Tying the loose ends of its riveting story, Island gratifies with its clever narrative flow and engaging characters.
Moreover, Island convincingly slates its presence to the small number of worth-watching fantasy-action series in K-Dramaland.
- Main Leads: Kim Nam Gil | Lee Da Hee | Cha Eun Woo | Sung Joon | Goo Doo Shim |
- Thrill/Addicting Meter:
- Overall Rating:
- Rewatch Value:
- K-Dramas of Similar Vibe: The Uncanny Counter | Sweet Home | Alchemy of Souls |
abbyinhallyuland watched Island on Prime Video
Episode Recaps: 01 & 02 | 03 & 04 | 05 & 06 | 07 & 08 | 09 & 10 | 11 & 12 + Series Review |
Island Episodes 11 & 12 Highlights
Luring Grandma Geum through Yeomji, Gungtan learns the location of the remaining lust monster stones.
One by one, he unleashes them and returns to stab Grandma Geum. Realizing his closest people are in danger, Van tracked them and helped Johan in a grave situation first.
Then, he checks on Grandma Geum who sadly succumbs to death.
In separate visions, Grandma Geum and Wonjeong meet Van and Mi-ho. They explain how a piece of the magic marble that Mi-ho possessed went to Van which locked his human instincts.
Van who wants Mi-ho to live is resolute to give the shard of stone despite the process will turn him into a full-blown lust monster. Meanwhile, Mi-ho would rather sacrifice herself for Van to survive.
In a thrilling battle with Gungtan and his summoned lust monsters; Van asks Johan who recovered from his injury to buy him some time. He goes to where Mi-ho is creating the barrier and gives the shard of the magic marble. His action brings his monster self and he fights valiantly the seemingly invincible Gungtan.
Striking his sword, Gungtan fatally wounds Gungtan. With the last ounce of strength, he stabs Gungtan with his broken dagger. Mi-ho completes the barrier on the brink of time, and in the process saves Butler Jang and Johan who are fighting the lust monsters.
The barrier sweeps the monsters to the deepest ground of the earth as Van and Gungtan vanish in flames.
It turns out that Yeomji receives something from the cryptic villains Gungtan associated with previously.
Island Parts 1 and 2 Quick Plot Recap *Spoiler Alert
Bringing forward fantasy, action and mystery, Island begins its narrative with engrossing characters intertwined in a prophecy.
Won Mi-ho (Lee Da Hee), the heiress of the big conglomerate company Daehan Group is forced to take a job on Jeju Island after her aunt manipulated a scandal that caused trouble.
Her problems keep piling up as she discovered the betrayal of her secretary who turned out to be a man planted by her evil aunt. But things take a baffling turn when the secretary turned into a monster intent to kill her.
Thanks to lust monster hunter Van (Kim Nam Gil), Mi-ho survived two attacks. Later she learns from Van her fate as a monster-magnet.
From there, she offered him to be her bodyguard. At first, he seems nonchalant about the offer, but he signed his name without being paid which surprised Mi-ho.
It turns out that Van is half-monster-half-human trained to vanquish lust monster. In his past life, he connected with a woman who looks exactly like Mi-ho.
As Van and Mi-ho meet, their existence is also known by Priest Johan (Cha Eun Woo), an exorcist who works with them against the evil Gungtan (Sung Joon), also a half-human-half-monster who trained with Van when they were young.
Mi-ho acknowledges her past self as Wonjeong, the only human that can seal the barrier to protect the island from evil. She trains to awaken her divine powers and creates the barrier that saved the island.
Island Parts 1 and 2 Series Highlights
Smartly Paced Story
From its modest first part where the characters are introduced along with its fantasy core, Island made sure that the second part blazes to a striking and thrilling conclusion. In this way, the lingering effect is more prominent.
Taking a trajectory tailored to a fantasy-folklore story, Island employed signature elements such as a prophecy with entangled characters in it. True to its first part intention, it turns the excitement a notch higher in the second part of the series.
A Gripping Narrative Based on Folklore Adorned By Fantasy Elements
The series has noticeably paid attention to the stunts and fight scenes but the gore in monster-obliterating scenes might not be suitable for those with frail hearts.
Impressively, the climactic battle is as cinematic as it can be, sticking true to the drama’s initial promise of fantasy-action elements.
Island Parts 1 and 2 Series Musings
All throughout the chemistry of the lead cast of Island is palpable. For that reason, the obvious gaps can easily be forgiven owing to the provision of its realistic closure. Maneuvering a small committed cast helped in the hooking factor and easy grasp of the narrative.
We’re not closing doors to the possibility of another season especially since it was well pictured in the fading scenes of the 12th episode. Rooting for Mi-ho to have another chance to fulfill her promise to Van is something viewers yearned to happen. There’s just something sad and lacking in how their story ended in part 2.
Aside from that, the hooded cryptic people in white are yet to be explored. We also want to see more of Johan’s character’s adventure.
In the process of uprooting evil, choosing a sinful path can’t be helped. This idea propelled the conflict in the story. Truth be told, there’s not much-affecting message Island provided.
The most reverberating probably is how forgiveness does not come easy for people who had it hard. It’s not something to be forced as well.
Gungtan represents that reality perfectly. His choice to avenge himself, although disheartening, is motivated by the pains he had to carry because of the adults who used him.
While Van found a way in his heart to forego what he similarly had gone through, it attests to how people have different ways of coping up from emotional strain.
Another clear-cut lesson is about owning the weight of the sacrifices is always hard but for the greater good. Van and Mi-ho concede to it, and we can only hope that it can spring a possible miracle for doing so. But it served the purpose of the initial intention.
Lastly, as mentioned from Johan’s perspective. The series reminds us that no matter how entrenched our convictions are to choose the right, there are instances when we will be tested. Succumbing to it does not mean we are weak, especially when our reasons are because of the people we want to protect.
All episodes of Island are streaming on Prime Video!
Photos: TVING
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