Well worth giving a try, with a few reservations
I watched this because I had just finished Extraordinary Attorney Woo and I wanted to see Park Eun Bin outside of that extreme autistic character. And she does not disappoint. If I had not known the characters Woo and Seo were played by the same actor I would not have realized it. It is a remarkable talent that can take the audience so deeply into the character as to not see the actor. There are too many famous actors that overwhelm the character they're playing so that the audience only sees the actor.The music and performances are well worth the time. The story and plotting are at times fragile meaning that characters' twists and motivations were not always believable and relatable. However, the acting and music carry the flow and engage the viewer. I found the first few episodes not as engaging as the later ones. At times the plot twists seemed overly complicated and manipulative. For example early on I became aware the writer wants to play with the audience as to which brother is KiHo. Once aware of that manipulation, instead of the story flowing naturally the audience becomes too self conscious that the clues obviously dropped are likely meant to be misleading.
I found the positives more than made up for the few flaws and kept me engaged through to a satisfying conclusion.
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what are you waiting for !!!! it’s a banger
The casting for the characters in the drama "Castaway Diva" was exceptionally well-done. I have been an avid kdrama viewer for many years, but I have never been as impressed by the casting as I was with this drama. From the younger versions of the characters to the older ones, every actor brought their role to life and made the story even more captivating. It was also surprising to see how emotional and touching the story was, as it brought tears to my eyes. I didn't have high expectations going into the drama, but I was completely blown away by both the cast and the story. I highly recommend this drama to others.Was this review helpful to you?
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Strong Start but got weaker
I really liked the start of this show. The story of Mokha and Kiho as kids really got me so invested in their success after escaping such a terrible situation. I can't pinpoint when this show starting falling off... Maybe it was the way they revealed the whole name change thing (because if he had really been looking for her for 15 YEARS, how did he manage to treat her so coldly at the start. If we, as the audience, were let in that he was Kiho from the beginning and we saw him struggling to not tell her it would have been a bit more believable), maybe it was how they went about the side story of the dad looking for them, maybe it was how the dad unalived himself... I just feel like there were so many things that I was waiting on that ended up being anticlimactic when it came around. It wasn't bad but I feel like they could have given us one solid good ending and everything else that was lacking wouldn't have seemed as disappointing.That being said, I still think the story was intriguing and the characters were lovable. The beginning of the show really does pull you into the story and it's still worth it to finish it if you've already started.
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As Mok-ha beautifully said...
Most of the time, there is no loyalty. Here, the series betrays the premise and deliver the same old story, with the main leads knowing each other when they are young, love triangles and with a ruthless villain. It HAD its opportunity to be something more original. That's why the rewatch value is so low.My expectations for Castaway Diva were high, but unfortunately, I noticed that the series wouldn't reach its FULL potential already in the second episode.
The FL was stranded in an island for 15 years, but when she returns to civilization, it's like she only got a time machine in 2007 and traveled to 2023. Being isolated don't only makes you "freeze on time", but changes your behavior and personality too.
I was "stranded" in my house for almost 1 year, during the pandemic, what made me a completely different person, let alone being 15 years alone. If there was a changing here, it was solved very quickly, whithout further development.
I know they had to portray many stories at once, but I'm sure they could do a better job with the FL.
But not everything is lost. The songs sang by Ran-joo and Mok-ha are amazing and the cast is prestigious. I just didn't rated the cast higher because of the issues I mentioned before. I couldn't see how the actors would work if there further exploring in the fact that the main character was isolated in the deserted island.
I love the reflections Mok-ha made from the time she was on the deserted island and compared to the the hardships she is facing when back to civilization. Mainly that one which says most of the time, there are no loyalty in friendships.
The young actors shined in the prologue and made my watching experience a little better.
The topic about parent abuse is something almost never seen before and I must say I'm glad they discussed it here.
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Younger Female Version of Tom Hanks Cast Away?
I will first state I am a big Park Eun Bin fan so there is some bias to the review. She was awesome in King's Affection and Attorney Woo. She gives off Audrey Hepburn vibes and I am sure she will star in many more addictive KDramas in the future.I will start off with the good parts:
-Park Eun Bin is in this! I don't need to say more.
-The story telling of the tragic back story of the FL and ML's childhood and abusive past is told well and you get a sense that they are holding onto each other as two lonely teenagers in a scary traumatic world.
-Who is the adult Jung Ki Ho? The story tellers keep you guessing. Who should the viewer root for as the love interest? I will take my stand, I am rooting for Kang Bo Geol.
There is room for improvement (there is no bad in Park Eun Bin's dramas haha):
-Her character and behavior is a bit too ditzy, perhaps she didn't get to emotionally develop since she was isolated for 15 years so there's some emotional stunting.
-The aspects of her surviving on the island is unrealistic and how she is still so pale when she is outdoors in the island. Where is the tan or sunburn???
-The two male leads being too helpful too soon to her when they barely know her
-Her relationship and idolization of a faded popular singer who fell from grace.
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Uhm I don’t know how to feel about this one
What do you mean Woo Hak is NOT Kee Ho? I hate this, she's such a perfect match with him, he also developed feelings for her, like, it's so unfair ? I can't seem to ship her with Bo Geol, the writers destroyed their past when they started giving false hints about Woo Hak being Kee Ho. I didn't like that, if Bo Geol is really Kee Ho then why the confusion. Nah, I don't seem to continue it, I don't know it really made me lose my interest in their relationship... I feel really bad about this coupleWas this review helpful to you?
Jack of all trades, master of none
If you watched the show because of the official Netflix trailer, then you’d be in shock when you watched the first episode. It has some lighter moments but the bulk of that episode is dark, very dark. It is not until the FL leaves the island when the mood starts to lift but even then, there is a dark undertone that rears its ugly head from time to time and really hits some serious lows towards the end of the run. I’m not talking about drunkenness or bullying but multiple suicides, domestic violence and attempted murders. It is no joke.Here lies the main problem of this show. The premise of a teenage girl surviving by herself on a deserted island for 15 years is fantastic and if they play it purely as an escapist fair it could work. You will have to suspend your disbelief but with the right cast and a good script, it has a lot of potential. However, like so many k-dramas of late, the writer-nim have to inject darkness into what could have been a light and breezy show.
On top of that, this show put the FL front and centre at the start of the show but then shift the focus onto to the older FL and that changes the tone and pacing of the show. I appreciate the importance of the old FL’s role in shaping the FL but her story as a faded star is much less engaging than the FL's. It is functional but it dips very close to a melodrama when it should have been uplifting and fun. It can hardly be called inspirational.
I understand some dramas are makjang by design while others are psycho thrillers but why do shows need to incorporate elements from several genres. Simplicity and a clear focus might deliver a better outcome. There is a throughline here but sometimes it fades or branches until you are not sure what is the A-plot anymore.
So if we pared back the plot to just the main theme regarding the rescue of the FL and her eventual rise to stardom, it is actually good and wholesome fun. Park Eun-bin played the role with heart. She can be naive one moment and glamorous the next but you can relate to her. Even the simple love story of Mok Ha and Bo Geol is sweet and heartfelt. That makes the padding out of the story feels all the more unnecessary. There is more than enough fuel for a decent 12 episodes run. Rather than watching the growth of the FL into a diva, we ended up with multiple threads pulling in different directions and by the time the spotlight is back on the FL, it is a done deal. We see very little of her “struggles”.
Is it an enjoyable watch? Yes, mostly but it could have been better. As a social commentary, it is stilted and heavy handed. As a fantasy, it feels hemmed in. The constant juxtaposition between the horror of domestic violence and light, uplifting moments can be jarring. Neither theme is helped by the other. It is like watch an unicorn frolicking in the meadows except it also breaths fire and has glowing red eyes!
OBTW, there are moments when I see glimpses of Attorney Woo when the FL looks a certain way. Uncanny. OST is FAB. I believe PEB sang some of the songs. That’s impressive.
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nice idea, poor execution, could be much better
Castaway Diva[2023] - 8/10 -kdramaI guess I am doing injustice to this drama with mine rating... Its just I see just too much of wasted potential.
From first 2 eps I was expecting drama with very interesting story about woman trying to :return: to society and maybe accomplish her past dream + obtain lower.
yeah all of this is in this drama, but its more like secondary focus? Primary focus is on classic story about family problems and bad past. Which just wastes premise of stranded woman. Drama Thirty But Seventeen was better in this theme.
plot - FL as high school student was fangirl of famous singer at that time, she got family problems with violent father. FL managed succeed in casting and obtained chance to become famous singer, but at way to Seul her father catch up and they both fell into sea. FL survived and lived 15y alone stranded on uninhabited island. After 15 y she was rescued and now she gotta get back into society.
genre - romance, comedy, music
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Just a silly story using Attorney Woo fame
So I'm not a fan of non-Autistic people cast in the role of an Autistic person. Imitation of gestures or manners of speech are seriously not fun to watch. Even worse is when an actor who formerly played the part of an Autistic person is using the same mannerism in another role to just createan odd personality. That's cruel.Also, the dialect is so over-acted that it hurts my ears, and Korean is just my ninth language.
I know I must sound rude , but I think this story was concocted to utilise Park Eun Bin's Attorney Woo fame.
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Wow!! Incredible Drama!!! (Warning this drama is very heavy with family/child abuse!)
I am so shocked I’ve never heard anyone even MENTION this drama before!!I was on the edge of my seat the entire time! There was a perfect mix of laughter, sadness, anger, and frustration throughout this entire show. I found myself laughing hard one episode then sobbing the next!
The acting was phenomenal and the cast was picked PERFECTLY!!! The songs were also beautiful and I will definitely be adding them to my playlist!
I wish I heard about this show sooner, but I’m glad I could watch it anyway!! The only thing I wish was that there were more romantic scenes between the two main leads! We know, and they know they have feelings for each other the whole show but don’t really officially get together till episode 11 I believe!! Even after they’re together they don’t really do much else with the love part of the story! So if you give it a watch just remember this show is not about the romance but, about the heartache and longing for freedom of multiple people in different situations!!!
Either way everyone needs to watch this drama!! It brings awareness to the issues of abuse while also giving people a heartwarming message that you can do anything when you put your mind to it no matter who you are or how old you are!!
You will not be disappointed!!!
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Perfeito...
Antes de falar do drama, a única coisa que se passa na minha cabeça até agora é PQ EU N VI ESSE DRAMA ANTES?! Quando comecei a assistir não tinha muitas expectativas pela história, mas mordi a milha língua já no primeiro episódio. A história foi bem amarrada e desenvolvida do começo ao fim con personagem cativantes que me fizeram ter vontade de colocar em um potinho e guardar pro resto da vida. Não esperava de forma alguma o desfecho que o drama tema e não vou reclamar. Apenas tenho elogios para fazer a essa obra prima, desde a atuação impecável dos atores (que mefizeram chorar, rir, gritar de desespero, e acreditar fielmente que eles eram uma verdadeira família), as músicas, cenários entre outras coisas.Apenas vou sentir muita falta dessa família e da energia que esse drama passou quando assisti. Entrou para os meus favoritos da vida.
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A Beautiful Story
When it first came out, i was not really interested because the name sounds weird. Why is it Castaway Diva? What happened? After watching the first episode i was so intrigued. It got me going, and i love it. The story flows so well without them forcing any bullshit tropes. They didn’t add anything more to the story afterwards and kept with the same plot which i feel is excellent.Some dramas tend to force the childhood bullshit or anything but not this drama. It has a hint of angst but at the same time, it’s a really beautiful drama trying to tell you not to give up your dreams. The cast fully acted the characters well, especially Woo Hak. He is an amazing second lead. They didn’t drag the Kiho thing too long and it flows smoothly. As a fan of chae jonghyeop, this drama really did him justice hehe.
Overall, i enjoyed the drama and eunbin as Mok ha just chef’s kiss. I recommend this drama to everyone.
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