This show seriously has no business tagging Horror as one of it's main gener
I've got zero idea what pot the VFX and makup department were smoking on when designing those "Lust Demons" i am telling you (if you are reading this, the ISLAND creative crew) if those honestly least-terror-inducing demons are your definition of 'SCARY' then ya'll clearly need to rethinking your understanding of the whole term(word) itself.There's definitely snippits of GORE throughout the season but seriously no horror
I've never read the original source material, the WEBTOON (nor do i plan on reading it) but I can tell why most of the reading fanbase won't be happy with this live action adaptation
Before I being my rant, let's open-up with the positives.....
♤ The ACTION ..I'd say it is well done.. Van is a supernatural being with superhuman strength and in the action choreography that is potryed really well.. even though there are lots of cuts in a particular action sequence but it has been edited really well.. so it feels very smooth flowing ( in short the action is definitely NOT a sore to the eyes, in fact I'd say it's one of the best I've seen comming from fantasy-k-content in past 4-5 years)
♤ The ACTING department- majority of the characters are seriously paper thin.. but the actors that play their respective roles did all they could with the script they where given... the guy who suprised me with his improved skills was undoubtedly Cha Ewn Woo as Yohan.. I hadn't expected much from him going in considering his previous roles... but he did well here given that he is a rookie in a cast full of veteran actors...I'd say he did really well..
I've got no complaint from Kim Nam Gil in the acting section.. the man knows how to do his job well...Ohhky it might bit of a stretch but trust me Nam Gil is the only thing that's saving the show for me at this point.. he's literally carrying the whole show entirely on his shoulder...
Lee-Da-Hee's acting is as moderate as ever I don't think it has changed at all in the past 4-5years.. I am tired of alway seeing play the same type of chracters and it has become very boring not to see taking up fresh original roles..
♤ The CHEMISTRY / RELATIONSHIPS
◇ Van and Granny- honesty the most most wholesome relationship in the entire show, its a pity they don't have a bunch of scenes together in the 1st part..
◇ Van and Miho - ( I know.. i know the show is not said to have any romance and the source material doesn't have love-line as well) but Nam Gil and Da Hee as Van and Miho definitely have fire flickering on n off... (the showwriters are definitely hinting on it). I will fool myself and hope for a romance in S2 but will also try to keep my expectations tamed cause i don't wanna be dissapointed and give myself a terrible heartache if the creators don't give me a romance sub-plot in S2 (reminds me of my dissapoinmet with Bulgasal.. jezz)
The COMEDY- it feels very sublet.. very fitting and blending in pretty naturally into the story... without being overly on your face... it adds much needed mirth to the dark-enigmatic atmosphere of the show..
♤ The CINEMATOGRAPHY.... the show has hit a jackpot in this department... there are certain aerial drone shot.. that are just wallpaper worthy..
NOW LET ME RANT......
The STORY- It is always mind boggling to me that when Tv script writters have the benefit of a full fleged well written comic as source material how can they miss the mark when it comes to adapting it in Live action (the show has certain changes that I heard are not in the OG comics.. which I don't honestly mind.... but the overall presentation of the story is very flimsy)
2nd is the CHRACTER writtings , besides Van there's not a single well written character, not even 1
Let's start with WonMiho/Wonjeong (the female lead who's character is supposedly to be crucial for the climax). All I saw her do was wear really preety clothes and fall into the arms of her potential lover Van every now and then, like isn't she being hunted by demon.. shouldn't she be learning how to operate guns or do Karate or stuff.. I don’t know but learn something for self-defense (Yehh I'm well aware that she hires Van to protect her from the same.. but still).
Yohan - The writers tried giving Yohan some emotional depth and complexity (showing us his relationship with his brother in ep 6) but it simply wasn't impactfull... the writer/director never really gave the two brothers enough time to bond with each other or with the audiences. So me as viewr never fully understand the psychological impact the final act of ep 6 might have on Yohan...
Gung-tan is the most one dimensional villan EVER...
The only saving grace is VAN- This guy is decently written and impressively acted and brought to screen by Kim Nam Nam Gil (the actor has become so good in playing these 'cold emotionally-distant tormented guy' role over the years)
The CG and VFX is very Mehhhhh.......(but i am hopeful about it seeing the trailer for 2nd part) apart for the vfx of the 'energy barriers' of blue and oranges colours created by Van and Guntan respectively.. everything else is very forgettable
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Another really good horror drama
The horror genre have been badly ignored over the years. The last time I saw a good horror drama was 'the hand'. This drama though is amazing in the fantasy genre and have a very interesting plot which keeps you engaged.I loved the acting as well as the visual effects. The fight sequence were really good and came close to 'Marvel' fight perfection. I loved the production and the casting which very well compliments the story.
I would definitely suggest people who love fantasy-horror genre to watch this series. Its definitely worth your time. A big salute to the VFX team. They did an amazing job in this drama.
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Hottest Priest, Intresting Plot
After a While there is a good story comes, You will love the priest avatar of Eun Woo... 1st epi is a bit slow, and why every KDrama has foreigners when it's come to ancient stories... I just don't get that! would it be necessary to include foreigners for the sake of authenticity?Also, the chemistry between the main lead is lit and 1st 2 episodes contain drama, excitement, and comedy...
Maybe the budget but The VFX isn't that impressive if compare to other KDramas I watch so far..... aside from that this drama is worth watching.....
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Amazing drama
For someone not into horror genre, watched premiere episodes to support my favorite actor Cha Eunwoo. Lo and behold, I didn’t even blink & watched the first 2 episodes without skip. I can say it not only has the perfect cast, but the right mix and flavors that entice viewers, especially for someone like me who is not fond of horror. I am looking forward to the remaining 4 episodes for Season 1, and of course, for Season 2!Congratulations #Island Squad!
As the story continues to unfold, I am excited for the meeting of Priest Yohan (Cha Eunwoo), with Miho (Dahee) , Van (NamGil) and GungTan (SungJoon). This drama shouldn’t be missed. Love it so much!
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Basically, nice filmography, great actors (minus foot actor, dude even blinks slow and weird 🤣) tho soobinie "out acted" all, flat 1d characters (the brooder, the fainter and the overly self centered "cool" kid) the actors couldn't save, and childish plot.
If this wasn't sold as a 6eper I'd have dropped at ep1
This feels like a parody, like Blade knight (?), horrible horrible writing
Tho maybe if this was made as a teen flick, with younger 20 year old actors would've fit these bunch of idiots that lacked maturity ✌🏻🤡
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A good drama to watch for demon fights and these actors!
So I would say that this is a good drama.It's got a night time vibe and I watch things by my mood, so I watch this when I want to see the FL get chased by demons. And CEW as a gen Z priest.
I did not know the actor that played Van, so this is my first time seeing him. And I am a fan.
All the characters are super lovable in my opinion.
(Except some of the bad guys, they make me so mad.)
And this is like you have probably heard a break out performance for Cha Eun Woo, and I think he nails it. His sword is so cool.
So like I said, if you want to see these actors tangled up in intense demon fights and backstory mystery.
I say totally watch it.
I just need to go see season 2 now....
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Exciting right from the start
Kim Nam Gil puts is black belt skills to good use from the very first episode, and the show is riveting - and full of action - right from the beginning. It's obvious the plot has been well thought out, and developed, and so far it's moving at a perfect pace. The main actress is very good - although I would really have liked to see it with Seo Ye Ji - who I think would have suited the role perfectly, mainly bc, along with her small frame, Ye Ji ssi's deep, huge, eyes reflect a streak of genuine vulnerability just underneath the arrogance which might have made this character a little more immediately relatable.Kim Nam Gil is the perfect choice for this role. From his early days (as Bidam), he has always excelled at portraying someone with a mix of good and evil characteristics, which somehow make him all the more lovable. He quietly wears the burden of his "past" so compellingly in every scene - like a cloak. Excellent casting, and very much looking forward to the rest of this exciting ride! Have not yet seen enough to rate all the music.
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I just hope lee da hee doesn’t spoil this show with her acting
I am half way into episode 1 and I have lost my wit due to Lee Da hee acting. She was a total disaster in love is for suckers and I was expecting her to redeem herself through her acting here but from the looks of it she is even worst. I just hope I am judging her too soon. But I am still going to watch it for the priests the two Male leads. And I hope she gets better along the way. I don’t know who did this auditioning for this cast. I was expecting more from Amazon prime. I don’t think Lee da Hee can pull it off in this show but I hope she proves me wrong and nail the role because so far she is spoiling it for me.Was this review helpful to you?
This review may contain spoilers
DETROIT ⁉️
see, i walked into this drama with the assumption that cha eunwoo would be stealing the show, as he usually does. but boy, was i ASTONISHED. MF WE GOT THE FINE SELECTION OF A CAST, A PLOT THAT’S WORTH THE REWATCH, AND THEY MENTIONED DETROIT. THEY MENTIONED DETROIT AND I’M FROM THERE ⁉️it was so random when they mentioned it, cuz whatchu mean he did some demonic ritual shit here
MF I LIVE HERE HELLO&:!:’:@:!:!&:
(added the rest to exceed the character thingy)
everyone's hawt
everyone's hawt
everyone's hawt
everyone's hawt
everyone's hawt
everyone's hawt
everyone's hawt
everyone's hawt
everyone's hawt
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Island is a must see!
Wonderful series!I like the plot of the story and the acting of the
cast is on point with the characters they're
portraying. Special mention goes to Cha
Eunwoo as Father Giovanni/ Yohan for making
his role more interesting and multi-faceted in a
way that viewers would want to see him peel
off the different layers of his character. Can't
wait to see what's next on this riveting k-
drama action/ horror series.
Love it! Will definitely watch it again!
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Enjoyable Overall, but Carried by Cha Eun Woo
Overall, I enjoyed it. I binged it pretty quickly. I think the story was refreshing in its theme; it’s cool to see a sort of Catholic horror theme/demonology in a Korean drama. I will say that for me personally, Cha Eun Woo as a priest carried the show for me. Everyone did an excellent acting job, but I don’t think I would’ve stuck with this without him. Other than Father Johan, the villain Goong Tan was a surprising favorite of mine. He is indisputably cruel but also magnetically attractive lol. The effects were a little corny in parts (mostly the demon’s makeup in my opinion), and the story’s pacing was slow in parts as well. The story’s mysteries were enough to carry me through though, and there was certainly enough action and drama that I was never bored for too long. The variety of the drama too gave the pacing a good feel as well, even when it lagged a bit. I like how there are only the merest whiffs of romance, at best, so far. It is a little frustrating that they split this season into two parts (and then are calling it seasons 1 and 2), but fortunately I discovered the show two days before the airing of Season 2. I look forward to it!Was this review helpful to you?
Okay, as an opening part
So I saw many bad reviews, but I waited for this drama for so so long, so I went with a clear mindset, and to be honest, I enjoyed it.It's not as great as I thought it will be, looking at the cast, plot, and all. But it was okay. I think it's more of an opening to a story, than, a drama itself. The music was amazing, the cinematography was nice to look at, the acting wasn't bad, not the best, but I have nothing to complain about. The fights reminded me more of anime ones, they look interesting. I didn't like the characterization of the demons, it looked so fake, they weren't scary, just funny.
But I still give it an 8 because I know there will be season 2, so as for the introduction I enjoyed it.
Don't look at the bad revies and just go watch it, and check for yourself.
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