Leaving an encouragement that the world is not a lonely place, Castaway Diva charms with stories of hope, empathy and friendship in its launch week.
As good as it was advertised, the series promises a feel-good and heartwarming narrative that can become a weekly habit.
abbyinhallyuland watched Castaway Diva on Netflix
Episode Recaps: 01 & 02 | 03 & 04 | 05 & 06 | 07 & 08 | Final Week Recap + Series Review |
Opening Week Rating:
Castaway Diva Opening Week Story
Amidst the harshness of life, Seo Mok-ha finds comfort in the music of her idol singer, Yoon Ran-ju. She also dreams of becoming one and gets into any kind of opportunity for a close interaction with her idol.
When she misses the opportunity for a longer interaction with Ran-joo because of his classmate Jung Ki-ho who took away the phone battery he just lent, she decides to join a fan video audition contest all for the love of Ran-joo.
However, her problem is how she can send a video since she does not have a video camera. She learns that Ki-ho has one and she summons energy to ask him to work on the video project even when she is still annoyed about the last incident.
Ki-ho who got a beating from his father for working part-time secretly, has been saving money. His father thinks that he has the intention to run away from home. Mok-ha also shares the same fate of being physically abused by her father. So, when Ki-ho visited her to give the video copy she refused to participate anymore.
“I could guess what her secret was. After performing in front of her, Mok-ha would probably say this to Yoon Ran-joo. ‘I want to become like you. I want to leave Chunsam Island and become so famous that I’m untouchable. So, please save me.”
Knowing well how Mok-ha likes Ran-joo a lot, Ki-ho sent the video audition. He empathizes well with her situation since he also suffers the same fate.
Back when they were making the video, Ki-ho kept asking about her pursuit to meet Ran-joo. At school, when she was ignored by her classmates about a task their teacher asked her to do, she broke down from all the emotional stress she’d been hiding. Standing a few steps away from her, Ki-ho feels her pain.
Because of that, he gives her the map to his house and special instructions to knock twice any time if she wants to leave the island. In another terrifying moment with her father, Mok-ha jumps to the window of her room and seeks help from Ki-ho.
Ki-ho calls Ran-joo’s manager, Lee Seo-joon to inform him that they will be going to Seoul. At that same moment, Ran-joo who was contemplating which new agency she would work with decides to accept Seo-joon’s offer.
“My mom said that if you wish with all your heart, in one way or another, it will come true one day. And it’ll happen in an unexpected way.”
However, Mok-ha’s father realizes she is missing and searches for her. Onboard a bus to Seoul, Ki-ho fought valiantly so she could escape her father. However, his strength is no match for him. Finding his daughter, Mok-ha runs for her life and decides to jump into the waters. Her father also jumps to save her.
Ki-ho wakes up and learns about what happened to Mok-ha. Naturally, he blames himself after learning what happened to Mok-ha and her father. Mok-ha also wakes up in one piece on a deserted island. Ki-ho’s words that her earnest wish can come true, apparently really happened when she sees her father lifeless on the same island beach.
“We didn’t just run away. Back then, we ran to survive.”
Waking up to her regular island day, Mok-ha meets a strange flying object. Chasing after a drone controlled by Kang Woo-hak who joined his brother Kang Bo-gul’s volunteer work of cleaning an island; Mok-ha can’t believe that she’s seeing a real human.
Finally, after 15 years, Mok-ha is rescued. After a thorough medical check-up, she goes back to Chunsam Island with Woo-hak who is being pressed to cover more of Mok-ha’s story.
Initially, she was asked to leave by the father-and-son duo who were friends with Mok-ha’s father. They claim to be the true owners of the house since Mok-ha was gone for 15 years. But Woo-hak corrects their claim that Mok-ha never died and was not reported missing as well.
On his way back, Mok-ha pleads to return with him as she is keen to continue the dream that started everything. Woo-hak hides her on their family’s rooftop house when he learns from Bo-gul that he will still not occupy it.
“If you keep worrying about the future, then you’ll end up with just as many regrets down the road. From now on, I’m going to do what I want right at that moment.”
Determined to go to a small town to witness Ran-joo’s performance, Mok-ha goes with Woo-hak who is revealed to have lost his memories and gets an inkling that he could possibly be Jung Ki-ho. He is not convinced by Bo-gul’s affirmation that he is not.
Bo-gul who is also working on a show suggested Yoon Ran-joo in their show that relives the heyday of once-popular artists.
Ever Ran-joo’s fan girl, Mok-ha blew balloons through her and Woo-hak’s air and distributed it to the audience. At Ran-joo’s turn to perform, she is totally drunk.
Mok-ha overhears her manager looking for a ghost singer and of course, she would do anything for her idol. Fortunately, as an avid follower, she knows Ran-joo’s songs.
On stage, the music cues and Mok-ha saves Ran-joo’s face by lending her beautiful voice impressing the crowd, even Bo-gul and Woo-hak.
After her performance, she goes to Mok-ha and shares an embrace with her.
Castaway Diva Opening Week Musings
That was such a solid opening week for Castaway Diva! The screenplay was a stockpile of empowering and encouraging messages. It was admirable that the backstory interlaced with the direction of the narrative.
Incorporating lessons on rediscovering purpose and chasing disrupted dreams, the series is poised to dominate K-Drama weekend couch with its intention to provide healing and comfort.
Notably, the story of young Seo Mok-ha and Jung Ki-ho was emotionally delineated and we really hope the adult Mok-ha would reunite with her dear friend.
There’s a strong notion that it really will become the climactic point of the story and that it involves the brothers who save Mok-ha from being island-stranded.
Park Eun Bin’s return to the small screen means uncovering a new side and talent of the actress who defines artistry to the fullest. For her latest role, and in the premiere week, she showcased her singing prowess. We can’t wait to witness more of her shining moments performing on stage.
Writer Park and Director Oh’s newest collaboration feels like a gift right away, and we are just starting. Bringing a story that can resonate with people losing hope in life or having apprehensions pushing for dreams is an evident mission of Castaway Diva.
Be inspired by Mok-ha’s story of pursuing dreams in Castaway Diva. International fans can watch it on Netflix!
Photos: tvN Drama
