Is there a lot of romance in this show?

Not really. While there are some 'fate-bound' connections and hints of past-life tension, it's far more focused on the action and the supernatural threat than the typical K-drama love triangle.

How scary are the monsters actually?

They are 'lust demons' that transform from humans into jagged, stone-skinned creatures with black blood. They move fast and the scenes are often dark with jump scares. It's closer to Resident Evil than Casper.

Do I need to have read the webtoon to understand the plot?

No, the show stands on its own, but it moves quickly. You might find yourself Googling some of the Jeju Island mythology if you want the full context of the 'Dol Hareubang' statues and the island's history.

Is it okay for a 12-year-old who likes fantasy?

Likely not. Between the graphic stabbings, demonic imagery, and some of the darker thematic elements (like religious trauma), it's better suited for older teens who can handle the intensity.

Island – WISE Score & Parent Review | Screenwise

Island

Name: Screenwise
Author: Screenwise

show2022

58%

WISE Score

IMDb

A demon hunter, an heiress, and a K-pop-looking priest team up on Jeju Island to stop a literal hell-on-earth apocalypse.

7/10

37%

→

Island

show

TV-14, 2022

58%

WISE Score

IMDb

A demon hunter, an heiress, and a K-pop-looking priest team up on Jeju Island to stop a literal hell-on-earth apocalypse.

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7/10

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Screenwise Verdict

If your teen is into the dark K-drama wave (think Sweet Home or All of Us Are Dead), Island fits right into that queue. It’s a slick, high-budget fantasy that trades typical romance for demon-slaying and ancient curses.

It isn't exactly high art—the plot gets a bit tangled in its own mythology toward the end—but for fans of the genre, the visuals and the cast carry it through. Just be ready for the horror; it’s more 'action-horror' than 'psychological-thriller,' meaning the monsters are front and center.

Age Fit

This is strictly for teens (14+) and adults. The horror elements aren't just 'spooky'—they're visceral, with demonic possession and monster violence that will likely give younger kids nightmares.

WISE Breakdown

Wholesome

It's a story of sacrifice and protecting humanity, but the tone is relentlessly grim and the 'hero' is a cold-blooded monster-human hybrid. Not exactly warm and fuzzy.

Imaginative

The show leans hard into Jeju Island folklore, mixing traditional Korean mythology with high-octane exorcism tropes and slick visual effects.

Safe

This is a horror-action series. Expect 'lust demons' that look like something out of a nightmare, visceral gore, and intense supernatural violence. Definitely not for the younger set.

Enriching

Beyond the monster-slaying, it touches on destiny, the weight of past lives, and the internal struggle to remain human in the face of inner darkness.

Parent Info

✓

Why It Might Be Great

Stunning production design that makes the most of the Jeju Island scenery and high-budget CGI.
Cha Eun-woo as Johan brings a 'hip' priest energy that K-drama fans will find either hilarious or captivating.
Action-packed exorcism sequences that feel more like a superhero movie than a quiet horror flick.
Based on a hit webtoon, so the lore is deep and the character archetypes are well-established.

⚠

What to Watch For

The 'Lust Demons' are genuinely creepy and the violence when they're dispatched is graphic and bloody.
Dark backstories involve child abuse and traumatic religious upbringing that might be heavy for some viewers.
The ending is polarizing — as seen by the low Rotten Tomatoes audience score, the pacing and conclusion left some fans frustrated.

Conversation Starters

"If you had to choose between living a safe, normal life or a dangerous one where you were 'destined' to save the world, which would you pick?"
"Van is half-human and half-monster. Does that make him a hero, or just a weapon?"
"Why do you think stories about exorcism and demons are so popular in different cultures right now?"

Deep Dive

K-Drama Meets High Fantasy

Island is part of a growing trend of Korean productions that are moving away from the 'hallyu' romance tropes and into gritty, big-budget genre fiction. Set on the real-world Jeju Island, the show uses the location's natural beauty as a backdrop for some pretty gnarly supernatural warfare.

If you're coming for the cast, you're in good company. Kim Nam-gil plays the brooding, immortal Van with the right amount of 'I've seen too much' energy, and Lee Da-hee's Won Mi-ho is a refreshing take on the 'heiress in trouble' trope—she's got agency, even if she's out of her depth. But the real draw for many is Cha Eun-woo, who plays a priest who listens to K-pop while performing exorcisms. It's a bit on the nose, but it works for the show's 'cool' aesthetic.

The Webtoon Legacy

Because this is based on a long-running manhwa/webtoon, there's a lot of lore packed into a relatively short season. This is both a strength and a weakness. The world feels lived-in and the stakes feel high, but if you haven't read the source material, some of the rules about how the demons work or why the characters are 'bound by fate' might feel a bit rushed.

For parents, the main thing to know is that this is on the higher end of the TV-14 spectrum. The monsters aren't just guys in suits; they are CGI-heavy, distorted, and violent. If your kid handled Stranger Things without a blink, they'll be fine here, but the tone is significantly more cynical and the blood is more frequent.