'Romantic Island'

By Han Sang-hee
Staff Reporter

The Christmas season boasts many holiday movies with plots about romance,Family Matters and even Santa and his elves. "Romantic Island" can be added to the love story category, as four young characters leave their tiring everyday lives, arrive at one of the most beautiful islands on earth and each start to discover new sides of themselves.

Jae-hyuk, played by deep voiced Lee Seon-gyoon, is a CEO but faces a layoff by the board of directors due to radical decisions and his straightforward personality. When informed of the death of his father, who left him to live with his Filipino wife and daughter, he doesn't flinch and leaves for the island to bid his father farewell.

Meanwhile, Su-jin, played by the bubbly Lee Soo-kyeong, flies to Boracay to escape her poor family and miserable workplace. She meets the seemingly rich Jae-hyuk and resolves to fix his sour attitude.

Jeong-hwan, played by model-turned actor Lee Min-ki, is an unemployed fellow looking for fun and Ga-young, played by singer-turned-actress Eugene (Yoo Jin), is popular singer. The two immediately bond, with Jeong-hwan simply honored to be with a famous singer and Ga-young frantically trying to get away from her hectic schedule. The story is somewhat similar to "Notting Hill", from the glamorous star to the timid yet happy young man.

There is actually another couple that will touch the heart of viewers: the dying husband and clueless wife. He's determined to kill himself, and almost succeeds, only to realize the true meaning of life and love through his loving wife.

"Romantic Island" is a trendy and romantic drama. It has all the right elements of: beautiful scenery, four young talented actors along with veteran co-stars and interesting love stories. But unlike dramas that take place over several episodes, a movie needs a solid plot that can hold onto viewers' attention, and "Romantic Island" falls a bit short.

The couples do offer a common theme of love changing everything for the worst, even the best situations, and the theme is executed quite successfully through three different storylines early on.

The couples are sweet and fun to watch and the actors are persuasive, but as the tightly packaged themes start to unravel, they lose their spark and tension.

Still, the sunsets, palm trees and beaches are more than enough to make viewers want to pack their bags and head straight there, and the small incidents with the three couples are the same as many would have hoped for in their dreams of a paradise getaway.

If you are looking for a light romantic drama with no serious twists or turns, "Romantic Island" will be perfect for you.

In theaters. 105 minutes. 15 and over. Distributed by Silver Spoon.