#yoon chungah

[skelitist]

twinkling watermelon headers (2/3)

[suhosieun]

just realised that ha eunho literally has the exact same personality as yichan (but chungah's face!) and that's why eungyeol's dynamic with the 18 year old version of his dad is the SAME as his dynamic with eunho

[spaceymarz]

EPISODE 8 IS ENTIRELY TOO CUTE 😭😭😭

if i had a son who loves his parents the way Ha Eungyeol loves his, nothing in the world would be able to dim my spirits 😖 watching him look after Yichan this whole time was adoreable, but there's something SO touching about the way he takes care of Chungah.

when he cried for her, my heart felt like it was getting crushed. imagine meeting your mom as a teenager, helpless in such a shitty situation? how could they not even let her speak sign language? he's already physically protected her from her "mom", fought bodyguards for her, become her sign language tutor, and become her friend. even way before he ever met Chungah's 18 year old self, he's been trying to keep Yichan away from his teenage crush until he can meet Chungah, so she will be his first love. he's been protecting her feelings this entire time 🥺

and the ROMANCE 🤧 Yichan is slowly going to Chungah, who is already so far gone she's drawing his name inside a heart in the fog on her bedroom window, and Eungyeol and Sekyung-idal slowly going to each other 🥺🥺 Eungyeul's confession at the end that was partly because of his feelings for Sekyung-idal, and partly because of his determination to pair Yichan with Chungah 😖 these guys deserve everything good in life

[taysbrainvomit]

Twinkling Watermelon Finale

I loved the show, i really did, it was one of the first shows I've watched without over analyzing things or trying to type characters on their MBTI with their cognitive functions. I also don't tend to enjoy kdramas with high schoolers but this was nice, plus slice of life is my jam, i seriously love the genre. The ending of the show was in my opinion not amazing, it felt rushed, i also thought the whole point of everything happening regardless of eun gyeol trying to stop it was so that he could learn to accept it as is and then make an effort with his family and have better communication while expressing himself. I understand that because of his interference in the past certain things like his maternal grandfather being present would make sense, but it was an extremely big jump from the 2023 he left. Not only that but if all these changes occurred then shouldn't eun gyeol's past have changed, his memories, the way he grew up all of that would be affected. Idk if im putting too much thought into it but it felt like that. They didnt give any insight on eun yu's parents after her trip back, like zero zilch. I just think it was too much of a change from the 2023 life he left behind to the 2023 life he entered

[theinfinitedivides]

remember how people kept saying that the biggest threat to JangChae was Ryang Eum (the 'snake' and 'two faced homosexual [yes literally saw those words in a comment before it had gotten deleted in the MDL comment section for other unsavory remarks made about the other actors. i can call my son and myself a homosexual bc we are one but not like how they were trying to convey it tyvm]') and Gak Hwa/Qing Princess (the Jang Hyun obsessed bounty hunter who has a choking kink) but the actual threat turned out to be the straight men (Mr. F*ckass General Ex, the f*ckass king and newly minted f*ckass husband Yeon Joon) bc they weren't sh*t and a half. funny how that happened

[kpoptimeout]

My Top 10 K-Dramas of 2020 - What’s Yours?

2020 has ended after feeling like it was never ending and K-Dramaland has once again brought us so many goodies this year. As per our blog’s tradition [For 2019 faves click here], below are my Top 10 favs of the year (my faves in alphabetical order so it might not be yours so please don’t judge). (For our blog’s 2020 music ratings, click here!)

My only specific criteria is that the show must have had started in 2020 to be considered a 2020 series but like last year, I have allowed one drama starting very late in 2019 to make the list.

Without further ado, check the list below!

Crash Landing On You (tvN/Netflix)

While it started in December 2019, “Crash Landing On You” is certainly the Rom-Com of the year that swept the world by storm. It was possibly the K-Drama most people knew about and everyone rejoiced when the leads Hyun Bin and Son Yejin admitted to being a couple on 1 January 2021. 

One might say “Crash Landing On You” has generic plot - two people from vastly different worlds meeting through a crazy accident and developing feelings as a result, the choice of using North and South Korea as the two worlds provided unique social commentary and the opportunity for lots of interesting shenanigans. This is not the first series to feature a romance between a North and South Korean lead (see 2012’s “The King 2 Hearts”, which was also stellar), but it is definitely a more light-hearted take which is fun to watch. Additionally, the series is filled with fleshed out and lovable side characters.

While North Korean refugees interviewed by media outlets point out that the typical North Korean captain would not have the looks of Hyun Bin, most of them agree that the production team did their research as the everyday life of typical North Koreans were recreated quite accurately - from the types of furniture and household appliances they use, to the type of K-Dramas they watch in secret.

If you enjoy a good Rom-Com and an interesting premise, this is the K-Drama for you!

Extracurricular (Netflix)

Being a Netflix only series with no counterpart on Korean television, “Extracurricular” was able to explore the dark side of South Korean youth life which is not discussed on traditional South Korean media platforms. We are thrown into the life of a nerdy high school student played by Kim Dong Hee, who is actually effectively abandoned by his family and making ends meet secretly as an illegal prostitution ring mastermind.

The story unravels as the star student played by So Minhee discovers the schemes of Kim Dong Hee’s character and begins to blackmail him. Not to give too many spoilers, but it will prove difficult to balance his double life and the whole journey is captured superbly by the main cast’s stellar acting.

If you are a fan of dark and realistic teen dramas, this is the series for you!

Hospital Playlist (tvN/Netflix)

The team behind the “Reply” series and “Prison Playbook” returns with a few familiar faces so we all knew when the trailers dropped that we were in for a treat. As expected, the fabulous acting of the main cast, the wonderful storylines and also medically accurate procedures (according to my doctor friends), combined to make “Hospital Playlist” one of the most endearing dramas of the year.

Set in the fictional Yulje Medical Centre, we follow the lives of 5 doctors who met in college and their respective medical teams. Jo Jung-suk acts as a prankster and fun dad who is also a genius doctor. Yoo Yeon-seok plays a pediatric surgeon who is dead set on becoming a priest. Jung Kyung-ho acts as a cardiologist who seems cold-hearted (pun intended), but of course isn’t really. Kim Dae-myung plays a gynaecologist who is a mummy’s boy and has family drama galore. And finally Jeon Mi-do completes the set as a neurosurgeon who is lowkey the only adult in the friend group and who everyone wants to be when they grow up.

The drama throws us into the day to day runnings in the hospital without too much introductions and it actually made the characters all the more real because it was like we were just casually witnessing their everyday lives. The realisms of the show is furthered by the fact that even side characters like nurses and medical students have meaningful storylines of their own. We honestly cannot wait for Season 2 to air in May 2021!

Itaewon Class (JTBC/Netflix)

A remake of a popular Webtoon, “Itaewon Class” is a feel-good David and Goliath story where the male lead played by Park Seojun goes on a journey to avenge his father and chooses to do so without bending his morals at any point in time and making many friends along the way.

This series stood out by providing very diverse lead characters including a sociopath, a former convict, a trans woman, an illegitimate son and a Blasian trying to find acceptance in South Korea. All their stories highlight the different social issues and the stigmas many face navigating through life and is touching and relatable in many ways.

If you love a show with a positive social message, this is the show for you!

Sweet Home (Netflix)

Another webtoon remake by Netflix, “Sweet Home” follows a group of survivors in an apartment complex after all hell breaks loose in South Korea, as people begin to transform into monsters based on their greatest fears and regrets. 

Every character has interesting backstories that are slowly revealed as they try to survive together, while battling monsters that are generated by the team behind many Marvel Cinematic Universe blockbusters. The main cast led by Song Kang, Lee Jin Wook, Lee Siyoung and Lee Dohyun also acted extremely well, with Lee Siyoung grabbing a lot of attention with her ripped superhero physique. Kim Namhee also had a breakout performance as the survivor who favours a Korean sword and hopefully would continue to get more roles following years playing minor characters.

If you enjoy apocalypse thrillers that explore human nature, you would love “Sweet Home”!

The Uncanny Counter (OCN/Netflix)

Okay, Netflix is really funding all the webtoon adaptions because “The Uncanny Counter” is yet another one. Currently the highest rated OCN drama in the cable channel’s history, this webtoon adaption follows a disabled orphaned teenage boy who gains superpowers and joins a demon-banishing team of other super-powered beings (who own a noodle shop on the side) called the Counters, while the mystery of his parents’ death plays a key role in the story.

This somewhat cliché set-up is done in a fun and enjoyable way and it is great to see the talented Jo Byung Gyu finally cast as a male lead! Kim Sejeong has also further improved in her acting and is a loveable badass in this series. 

If you love a ghost/spirit busting mystery and just the superhero genre in general, you would enjoy “The Uncanny Counter”!

VIP (SBS)

“VIP” is a drama following a luxury brand’s VIP service team. While it has office drama, intrigue and power plays in almost every episode, it is arguably more of a drama about womanhood than anything else. With 4 female leads, 3 of whom are in their late 30s, the series accurately depicts the concerns women face reaching that age, whether they are married or unmarried, with children or not. 

Jang Nara plays a successful business woman and a co-worker to her husband played by Lee Sang Yoon. Born in a privileged background with a seemingly loving husband, all seems well until she has suspicions of her husband having an affair. This drives her to investigate and through her findings, she instead uncovers more stories of her other female co-workers, like the rumour-tainted but very cool section chief played by Lee Chungah and the stressed and depressed mother of two played by Kwak Sunyoung.

If you want a spicy office drama that also has meaningful discussions about working women in South Korea, VIP is the best drama for that!

The World of the Married (JTBC)

Overtaking JTBC’s “Sky Castle” to be highest rated cable TV K-Drama of all time, this 2020 production also by JTBC is a remake of BBC series “Doctor Foster” but highly localised to fit the Korean narrative.

Kim Hee-ae plays a successful doctor with a film director husband and a teenage son. Her life seems picture perfect until she discovers her husband’s infidelity. But unlike in “VIP”, where the female lead actually bonds with other women along the way, Kim Hee-ae’s character would quickly learn that she was in fact betrayed by everyone around her - they all knew her husband was cheating and have been pretty supportive of this whole affair.

While highly dramatised, the suspicions of the husband’s infidelity, the discovery, the subsequent divorce and schemes for revenge are all done tastefully and is a reason why it struck a chord with the general public, especially married women watching the show.

If you love mess and chaos and seeing douchebags destroyed, “World of the Married” is the perfect drama for you!

18 Again (JTBC)

JTBC really has a knack for remakes. This remake of the movie “17 Again” starring Zac Efron is also adapted seamlessly to fit Korean culture and social issues e.g. teen pregnancy, divorce, women’s careers after being a parent and parent-child relations. 

Kim Haneul and Yoon Sanghyun truly acted out the energy of a long-married couple and Lee Dohyun did extremely well in encapsulating Yoon Sanghyun’s mannerism as his de-aged counterpart. This boy is truly on a roll this year (he is also in “Sweet Home”). Also, the younger cast of this show were also very likeable and well flesh-outed and by the end of the series you are rooting for all of them to do well.

If you love a slice of life drama with a little fantastical element, you would love “18 Again”!

365: Repeat the Year (MBC)

Based on the Japanese novel “Repeat” by Kurumi Inui, “365 Days: Repeat the Year” follows this social experiment where 10 individuals are given the opportunity to travel 1 year back in time. As all 10 individuals try to remedy their mistakes and become better people, the experiment takes a sinister turn as the time-travellers begin to die one after another.

The veteran detective played by Lee Joohyuk and the mystery webtoon artist played by Nam Jihyun team up together with other time travellers to uncover the secrets behind travelling back in time and learn about the past lives of everyone chosen for the project.

If you enjoy a well-thought out time-travelling series that involves some alternate reality battle royale shenanigans, this is the series for you!

Honourable Mentions:

Kingdom (Season 2) (Netflix): The ancient zombie drama is back and still as strong as ever - one of the best zombie series on air right now.

Start-Up (tvN/Netflix): Loveable rom-com set in the start-up world in South Korea with one of the most hotly debated love triangles in this year’s K-Drama world.

Hi Bye, Mama! (tvN/Netflix): When a woman reincarnates to meet her husband and child again 5 years after her tragic death, only to find he has since remarried.

What’s your Top 10 K-Dramas of the Year? Leave your thoughts in the comments section below and may the drama sharing begin (and the road to more excuse for holiday procrastination!)

Also, if you want to check out underrated K-Pop songs of 2020, here are the lists for idol songs and artist songs. 

[dontreallycareaboutthename]

2011 And the award goes to..

Drama of the Year - Secret Garden

Disappointment of the Year - The Greatest Love

Something Went Wrong - Me Too, Flower, You’ve Fallen For Me, Lie To Me

Channel of the Year - ?

Best Drama - Secret Garden, Princess’ Man, Scent Of A Woman

Best Comedy - Secret Garden, Protect The Boss, Flower Boy Ramyun Shop

Best Actor - Hyun Bin as Kim JooWon (Secret Garden), Park ShiHoo as Kim SeungYoo (Princess’ Man)

Best Actress - Ha JiWon as Gil RaIm (Secret Garden), Moon ChaeWon as Lee SeRyung (Princess’ Man)

Best Rookie (Discovery) - Lee JongSuk, Yoo InNa (Secret Garden), Kim SooHyun (Dream High)

Best Couple - Lee MinHo as Lee YoonSung/John Lee/Poo Chai and Park MinYoung as Kim NaNa (City Hunter), Moon ChaeWon as Lee SeRyung and Park ShiHoo as Kim SeungYoo (Princess’ Man), Hyun Bin as Kim JooWon and Ha JiWon as Gil RaIm (Secret Garden)

Best Couple That Did Not Happen - Bae Suzy as Go HyeMi and TaecYeon as Jin Gook/Hyun ShiHyuk (Dream High)

Best Kiss - Jung IlWoo as Cha ChiSoo and Lee ChungAh as Yang EunBi (Flower Boy Ramyun Shop)

Best Bromance (with a twist hehe) - Ji Sung as Cha JiHeon and Kim JaeJoong as Cha MooWon (Protect The Boss)

Triangle of Death - Kim SooHyun, TaecYeon, WooYoung (Dream High)

Best OST - Scent Of A Woman, Secret Garden, Dream High

Best Innovation (Content) - Scent Of A Woman, Dream High

Special Award - City Hunter

Per usual, no more than 3 mentions in each category (with rare exceptions). I haven’t seen White Christmas starring sooo many models-turned-actors, 49 days (because it seems like there is no happy ending) and Warrior Baek DongSoo (you can actually see even from promotional stuff how Ji ChangWook have changed in terms of the way his face looks). Even though The Greatest Love has so many nice actors I could not finished it as I was bored as heck. I was optimistic for Me Too, Flower because of Yoon ShiYoon but.. Honestly, I just think he tends to pick wrong projects. I do hope his next drama (The Best Hit) will be a big success as he is a very good actor. Secret Garden is a big winner of 2011! Wonderful drama. I cannot believe Lee JongSuk, Yoo InNa, Kim SooHyun just started to rise to fame!!! It seems like they are in this industry forever. I loved seeing JaeJoong regularly on my screen hehehe 2011 was rich in terms of great OST.

[bigwanjeog]

[suhosieun]

Some Twinkling Watermelon moments that I will never get over

Ha Yichan's "Special thanks to Ha Eungyeol" voice message: Eungyeol's own DAD telling him that he felt like Eungyeol was his father & made him feel the love & care of a father he never had! Calling him "Son" & promising that he'll be born as his father in his next life. And Grandmother's voice in the background nagging him to come & eat being the cherry on the top

Yichan in shambles trying to send a fax to ask Chungah to accompany him to music camp while sitting in a pile of attempted letters he failed to fax her

Yichan confessing to Chungah by SIGNING a love song

Chungah's father using sign language and finally seeing her smile at him

Eungyeol telling Eunyu that he started liking her after she came back from America & Eunyu screaming in ecstasy because he actually fell in love with HER and not Choi Segyeong

Eungyeol trying to make up with Chungah when she was mad at him & requesting her to slap him

Eungyeol telling Eunho that he never considered him his burden & Eunho's unserious ass hitting him back with, "But I've considered you my burden several times actually"

[spaceymarz]

Twinkling Watermelon episode 12 is kinda bonkers

first of all, Eunyoo and Eungyeol not realizing they're both from the future is starting to piss me off like it's TIME. how did he listen to her say they're from different worlds, she doesn't know how to leave, and she's trying to help her parents AFTER she refrenced SQUID GAME, and he still has no clue?? i'm also PLEADING ANYONE to connect the dots about Eungyeol calling Yichan his dad, Chungah his mom, and Sekyung "ajumma". two 18 year olds are falling in love with people they think are 46 years old right now, i need someone to stop this madness 😭

ntm WHAT IS HAPPENING to Chungah right now ??? i know why she's upset, but wtf is going on with her plot? her dad's whole "make her smile at me" mission seems so completely removed from the rest of the plot, and i'm completely lost about where the weird power dynamic between him and his wife is going. i have a suspicion the writers made Chungah suddenly blow up at Yichan so he can miss her and realize he wants her back (?), but it feels pretty random to me that she suddenly yelled at him like that 💀 anyways, i hope all of this confusion means more time spent on Chungah's plot in the next episodes

[suhosieun]

As heart-shattering and agonizing it was to witness Yichan's accident and subsequent loss of hearing despite Eungyeol's several desperate attempts to prevent it, I don't think this show could have taken a better route for the ending.

Eungyeol's objective of going back in time wasn't to reverse his father's disability, as that was destined to occur, but rather to ensure that Yichan could lead a fulfilling life in spite of it.

Even after losing his hearing, Yichan accomplishes all his aspirations, pursuing higher education, achieving success, and building a wonderful, affectionate family. Plus, he remains devoted to music & keeps in touch with all his friends.

And, Chungah, who was born deaf and didn't have an accident to prevent, also benefits from Eungyeol's efforts to make the world more inclusive for her.

The emphasis on sign language throughout the show is exceptionally beautiful & it has convinced me (and probably many others) to learn it.

Twinkling Watermelon moved me so much I'm genuinely never getting over it.

[theinfinitedivides]

Eun Ae pregnant (not in canon i mean Da In is expecting her first child with Seung Gi).............. talks of an extension to part two.............. exactly what is going on with My Dearest and is this just good luck piling up on top of good luck

[theinfinitedivides]

in reference to OT3 comments having been made in the tags of my previous post: now we're getting Joseon boyfriend and girlfriend in the sheets and Qing boyfriend and girlfriend in the streets. or was i supposed to switch the order of that Qing in the streets Joseon in the sheets. anyway