Set against the backdrop of a tropical paradise, Island of Hearts isn’t your typical romance game. It’s a story where reality meets fiction — where six real-life women step into roles that blur the lines between who they are and who they portray. Each of them carries a mix of charm, mystery, and emotion, bringing their personalities to life in ways that feel both playful and deeply human.

From influencers and DJs to nurses and actresses, every cast member poured their real selves into their virtual counterparts, creating a game that feels as genuine as it is dramatic. We spoke with the six women behind the island’s most intriguing characters — Babyg, Leah, Ms Puiyi, Debbie, Nahyun, and Ayako — to uncover their experiences, challenges, and memories from filming in Phuket, Thailand.

Meeting the Six Hearts of the Island

Each actress comes from a different background, and it truly shows in their characters.

Babyg, an influencer from Hong Kong, immediately laughed when asked about her role. “I’m just being myself,” she said. “My character is exactly like me in real life — wild, a little crazy, and full of energy.” She described her character as “sassy and slightly dangerous — but in a fun way.”

Leah, who plays Lily, is the complete opposite. “I’m shy and quiet, so the role really fits me,” she said softly. “I’m not very social, but this character lets me show my calm and gentle side.”

Meanwhile, Ms Puiyi, the Malaysian actress, DJ, and producer, takes on the role of Emily — a confident and assertive doctor. “Emily is the kind of woman players will want to conquer,” she said with a teasing smile. “If you dare, try to win me over in the game.”

Debbie brings positive vibes as Gabby, the cheerful and laid-back friend. “Gabby doesn’t like drama — but I can’t say the same about the other girls,” she joked.

Nahyun, a nurse and streamer from Sydney, plays Mia, a soft-spoken and caring character. “I’m naturally calm and nurturing, so this role came naturally,” she said.

Lastly, Ayako, a Japanese-Malaysian actress, portrays Chloe — a complex character burdened by past trauma. “She hates all men and comes to the island looking for new love,” Ayako explained. “But in the process, she ends up discovering something deeper about herself.”

Acting Challenges and Preparation in Phuket

For many of them, acting in Island of Hearts was both an exciting and challenging first experience.

Ayako said she felt confident because Chloe’s personality mirrors her own — sporty, brave, and independent. “I watched YouTube videos to practice memorizing lines. It was my first time acting, but it turned out really natural,” she said.

Nahyun’s biggest hurdle was performing in English. “English isn’t my first language, so it was really hard at first,” she admitted. “I practiced every chance I got — reading the script over and over until it flowed smoothly.”

Debbie mentioned that some scenes were especially difficult because they had to be done in one continuous take. “But the crew was amazing. They really understood which character suited us best, so it all felt natural,” she said. “We had so much fun filming — I think players will feel that when they play.”

Ms Puiyi praised the production’s professionalism. “I was surprised — no overtime! Everything was on schedule and super comfortable,” she laughed. “It was one of the most enjoyable overseas shoots I’ve done. Plus, this time I didn’t have to wear heavy makeup or horror prosthetics like in my previous films.”

Unforgettable Memories in Phuket

Filming took place over a full month in Phuket, Thailand, and the cast had plenty of memorable experiences — from local food and sightseeing to a few eerie encounters.

Babyg said she fell in love with the warmth of the locals. “Thai people are so kind and honest. And their mango sticky rice? I could eat that three times a day,” she said, laughing.

Leah discovered a one-of-a-kind animal café. “It didn’t just have cats or dogs — there were lions and monkeys! You’ll never find that in Singapore,” she said.

Debbie was the most excited about the beach scenes. “The food was great, the beaches were gorgeous, and we even went jet-skiing for the shoot,” she said enthusiastically. “We also got to see a local parade — it was so colorful and lively.”

But not all memories were lighthearted. Nahyun recalled something unsettling about their villa. “We later found out it was affected by the tsunami twenty years ago,” she said quietly. “Some of us had strange experiences — bad dreams, odd noises… just a little creepy.”

For Ayako, the most memorable part was trying out Muay Thai during her downtime. “It’s so hard to find traditional training like that outside Thailand, so I couldn’t miss it,” she said.

Love in the Virtual World

When asked if they would date their own characters, most of them said no — for various reasons.

Ayako laughed, “No way! My character hates men.”

Debbie said she’d rather be friends. “I wouldn’t date myself, but I’d love to hang out with the other girls — they’re so fun.”

Nahyun gave a sweet answer. “I’d date Mia,” she said with a smile. “She’s too kind and warm — girls like that are rare in real life.”

Babyg was blunt. “No way I’d pick my own character — she’s insane! But if I could, I’d choose Ms Puiyi. Her character’s so sexy, just being around her makes my heart race.”

And Ms Puiyi, true to form, added, “I’d date all of them. I want to see every ending,” she laughed. “It’s like collecting them all.”

Between Character and Reality

Many of the actresses felt their in-game personas reflected their real selves.

Ayako said Chloe is “basically me” — adventurous and tired of relationship drama.

Nahyun agreed. “What’s funny is that my character’s a nurse — and I actually used to work as one in Sydney.”

Debbie found Gabby similar to her, though “a bit sillier” in the game.

Ms Puiyi said Emily helped her discover a different side of herself. “I didn’t realize I could be that spicy until this shoot,” she laughed.

And Babyg admitted, “Sophia is just like me in real life — toxic and crazy. I honestly don’t know how the producers figured that out!”

Shooting in Paradise

Phuket left lasting memories for everyone. Debbie described Thailand as her “second home” thanks to its warm people and amazing food. “We ordered GrabFood every day just to try everything,” she said.

Babyg became addicted to mango sticky rice, while Nahyun fell in love with Pad Thai. Ayako loved the water sports and Muay Thai lessons. “I even did a little sparring — it was awesome,” she said.

One of their favorite memories was witnessing the Pride parade in Phuket. “It was colorful, joyful, and full of energy,” Debbie recalled. “I even video-called my family so they could see how beautiful it was.”

Challenges Behind the Camera

Despite the lighthearted vibe, filming wasn’t all smooth sailing.

Weather was a big issue. “It rained a lot, and the girls had to shoot outdoors,” said Ms Puiyi. Debbie added, “We had to use insect repellent every single day!”

Nahyun faced more personal challenges. “I haven’t dated in a long time, so it felt awkward when I had to say lines about having a boyfriend watching me,” she said with a laugh. “But then I thought — maybe the players will become my boyfriends!”

Ayako struggled with portraying a character whose orientation differed from her own. “I had to improvise and really understand her emotions,” she said.

Babyg had to battle through her fear of forgetting English lines. “I was terrified of holding everyone up, but I made it in the end,” she said proudly.

Romance, Comedy, and a Bit of “Bikini Logic”

While Island of Hearts is often promoted for its sensual appeal, the game’s writer Vincent said that’s not the focus. “We wanted to highlight the comedic side of romance — not just the lovey-dovey parts.”

Director JianHao added that the charm of the project lies in its diverse cast. “They come from different countries with millions of fans. It’s rare to unite so many Asian influencers in one game world,” he said proudly.

And when asked about the inevitable beachwear question, Vincent laughed: “Of course there’ll be bikinis — we shot in Phuket! You wouldn’t expect them to wear jackets, right?”

Favorites and Future Dreams

Each actress had her own favorite scene. Debbie loved the beach group scenes. Ayako agreed — “Running on the sand and playing in the water was so much fun.”

Nahyun loved the happy ending, while Leah preferred her bad ending. “It was sad, but so emotional,” she said.

As for future projects, Ms Puiyi hopes to try comedy, while Nahyun and Leah want to do horror. Babyg dreams of an action film “to look cool,” and Debbie wants to star in a sci-fi story. Ayako, meanwhile, says she’ll always have a soft spot for romance.

Love on the Island — Who Would You Choose?

When it came to picking their favorite character, everyone had different answers.

Ayako chose Emily. “She’s the sexiest,” she said.
Nahyun picked Babyg’s character for her “toxic charm.”
Babyg, on the other hand, picked shy Lily. “I’ve never talked to a quiet girl before — that’d be a challenge!”

In the end, they all agreed that Island of Hearts isn’t just about virtual romance, but also about self-reflection. “This game isn’t just about dating,” said Ms Puiyi warmly. “It’s about understanding relationships, trust, and love.”

Island of Hearts feels like a mix of tropical romance, lighthearted comedy, and emotional introspection — a playful, charming experience that reminds us even in a virtual world, love still takes courage.

Messages from the Girls

As the interview wrapped up, each actress shared a message for future players.

Babyg encouraged fans to “play with your heart and enjoy every choice.”
Leah hopes players try every route, since “each girl has a different story and personality.”

Ms Puiyi offered a more immersive tip: “Play in a dark room like you’re at the cinema. Use headphones or VR if you can — it feels more real.”

Debbie added, “Replay it a few times! Each decision changes the outcome — today you might fall for one girl, tomorrow another.”

Nahyun ended sweetly with, “Please play our game,” while Ayako winked and said, “Good luck dating Chloe.”

Exclusive Interview with the Developers

Behind the laughter, beach scenes, and charming characters of Island of Hearts stand two key figures: JianHao, director and CEO of Titan Digital Media, and Vincent, the screenwriter and assistant director. Together, they brought an ambitious vision to life — one that feels both romantic and deeply human.

From YouTube to Game Development — The Director’s Bold Vision

Best known for Titan Academy, JianHao is no stranger to storytelling. But this time, he wanted to take Titan Digital Media to a new frontier. “Over the past year, this genre has been growing fast, and we wanted to make our own version,” he said.

The project first surfaced late last year, but only took shape after a partnership with GCL and 4Divinity. “Once everything aligned, we went all in,” he explained. “We had all the resources — we just needed to take the first step and say, ‘let’s do something new.’”

For JianHao, transitioning from YouTube to directing a game wasn’t as drastic as it sounds. “It’s actually quite similar to what we already do,” he said. “We create serials, vlogs, and family content — storytelling is already in our DNA. The only difference is that now, players can date the characters.”

Cross-Country Collaboration and the Power of Influencers

One of the project’s biggest strengths lies in its cast of well-known influencers from across Asia. “As Titan Digital Media, we’re used to working with KOLs (Key Opinion Leaders), but this time we wanted something different,” he explained.

They aimed to make the project global, not just a local Singaporean production. “Each of them has a huge online presence — that makes it exciting to see how they come to life as characters,” he said. “And who knows, there might be more than six characters… but that’s a secret for now,” he teased.

Of course, cross-country collaboration brought challenges — especially language. “English was tough for some of the cast,” he admitted. “We had to do long one-take scenes, so even a small mistake meant starting over. It took longer, but the results were worth it.”

More Than Just Love — It’s About Fun

Interestingly, JianHao emphasized that Island of Hearts isn’t meant to be overly serious. “It’s not about heavy drama,” he said. “We just wanted something fun, lighthearted, and romantic — something anyone can enjoy.”

He believes players will feel like they’ve been on a journey once they finish the game. “By the end, you’ll feel like you’ve truly been on an adventure with these girls,” he said.

There are also plans for multiple language dubs and subtitles to make the game more accessible worldwide. “We’ll have dubbing,” he confirmed. “And if the cast can return to voice their lines in other languages, that’d be amazing.”

The Writer Behind the Story

While JianHao oversees the creative direction, Vincent is the mind weaving everything together. As screenwriter and assistant director, his job goes beyond writing dialogue — he had to shape each character’s personality to feel real.

“The biggest challenge was time and adaptation,” he said. “Most of our cast aren’t professional actors, so we had to help them find their rhythm.”

Interactive filming also added pressure. “There’s no cutting halfway — if something goes wrong, we start over,” he said. “That made scriptwriting and directing extra tricky.”

Vincent also had to rewrite certain lines to suit the actors’ natural speech. “For example, with Babyg, we adjusted some English lines on set to make them sound more authentic. She even threw in some Spanish at one point!”

Writing Characters Based on Real Personalities

Vincent and his team spent time studying each talent before writing their roles. “We analyzed their real personalities and exaggerated certain traits to make them stand out in the game,” he explained.

This approach created characters that feel natural and relatable. “They’re not professional actors, but that’s what makes their interactions feel genuine,” he said.

He also praised the production team for keeping things smooth. “No overtime!” he laughed. “We were disciplined but still had fun. Everything ran on time — that’s key to keeping everyone’s energy up.”

A Passion Project with Heart

For both JianHao and Vincent, Island of Hearts represents more than just a creative experiment — it’s a heartfelt dive into a new medium where personality, storytelling, and emotion intertwine.

“We’ve been doing YouTube for years, but this project opened a whole new world for us,” said JianHao.

Vincent smiled, “We worked really hard on this game. It’s full of funny moments, surprises — and yes, I make a cameo in the game. But you’ll have to play to find out where.”

With its mix of romance, comedy, and authenticity, Island of Hearts stands as a fresh reminder that the lines between fiction and reality are often thinner than they seem — and sometimes, love stories are best told under a tropical sunset.

Island of Hearts is set to release in February 2026 for PC via Steam.

---