Park Eun-bin, recognized for her role in “Extraordinary Attorney Woo,” recently concluded her work on “Castaway Diva.” After portraying a character with autism spectrum disorder in her previous project, she shared during the “Castaway Diva” production presentation that this new role also presented its own set of challenges.
“When I decided to take on this role, I initially hoped for a lighter experience, but it turned out to be a task that demanded significant commitment. I thought to myself, ‘Here’s another challenging choice,’ yet I harbor no regrets. Embodying the strength of Mokha was essential and immensely rewarding for me.”
“Seo Mok-ha is a character brimming with dreams, pure passion, adept musical skills, survival instincts in the sea, and a distinctive dialect. This diversity made it an entirely fresh challenge for me. I’m eager for audiences to witness this new facet of my performance.”
Synopsis of Castaway Diva
After 15 years stranded on a deserted island, aspiring singer Seo Mok-ha’s journey towards her diva dream unfolds.
In the beginning, Seo Mok-ha was shown adapting to a natural life on the deserted island. Following her escape, she will undergo a tumultuous journey to aid in Yoon Ran-joo’s revival and eventually debut as a singer. Throughout this process, the backgrounds of Seo Mok-ha and the Kang brothers (Kang Bo-geol, Kang Woo-hak) was unveiled, revealing their interconnected stories.
Broadcast date and number of episodes of Castaway Diva
“Castaway Diva” had its tvN debut on October 28, 2023, airing every Saturday and Sunday at 9:20 PM KST, encompassing a 12-episode run. Additionally, the series is accessible for streaming on TVING and Netflix.
Official Trailer of Castaway Diva
casting of Castaway Diva
Park Eun-bin(박은빈) as Seo Mok-ha
She was raised as the only daughter under her single father’s difficult care, who owned a fish restaurant in Chunsam Island. A mishap left her stranded on a deserted island for 15 years. Having spent 16 years in Chunsam Island and another 15 on the deserted one, she acquired a regional dialect. After her miraculous escape, despite being over thirty and feeling it might be too late, she reignites her dream of becoming a singer, questioning whether it’s an achievable aspiration or merely a premonition of a star’s birth.
Kim Hyo-jin(김효진) as Yoon Ran-joo
Once lived in a luxurious villa with a grand piano, now resides in the basement of a fan club president’s home. Struggling with low self-esteem, she relies on alcohol and cigarettes, speaking her unspoken thoughts when intoxicated. Fears of failure keep her passive, feeling the loss of her glamorous past in her current state. Despite being in her 40s, she’s conflicted between starting anew and giving up.
Chae Jong-hyeop(채종협) As Kang Bo-geol
He serves as a producer and co-director for the live broadcast show ‘Nth Heyday,’ featuring once-famous singers who are now somewhat forgotten. Despite their fading popularity, the songs performed on his show consistently top the music charts. He leads a content life, residing harmoniously with his family: his parents, who manage a beauty salon, and his brother Woo-hak, a journalist in the same broadcasting company. While they may not be wealthy, their bond is rich in love, contributing to their happy existence.
Reserved and composed, he tends to keep his preferences and aversions to himself. Bo-geol maintains emotional control, except when it comes to his brother Woo-hak, who manages to irk him. Mok-ha’s sudden arrival disrupts Bo-geol’s structured routine, introducing an element of chaos. Yet, an inexplicable sensation seems to flicker in Bo-geol’s eyes whenever he encounters Mok-ha, hinting at a peculiar sentiment stirring within him.
Cha Hak-yeon(차학연) as Kang Woo-hak
Following his brother Bo-geol, he joins YGN as a social affairs journalist. Often praised as a born journalist, he’s a lovable annoyance, sometimes causing trouble but having valuable instincts and persistence as a journalist. While volunteering on the deserted island, he encounters Mok-ha, getting entangled in her journey to reclaim her lost time. In this journey, Woo-hak starts uncovering connections from his past. Is it good or bad?
Kim Ju-hun(김주헌) as Lee Seo-joon
A highly educated and capable individual who leaves a major corporation to join an entertainment agency. Despite people’s questions about his choice, his answer lies in climbing to the top from the bottom. At that time, he became Yoon Ran-joo’s partner and secured a remarkable deal with her, leading RJ Entertainment to substantial growth. However, when the music market shifted to digital, their contract froze, and Seo-joon faces the dilemma of remaining loyal or being discarded when their contract expires in six months.
Production crew of Castaway Diva
Director: Oh Chung-hwan
He co-directed the immensely popular Hallyu drama “My Love from the Star,” featuring Jun Ji-hyun(전지현) and Kim Soo-hyun(김수현), igniting a Hallyu craze in China in 2013. Subsequently, he focused on directing several dramas, including “Doctors,” “While You Were Sleeping,” “Hotel Del Luna,” and “Start-Up.”
At the production presentation, Director Oh opened up about his experience with the script, expressing a deep personal connection to the characters’ story of rescue from a deserted island after 15 years. He revealed how this narrative stirred emotions within him, at times feeling as though he himself was stranded on that island. He believed this story would resonate with viewers, offering them healing and comfort. Stressing that the story isn’t solely heartwarming, he highlighted its diverse elements, promising an engaging mix of enjoyment, excitement, and suspense. With elements like dancing, singing, romance, and more, he urged viewers to expect an entertaining and immersive experience.
Playwright Park Hye-ryun
Park rose to fame among popular writers with the 2013 SBS drama “I Can Hear Your Voice.” She collaborated with Director Oh Chung-hwan, who directed this work, on the dramas “While You Were Sleeping” and “Start-Up.
behind the scene of Castaway Diva
- On April 26, 2023, in Seoul, during the early morning shoot, a man in his 40s residing nearby grew irritated by the light and noise, prompting him to throw a brick at a female staff member in her 20s. Fortunately, the woman received medical attention at the hospital and did not suffer significant injuries.
- Lead actress Park Eun-bin apparently opted to join the cast of “Castaway Diva” while in the midst of filming “Extraordinary Attorney Woo.” Reflecting on her decision, she shared, “I was seeking a change of pace, so I started exploring future projects. The title ‘Castaway Diva’ intrigued me.” Furthermore, she added, “Upon reading the script, I became intrigued by Mok-ha’s journey. I delved deep into the storyline, considering the emotions it could evoke. I felt the urge to connect with the writer and director to discuss the project, hence I made detailed notes.”
