Doona!

Doona!
Promotional poster
Hangul
이두나!
Literal meaningLee Doo-na!
Revised RomanizationI Duna!
McCune–ReischauerI Tuna!
GenreRomance[1]
Created bySong Kyung-hwa
Based onThe Girl Downstairs
by Min Song-ah
Developed byStudio Dragon
Written byJang Yoo-ha[2]
Directed byLee Jeong-hyo[2]
Starring
Music byNam Hye-seung[3]
Country of originSouth Korea
Original languageKorean
No. of episodes9
Production
Executive producers
  • Hong Won-ju (CP)
  • So Jae-hyun
  • Park Ju-yeon
Producers
  • Kim Young-gyu
  • Lee Ki-hyuk
  • Jang Young-woo
  • Kwon Mi-kyung
  • Park Gyu-won
EditorLee Hyeon-mi
Running time40–50 minutes
Production companies
Original release
NetworkNetflix
ReleaseOctober 20, 2023 (2023-10-20)

Doo-na! (Korean: 이두나!) is a South Korean romance television series starring Bae Suzy and Yang Se-jong, based on the Naver webtoon The Girl Downstairs by Min Song-ah. It was released on Netflix on October 20, 2023.[2][6][7]

Synopsis

A college student, Won-jun, becomes roommates with Doo-na, a retired K-pop idol who leaves behind her glamorous days.[8][9]

Cast

Main

The main vocalist and center of the girl group Dream Sweet (Korean: 드림스윗; RR: Deurim Seuwit), who announces her sudden retirement and stays in a share house in a college town.
A college student and math genius who desires to live a normal life

Supporting

Won-jun's high school crush.
Won-jun's housemate.
Won jun's childhood friend.

Special appearances

Production

Filming started around July 2022[20][21] and was completed on February 20, 2023.[22]

Reception

Lee Min-ji of Newsen felt that "what stands out the most in this drama is the complexity of Lee Doo-na's character", describing her as "eccentric and outspoken, but also with a dark side", and appreciated Suzy's acting, who "played her complex sides with stability".[23] Jang Soo-jung expressed a similar opinion on Dailian, writing that "Suzy, who plays the cheerful Lee Doo-na, is perfect, as if the character was made especially for her. [...] She brings Lee Doo-na to life so convincingly that you can't help but wonder, Who else could have played Lee Doo-na if not Suzy?"; conversely, she found Won-jun to be "rather flat" in comparison, but well played by Yang Se-jong. On the plot, she wrote that the drama "shows the standard development of an idol romance drama. [...] However, by actively using clichés, it has the charm of a romantic series, entertaining yet predictable".[24] Jeong Seung-min of MHN Sports appreciated how Suzy expressed the change that occurred in Doo-na after opening her heart to Won-jun and the chemistry between the lead actors, but also wrote that the series "can be childish" and "feels like a typical youth drama or a web drama depicting campus life".[25] Choi Ha-na of TVDaily criticized the drama, stating that it has a predictable plot as it only focuses on the romance between Doo-na and Won-jun (while in the webtoon he is torn between her, I-ra, and Jin-joo) and the supporting characters have no function other than that of "bridesmaids" to the leads. However, she praised Suzy's acting, who "played every moment of Doo-na with just the right amount of intensity, never overdoing it or disappointing", considering it a good enough reason to watch the series.[26] Journalist Kim Jun-mo of OhmyNews called it "boring" as "other than Suzy, the show lacks any memorable parts".[27]

Joel Keller of Decider wrote that "Doona! is a pretty standard romantic K-drama in a lot of ways, but the added dynamic of a regular guy and a depressed K-pop star falling for each other makes things just a little more interesting".[28] Joanne Soh gave the show 3 out of 5 stars in her review for The Straits Times , identifying Doo-na and Won-jun's chemistry, the cinematography, and the show's treatment of the protagonist's mental health issues as the show's strengths, but found it to be "oddly slow-moving" compared to the webtoon.[29] For Geoffrey Bunting of Rolling Stone, Doona! "[weaves] a complicated yet relatable narrative about loss and love. On the surface, it feels at home with contemporary clichéd dramas yet represents a startling departure." He appreciated how it "builds a community around Lee Doo-na to pull her out of isolation and help her rediscover herself", and called it "a show that's really about letting go — shedding old lives, past loves, and former selves" that "deftly navigates the complexities of grief and, though wrapped in K-drama clichés, is surprisingly human".[30]

The series hit the No. 1 spot on Netflix's top 10 TV programs in Singapore.[29]

References

  1. ^ "Teasers Unveiled for Su-zy's Upcoming Netflix Series". The Chosun Ilbo. September 22, 2023. Archived from the original on September 27, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2023.
  2. ^ a b c Hyun, Hye-seon (September 21, 2023). '이두나!' 수지·양세종의 설렘 가득한 로맨스 호흡… 10월 20일 공개 ['Doona!' Suzy-Yang Se-jong's exciting romance... to be released on 20 October]. The Seoul Economic Daily [ko] (in Korean). Archived from the original on September 29, 2023. Retrieved September 22, 2023 – via Naver.
  3. ^ 이두나! OST / 수지 (Suzy), BIG Naughty (서동현), 다운 (Dvwn), 권진아, Seori, 김경희, 드림스윗, Janet Suhh (자넷서), Will Bug(윌벅), 남혜승, 고은정, 이소영, 박상희. 벅스! (in Korean). October 20, 2023. Archived from the original on October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  4. ^ a b Liz, Shackleton (December 12, 2022). "Netflix Orders 'Doona!', From 'Crash Landing On You' Director Lee Jung-hyo; Reveals 60% Of Global Members Watched K-Content In 2022". Deadline. Archived from the original on October 24, 2023. Retrieved December 12, 2022.
  5. ^ a b Ji, Min-kyung (October 18, 2022). [단독] 이진욱, '이두나!' 특별 출연..특급 시너지 예고 [[Exclusive] Jinwook Lee, special appearance on 'Lee Doona!'..Exclusive Synergy Notice]. OSEN [ko] (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 21, 2022. Retrieved October 18, 2022 – via Naver.
  6. ^ Kim, Ji-won (January 17, 2023). '더글로리' 파트2→'D.P.' 시즌2…넷플릭스, 올해 한국 작품 28편 공개 ['The Glory' Part 2 → 'DP' Season 2... Netflix to release 28 Korean titles this year]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on March 3, 2023. Retrieved January 17, 2023 – via Naver.
  7. ^ Yoon, Seong-yeol (July 21, 2023). [단독]'청룡 접수' 수지 '이두나!'로 10월 20일 안방 컴백..첫 넷플릭스作 [[Exclusive] Homecoming comeback on October 20th with 'Blue Dragon Receipt' Suzy 'Doona!'... First Netflix production]. Star News (in Korean). Archived from the original on July 21, 2023. Retrieved July 21, 2023 – via Naver.
  8. ^ "The Life List: South Korean actress Suzy smokes and swears as a retired K-pop idol in Doona!". The Straits Times. October 19, 2023. Archived from the original on October 20, 2023. Retrieved October 20, 2023.
  9. ^ Moon, Ji-yeon (December 12, 2022). [공식] 수지, 타이틀롤..'이두나!' 넷플릭스 제작 확정 [[Official] Suzy, title role..'Doona!' Netflix production confirmed]. Sports Chosun (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2022 – via Naver.
  10. ^ a b Kang, Min-kyung (December 12, 2022). [공식] 수지·양세종, 넷플릭스 '이두나!' 출연 확정…찬란한 20대의 설렘 [[Official] Suzy and Yang Se-jong, Netflix 'Doona!' Appearance confirmed... The fluttering excitement of the brilliant 20's2]. Ten Asia (in Korean). Archived from the original on December 12, 2022. Retrieved December 12, 2022 – via Naver.
  11. ^ Lee, Seul (October 17, 2023). '우영우' 웨딩드레스 신부 하영, '이두나!' 캐스팅…수지·양세종과 호흡 ['Woo Young-woo' wedding dress bride Ha-young, 'Lee Doo-na!' casting… Working with Suzy and Yang Se-jong]. Xports News (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 20, 2023. Retrieved October 17, 2023 – via Naver.
  12. ^ Ha, Ji-won (October 18, 2023). 김도완 '이두나!' 캐스팅, 수지 양세종과 호흡 [Kim Do-wan 'Doona!' Casting, Suzy and Yang Se-jong]. Newsen (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 20, 2023. Retrieved October 18, 2023 – via Naver.
  13. ^ Kang, Hyo-jin (February 16, 2023). [단독]박세완, 넷플릭스 '이두나!'서 수지·양세종과 호흡…대세 굳히기 [[Exclusive] Park Se-wan, breathing with Suzy and Yang Se-jong in Netflix's 'Doona!' solidify the trend]. SpoTV News (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 18, 2023. Retrieved February 16, 2023 – via Naver.
  14. ^ OSEN (October 20, 2023). 작정하고 예쁜 수지…'이두나!' 오늘(20일) 드디어 공개. m.osen.co.kr (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 21, 2023.
  15. ^ a b '이두나!' 짧은 등장으로도 시선 강탈…아이돌 두나 세계 속 인물들. entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  16. ^ '이두나!' 백지혜의 변신. entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 23, 2023. Retrieved October 23, 2023.
  17. ^ "Doona! - Cast (Korean Drama, 2023, 이두나!)". HanCinema. October 24, 2023.
  18. ^ a b Hwang, So-young (October 6, 2022). [단독] 고아성·라치카, 넷플릭스 '이두나!' 특별출연 [[Exclusive] Go Ah-seong, Simeez, Rian (Dancer from Lachica), Netflix 'Doona!' special appearance]. JTBC (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 6, 2022. Retrieved October 6, 2022 – via Naver.
  19. ^ 양, 유진. '이두나!' 고아성, 수지와 걸그룹 멤버로…"컴백이 아냐, 데뷔한 적 없으니까". entertain.naver.com (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 21, 2023. Retrieved October 19, 2023.
  20. ^ Park, Jin-young (July 29, 2022). 수지x양세종, '이두나!' 촬영 본격 돌입…기대되는 로맨스 [Suzy x Yang Se-jong, 'Lee Doona!' Filming begins in earnest... Expected Romance]. Joy News (in Korean). Archived from the original on October 27, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  21. ^ Gladys, Yeo (August 1, 2022). "Bae Suzy and Yang Se-jong confirmed for Netflix adaptation of webtoon 'The Girl Downstairs'". NME. Archived from the original on August 13, 2022. Retrieved August 13, 2022.
  22. ^ Park, Ji-young (February 20, 2023). 수지x양세종 '이두나!', 오늘(20일) 촬영 종료…최강 로맨스 예약 [Suzy x Yang Se-jong 'Lee Doo-na!', filming ends today (20th)... The strongest romance is scheduled]. Joynews24 (in Korean). Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  23. ^ Lee, Min-ji (October 18, 2013). '이두나!' 성격이 좀 이상한, 그래도 너무 예쁜 수지 [TV보고서] ['Lee Doo-na!' Suzy with a slightly strange personality, but still so pretty [TV Report]]. Newsen (in Korean). Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  24. ^ Jang, Soo-jung (October 19, 2023). 평범한 대학생과 아이돌이 한집에?…'이두나'의 판타지를 구현하는 수지의 힘 [D:OTT 리뷰] [An ordinary college student and an idol living in the same house?… Suzy's power to realize the fantasy of 'Lee Doo-na' [D:OTT Review]]. Dailian [ko] (in Korean). Retrieved October 24, 2024 – via Naver.
  25. ^ Jung, Seung-min (October 22, 2023). "'12년 차 배우' 수지의 팔방미인 매력 담아낸 '이두나!'[정승민의 정감록]" ['Lee Doo-na!', which captures the all-round charm of '12-year veteran actress' Suzy! [Jeong Seung-min's Jeonggamnok]]. MHN Sports (in Korean). Retrieved October 24, 2024 – via Naver.
  26. ^ Choi, Ha-na (October 22, 2023). '이두나!' 수지 아니었으면 어쩔 뻔 [OTT 리뷰] ['Lee Doo-na!' What would have happened if it weren't for Suzy [OTT Review]]. Daum Entertainment (in Korean). Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  27. ^ Kim, Jun-mo (October 20, 2023). 수지 열연 돋보이지만... 시청자들이 아쉬워할 대목 [Suzy's acting is outstanding, but... there are parts that viewers will be disappointed about]. OhmyNews (in Korean). Retrieved October 24, 2024 – via Naver.
  28. ^ Keller, Joel (October 20, 2023). "'Doona!' Netflix Review: Stream It Or Skip It?". Decider. Retrieved October 24, 2024.
  29. ^ a b "Binge-worthy: Bae Suzy and Yang Se-jong make K-drama Doona! a very pretty romance". The Straits Times. October 25, 2023. Archived from the original on October 25, 2023. Retrieved October 25, 2023.
  30. ^ Bunting, Geoffrey (October 26, 2023). "'Doona!': Inside Netflix's K-Pop Romance Sensation". Rolling Stone. Retrieved October 24, 2024.