Doona! Review: A Korean Drama On Netflix That Portrays A Sensitive Love Story You Can’t-Miss
Cast: Bae Suzy, Yang Se-Jong, Lee Jin-Wook, Ko Asung, Lee Yoo-Bi, Park Se-wan
Director: Jung Hyo Lee
Streaming Platform: Netflix
Filmyhype.com Ratings: 3.5/5 (three and a half stars) [yasr_overall_rating size=”large”]
Doona! is the new K-Drama available for streaming on Netflix starting from 20 October 2023: a love story in full Korean style unfolding over nine episodes full of meaning, feeling, and profound reflections on the meaning of human existence. Like all works from this complex and mysterious country in the Far East, Doona! offers the viewer an opportunity to reflect on the complications of existence through the lens of a so-called romance, a love story between two very different young people. However, love is not a simple pretext, but the magnifying glass on the human soul useful for shedding light on its deepest abysses and its toxicity: the protagonists are the body of stereotypes, they are human types, but they are also unique, realistic individuals, in-depth and multifaceted.
The series is created with great care, depth, and a uniquely Korean sensibility in style and narrative grace. Before Squid Game contributed to increasing the fame of Korean television series in the world it was Crash Landing On You that significantly increased the progression of Hallyu – the so-called Korean Wave already underway since the ’90s, which however has more recently found its maximum global explosion thanks to a series of extremely successful entertainment elements such as the film Parasite or the K-Pop group BTS – among others – on the small screen. Expectations for Lee Jung-ho’s new project are therefore very high, but Doona! will he be up to it?
Doona! Review: The Story Plot
Doona! takes its time to tell the love story between two young people as much in love as they are different: the former idol Lee Doona!, a true star who leads the lifestyle that her fame entails, and the engineering student Won-Jun. The affection between the two, which is cemented as the story continues, is thrown into turmoil by their different temperaments, but also by their opposed habits, two true antipodes. How can the amazing life of a star fit in with the needs and daily routines of a simple university student? The dilemma that in an American-style drama would have been handled with long dialogues, some stereotypes, and far too much pathos is here transformed into a life story. In reality, Doona’s characters are complex and fallible, repeating the same mistakes, caged in a loop of screens and mental patterns that repeat themselves in their sick normality.
The viewer, accustomed to “Western-style” linear narration, may perceive the changes and evolutions of the characters as slow, if not inconsistent. But the director’s aim is precisely this: to let those who watch perceive the times as natural, the progression of events and relational dynamics is slow and tortuous, it envelops itself with a familiarity in which everyone can see themselves again. An element that adds depth to the struggle of these two lovers, so alone and so different, is the radical criticism of showbitz. This machine that swallows up hearts and lives, into which all those who wish to feel loved, who need public applause to heal the wounds of their ego, flee, is shown in its most brutal and dehumanizing mechanisms. The young idol Doona! is prey to this sick flow of energy, spent only to be able to obtain love, acceptance, and fullness to fill the deepest void. The real, sincere love of two lovers can be worth as much as the crowds’ adoration of an entire country. This is one of the main themes of this drama full of pathos, artfully created to build on looks, the unsaid, the silences full of meaning.
Doona! Review and Analysis
Doona! brings together two great stars of Korean cinema and television, bringing the series to a certain success: the two protagonists, very much in love and very different, are played by the beloved idol Bae Suzy of Miss A, and by the star Yang Se-jong. Behind the camera, we also find Lee Jung-hyo, the director of the phenomenon series Crash Landing on You. These were years of great success for cinematography and Made in Korea products, thanks to the Korean Wave. Emblematic is the media and critical movement around works such as Squid Game or the Oscar-winning film Parasite. A unique style that combines great intensity, pathos, and slow narrative rhythms, punctuated by a rarefied editing that takes its time to enter the psychology of its main protagonists, telling their reasons with large silences and glances.
However, Doona! stands out for being sweet not only due to the romance but also due to the progression of the story. Each character has their journey, and it’s admirable how their quirks are developed in a realistic way, rather than just serving as plot padding. Furthermore, it’s difficult not to be enchanted by actress Bae Suzy’s infectious smile, which is capable of lighting up the screen. The only reservation we have is the fringed hairstyle he was given, which could have been better designed. One of the most striking aspects of Doona! It’s the careful editing of the narrative. The way the characters’ pasts are revealed, little by little, provides enough information for the next scene, but keeping secrets is an effective strategy to keep the viewer intrigued. This is something we rarely expect when we call a story “sweet.” Did anyone on the production team of Doona? Have you considered giving the editor a raise? Looks like he deserves it.
Additionally, we had initial concerns about the series’ nine-hour running time, but we quickly realized that even that wasn’t enough time to tell this captivating story. This makes us wonder about the engagement potential of Doona! could have been generated if it had been released weekly instead of all the episodes at once. Another reason we love this series, and there are many reasons for this, is the way it addresses the differences between a reserved and introspective man and a woman. The stereotype of the introspective man often suggests that his silence and eccentricity are the result of past trauma, which puts him in a position to be emotionally rescued by the solar female character. However, when we reverse these roles, the introspective often becomes “crazy,” and what makes a man attractive turns into a representation of a “woman with problems”.
Unfortunately, this is a reality that will likely persist for decades, but we appreciate how the character Doona! is portrayed with moments of vulnerability. Reversing roles allowed us to see how personal imperfections can affect perfect love, which is more consistent with the reality of loving relationships. Despite the anguish, it was refreshing to see that the woman was not burdened with the responsibility of being strong all the time and had the opportunity to stumble and fall on her journey of self-discovery. Much of the story is driven by Doona’s mental health struggles, and for once, we enjoyed seeing that this isn’t a drama that presents love as the solution to those struggles. The series courageously addresses the suffering of people who live with partners who face mental health problems, an aspect that is rarely discussed. The way Won Jun learns to support Doona! while understanding his limits and boundaries is a groundbreaking approach in the world of Korean dramas.
Until the end, which works so well for Doona! is that, despite addressing sensitive issues, the drama does not become heavy. Its ability to be watched in sequence is not due to anguish, but to its captivating rhythm that keeps us wanting more. Normally, when the plot is “sweet,” we assume the story will be predictable, and most of the time, it is. However, this Korean series surprises us several times, adding new layers to the narrative and characters. It is also important to highlight the character of Lee Won Jun, who is the driving force of the story. Despite our love for introverted male characters on screen, we often wonder why characters like Won Jun aren’t more common. Simple and gentle on the outside, but strong and capable, when necessary, without being distant or emotionally complex, Won Jun is every sensible person’s dream. Doona! is vulnerable to him from the beginning, and instead of ignoring it or rejecting her (which would also be understandable), he treats it as a normal part of being human. This is what sets him apart from the other characters.
Ultimately, Doona! is a story about how the courage to live life can be found in the company of well-intentioned people. These people don’t need to always be by your side, nor do they need to encourage you all the time, whether directly or from a distance. However, just the fact that people can be kind without expecting anything in return gives them the emotional space and strength needed to move forward in life, knowing that if that kindness is present, love and acceptance will not be far away. The Korean series Doona! is a must-watch, and we sincerely hope it gets the popularity it deserves. This drama deserves to be one that people keep coming back to, and we want it to get the credit it deserves.
Doona! Review: The Last Words
Doona! It is a product of art, a reflection of happiness, insecurity, and love. Romance finds a way to broaden its dramaturgical richness and tells of the struggle inherent in couple relationships, the most real pain and drama emerges. Finally, Won-jun and Lee Doona are the mirror of every relationship, living in individual differences, in daily pain I insist on the comparison between two worlds, two experiences, and ways of interacting with reality. Lee Jung-hyo’s delicate, slow direction, with its soft lights and atmospheres full of pathos, tells a story of underlying feelings, and intense, unspeakable emotions. Will the protagonists be able to overcome life and make love triumph, despite the thousand differences? Finding out is part of the painful and surprising game played by the series!
Doona! Review: A Korean Drama On Netflix That Portrays A Sensitive Love Story You Can’t-Miss - Filmyhype
Director: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v4rtx48siJI&pp=ygUHRG9vbmEhIA3D&ab_channel=NetflixK-Content
Date Created: 2023-10-20 14:13
3.5
Pros
- Well-developed characters: Doona and Won-jun are both complex and well-developed characters. Doona is a strong and independent woman who is struggling to find her place in the world, while Won-jun is a kind and gentle man who is trying to figure out his future.
- Strong chemistry between the leads: Bae Suzy and Yang Se-jong have excellent chemistry together. They make Doona and Won-jun's relationship feel believable and heartwarming.
- Realistic portrayal of the K-pop industry: Doona! provides a realistic and behind-the-scenes look at the K-pop industry. It shows the challenges that idols face, both professionally and personally.
- Honest depiction of the challenges of young adulthood: Doona! also deals with the challenges that young adults face, such as finding their place in the world, dealing with pressure from family and society, and finding love.
Cons
- Slow pacing: Some viewers may find the pacing of the series to be slow, especially in the early episodes.
- Open-ended ending: The ending of the series is somewhat open-ended, which may leave some viewers disappointed.
