Castaway Diva follows Mok-ha, a girl who pursues her dream of becoming a singer after being rescued from a deserted island. All episodes are now streaming on Netflix.
Story
A 16-year-old girl, Mok-ha, idolizes a singer named Yoon Ran-joo and wishes to be a star like her one day. Mok-ha decides to participate in a fan contest that will be judged by Ran-joo herself.
Mok-ha takes the help of her classmate, Ki-ho, to shoot a music video. With time, Ki-ho and Mok-ha realize that they have more in common than they think — they both want to get away from their abusive fathers and lead a carefree life.
Mok-ha wins the fan contest and is called to Seoul by Ran-joo’s agency. With Ki-ho’s help, she leaves her hometown on a ferry, but an accident leads to her getting stranded on a deserted island for 15 years.
By the time Mok-ha is rescued, she is too old to be a singer. However, Mok-ha refuses to give up on her dream. She reenters society, meets Ran-joo, makes new friends, and sets out to become a star.
Performances
As Mok-ha, Park Eun-bin performs her part very well. She manages to make Mok-ha look like a starry-eyed girl who is determined to become a singer and help the people who are close to her. Be it singing or acting, Park Eun-bin excels at both.
Kim Hyo-jin shines in the role of a washed-up singer. She captures the difference between the person Ran-joo once was and the person she is now. Kim Hyo-jin’s portrayal makes it hard to define Ran-joo in just a few words.
Lastly, Chae Jong Hyeop and Cha Hak Yeon highlight the differences in the personalities of their characters. Overall, the two actors give satisfactory performances.
Positives
More than Mok-ha’s journey, it is the bonds that she shares with various characters that make Castaway Diva a wholesome drama. When she is rescued, she has no one, but by the time the show ends, she manages to form meaningful relationships. While Ran-joo becomes her mentor, the Kangs become her family.
Castaway Diva has several uplifting moments. The show can be a little intense at times, but it is the light-hearted scenes that dominate it. It is definitely a feel-good drama.
The show’s protagonist is very likable. Her unshakeable faith in herself and those around her often gives hope and strength to others. Her actions prove that she is special and make the characters as well as the audience hope for her success.
Apart from Mok-ha’s journey, the show tells the stories of various other characters. While Mok-ha makes it against all odds, there are other characters, like Yong-gwan, who do not. It is the stories of these other characters that make Mok-ha’s success remarkable.
Then there is Ran-joo’s subplot. Her loss of stardom, her loneliness, and the way she is treated by the people who succeed because of her make for a touching tale. The audience will find themselves rooting for her again and again.
The show depicts Mr. Jung as a dangerous antagonist, a clever man who hurts others at the drop of a hat. It succeeds in doing that, as the way he abuses his family makes one’s skin crawl. He comes across as an awfully mean man.
The show puts a lot of effort into Mok-ha’s performances, and it shows. The sets, costumes, and cinematography make her performances stand out. It makes the audience wish for more of them.
Negatives
Instead of Mok-ha’s journey, the show focuses more on depicting the kind of person she is and the relationships that she forms. Mok-ha’s dream and her success often take a backseat to the stories of other characters and Mok-ha’s involvement in them.
Initially, the mystery regarding Ki-ho’s identity is intriguing. However, the audience will figure out who the real Ki-ho is in just a few episodes. The show’s efforts to mislead the audience drag it out more than necessary.
Certain instances in the show are very unconvincing. President Lee’s sudden change of heart in the last episode is one of them. He was the only character who represented the ruthlessness of the industry. His change gives the story an ending that is too good to be true.
Verdict
Castaway Diva is a feel-good drama about a girl pursuing her dream. While it loses its focus at times, it does not fail to give the audience the stories, relationships, and endings that will make them smile.
Castaway Diva season 1
Director: Oh Choong-hwan
Date Created: 2023-12-04 15:01
3.5
Also Read: Castaway Diva season 1 finale recap, review & ending explained