Netflix’s new Korean original series “Doona!” hit the streaming site on Oct. 20. Courtesy of Netflix
Netflix’s newest Korean original series “Doona!” explores the heartfelt romance of a young couple from completely opposite worlds, while giving a glimpse of the struggles of K-pop idols.
Based on the popular webcomic “The Girl Downstairs,” the nine-part series, which hit the platform on Oct. 20, centers on former K-pop star Lee Doo-na (Bae Suzy), who suddenly announces her retirement and hides from the public, moving into a shared house where she rents out an entire floor.
She comes across ordinary college student Lee Won-joon (Yang Se-jong) and falls for his warm personality, feeling the comfort that she has never experienced in the cutthroat music industry.
The series follows the evolution of their relationship from their meet-cute to slowly growing affection for each other. Yet, when Doo-na decides to pick up her music career and return to celebrity life, the two drift apart.
Director Lee Jung-hyo, who led the 2019 smash hit series, "Crash Landing on You,” keeps the two’s romantic fate open-ended, leaving questions open on whether they finally got back together later in life.
The two lead actors shared their own takes on the ending, expressing their satisfaction with the ambiguity.
“The director left it open … Personally, I believe the two returned back to their own worlds. They are still young and it felt more realistic for them to live separately,” Bae said during a recent interview with The Korea Times at a cafe in Jongno District, Seoul.
Bae Suzy plays the title role in the series “Doona!" Courtesy of Netflix
Yang said he personally saw the series as a happy ending, adding that he liked how it also left room for viewers to have their own interpretations.
“I’m confident that the two will meet again one day. It was an open ending, but I leaned towards the happy one. I think they would’ve gotten back together,” he said.
Bae, who also has experience in the K-pop industry as a singer of Miss A, said working on the series has been a healing process, noting a deep connection with her character.
“When I read the script, there was a strange sense of empathy that I can’t describe towards Doo-na’s emotions and situation. I wanted to play the character because I felt bad and sympathized with her. I felt I could understand her better than other people,” Bae said, explaining how she recalled her own experiences in creating the character.
“I really related to Doo-na and felt pain for her so this series will remain as the work that stirs my heart when thinking about it. Playing this character allowed me to look back on my past and gave me a sense of healing.”
A scene from the series “Doona!” / Courtesy of Netflix
Yang said he was drawn to the innocent, kindhearted personality of his character, adding he felt butterflies when reading the script.
“Regardless of the genre, (the script) made my heart pound. I got a pleasant thrill … Won-joon’s pure heart moved me. I think it’s rare to find someone like him in this world. He’s innocent, considerate of others and always thinking about his mother. And amid that, he meets Doo-na and also tries his best to not give up on her,” he said, adding he felt this would be the last time he would play such a role.
“I’ve felt I can’t play an innocent, young man in his 20s like Won-joon anymore, not only because of appearance but also in terms of emotional aspects … so I took this series thinking this will be my last time playing this type of role and gave it my all without any regrets.”
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