Two of our leads reconnect with people from their past, though one reunion is a lot more confrontational than the other. Grief has our protagonists in its grasp, and it’s not about to let go without wringing a good deal of despair out of them.
Editor’s note: Island will resume streaming on February 24, and weecaps will continue.
EPISODES 5-6 WEECAP
We resume where we left off last week — demon-eyed Ban sprints towards Mi-ho, and when his dagger finds its mark, blood splatters onto Mi-ho’s face. Except she’s unharmed. As her shock subsides and Ban’s eyes return to normal, they realize that Ban stabbed his own arm in a last-ditch (and perhaps instinctive?) attempt to avoid hurting Mi-ho.
Despite the danger that Ban’s other side poses, it’s clear to Mi-ho that he isn’t the least bit malicious. Worried about his injury, Mi-ho climbs all the way up to Ban’s stone memorial site with a first-aid kit, since he’s been intentionally staying away. Mi-ho reminds him that he’s protected her multiple times, but Ban still rebuffs her. He’s afraid he might lose control and hurt her again.
Ban arrives too, having recognized the postmortem injuries of the fox demon’s victim as Goong-tan’s signature twelve-stab killing method. His dagger led him right to Goong-tan, who drops the corpse and walks off, as if inviting Ban to follow.
That leads him to a deserted clearing, where the two half-demons come face-to-face for the first time in years. Goong-tan seems like he’s spoiling for a fight, but contrary to expectations, he tucks his dagger away. As Ban’s dagger halts a hair’s breadth away from his eye, Goong-tan reminds him that Won-jung deceived them both, using and then discarding them.
Ban finally explains it all to Mi-ho — she’s the reincarnation of Won-jung, who had the power to repair the broken barrier between the mortal realm and the demon one. As such, the lust demons are trying to kill Mi-ho before she can awaken her power.
Resolving to take charge of her own fate, Mi-ho reassures Ban that she trusts him, sincerely asking him to stay by her side. But that’s exactly when Ban coughs up blood. Swiftly putting distance between himself and Mi-ho, Ban insists that this is a burden he has to carry alone.
Since Ban is bent on solitude, Mi-ho seeks out Granny Geum, hoping to glean whatever information she can about Won-jung. Luckily, Granny Geum is a lot more forthcoming with her knowledge. According to her, a light will emanate from Mi-ho’s awakened body, enveloping the island and mending the land — just like how she managed to heal Benjulle.
That marks the end of Island’s first half, leaving us hanging on tenterhooks until the drama resumes on February 24. This week’s episodes may have floundered somewhat with its choppy editing (so many disparate plot threads, so much jumping around), but I’m still intrigued enough to anticipate the second half.
Sung Joon has such a magnetic aura as the enigmatic Goong-tan, and I can’t wait to find out what turned him against Won-jung and drove a wedge between him and Ban. I’m also impressed by Cha Eun-woo’s acting — he’s really outdone himself this time, and his raw desperation to save his brother brought me to tears.
As Mi-ho pointed out, it isn’t Ban’s promises that are weak (unlike what he claims), but his resolve. Ban has been letting his guilt hold him back, constantly keeping himself under scrutiny to ensure that he doesn’t inflict harm on Mi-ho/Won-jung again. Yet it is also this fear that gives rise to tunnel vision and blind spots — too preoccupied by his remorse, Ban cannot have sufficient faith in himself to fully commit to his purpose.
Ban’s still wilfully trapping himself in the past, as seen in how he still tends to his stone tower memorials, and how he still wears mourning clothes (yes, there’s a reason for all his black suits). Ban wants to do better, and he’s constantly trying to atone for his perceived sins — yet he doesn’t believe that he can do better, and that’s his biggest roadblock. Will he be able to make amends and forgive himself? What schemes lie in wait for him? Is it February yet?
