Island contains intense action, supernatural elements, and some mature themes, so it may not be suitable for younger audiences. It is recommended for viewers who enjoy dark fantasy and thrillers with a mix of mythology and suspense.
Island Full Review: A Supernatural K-Drama Packed with Action, Mythology, and Suspense
Through Kdrama we have seen almost everything like heartfelt romance, fantasy dramas and even spine-chilling mystery thrillers right? But Islan is really exceptional as it brings something new and fresh to us. This drama is a mixture of fantasy, action and mythology which is set in an eerie yet breathtaking backdrop of Jeju Island. People know Jeju Island as a beautiful spot but here we can see a dark picture of Jeju Island. Now allow me to tell you more about it in my article, Island Full Review.
Before exploring it, let me inform you that the storyline of the Kdrama Island is adapted from a popular webtoon with the same name. It deals with some supernatural themes and is especially based on Korean folklore with a touch of suspense. If I try to be more clear than here we will see a high-stake battle between the good and evil in a supernatural form.
A short summary of the story setup
Won Mi Ho is a chaebol and her family runs a giant company but for some reason, she is sent to Jeju as a punishment. Here in Jeju, she is assigned as a school teacher. However, when she comes to Jeju she experiences something unusual and terrifying at her very first step on Jeju. There she was protected by a man named Van.
Van is that weapon who was raised and trained just to protect the world from the evil powers. He fights with the evils and kills the possessed people.
But for the protection of Mi Ho, her family sent Johan. Johan is a Catholic priest who mostly performs exorcism. He too fights against evil.
Now as the three of them meet they find out the past life of Mi Ho, especially the connection of Mi Ho with Van. Though Van is an emotionless being but has a special place for Mi Ho and is determined to protect her at any cost. So, these three stand against evil and fight with them with all their powers.
Meanwhile, Goong Tan, who grew up with Van and trained to protect the human world has now stood against Van to destroy him due to an incident. Here he is the most cruel being standing with evil.
Main Characters & Cast
The powerful cast is one of the most significant strengths of Island because these superb cast brought their characters to life with their stellar performance. Now let’s talk about the main characters and the actor who made them alive with their performance.
Kim Nam Gil as Van – The Cursed Demon Slayer
Van is not a human, he is half human and half demon who was trained to keep the human world protected from the evil powers. He is a warrior who spent hundreds of years fighting against the lust demons who want to destroy humans and their world. But as he is also a demon it is not easy to suppress his inner darkness, still he tries his best to do so. With his supernatural powers, he is determined to protect the world and MI Ho too.
Kim Nam Gil’s Performance: Kim Nam Gil played the character of Van who successfully delivered an intense and layered performance. He skillfully portrayed Van’s inner pain, resilience and inner turmoil with raw emotions. His action scenes were so satisfying and his emotional scenes were heartwarming. To many fans, he is the most perfect choice for this role.
Lee Da Hee as Won MI Ho – The Destined Heiress
Won Mi Ho is a Chaebol who was sent to Jeju and finds herself in a situation that is far beyond her imagination. She is a strong-headed woman who never loses hope. But she is now in front of some dark power who wants to kill her at any cost. She is not afraid because she has Van and Johan with her who fight against evil. Rather she is desperate to find her connection with those evils. As the story moves forward she finds herself to be a very important part of the world, she is the key to humanity’s survival. She also has the supernatural which she discovers and her power is something that the lust demons desperately seek.
Lee Da Hee’s Performance: Lee Da Hee played her character Won Mi Ho with so much grace and elegance. We see her character grow in each episode and finally, she is able to connect her present to the past. However, her chemistry with Van puts an extra layer on the storyline.
Cha Eun Woo as Priest Johan/Yohan – The Charismatic Exorcist
Yohan or Johan is a young priest who is different from other priests because he has his own modern and stylish charm. Yohan is renowned for his exorcism talent and he is also sent to Jeju to protect Mi Ho from the evils. Though he seems to be a funny and not-so-serious type, that is not his real self. He has a tragic past that fuels his unwavering faith and determination.
Cha Eun-Woo’s Performance: As an actor the fans always have seen him as a lover boy who rules the genre of romance. But Priest Johan surprised everyone. Who could ever think that Cha Eun Woo could be an exorcist? His new character is more mature and charismatic than any of his previous drama characters. Without any doubt this, is one of the best works of Cha Eun Woo so far.
Sung Joon as Goong Tan – The Tragic Antagonist
Goong Tan and Van once were more like brothers but one misunderstanding ruined everything. Both of them were half-human and half-demos who were specially raised for fighting with the evils which are dangerous for humankind but Goong Tan’s uncontrollable powers made him cast away. He too started to hate humans and became one of the most compelling villains of the whole drama.
Sung Joon’s Performance: Sung Joon literally nailed the brooding, terrifying, mysterious and menacing aura of Goong Tan. As Goong Tan is the rival of Van, his competition was Kim Nam Gil. Both of them played their character with so much effort that both the characters became alive. And the presence of Goong Tan elevates the tension of the drama.
There are so many other characters present in this drama who played a significant role to make the drama appealing as supporting characters but the characters I mentioned earlier are the most prominent.
Themes & Symbolism
Island is not just an action-packed fantasy drama; rather it deals with themes like destiny, redemption, faith and mainly the battle between the good and the evil. This show also blends Korean mythology and modern storytelling together as a result we get a dark yet thought-provoking narrative. In this part, we will explore some of these themes and their symbolism.
The Eternal Battle Between Good and Evil
One of the prominent themes of the drama Island is the age-old battle between good and evil, light and darkness. In this drama Van, Johan and Mi So stand for what is good, and are fighting for humanity and on the other hand, the lust demons and Goong Tan stand for the evil present in this world.
- One of the main characters of the drama Van often struggles with his inner conflict which reflects that, can the good always fight with the bad? And if they do then how do they ignore all the darkness of the world? And most importantly, with Van we see the struggle of the good fighting against the evil.
- Goong Tan is the main villain of the drama but was he always like this? No, he too was on the side of the light just like Van, but he, one of the most powerful warriors, descends into villainy. And this transformation of Goong Tan symbolizes how misunderstanding, abandonment and betrayal can turn a noble warrior into a destructive force.
- Mi Ho appears as a normal person who is unknown to the world of the supernatural. Later as the story unfolds we see her to be connected to her past self. She then awakened her powers and this power symbolizes hope that even a merely ordinary human being can also fight against the evil force.
Redemption and the Price of Salvation
Van and Goon Tan both started their journey as trained warriors who were raised to fight against the good but their fate compelled them to choose two different paths. Van seeks redemption for his past deeds especially his sins but Goong Tan chooses vengeance and destruction and this difference of choice makes them stand in front of each other as rivals.
Symbolism:
- Van is a protector of humanity, even though he kills people he doesn’t kill willingly. He only kills those who deserve that. Emotions do not touch Van but still, he desires redemption. And this quality makes him more human than a monster.
- Goong Tan is alive to seek revenge. He was a protector of humanity but an unfortunate event made his life pathetic and now he wants revenge from everyone including Van and Mi Ho. And this thirst for revenge here symbolizes the aftermath of pain without hope.
- Mi Ho is an ordinary human being but she was not just an ordinary human being in her past life. Though now she has no supernatural power, she had an extraordinary power in her past life which connected her with the supernatural universe as well as Van and Goong Tan. Here her role is of a healer which makes her contrast with the warriors. In this drama, her role proves that salvation can not only be achieved through battle but also through compassion and understanding.
Jeju Island: A Symbol of Beauty and Darkness
Jeju is one of the most beautiful islands in South Korea. This drama is set on this beautiful island but this setting is also as symbolic as the characters themselves. As Jeju is mostly known for its beauty it serves as a contrast to the dark forces lurking beneath its surface.
Symbolism:
- The beaches and the forests of Jeju represent the natural beauty and peace of this whole world.
- The cave that is shown here and the ominous landscapes where the battle between the good and the bad takes place stand for the hidden dangers and mysteries that are buried within history.
- An island itself can be used as a metaphor for isolation and the beautiful island of Jeju is no exception. Here the island represents the loneliness and burden of Van who is a cursed warrior.
Visuals & Cinematography
As Island is a fantasy drama the visuals and cinematography has to be strong right? In this term, Island did a very good job. It totally stands out with its stunning cinematography and high-quality visual effects which successfully elevate the supernatural theme and intense action sequences. Let us break down the facts that make this drama a visual masterpiece.
The Haunting Beauty of Jeju Island
Jeju for sure is one of the most beautiful islands in Korea but in this drama it is not only served as a picturesque backdrop but also as a symbolic battlefield between the good and evil. As for the cinematography, they beautifully captured the dual nature of Jeju. We can see the pure and natural beauty of Jeju and the lurking darkness beneath the surface as well.
The ocean view and the volcanic landscape directly contrast with the dark themes of the drama but the misty forest and the eerie caves create a supernatural atmosphere. We can also see the spark of the mixture of mythology and reality by the showcase of traditional Korean architecture in the modern cityscape.
Supernatural Action Sequences & CGI Effects
Even though this drama is mostly based on the supernatural themes, this drama will provide you with high-octane action scenes too. Along with the action choreography the makers used top-tier CGI effects too that brought the demons, exorcism and intense battles to life.
Best Visual Effects & Action Moments:
- As I previously said Van is a warrior, he is more of a weapon that will protect humanity from the evils. As a warrior, he has a sword and it is more natural to get some sword fighting scenes. The fighting scenes between Van and the other lust demon are brutal, fluid and visually mesmerizing.
- Priest Johan also has some superhuman quality that makes him special, He too has a sword, but that is invisible it only arrears when he wants. The moment is wholesome when he summons the sword. As for exorcism, he says Latin chants and a mystical energy appears in him.
- Goong Tan also has powers like Van but that is darker than Van. he has a shadowy force that contrasts Van’s controlled attacks.
- The CGI effects were so good that the demonic transformation looked terrifyingly real.
Cinematography Effect:
- The slow motion scenes put another level of satisfaction during the fighting scene, it also heightens the impact of major fights.
- The dynamic camera angles also played a crucial role in keeping the viewers engaged with the storyline and also made every battle feel intense and epic.
- The color palette they used is also significant. The dark lights and shadowy places give a vibe of suspense and mystery. It also stands for the dark themes of the drama.
Now at the end of this article, let me answer the question, “Is the drama Island worth watching?”- Well, with a masterful blending of action, mythology and suspense this drama delivers an exciting experience for the viewers, especially the fans who love dark fantasy. The storyline is engaging, the cinematography is stunning and the performance of each cast is mind-blowing too, they delivered their best in it. For their stellar performance Kim Nam Gil, Lee Da Hee, Cha Eun Woo and Sung Joon deserve a huge round of applause. And how can I forget the OSTs, and it will be unfair if I don’t mention “Island” by Jangyup and “Focus on Me” by Cha Eun Woo, you must listen to these tracks.
But there are some minor flows like in some scenes you will feel like the pacing is going slow or there will be some unanswered mystery but if you overlook these small mistakes then you will surely enjoy this drama from the beginning to the end.
So finally, you have so many reasons to watch this drama, you know? Such as the superfine blending of Korean folklore and modern belief, demon-slaying action, emotional characters, suspense and mystery and most importantly a new Cha Eun Woo with his own unique charm. So make sure to pass Island to your watchlist, because it’s really worth it. But if you already watched it then let me know your thoughts on Island.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. What is Island K-Drama about?
Island is a supernatural K-drama that follows the story of three unlikely heroes battling evil forces on a remote island. The series blends action, mythology, and suspense, with elements of fantasy as characters fight to protect the world from dark and ancient forces.
2. Is Island K-Drama worth watching?
Yes, Island offers an engaging mix of action, mythology, and suspense. The series stands out due to its unique storyline, intense action scenes, and a fascinating blend of supernatural elements. Fans of thrillers and fantasy K-dramas will find it compelling.
3. Who are the main characters in Island?
The main characters in Island include a strong-willed priest, a powerful female warrior, and a troubled man with a mysterious past. Together, they face dark forces and supernatural beings on the island, each with their own skills and secrets that drive the plot forward.
4. What makes Island different from other K-dramas?
Island stands out for its supernatural and mythological themes. It combines thrilling action sequences with Korean folklore and a modern narrative, offering a fresh take on the K-drama genre. The series’ dark, suspenseful atmosphere is enhanced by stunning visuals and deep character development.
5. When does Island K-Drama take place?
Island takes place in a contemporary setting, but the plot delves deep into ancient myths and supernatural events that are tied to the past. The island itself holds dark secrets that connect both present-day and historical events.
6. How many episodes are in Island?
Island K-Drama has multiple episodes spanning across a season. The exact number may vary, but the episodes are packed with action and suspense, ensuring an engaging experience for viewers from start to finish.
7. Is Island based on a book or real mythology?
Yes, Island is inspired by Korean mythology and folklore, though it is a fictional story. The show draws heavily on supernatural legends involving spirits, gods, and mystical forces that are common in Korean culture.