User reviews

There was a lot of comments when the trailers came out that this was going to be female version of Nevertheless. Well let me tell you that it is not. Not in the slightest.

This series tells you the story about the trauma of a kpop idol who is completely lost and broken, and who finds herself relying on the sweet care and innocent feelings of a young boy living in the same dorm house she is hiding in.

The drama has a straightforward story with well written and complex characters. The more you watch the more about their past you will unearth, and the more of their layers you will uncover. They have an spectacular growth and development and it is truly amazing to watch. How they make mistakes, they regret them, learn from them and heal with the love they give each other.

It was very exciting to me to watch Yang Se Jong after his comeback, he is an amazing actor and he was fantastic in this role, specially in the emotional scenes. He carried the series. I also need to mention that he plays a very shy, inexperienced, crazy in love 20 year old boy, when in reality he is a 30 year old man. Just outstanding.( the difference when we saw him playing My Country: The new Age!!)

Chemistry between him and Bae Suzy was good enough, although I didn't think the skin-ship ( kisses, hugs etc...) in this was as natural and organic as I would have expected from such experienced cast and high quality production, not sure if it was done on purpose for the aesthetics of the drama but it felt staged and a bit fake. But I am used to this already in asian dramas so it might have been because of censorship and all that.

Secondary characters and couples were also fantastic and entertaining . The second female lead had also a very amazing subplot, watching her story with the male lead you were left wanting to know more about them and for a moment you actually rooted for them to become happy forever and ever. Such endearing but bittersweet story.

Overall it was a very enjoyable watch , perfect to binge during a rainy weekend. You won't regret it.

It's refreshing that a love story especially a non action show can be so involving and so popular with audiences around the world. It shows more physical affection on screen than some previous dramas so things don't feel old fashioned. The POV is more the guy's. For a change 3 girls chase an ordinary guy. Suzy Bae has star quality and keeps you watching her. Given her background as an idol singer this role is tailor made for her. Her haistyle didn't suit her though. Yang Se Jong is well cast as the sweet innocent college student. The supporting cast is great and most K drama fans will recognize veterans cast as her mother (the funny North Korean villager from CLOY) and older manager played by Lee Jin Wook.

Actually the director also directed CLOY and the ending is similiar. Due to the silly idols having to be single requirement they can only meet overseas. Pay attention the opening scene of the last episode and the closing scene which are both set in Japan. The ending should have been clearer and not fragmented. Had to read up online to understand it.

I definitely don't agree with the critical reviews on here. Just because this series doesn't follow the usual format of traditional k-dramas, it doesn't automatically make this series bad. I actually like this series because of the fact that it tries to do something new. I really like the blend of romance and drama paired with this melancholic vibe. I was interested through out all the episodes, because it was so fresh.

This series also did a great job at casting. Bae Suzy is the perfect person for this role, her delivery was great in this. The story was also really interesting.

For me to have given this series a higher rating, I would have wanted to see more character development. I feel like some of the storylines were left open or unfinished. Some of the plotlines felt rushed or out of place as well. I wanted to know more about the characters and their reasons for doing what they did. Still, this was worth watching.

Jung Hyo Lee's previous series, "Crash landing on You" is the best series I've ever seen.

Sorry. Make that, "Was the best series I've ever seen". Simply put, Doona! Is a masterpiece.

Mr Jung's work on Crash Landing on You was pitch perfect but here he spreads his creative wings and the result is both breathtaking and heart breaking, whilst still exhibiting his ability to engage you so wholly with the characters that you feel every bump along their various roads. And, trust me, Doona! Is a bumpy ride like a rollercoaster on a gravel road. Steel yourself...

The cinematography is courageous and beautiful. The editing is superb. Sorry to (and for) those who like things to rocket along at video game speed but the pacing here is slow and with a purpose, gradually gripping your heart with each passing minute until you struggle for breath. For instance, the scenes when Won Joon visits his family are almost silent and seemingly without drama of any kind yet make you feel like a weight is being slowly lowered onto your chest.

Bae Suzy turns in a performance for the ages as the dehumanised ex-pop idol, Lee Doona. Repeatedly used and discarded by those for whom she is but chattel, Doona has been driven to the depths of humanity, showing signs of bipolar disorder and brought back from the brink by an unlikely relationship with Lee Won Joon, her opposite in almost every way and played with studious seriousness by Yang Se-Jong.

Ms Bae's ability to walk the line between joy and depression, hope and desperation, selfless love and narcissism is almost unfathomable and perhaps the reason so many reviewers have given up the series within an episode or two, pointing the finger squarely at a main character they feel is one dimensional. Nothing could be further from the truth. Some people lack the patience or emotional maturity to stay the course as the character is revealed, layer upon layer.

No spoilers here; Doona's story is tragic, regardless of how the ending plays out. A week on and I'm still woken by flashbacks, whether it be mid-series moments or the final frame. Part of me wants to watch this over and over again, while part of me lies balled up and rocking but, despite the gut-wrenching heartache I feel now, I want to go again.

Everything about this drama was amazing, the chemistry, the story, the acting, one of the best cinematography I've ever seen. The OSTs were 10/10 loved them all very much. The only thing I didn't like was the ending, I'm so confused, not sure if it was a happy or a sad ending? I don't understand their relationship and whether they're still together or have separated in the end? Some people call it an "open ending" and maybe they're right. I personally don't like open endings and would have preferred some kind of closure.... other than that I really enjoyed watching it, it's one of those dramas that you can binge watch without getting bored and feel all the emotions while watching it. You'll feel both happy and sad.

It's always the jealous antis who are more motivated to give negative review. Doona trended, globally rated in top 5 or above, #1 in many countries including SK and in top #10 in many countries for over a month for a reason. Many will agree, Doona is strangely addictive, mainly because of the intense chemistry between Doona and Won Jun and the not obvious happily ever after ending. Yang Sejong is amazing as ever...showing why he was dubbed Monster Rookie his debut year and winning best actor awards. He really convinces as an innocent boy who has pure love for Doona yet manages to not completely lose himself, which makes him even more attractive to the viewers and Doona (versus being a completely lovesick doormat). Suzy is beautiful and part of the fascination is whether she as Doona really loves Won Jun...one can't help but doubt til the end. Not sure if that's good or not good enough acting on Suzy's part? She's definitely Doona tho.

This is an artistic series, not a crowd pleaser. The characters are very well defined, however, the most impressive part is the psychology of the K-pop idol. The series tries to make everyone understand what the difficulties of being a k-pop (or k-drama actor/actress, whatsoever) star in plenty of cases really are. I loved the miniseries to bits. It fits perfectly to my idea of romanticism as well as the idea of realism. To be a star, in all languages and on all meridians doesn't mean necessarily happiness. It may; but it may not. I am from Canada, but I really appreciate k-dramas. However, watching the weddings of some k-stars (Jang Na-Ra, Kang So-Ra, for example) and the fact that the non-celebrity spouse's face is hidden, most of them cannot really have girlfriends/boyfriends while young and working in this business, made me think a lot about the traumatizing life of idols. The movie is nice, but also realistic, doesn't matter what the others say. Plenty of people will complain about the ending :)) There is no other real possible ending! I strongly recommend it! It's beautiful, romantic and realistic.

Out of respect for the cast, I lasted 5 episodes. However, patience, goodwill and trying to understand what the writer and the director wanted to express, in fact, is not art, but only the illogical result when someone is under the influence. In short, the male character, a kind of virgin engineer monk, good at math, has two women who want him, a future engineer and a kpop star, whom he doesn't even introduce to his family. However, he brings home one of the three vamps of the faculty. Where it can be seen that neither the director nor the writer have a clue about the exact sciences. And if the goal was to represent the mental problems in society... they demonstrated it very well. As for the ending, under these conditions, it is left unfinished... At least that's what I read from what those who managed to finish it wrote. Too bad for the actors, they deserved a better production.

The series itself is good, with interesting characters and a great story line...but the male protagonist's decision making in the last episode killed me. I can't recommend this unless you like unfulfilled hopes and expectations.

I am seriously confused and disheartened by the ending and the male protagonist's choice to become a worker drone. I am giving it a 5/10 because it is interesting and well done, and the female leads (all three of them) do an amazing job.

Another reviewer remarked that the director and writers apparently wrote this for the elites, and not normal folks looking for an escape. I couldn't agree more.

Also, I just couldn't understand all the smoking, what was that all about? It was really overdone and really detracted from some of the scene enjoyment at times. It also seemed kind of pointless and really didn't advance the story.

Give this a shot if you like, but you WILL be left with the could've been, should've beens with this series.

The beautiful Bae Suzy plays Lee Doo-na, a former k pop artist who left the group and now leads an Isolated life in a shared house. Into this house comes Won-jun played by Yang Se-jong a student who has feelings for a long time friend but Doona soon fascinates him with her abrupt uncaring way of life. It is based on a webtoon and this can often be difficult to portray on screen and the pacing often is slow. It is an angst ridden drama but also a story of a group of people coming together at a moment in time. The acting from the entire cast is excellent and you do want to know where the relationship is going to go, particularly as they are from different worlds. The ending is interesting as it can be interpreted in two ways, and I chose the happy option.

As a devoted K-Drama fan, I recently had the opportunity to watch Doona!, and my experience with it was a mixed bag. This series had its unique charm, but it left me with mixed feelings.

The most notable aspect of the series was its ability to create a sense of suspense and intrigue that kept me hooked from the very beginning. The plot twists and turns were well-crafted.. I found myself constantly speculating about what would happen next, which is a hallmark of a good drama. The element of mystery and the unexpected surprises throughout the series added a layer of excitement and anticipation, which I truly appreciated.

Doona! Is also worth watching for its raw and authentic portrayal of emotions. The characters were portrayed with depth and complexity, and the actors delivered compelling performances. The series delved into their inner struggles, fears, and desires, and it did a commendable job of making the audience empathize with their plights. The real emotions displayed by the characters drew me into the story and made me feel deeply connected to their experiences.

However, despite these positive aspects, Doona! Fell short in some areas, and as a K-Drama fan, I couldn't help but feel somewhat unsatisfied. The series had moments where the pacing felt inconsistent, and certain plotlines appeared confusing at times. Additionally, the ending left me with some unanswered questions, which can be frustrating as a viewer.

In conclusion, Doona! Is a series that manages to create a emotionally charged atmosphere, making it intriguing to watch. The authenticity of the characters' emotions adds depth to the story and makes it relatable. However, the series has its flaws, with pacing issues and a somewhat unsatisfying ending. Despite these drawbacks, it's a worthwhile watch for K-Drama enthusiasts who enjoy stories that keep them guessing and appreciate real, raw emotions in their dramas.

Doona (Bae Suzy) is the front icon of an idol group, when she has a breakdown and drops out. She moves into a small rental complex where the other tenants are college students. Lee Won-joon (Yang Se-jong) also moves into the house.

Doona is a seeker, an insecure soul, self-destructive, unreliable and driven by impulse. Won-joon is cautious, controlled, and tied down. They are each other's opposites, but coincidences cause them to develop a fragile friendship and a mutual dependence on each other.

The plot is subordinate in this fine-tuned little gem where the actors get to excel in low-key portraits of two people who meet and become each other's lifeblood but also their greatest weakness, who challenge the other's self-image and shake up what they thought they knew about themselves, their life choices and their dreams.

Anyone looking for an easy-to-digest k-drama will be disappointed. It's low key, serious, slow and wistful. It is real and painful. The photography is fantastic, the soundtrack well chosen. The interaction is exquisite between Bae Suzy, who gives her (in my opinion) best performance, and the absolutely magnificent Yang Se-jong, who's performance goes straight to the heart.

This is the best I've seen this year. Possibly it could have benefited from a few more episodes, to deepen the characters' backstories somewhat, but that's just a small note in the margin. The ending is unexpected and can be interpreted in several ways, which is quite unusual in Korean series I've seen.

If you enjoyed My Liberation Notes, Our Blues and Nevertheless, this series is for you. I give it 9.5 out of 10 wistful hearts.

Three stars for the female leads who carry the show.

Folks, it is safe to say that if the main characters in a KDrama tell each other "I love you", you can stop watching right there and turn the show off. Because it is going to end badly.

This one is no different. It is like the writers of the show think their target audience are celebrities, instead of normal everyday people looking for an escape, and a good ending. Instead, they get a show where the characters ignore their feelings for the most inane and trivial of reasons. And when a chance (and then a second, and then a third...) appears to make things right, the writers have nothing but stodgy stoic dialogue that makes no sense and leaves you frustrated. You're pretty much screaming at the TV because of the stupidity that goes down. And don't get me started on how this "world famous" personality can move around the city and never be recognized in public...when it is convenient for the plot to move forward. But that's one of the minor gripes. This show is an abortion of bad choices, senseless motivations, and garbage writing. Only thing worthwhile are the female leads, all of them, because they can act. The male leads, again all of them, are pretty much wooden and are just there for the plot's sake.

So, in summary, love means nothing in these shows. There was no reason for them to not get back together. I guess this is why the birthrate in Korea is so low. Shows like this feeding people the idea that no matter what, your relationship will fail. No use trying to work against all odds and save it.

Another Netflix underdog story where an unsatisfying ending leaves you angry at your monthly subscription cost.

The way this show handles its filming style is nothing short of exceptional. It weaves an intricate narrative where time seems to move in its own unique rhythm, perfectly syncing with the characters and story.

One cannot help but applaud the director's brilliant approach to cinematography. Every frame is a work of art, skillfully capturing the essence of the characters and their journey. The way the camera moves and frames each scene is a testament to the director's expertise.

I hope we get to see a season 2, Netflix is moving storylines quicker than normal in regards to kdramas. Still lots of story to tell with Doona.

I'm giving this a 10 because I didn't watch this on higher speed, and that never happens. I don't know if it was because of the fact that it wasn't the usual 16 episodes but the dialogues were a normal human speed with normal human words rather than sedated and repeating the same words constantly. Even the slow, artistic shots were normal and not too slow or too long and most of all beautiful. Of course it helps that the two main leads are gorgeous. The pacing in general was great, making me wonder why Kdramas aren't always less than 10 episodes.

As far as the overall subject, personally I loved it. It shows how complex humans and human relationships can be. They can be logical or illogical, predictable or unpredictable, nice or mean. I thought the actors did great in delivering that.

Just finished doona i really loved how the story was told in such a realistic and mature way all the development felt so natural. Suzy & sejong slayed in their roles and their chemistry was excellent it's was completely worth watching it even with that bittersweet ending. Their chemistry was on another level the best pair, best couple, the best cinematography. I'll miss them so much. After ages, after so many years I've been in an obsession of such a kdrama, I think about DOONA all the time.

In short IT is A journey of falling into anxiety and fear, lost self-esteem, finding one's self, learning to love and be loved, and developing as a person.

I felt butterflies and pain.

Also, I love the touch of reality in this series.

I wish the movie crew could see this but I must thank them for letting me rewind a bit of the journey with my girlfriend. The movie brought me back to the day when me being an innocent boy finding myself at the will for protecting my girlfriend, who was heartbroken through a devastating relationship. I am not a professional in movie review so I won't talk much about the quality. However, I would definitely recommend this movie for anyone who has been through the same circumstance. You will find yourself in the movie, even through the smallest details. And don't be annoyed by the ending. There are a lot of hints that you can find and analyze the director's intention. I believe if you go through it carefully, you will understand that the ending is reasonable and satisfied. Doona! May not be the best K-drama ever filmed, but it will always be a big part in my melodrama list besides Uncontrollaby Fond and Healer. Love i!