Doona!

이두나! ‧ Drama ‧ 2023
Completed
Wang Ji El
56 people found this review helpful
Oct 20, 2023
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 3
Overall 9.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 8.5
This review may contain spoilers

The BEST BOYFRIEND award goes to Won Jun!!!

First of all I would like to talk about the amazing cast and their wonderful acting. So, I would like to say that the first point that few people check for in a drama is satisfied. I felt that only an idol IRL can perform the character of Doona perfectly and Bae Suzy just nailed it.

The story is nothing new. But I just enjoyed this story so much, even thought the story is nothing new the characters and the way story progressed made it up for me. The character portrayal is obviously the heart of the story. Especially Yang Se Jong's character felt so refreshing to me.

Also the visuals in this drama are really good. Especially Doona, won jun, Jin-Ju, I-ra are really really good looking in the drama. I have no complaints regarding acting. This is my first time watching Yang Se Jong's acting and I really can't wait to watch more his dramas in the future.

If only they have an award under the category of best boyfriend, then definitely Won jun will get that award. He is such a caring boyfriend and understands Doona very well more than anyone else. Doona deserves the best as well, even though at first she irritated Won Jun, she is just misunderstood. Won Jun and Doona deserve each other as they deserve the best!!!

In the first episode, when they tried to portray the scenes that happened in the past, I felt that there is a bit of confusion while trying to figure out whether the scenes are happening in the past or the present. But in the upcoming episodes it was alright. But the last few episodes are really painful. Because I really couldn't stand them being sad even though they are doing pretty great in their daily life.

This is the first drama where I felt that opening song suited the drama the most and it felt really good listening to that song. I am not a big fan of these kind of climaxes. I watch dramas for pleasure and to feel happy, but the climax made me a bit sad. Only if they just given us a hint about their relationship instead of just vaguely defining it. But overall I enjoyed watching this drama. The chemistry b/w the leads is off the charts.

Then again this is a kind of drama where the director wants us to guess everything and have not explained few things in detailed. Like for example I-ra's dating phase, Jin-Ju's trip and occupation, also Won-Jun's job whereabouts. I am curious to know what job did Won Jun get and how is his family doing. Considering all these things, I wish they go for a season 2, cause I want to see more about Doona and Won Jun's story!!

PS - Great Acting! Usually Unusual Story LOL! Worth Your Time!!

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Completed
Polyar
10 people found this review helpful
Nov 3, 2023
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.5
Story 6.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.0
Rewatch Value 5.0
This review may contain spoilers

An Open Ended Mess of a Story that Disappoints

I was looking forward to watching this drama from all the trailers and teasers I had seen plus it also staring Suzy who is one of my all time favorite idols so I was instantly drawn into it. The drama started off so strong with excellent character introductions and development, the characters felt real and relatable with each conversation and scene feeling natural. The development between the relationships felt perfectly timed and with roadblocks being resolved quickly. All of this was up until Episode 7, that was when the writing and the characters became a complete mess. Each decision the leads made felt like a slap to the face in everything that was established in the first six episodes. Everything the writers were building up to that point they just tossed into the garbage and forgot about it from there. In some instances, the characters felt completely different from the ones the drama started off with initially.

Open Ended endings when done correctly are a fantastic however this one was not done correctly, it was done so poor that it requires the viewer to go back and watch the drama or look up on the internet about what actually happened. Having invested time into these characters and their story only for it to end on the most flat open ended endings I have ever seen out of any media I have ever watched or played. To put it plainly, it was like buying a scratch off lottery ticket and instead of it saying "You Win or You Lose" it instead told you "You maybe won or You maybe lost". This drama's story required a defined and resolute ending to its story, this was not a science fiction drama that could have questions left unanswered nor some cop drama which left an investigation's potential culprit a mystery. I could have overlooked all of the mistakes and mess that was made during Episodes 7, 8, and 9 if the ending was not some vague nonsensical mess that required a re-watch of previous scenes or a web search to have it be resolved.

One of the best thing about the drama is the cast it had. Suzy knocked it out of the park with her performance as the titular character Doona. she played the role of the fallen out of grace idol that was a complete mess perfectly. Yang Se Jong as Won Jun was great as well, his problems of having to help Doona put the pieces of herself back together throughout their relationship and having to bare the burden of giving up everything for her felt very relatable. Ha Young as Jin Ju was a great secondary love interest that in my honest opinion, was the much better choice for Won Jun in all honestly. The rest of the supporting cast was great as well, they really did a great job in contributing to the story. One minor disappointing thing was that the drama never revealed the relationship of Doona and Won Jun to Won Jun's bestfriend Su Jin who was Doona's biggest fan. It was a missed opportunity, which the drama had several of those unfortunately.

The soundtrack itself was solid with it being an all around great OST, there isn't really any stand out tracks other than Ordinary Days which itself was performed by Suzy and Daylight by BIG Naughty. The cinematography was perfect, everything about the drama's production was high quality. Also excellent job in being able to show the emotions of the characters through camera shot styles, its rare seeing a drama being able to do that.

All around, I wish this drama didn't throw away all the great work in started with in the first six episodes. Had they continued with that pace, this drama had the potentials to be one of the greatest drama's of all time but unfortunately the drama self sabotaged itself leaving myself and many more viewers disappointed and unfulfilled.

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Completed
Arise
19 people found this review helpful
Oct 21, 2023
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 2.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 2.5
Music 3.5
Rewatch Value 1.5

All of this marketing advertising for this ?

If the story plot as advertised seem interesting and the cast with Bae Suzy seem to have a lot of potential, it is not worth it.

First of all, scenes are long. Short spoiler, the main character encounter each other very fast, but you wait about more than 15 mns to have them interact. So far it seems ok but when nothing interesting happens in 15 mns it’s long. 15 mns where sequences aren’t that beautiful, song is not engaging or silence not necessary or things characters do have nothing interesting for the overall story… it’s a waste of time. and this happens again and again.

Also the plot is jumping from one thing to another soo rashly… as a viewer you don’t have time to either grasp the situation or have compassion for the character.

About the acting…. it’s far from being Bae Suzy best performance. and for Yang Se Jong I first thought it was bad acting but I thing the overall is just bad directing. When interacting with the female lead he acts like a extremely dumb person. If that was his personality… alright. but it is only when interacting with her. and it’s not about “shy” type or weird type but truly like you would talk to an autistic person.

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Completed
Nicholas louie
16 people found this review helpful
Oct 21, 2023
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 7.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 8.0
Music 8.0
Rewatch Value 5.0

Just average

Pretty standard romantic drama, the two main leads meet and don’t get along at first. Then they find they actually like each other, but don’t start anything romantic at first. ML an ordinary college student and FL is a Kpop idol who doesn’t want to be an idol anymore. FL is also a troubling girl who's got a mix of PTSD and borderline.

This drama goes into deep emotions and mental issues. Also second female lead syndrome hit me hard while watching this. She was ultimately the better choice for the ML imo they were perfect, but because of their situation and the multiple times they held themselves back led them to not being together.

The ending could've been done better. I was just expecting too much from this drama and ended up being very disappointing. Cast is great, but I don't see myself watching this again.

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Completed
Eri
8 people found this review helpful
Oct 24, 2023
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 4.0
Story 8.0
Acting/Cast 8.5
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 4.0
This review may contain spoilers

I hated the ending! :(

I watched the whole drama in two days and I really liked the characters. The story was quite lovely. In the last episodes things start to go wrong but it is something you would have expected. However, I really expected a happy ending and hated the way they closed the story!!!! Really!!! What is the need of leaving the story like that??? The truth is it dissapointed me and left me with a sad feeling :( I hope they would consider adding an extra episode where they show us them together!!! Or a second season!!!
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Completed
Limon_11
11 people found this review helpful
Oct 21, 2023
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 6.5
Story 6.5
Acting/Cast 7.0
Music 10
Rewatch Value 2.0
This review may contain spoilers

Doona Left me Disappointed???

Yeah a bit. Could have been much better. But after 6 episode everything seems like a mess. Although ending could have been better. Why leave it as open ending without satisfying anyone. The only positive things about this drama is The OST and Cinematography. I was looking forward to enjoying a great show. But Doona left me disappointed!!

From episode 1 to 6. I loved everything. The plot and leads ongoing chemistry was giving me good vibes. But when Choi i ra came, everything strated to be messy. Although it was like the real life struggling of a Idol singer. I know it was goona be a tough decision. But The ending could have been much better. I like almost everything about this drama but except the Ending.

The only thing continuously pop up my mind is why why why? Why leave it as a Open Ending. It could have been a great drama if the ending was Good. Doona's ending disappointed me a lot.

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Completed
Rooney_Army
25 people found this review helpful
Oct 20, 2023
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 3
Overall 5.5
Story 3.5
Acting/Cast 10
Music 8.5
Rewatch Value 2.0
This review may contain spoilers

Disappointing End!!!

I really expected more from the end it started pretty well i knew it would be the typical haters to lovers streak and i was completely fine with that they fell in love so passionately that i thought Won Jun's decision to let it all go just like that was a bit fake she held onto him and even took the courage to come and appear before him once again after gaining an established career she wanted him back they both missed eachother and where obviously still in love so WHY?? just why didn't they end up together??? Or is it just an open ending is there perhaps a SEASON 2??? cus i don't know about anyone else but i need MORE!!!!!

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Completed
MsNotes
41 people found this review helpful
Oct 22, 2023
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 9.0
Story 9.5
Acting/Cast 9.5
Music 9.5
Rewatch Value 7.5

Love story of celebrity Doona. Toxic. Hot. Engaging.

Imagine a book you had fun reading and the writer gives you a blank page to decide their fate... I think most people synced well with the starting story but what's debatable is... the ENDING. It depends all on how much linked you were to the story and which kind of decision you would've taken if you stood in their shoes. with how much I understood the complexity of these characters I kinda liked the ending.

"Doona!" is a melodramatic beautifully written story of a fallen star, Lee Doona who was having a hard time for multiple reasons and hence somehow messed up her career and ended up living in a rented house in Seoul which led to her encounter with Won Jun, a university student. They shared the house with few other people hence taking us on a journey of awesome friendships, compelling romances and much melodrama.

Although that description sounds like a cute, healing, delightful story. Its kind of the opposite with immense angst, as you witness these messy characters taking up messy choices. They'll wreck your mind but as complicated and toxic as it gets, you'll be more addicted to this and excited to know the end.

with amazing emotional build up and acting, the leads have sizzling chemistry even though they're poles apart. She needed someone to heal her loneliness and the male lead who has never made a risky move realising that he could actually go head over heels for someone like this.

I love the realistic approach of this drama and how no character looked perfect. Even the ML who looks superficially perfect had some minor flaws if you notice. so they had flaws, enough depression inside them that they expressed at different scenes, they made mistakes, regretted them and none went by smiling "okay I'm good"... If you're sad and hurt, cry, move out, don't act up, like this ain't a fairytale.

What levels up the spice of this drama is the melancholic OSTs, crazy visuals, you can't help but stare at Suzy (like damn Bae Suzy and her overall presence is aesthetically a treat to watch) and I'm surprised that I was not disappointed by anyone's acting. They were all wonderful infact especially Bae Suzy (its basically her drama, you'll see the plot revolving around her too)

Overall this was an amazing entertainer, high quality production, visually satisfying intense drama which is both binge watchable and frustrating if you don't sync with the characters. With many viewers this is either a hit or a miss. Some would love it enough to scream and others would hate this enough to scream. Scream-worthy either ways.

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Completed
kyungsoosbae
23 people found this review helpful
Oct 22, 2023
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 9.0
Story 9.0
Acting/Cast 10
Music 10
Rewatch Value 9.0

REALISTIC

This drama is not for everyone, but at times you need a realistic relationship like this. Not everything is lovey-dovey all the time, and at times you have to let go of someone you love as it might not be the right time, but that does not mean that they never shared a connection. I feel like people really just want a happy ending and find it frustrating when there is some kind of open ending. Believe me, I am the same lol, I try to look for hints and go over the drama again for details. I think this is the case for Doona, there are some hidden but important details and clues in the last episode and in the intros and outros to each episode that personally made me think that the director very cleverly wanted them to be picked up by the viewers themselves.

The drama as a whole was beautiful to watch: the cinematography, the ost, and all the actors were superbly talented. I loved the friends group, and all the support cast was amazing in their roles. I do like more straightforward dramas with more rom-com elements as well, but I also love it when there is a more realistic twist and here, there was a realistic portrayal of how your twenties are such a tumultuous time of your life, and how complex love can be when paired with all the other things one has in their plate in this period of their life. Doo Na can be very unlikable and almost toxic at first, but as all her layers come down, you see that she's just a girl struggling to understand what makes her happy and who just wants to be accepted and loved. It showed us how tough things can get for idols, how little help they can get when they are struggling with anxiety and confusion, and how quick people are to hate them. Of course, this does not mean that all that she does throughout is acceptable, but I could see where she was coming from. Won Jun also just loved her for what she was but also told her when she hurt him and eventually let her go so that she could be herself while doing something that she loved, which was singing and being an idol. But at the same time, he let her go for his own good too, because he realised they were not happy together at that time and prioritised his and her individual happiness, but never stopped loving her. By the end, they were both doing what they wanted to do, and from the hints I picked up from that last episode they might even have given each other another chance at being together, as this time they were older and knew how to handle some things better.

I feel like everyone should try and watch this drama as it is, and try to understand the underlying meanings and the characters. I personally really loved it and I felt so understood while seeing all the various characters go through all their different experiences, feelings and emotions. The director was really clever, he so beautifully gave us the ending without actually giving it to us directly.

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Completed
On cloud nine
16 people found this review helpful
Oct 20, 2023
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 2
Overall 7.0
Story 7.0
Acting/Cast 5.0
Music 7.0
Rewatch Value 5.0

Everything about this Drama is average


Average!!

I had huge expectation from this drama but end up being dissappointed.Everything about this Drama is average.

I dont have any issue with story line or ending for that matter. But acting from both leads are so below average , i cant even root for characters.

I was expecting some good direction . This drama tries too hard, end up achieving average product.

Story on paper sounds good but that didn't translate onscreen screen properly.

*Sigh* Wasted opportunity to create Nice healing drama.






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Completed
ariasmiling
14 people found this review helpful
Jun 26, 2024
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 1.0
Story 5.0
Acting/Cast 5.0
Music 1.5
Rewatch Value 1.0
This review may contain spoilers

A drama with a very toxic relationship

Honestly, Doona went so viral! that by default I ended up watching it. The first two chapters were really slow and boring. I'm one of those people who, although the chapters can be slow and boring, I have to finish watching it.

After watching Donna! I had a good time of reflection to put together the ideas I had in mind.

I can understand Donna to some extent. It is very exhausting to be an idol and when you need time to rest your mind, everyone abandons you when you no longer generate income. Clearly Donna's childhood was taken away from her and she became very emotionally codependent on her manager, which made her very mentally destabilized when he abandoned her. Because he didn't want her, he just used her until she stopped generating income.

She meets an ordinary boy who doesn't even recognize her because he wasn't her fan. Which bothers Doona.
A toxic friendship/lovers dynamic is created between them.

I don't think Doona loved him, like Won Jun loved her. He was willing to change anything that bothered Doona in order to be with her but Doona was not. And that's because Doona lacks emotional responsibility. She just played with him and his feelings, so she wouldn't feel so alone.
But he really didn't care at all what Won Jun felt or how he hurt him. He only cared about his own needs.

Doona is like the main character of Nevertheless, but in a female version. She is a big red flag that you should avoid if you don't want to get hurt. You know that kind of person who is only with you and plays with you and your feelings, but without really committing to the relationship. It's like being on a seesaw with her, you don't know when she'll get off the game and leave you alone.

I really felt bad for Won Jun, on many occasions. You could see his determination to make things work somehow but he never really got it because of how capricious Doona was.

The chemistry is palpable, but Suzy (who doesn't really stand out for her acting) didn't know how to handle the complexity of Doona's character.

I haven't really read the webtoon, I just watched the drama. I don't know if it's because I needed more chapters or what but in the end I felt empty.

I don't think (and I hope for Won Jun's mental well-being) that they will stay together. They were just two people who met through life circumstances. You know? You don't always have to stay with that person. And even more so with a person who does not know how to manage and take responsibility for their actions or feelings. That can be very destructive for you.

I'm enjoy the drama? Not really. The only thing I liked is the cinematography, Doona's look and the performance of the actor who played Won Jun.

I recommend it? I don't know, if you enjoyed the turbulent relationship of the protagonists of Nevertheless, I can say watch it. If, on the other hand, you don't like this type of relationship, then I recommend that you don't watch it.

It is also my opinion, you can see for yourself if this drama is for you or not.

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Completed
simonetalksdramaskpop
5 people found this review helpful
Mar 28, 2025
9 of 9 episodes seen
Completed 0
Overall 4.5
Story 5.5
Acting/Cast 6.5
Music 4.5
Rewatch Value 1.0
This review may contain spoilers

Doona! What did you think??

I thought this was going to be a cute easy watch and it was an easy watch, 9 episodes but there was so much miss communication and even I was confused through quite a lot of it.

Very interesting take on the Kpop industry very close to the Nail on certain movements being discussed at the moment..

The actors were great and I loved the other couples in the storyline how they got their happy endings too but I am not sure what the end actually was for the main characters?? some say they are together some say they split it’s very hard to tell! so much miss communication with the audience just as much as between the characters.

At points it was hard to tell how many days had passed and whether something was before or after the last scene or even a back story? I also don’t remember much of the music I think I was more focused on trying to understand the storyline.

Apart from the moments I got lost in the story it was a very easy watch and I watched in one sitting and I would definitely watch these actors / actresses in other dramas for sure but this one just wasn’t for me.

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Doona! poster

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  • Score: 7.7 (scored by 43,216 users)
  • Ranked: #5062
  • Popularity: #196
  • Watchers: 77,742

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