Doo-na threatens to smash Won-joon's head in if he sings her song again and then passes out and has to be brought to the hospital. In one scene a man steals Won-joon's phone and pushes him, then pushes Doo-na. She responds by trying to smash a wine bottle over his head and a small shard of glass becomes lodged in Won-joon's hand.
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The developing romance between Doo-na and Won-joon is the main plot of the series. There are meaningful stares, intimate moments, and the occasional kiss.
Did you know you can flag iffy content? Adjust limits for Sex, Romance & Nudity in your kid's entertainment guide.
Won-joon is a responsible, hardworking, and considerate person. He often does good deeds for others, even if they're unkind to him, though others take advantage of him at times.
Diverse Representations
some
This South Korean production has an entirely South Korean cast. There are moments throughout the show that subtly address the class divide in Korea though the topic is not explored in depth.
Themes of working hard for success and helping others throughout the show.
Parents Need to Know
Parents need to know that Doona! is a Korean drama focusing on the growing romance between a pop star and a university student. There are meaningful stares, intimate moments, and the occasional kiss. The pop star, Doo-na, is frequently shown smoking with no mention of negative consequences. There are few scenes of arguments, and some pushing and bullying outside of a club. Expect occasional profanity, including "f--k."
A man moves into a shared apartment, only to run into a strange yet beautiful, intriguing woman, who also happens to be a recently fallen idol.
This is one of my favorite kdramas I’ve ever watched. Excellent cinematography and storytelling, and the actors are both incredibly talented. You really have to pay attention to everything to get the full storyline, and that makes the show all the more intriguing. The themes in it were maybe a bit cliche, but at the same time, I felt like they were discussed in a way unique to kdramas, and they were deeper and more realistic, while also leaving a lot of the analyzation for the watcher to do. It doesn’t tell us all of the story, only implies it through the cinematography and short clips, and it makes the show one of the best executed I’ve watched in a while.
Also, Bae Suzy, as always, is incredible.
What's the Story?
In DOONA! romance blooms when a second-year university student (Yang Se-Jong) in Seoul moves into the same building as an ousted member (Bae Suzy) of a famous female K-pop band. How will their "opposites attract" romance work out?
An "opposites attract" romance that falls flat. Doona! introduces viewers to a likable character in Won-joon, but the same can't be said for Doo-na, making investing in their relationship a challenge. Doo-na is self-centered and immature while Won-joon is responsible and considerate. What's more, her constant smoking is jarring to see, and the framing of the show's "cool" character around this habit is disappointing. While not entirely predictable, the series also moves at a painfully slow pace. By far its most intriguing aspect is the glimpse it offers into the lives of university students and the class divide in South Korea.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk about the picture Doona! paints of university life in South Korea. How is the university system there similar to or different from your own?
Discuss Doo-na's smoking. What are some real-life consequences of tobacco and nicotine use?
What are some positive and negative messages in this story? What do you think are the takeaways of the show, other than entertainment?
Research shows a connection between kids' healthy self-esteem and positive portrayals in media. That's why we've added a new "Diverse Representations" section to our reviews that will be rolling out on an ongoing basis. You can help us help kids by
suggesting a diversity update.
Common Sense Media's unbiased ratings are created by expert reviewers and aren't influenced by the product's creators or by any of our funders, affiliates, or partners.
By Stephanie Morgan
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
