For folks who aren't local to South Korea, and even for some that are, Jeju Island is often viewed with rose-tinted sunglasses. Several dramas have portrayed it as a provincial escape from the hustle and bustle of Seoul, with worn-out individuals fleeing to its shores for respite. Surely, no darkness could ever shroud such a tranquil setting... right? Well, evil spirits roam wherever they want to, we suppose.
A definitive answer to such a query comes by way of Island, a Prime Video K-drama starring Hallyu star Cha Eun Woo. Supporters of the K-pop idol-turned-actor will see him donning clerical clothing in the mystery thriller, as he plays an exorcist priest named Yohan (We told you things would take a dark turn.) Intriguing, to say the least.
Part 1 of the series is currently dominating the top TV shows list on the platform, with all of its episodes ready for us to binge. In anticipation for its second chapter though, it's worth getting to know the cast taking us through the eerie occurrences on the island.
The cast members of Island
1. Cha Eun Woo
Even the least acquainted with the world of K-pop has heard of Cha Eun Woo. If you haven't fallen in love with him for his buttery vocals or his boy-next-door looks, then you've probably seen the ASTRO member in one or two hit dramas.
Eun Woo is best remembered for his main role as high school heartthrob Lee Su-ho in True Beauty. Other titles he's starred in include Rookie Historian Goo Hae Ryung, My ID is Gangnam Beauty, and Top Management.
2. Lee Da Hee
Portraying Yohan's right-hand woman on the island, Won Mi Ho, is actress Lee Da Hee. Fans of the 2013 legal fantasy drama I Can Hear Your Voice can recall her as prosecutor Soo Do Yeon, who was bitter rivals with Lee Bo Young's Atty. Jang Hye Sung. Some recent works of hers include Love Is For Suckers, L.U.C.A.: The Beginning, and The Beauty Inside.
3. Kim Nam Gil
The Prime Video series sees Kim Nam Gil portraying reverend Van, but this isn't his first time playing a religious figure. One of his most iconic characters was the titular part in 2019's The Fiery Priest, where he got to act alongside former Miss Universe-Korea Honey Lee. Nam Gil's portfolio spans 23 years, yet Island serves as his first web series project. You can catch him in familiar titles like Through The Darkness and Queen Seondeok.
4. Sung Joon
Making his comeback to the small screen since 2017's Ms. Perfect is Sung Joon, a.k.a. Gung-tan on Island. He's notably lent his charm to 2015's High Society and 2014's I Need Romance 3 before, two performances that bagged him Best Actor nods at the SBS Drama Awards.
Fun fact: He's part of a leading man clique called the "Model Avengers," which is composed of Kim Woo Bin, Kim Young Kwang, Lee Soo Hyuk, and Hong Jong Hyun. The five all worked together in the 2011 drama White Christmas, and have remained close ever since.
5. Go Doo Shim
Go Doo Shim has had heaps of experience portraying the many eommas and halmeonis in K-drama land. She's done so in popular titles like Our Blues, When The Camellia Blooms, My Mister, and High Society (meaning she's worked with Sung Joon before!) In the show, she is Geum Baek Ju, or Granny Haenyeo.
6. Heo Jung Hee
Under the granny's guidance is the young Yeom Ji, played by newcomer Heo Jung Hee. Prior to Island, the 27-year-old appeared on the KakaoTV series Shadow Beauty as high school student Yang Ha Neul.
7. Jeon Kuk Hwan
Remember Captain Ri Chung Ryeol, Hyun Bin's fictional father in Crash Landing On You? Or how about King Yeongjong in Lovers Of The Red Sky? Both characters and many, many more were brought to life by veteran actor Jeon Kuk Hwan. In Island, he plays Won Tae Han, a prominent figure in the Daehan Group.
8. Choi Tae Joon
While Choi Tae Joon only popped by Jeju for a quick appearance as Chan Hee, he certainly left a mark, as he always does. If you remember, the Suspicious Partner and Exit leading man also made a cameo in Twenty Five, Twenty One as Kim Tae Ri's first boyfriend Ho Jin.
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This article originally appeared on Preview.ph. Minor edits have been made by Cosmo.ph editors.