Why EunEun is my IDEAL "enemies to lovers" relationship in k-dramas:
When we talk about Twinkling Watermelon, we often only talk about ChungChan or Yichan x Chungha. And while I LOVE them, I've also always loved EunEun or Eungyeol x Eunyu. And so, here are all the reasons why EunEun is my ideal "enemies to lovers" relationship:
1. They're enemies not because they're on opposite sides but because they have opposing personalities. Okay, big jump but they kinda reminded me of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennett from Jane Austen's Pride and Prejudice. There, I said it. This is because both Eungyeol and Eunyu start off on the wrong foot and their animosity is built on misunderstanding. Eunyu time-travels to 1995 not knowing about anything her mum or Choi Segyeong had done. And, of course, Eungyeol doesn't know that so he treats her just like how he treated Segyeong, with disdain and dislike. And Eunyu has no idea why she's being treated like this and that is the basis of their animosity and dislike for each other. Eunyu does something not knowing the impact it has on Eungyeol and Eungyeol "hates" her for it.
2. There are clear moments where each of them fall in love. Okay, so we all agree that Eungyeol fell for Eunyu first and HARD? Yeah, thought so. That boy fell head over heels for her and honestly, who could blame him? And the thing I love is that you can see the romantic tension from the get-go. Eungyeol's worried about Eunyu when she tells him she came back to khs. And he can't help falling in love every time he looks at her, even when he's supposed to be mad at her. And on Eunyu's side of the story, even though Eungyeol's done nothing but be hostile with her, she still feels her heart race when she's with him. And when she does fall in love, it's because he taught her how to let herself love again. In most "enemies to lovers" stories, the couple either gains romantic tension overnight after spending the entire time hating each other OR they never really hated each other at all. EunEun manages to have a perfect balance.
3. We can see their bond change significantly throughout the show. And this is another thing that reminded me of Elizabeth and Darcy. Both Eungyeol and Eunyu had a ton of misunderstandings to clear and communication to do and we can SEE how that changed their bond and brought them closer. After Eungyeol finds out about Eunyu's trauma, his viewpoint of her changes. And same with Eunyu, once she sees the softer and more vulnerable side to Eungyeol, her viewpoint of him changes as well. It's not sudden and it's definitely not fast but that's exactly what a good "enemies to lovers" needs. EunEun managed to do that perfectly.
4. Their differences and conflict don't just...end. This is one of my biggest pet-peeves with typical "enemies to lovers" stories. After the couple kisses, somehow all their problems and conflict just disappear and are never spoken about again. And this is the opposite for EunEun. EunEun have their beautiful first kiss moment, but they still have conflict after that. They still have complicated feelings for each other, and they still don't know how to deal with them. Only when Eungyeol meets Eunyu in the rain outside the airport is when they both face their conflicts head on, and we can SEE how much impact that has. The conflicts don't just disappear, EunEun face and then overcome them together.
5. Their pay-off is incredible and so well done. Okay, this might just be a personal opinion but, to me, the thrill that I got after EunEun becomes a couple was EXHILARATING! After spending the entire show being in love with each other secretly, competing, misunderstanding each other and even hating each other, the moment in the rain when they finally get together feels SO FUCKING EARNED. I could literally see all their past interactions flow through my mind and I remember thinking strongly that all of it was worth it. And the scene in the last episode? Where Eunyu meets Eungyeol outside the event he was playing. And they look at each other with so much love? Ugh!! That is what I'm here for! EunEun always had the utmost respect and admiration for each other, even when they hated each other, and so when they finally get together, you can't help but say, "damn, they were perfect."
And those are all the reasons why EunEun is my favourite "enemies to lovers" and one of my favourite relationships of all-time! If you agree with me, you're correct and if you don't, I suggest you rewatch Twinkling Watermelon. But this is where I leave you at (said in Master's voice)! Viva la vida, long live life! ✨️🍉
