Romantic Island (2008 Film)
Romantic Island (Korean: 로맨틱 아일랜드; RR: Romaentik Aillaendeu) is a 2008 South Korean romantic comedy film directed by Kang Cheol-Woo. The film follows the intersecting lives of three couples who travel to the Philippines, specifically Manila and Boracay Island, where they navigate personal struggles and new relationships.
Plot
The narrative centers on three distinct pairs of travelers:
- Joong-Sik and Yoon-Suk: A middle-aged couple embarking on their first overseas trip. Joong-Sik, who has been diagnosed with a brain tumor, intends to end his life in the Philippines to secure insurance money for his wife.
- Jung-Hwan and Yu Ga-Young: Jung-Hwan, a struggling convenience store clerk, travels to the Philippines to move on from a recent breakup. He encounters Yu Ga-Young, a famous pop singer who has fled the pressures of her career to seek solitude.
- Choi Soo-Jin and Kang Jae-Hyuk: Soo-Jin, overwhelmed by family issues, uses her savings to escape to the Philippines. She meets Jae-Hyuk, a businessman visiting the country to settle affairs following the death of his estranged father.
Production
The film was directed by Kang Cheol-Woo and written by Lee Jung-Sub, Kang Cheol-Woo, and Park Myung-Rang. During development, the project was known by the working title Feel So Good (Korean: 왠지 느낌이 좋아). Principal photography took place on location in Manila and Boracay, Philippines.
Cast
The film features an ensemble cast, including:
- Lee Sun-Kyun as Kang Jae-Hyuk
- Lee Soo-Kyung as Choi Soo-Jin
- Lee Min-Ki as Jung-Hwan
- Eugene as Yu Ga-Young
- Lee Moon-Sik as Joong-Sik
- Lee Il-Hwa as Yoon-Suk
