (in Korean).Archived from the original on August 18, 2023. RetrievedAugust 18, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Jang, Jin-ri (December 14, 2022).팬엔터테인먼트, 부진했던 편성이 내년에 몰린다 [The sluggish line-up of Pan Entertainment will be concentrated next year].Infostock Daily (in Korean).Archived from the original on August 15, 2023. RetrievedJuly 12, 2023.
^abShin, Hwang-sub.팬엔터테인먼트, 드라마 '반짝이는 워터멜론' 제작계약 [Pan Entertainment Drama 'Twinkling Watermelon' production contract] (in Korean).Newsis.Archived from the original on September 13, 2023. RetrievedSeptember 5, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Choi, Na-young (July 25, 2023).'남남'·'브로 앤 마블'→'워터멜론'·'낮뜨달'... 라쿠텐 비키, 하반기 K-라인업 ['Namnam', 'Bro & Marvel' → 'Twinkling Watermelon', 'Daylight Moon'... Second half K-lineup of Rakuten Viki].Osen (in Korean).Archived from the original on July 28, 2023. RetrievedJuly 28, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Lee, Yi-jin (September 26, 2023).'반짝이는 워터멜론' 려운, 코다로 열연...힐링 휴먼극 예고 [전일야화] [Healing drama review: 'Twinkling Watermelon' actor Ryeoun gives a passionate performance].Xports News (in Korean).Archived from the original on September 26, 2023. RetrievedSeptember 26, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Jang, Jin-ri (February 21, 2023).단독]설인아, '반짝이는 워터멜론' 여주인공... 진수완 손잡고 '안방 꽃길' [Exclusive: Seol In-ah casts as female lead in 'Twinkling Watermelon' by Jin Soo-wan].SPOTV (in Korean).Archived from the original on August 14, 2023. RetrievedJuly 12, 2023 – viaNate.
^Yoo, Jung-min (September 4, 2023).이소연, '반짝이는 워터멜론' 출연 확정...만인의 첫사랑 어른 '세경役' [Lee So-yeon confirmed to appear in 'Twinkling Watermelon' as the adult Se-kyung... Everyone's first love].Ten Asia (in Korean).Archived from the original on September 4, 2023. RetrievedSeptember 4, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Jang, Jin-ri (February 21, 2023).단독]신은수, '진수완 픽' 됐다...'반짝이는 워터멜론' 캐스팅 [Exclusive: Shin Eun-soo is Jin Soo-wan's choice for the cast of 'Twinkling Watermelon'].SpoTV News (in Korean).Archived from the original on August 14, 2023. RetrievedJuly 12, 2023.
^abcd인물소개 (5) [Character Introduction (5)].TVN (in Korean).Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. RetrievedSeptember 6, 2023.
^abChoi, Hee-jae (November 16, 2023).워터멜론' 신은수 "결말? 다들 우느라 바빠... 아기쀼 듣고 충격" [인터뷰]② ['Twinkling Watermelon' Shin Eun-soo: "Ending? Everyone is busy crying... I'm shocked to hear the baby bump" [Interview]].E-Daily (in Korean).Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. RetrievedNovember 18, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Ha, Kyung-heon (November 15, 2023).류수영 '반짝이는 워터멜론' 마지막회 특별출연 존재감 [Ryu Soo-young makes a special appearance in the final episode of 'Twinkling Watermelon'].Spots Kyunghyang (in Korean).Archived from the original on November 18, 2023. RetrievedNovember 18, 2023 – viaNaver.
^[단독] 최원영, 진수완 작가 '반짝이는 워터멜론' 합류 [Exclusive: Choi Won-young and Jin Soo-wan became joint writers in 'Twinkling Watermelon'].JTBC (in Korean). March 7, 2023.Archived from the original on August 7, 2023. RetrievedJune 24, 2023.
^abcdeHwang, Hye-jin (August 18, 2023).최현욱→신은수 '반짝이는 워터멜론' 대본리딩 포착, 찬란한 청춘들 [A brilliant youth: Choi Hyun-wook and Shin Eun-soo captured the script reading of 'Twinkling Watermelon'].Newsen (in Korean).Archived from the original on August 18, 2023. RetrievedAugust 18, 2023 – viaNaver.
^인물 소개 – 달팽이 하숙집 [Character Introduction: Snail Boarding House].TVN (in Korean).Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. RetrievedSeptember 7, 2023.
^Cha, Hye-young (August 23, 2023).이석형, '반짝이는 워터멜론' 출연 확정...하숙집 대학생 '정발산' 役 [Lee Seok-hyung confirmed to appear in 'Twinkling Watermelon' as boarding house college student 'Jeong Bal-san'].Ten Asia (in Korean).Archived from the original on August 23, 2023. RetrievedAugust 23, 2023 – viaNaver.
^ab인물 소개 – 은결의 인연들 [Character introduction: Eun-gyeol's relationships].TVN (in Korean).Archived from the original on October 22, 2023. RetrievedSeptember 6, 2023.
^Lee, Chang-gyu (August 30, 2023).김주령, '반짝이는 워터멜론' 합류...신은수 母 등극 [Kim Joo-ryeong joins 'Twinkling Watermelon' as Shin Eun-soo's mother].Xports News (in Korean).Archived from the original on August 30, 2023. RetrievedAugust 30, 2023 – viaNaver.
^abc인물 소개 – 그 외 인물들 [Character introduction: Other characters].TVN (in Korean).Archived from the original on October 4, 2023. RetrievedSeptember 6, 2023.
^Ryu, Ye-ji.[공식] 연오, '반짝이는 워터멜론' 출연 확정 [Official: Yeon-oh confirmed to appear in 'Twinkling Watermelon'].Ten Asia (in Korean).Archived from the original on October 2, 2023. RetrievedSeptember 18, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Hwang, Ye-jin (September 7, 2023).윤도현, 3년간 암투병 끝 완치→배우 복귀 확정 (반짝이는 워터멜론) [After being fully recovered from a three-year battle with cancer, Yoon Do-hyun confirmed to return to act in Sparkling Watermelon].Newsen (in Korean).Archived from the original on September 7, 2023. RetrievedSeptember 7, 2023 – viaNaver.
^Noh, Yi-seul (November 22, 2023).'반짝이는 워터멜론', 미국·영국부터 사우디까지 64개국 톱5... "코다 드라마, 새로운 경험" [A Korean drama with brilliant experience... 'Twinkling Watermelon' ranked Top 5 in 64 countries from the US and UK to Saudi Arabia].Sports W (in Korean).Archived from the original on November 22, 2023. RetrievedNovember 22, 2023.
(in Korean)
