Doona!

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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Good Enough

Korean Drama '' Doona! '' is a romantic melodrama about a troubled celebrity who meets an ordinary man who seems to not know who she is.

The drama starts off pretty great, with the story being intriguing enough to make the audience want to know more about Doona and her past as she struggles with her relationship with her ex agend, her family, her career, and her current loneliness, as she is only now starting to get to know who she is really as a person and not as an idol persona. So, her story was interesting and nicely presented, as it shows the dark side of showbiz.

On the other hand, the romance was boring. The pace of the love story was all over the place, the story too basic, and the ending more or less predictable. However, it was interesting to watch how the couple help each other grow and change.

Finally, the performances were all great by everyone in the cast, especially the main leads. The cinematography was impressive as well.

So, overall, five out of ten.

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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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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AESTHETICALLY DEEP !

Before you read this I hope you are not a fan of the writing because I in the most certain way possible am not !

I guess the plot line is very clear. A shining star crosses path with a person who aspires to lead a normal life. Both of them belong to what we may call "Different Worlds" and most obviously pique each other's interest. Share some time and paint each other in a color we call "LOVE"!!!
This most basic explanation doesn't really give scope for you to fall for the characters but the characters end up being a part of you as the story unfolds. Then even their seemingly meaningless actions find meaning!

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LET ME TELL YOU ONCE - THE ENDING IS NOT WHY I RATED IT LOW !!!! (spoiler)
To be honest there was no apt ending to some happy ending would have done , to some sad, even tho I am a big - NO OPEN ENDINGS PLEASE kinda person I still believe some stories are better off incomplete because that's what completes them !
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But there lie oceans of depth that the aesthetics unfold and the story doesn't stay true to !

To put it normal words ....this drama was made for a way darker story , way deeper emotions and was most certainly made for the depths that is couldn't touch ! There had to be more I feel that yearning ... that so much more was to be there that so much more should have been focused on .

Messy characters, unreasonable behavior, screaming, crying, everyday desperately fighting to hang on to life , clinging to that last string of hope, being abandoned, feeling neglect, treating other person unfairly in hope of healing yourself this had all it took for a drama to be in depth perfect !

TO MENTION - the actors did a great job !!!

SHOULD YOU WATCH - YES , MOST CERTAINLY YES !!!!

--------------------------SPOLIERS AHEAD------------------
What went wrong ....I know how she felt when she was abandoned , I could see it in her actions in her behavior but not in her story . I do feel the story did injustice to the actor who beautifully held on to what she was given.
the person who abandoned doona ...what did he offer to the story ?
what role did he play...if he did not come back even then the impact would have been the same ...they what did that brilliant actor do on screen ? waste some screen time ?

what were the side character there for ...there was clearly no time to develop their story ...why waste screen time ? just let them out of the frame . I'll be good with one less couple meaninglessly falling in love.

they did not develop the last 2 eps ...they just rushed to end ...i'd rather see the main couple idle on my screen than see some random underdeveloped side characters ! thankyou !

also it would have been a treat if they introduced a therapy angle like imagine if the FL was getting professional help and still was a mess ....ofc people around have a role to play even after professional help ...I would have loved for the ML to be that ...it's not a love interest's responsibility to heal you of your past trauma ...but ofc they can help and support !
ML doesn't have to be ....THE KNOW IT ALL THE ONLY SAVIOR !

Also I know the ML wanted to be with her desperately but was there anything the plotline offered him ? no it was just a 2 sec drinking scene a 3 sec work hard for your goal and a 5 min drama of why they shouldn't call out DOONA's name or he'll feel bad . LIKE FUCKING SERIOUSLY ? you made him in all fucking 8 eps to ruin all of that complex nature with jus a 5 min 5 sec clip ...?

I am not asking you to give me a reply when doona asked him what he was doing for them but atleast give me (viewer) a reply ...show me fucking how desperate he is to be with her ....
--------------------------------- Done Ranting ! -------------------------------------

all in all ...THIS DRAMA IS SO AESTHETICALLY PLEASING , there is so much more than what meets the eye ....give it time ...time to get under your skin and you shall be a new person by the end ! let it grow on you ....spend a weekend with the main characters ...skip the side characters if you want ...do not let the ending bother you ....and you have your treat !

will add my fav quotes in some time ....
till then pls do give it a shot !
HOPE YOU ENJOY !

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