Origin and release year: South Korea (2023 – Doona!)

Korean title: 이두나!

Starring: Suzy, Yang Se Jong, Ha Young, Park Se Wan, Kim Min Ho, Joo Yeon Woo, Baek Ji Hye, Lee Chan Hyung, Kim Do Wan, Kwon Han Sol, Park Yoon Hee, Janet Suhh, Ko A Seong, Lachica Simeez, Lachica Ri An, Lee Jin Wook, Yoo Jin Seong, Kang Myung Joo, Jun Suk Ho, Lee So Yoon, Kim Yoon Seol, Seo Eun Sol, Ahn Tae Rin, Jung Min Joon, Kim Hyun Mok, Do Won, Kim Sun Young, Aancod Abe Zaccarelli

Director: Lee Jeong Hyo

Screenwriter: Jang Yoo Ha

Synopsis: Lee Doo Na (Bae Suzy) was a member of an idol girl group. She was the main vocalist and the most popular member of the group, but she suddenly announced her retirement. She now stays at a share house, located near a university, and rarely goes out. Meanwhile, Lee Won Jun (Yang Se Jong) is a university student. He is a warm-hearted, ordinary young man without anything special in his background. He begins to stay at the share house where Lee Doo Na resides. His warm heart gives Lee Doo Na comfort. They get attracted to each other. (AsianWiki)

The editing in the very very beginning of the drama felt a bit discombobulated but that aside, it had a promising start.

Off the bat, you can tell that this drama is different to its counterparts.

The pacing of the drama was a bit strange, it felt awkward to watch almost. Which can actually be credited to its more cinematic approach at story telling.

However it is a fact that the drama had a slow start to begin with. If it wasn’t for the never ending reviews saying that the drama picks up from episode 5, this writer probably would’ve dropped it. However, we prevailed and true to the reviews, Doona! turned out to be pretty good.

Admittedly it was not a top drama and the end was as lackluster as the beginning. However, there was something charming about the overall story that can largely be credited to Suzy.

Not only did the story remind you of her Miss A days (if you’re an avid K-pop fan and remember the drama from that era), but it also showed a new side to her as an actress as she took on the femme fatale role and was serving mysterious bad girl.

At times the bad girl act seemed forced. However, it might just be because her sweet ‘nation’s girlfriend’ image is so deeply engrained into all of our minds. One thing is undisputed, though. Her visuals were working overtime in this drama. Every single scene was stunning.

The rest of the cast was entertaining, too. However, Yang Se Jong’s character felt underdeveloped. There was a depth lacking from his character that made him not memorable. Which unfortunately affected the chemistry between him and Lee Doo Na, too.

Additionally, the fictional girl group, DREAM SWEET, felt sorely underutilized. Their members had names, the group had actual music, etc. yet we didn’t get to know anything about the group and it’s members besides some snippets. It would’ve helped with the intrigue of the story to have fleshed out this part of the narrative.

If you’re curious about the actors/dancers/singers who played the DREAM SWEET members, check out this article.

In a nutshell, it was a decent drama but it could’ve done more.

What did you think of Doona!? Let us know in the comments.