AshesandDust

Because the marble was keeping his lust demon at bay. When wongjeong died, a fragment entered his eye and changed him back. Which is why he wasn't sealed the first time but this time he was in lust demon mode, so he ended up sealed.
In my perspective, the end showed him awakening. Especially because his dagger moved. That dagger belongs to him, he tamed it as part of his initiation. Why would the dagger detect evil if van wasnt awakened? That's hint 1. Then there's mi ho's internal monologue asking if he'll come back. Hint 2. Johan looking at a picture and seeing a dagger appear in a man's hand right after van's dagger is shown to be moving. Hint 3.
We have a definite opening for another part . Why would they do that if they weren't planning to further tell the story?

We'll have to make enough noise to get another part.
Hellbound, squid game, all of us are dead and the tale of nine tailed all got another season despite there not being any initial plans for one. It's because the fans demanded one. From what ive heard, island did very well on amazon prime so i hope they consider another season.
Plus nam gil and his company bought the rights to the webtoon so they can go ahead and make more seasons.

I hope so

Not saying it's amazon's fault, im asking them to renew it because it's where the show aired

King of pigs and glory are both centrally about bullying and how the main character becomes obsessed with exacting revenge.

Did you miss the parts where we were repeatedly told that the butler taught mi ho how to shoot and fight? I mean shooting is shooting, whether it's at lust demons or at people. Its not like she was suddenly doing a van level battle with the demons lol :P

I havent read the webtoon entirely but it ends with mi ho going to seol and van staying in the island.

My understanding is that when gungtan and van lost control to their lust demon and began killing everyone, it was the piece of that marble that brought van back to his human self. Which is why he wasnt sealed. Plus van never entirely succumbed to his lust demon. I think the fact that van was able to tame his dagger faster than gungtan kinda nails home that particular fact.

The actors haven't forgotten it lol :P kim nam Gil and his company are the ones that bought the rights to the webtoon and sold it to amazon in the first place

I honestly liked island more. Glory introduced wayyy too many character arcs in season 1 and did not link any one of them to the main storyline.
Perhaps if i had not watched the amazing but underrated king of pigs, i may have liked glory. But king of pigs is definitely the superior drama in the genre

RENEW THIS FOR ANOTHER SEASON AMAZON!!! THERE'S TOO MUCH POTENTIAL HERE FOR A FUTURE STORYLINLE TO JUST LET IT END HERE!!

My take on the ending is that van and gungtan will be unleased. That this secret society of white robed monks actually worship these lust demons and thrive in their existence.
Why would the makers end it like this if there wasnt a plan for another part? Considering that both parts were successful internationally (despite the negative comments here) this might be a definite possibility. Korea is becoming more open minded about making more seasons and i dont say this usually but man this drama needs another season.
The plot was exquisite, the acting was stellar. Anyone who says that the plot was subpar or that the pacing was slow is kidding themselves. Look everyone is entitled to their opinioj but it's fairly obvious that some people are being negative just for the heck of it. Their motivation behind such negative comments is fairly obvious but I won't say more about it.

Won mi ho asking herself "if he'll come back", van's dagger moving and johan seeing a picture of man holding a dagger and the dagger shining is all very telling about what will come.
If they do make a season 3, it would be interesting to see how they show van struggling with his lust demon. Given how excellent kim nam gil is in his craft, i really want to see him act out such a character. A more unhinged van.
And johan and mi ho trying to get him to be human again.

I think the makers ended the show like this to see the response. Hellbound, squid game and all of us are dead were never planned for another season yet here we are. And it was all due to the audience's response. Even sweet home got renewed for another 2 seasons. So why not island?
I think its criminal to end a show with such strong possible storyline and not go through with it.
Overall it was a strong finale, and minus van's sealing, i loved every minute of it. I only wish they had shown a glimpse of van's silhouette emerging from the dark so that we can let our imagination run free.

I hate open endings too. Plus when he doesn't die in the webtoon, why would they do this?
This definitely has a potential plot line for another season.
The next season could be about mi ho trying to get van's humanity back.
As far as i know, the show was successful. So renewing it for another season should be a done thing.
I hate it when dramas don't have another season confirmed and conclude with an open ending. It's not fair to the audience.

I just saw a clip which showed johan looking at a picture of a man and the dagger appears in his hand (in the picture) who is that supposed to be?

But they've got so much potential for another season! Imagine mi ho and johan working to help van overcome his lust demon and trying to get his humanity back? That would be so epic!

And it's van's dagger right? Which means he's likely alive?

He fought the lust demon once, he can do so again. He'll overcome it, he's stronger than gungtan. They should make another season to be honest. This has potential

People please just spoil the ending...spare me the pain.
I seem to be having horrible luck with my dramas, they are all ending badly

Wait, can you be a bit more specific? Some are saying it open ended, some are saying its conclusive

It would mean leaving Wongjeong behind. That would be the reason why van would not leave. Gungtan probably stayed because of van.

Ugh i always have to wait till the next day because i haven't signed up and because im so frequently on call at the hospital....
Would you mind very much letting me know under this comment if the ending is happy or sad when it airs tomorrow on prime? I'd really appreciate it