Most of the Korean drama Island takes place on Jeju Island, but it’s a mythical Jeju full of supernatural phenomenon, including some very bloodthirsty demons. That’s what draws Cha Eun-woo’s character Father Johan to the island. An accomplished exorcist, Father Johan wants to vanquish the island’s demons and protect Mi-ho, a woman central to the island’s mythology.
When viewers first meet Father Johan, he’s in the middle of an exorcism and he’s wearing headphones. Music may drown out the demonic chatter and help pass time while struggling with the persistent forces of darkness, but what is the actor actually listening to while the demon calls out his name?
Is it a song by the k-pop group Astro?
Cha, who began his career as a model and actor, debuted with the six-member k-pop group in 2016. While building his acting resume in dramas and films, he continues to perform with Astro and write songs for the group. When asked what he listened to while conducting that onscreen exorcism, he laughs. Was it Astro?
Although he’s appeared in dramas, such as Gangnam Beauty and True Beauty, and the film Decibel, Cha doesn’t think of himself as primarily an actor.
“When I’m performing on stage I work hard as a singer and when I’m acting I do my best as an actor,” said Cha. “I’m not inclined toward being more of an actor or a musician, I focus on whatever fits the situation at hand. As for Astro news I want to share that Astro members Moon Bin and San-ha recently released their third mini-album and are promoting it, so I would like to share this news.”
To play a priest in Island Cha researched various works that show exorcisms or priest characters.
“I went to a Catholic church to meet and speak with a priest,” said Cha. “In order to portray the role of Johan, I prepared various things, such as learning Latin, Italian, and action for the first time.”