Park Eun-bin returns as a Desert Island Diva
by solstices
Park Eun-bin, Chae Jong-hyeop, Kim Hyo-jin
If we’re talking about unique idol backstories, then Park Eun-bin (Extraordinary Attorney Woo) definitely takes the cake as a Desert Island Diva. In tvN’s upcoming rom-com, she’ll take the stage to chase her dreams as the idol wannabe Seo Mok-ha — after a fifteen-year stint on a desert island, that is.
How did she even end up there, you ask? In a bid to escape her father’s domestic violence and sneak off to an audition, country girl Mok-ha boarded a boat to run away from home. Except an unexpected storm ended with her washing ashore on an uninhabited island, miles away from civilization.
Luckily for Mok-ha, she’s tenacious and resourceful. Before long, she learned how to be self-sufficient, making use of the resources that Mother Nature provides. While hunger can be quelled, though, loneliness is a lot harder to stave off. Whenever the solitude got too much to bear, Mok-ha found comfort in the songs of her favorite singer Yoon Ran-joo, who’s played by Kim Hyo-jin (The Good Detective 2).
That comes full circle when Mok-ha is rescued fifteen years later — not only does she get to meet her idol, but her touching story also leads to her moving in with Ran-joo. It’s a dream come true for Mok-ha, but for Ran-joo, it’s a different story. Her stardom has been on a downward spiral after a series of unsuccessful albums, leaving her a washed-up pessimist far past her prime.
Or so she thinks. Witnessing Mok-ha’s resilience firsthand sparks memories of her own passionate youth, and Ran-joo can’t help but wonder: if Mok-ha can chase her idol dreams in her thirties, then why am I letting my age hold me back?
Ahhh, this might just be my favorite use of the cohabitation trope! I love when dramas put competent women front and center, and even more so when they inspire each other to be even better. Ran-joo’s clearly a source of guidance and strength for Mok-ha, and it seems like Mok-ha will ignite the courage that Ran-joo needs to pick herself up and continue pushing forward.
Rounding out the main cast, we have the adorable Chae Jong-hyeop (Unlock the Boss) as Bo-geol. Not much has been revealed about his character yet, but he’s said to share a special connection with Mok-ha. Hmm, did he meet her before she became a castaway? Or is he perhaps also an island boy? Either way, one thing’s for sure — I love the cast, and I’m already super stoked for this drama.
Directed by Oh Chung-hwan (Big Mouth), with scripts written by Park Hye-ryun (Start Up) and Eun Yeol, Desert Island Diva aims to commence filming in the first half of this year.
Tags: Chae Jong-hyeop, Kim Hyo-jin, Park Eun-bin
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1 Kurama
February 20, 2023 at 12:13 AM
It looks fun and interesting! I like the casting too.
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2 Midnight
February 20, 2023 at 3:03 AM
The summary sounds like enough material for 8 episodes 😄 If we are getting all that in episode 1 , then the whole promotional informations were misleading, and it is only a wanna be idol story.
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3 SP2022
February 20, 2023 at 3:07 AM
Love the casting, excited for this!
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4 Reply1988 -❣️Mother Bean❣️
February 20, 2023 at 4:23 AM
I hope that this does not add in a mystery element or too much chaebol politics because it sounds great.
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Linarrick
February 20, 2023 at 5:00 AM
With Park Hye-ryun as the writer I don’t really think we’ll have any scary thriller element especially since it’s an idol drama. But with the track record for rom coms lately and the trend to add unnecessary serial killers I can’t say for sure. I’m fully expecting the preachiness tho!
The stage will always showcase the truth! The holier-than-thou stage. Thou must always worship the sacred stage 😁
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DancingEmma
February 20, 2023 at 7:58 AM
You said it. No murder mystery, homicidal minio of a chaebol/chaebol family, sociopathic menaces or vans of doom. On the other hand, I’m A-ok with totally humanoid, cute, smart, kind, funny and not-unhinged ALIENS!😂🫥👽
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5 Linarrick
February 20, 2023 at 4:39 AM
Whaaat?! I wanted Park Eun-bin to BE the DIVA! I do like the cohabitation trope and bonus it’s between women but c’mon you give me a title like DESERT ISLAND DIVA and this is the synopsis?!
Pffft!
I was actually gonna congratulate writer Park Hye-ryun for using a completely new cast for once, but then I remembered Park Eun-bin actually cameoed in Dream High lol
She played the grownup Hye-sung (Suzy’s sister) so yeah I’m fully expecting Taec to cameo
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Midnight
February 20, 2023 at 11:17 AM
Of all the 16 hours of that drama, what I love the MOST is that 1 minute at the end.
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6 lapislazulii
February 20, 2023 at 4:42 AM
I'm here for this cast!!
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7 OldLawyer
February 20, 2023 at 6:42 AM
Even Park Eunbin might find it hard to pull of being an idol wannabe in her thirties. I like the cast though.
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8 sunnysaturdays
February 21, 2023 at 3:18 PM
PARK EUN BIN! PARK EUN BIN! But seriously, this synopsis sounds amazing. I am so ready for the female friendships. On another note, has Park eun bin become another Park bo young, in terms that she usually gets casted with lesser known/less experienced male leads because she's so expensive...........or is it just me?
First Rowoon, Kang Tae oh, now Chae jong hyeop.
Because you just KNOW she's going to overshadow jong hyeop's character.
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sunnysaturdays
February 21, 2023 at 3:19 PM
Not to forget Kim Min jae.... at the time of Do You like Brahms? .
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