Netflix's Doona! was one of the most hotly anticipated romance K-dramas of 2023. However, fans were left disappointed by the ambiguous ending in the ninth episode, which left them unsure about the relationship status of Doo-na (played by Bae Suzy) and Won-jun (played by Yang Se-jong).
The plot of Doona! revolved around Doo-na's decision to leave her successful career as the lead of the popular K-pop girl group, Dream Sweet. She chooses to live in a shared house near a university and coincidentally meets Won-jun, a regular student. Over the course of nine episodes, the K-drama explores themes of loneliness and delves into the harsh realities of Doo-na's fame and career.
Meanwhile, Won-jun is an ordinary individual striving to study diligently and complete his college education in order to provide for himself and his family. They become each other's saviors, with Doo-na relying on him to finally find a place to belong and experience genuine affection for her true self.
The Netflix K-drama takes audiences on an emotional rollercoaster ride, filled with tears, authenticity, and even heartbreak. As the characters in Doona! find love, the challenges posed by their disparate lives start to complicate matters, leaving the ending open-ended and the status of their relationship uncertain.
Does Doona!’s ending have Won-jun and Doo-na live happily ever after?
The Doona! K-drama leaves viewers with an ambiguous ending, leaving much speculation about whether Doona and Won-jun ended their relationship or continued it secretly. In Episode 6, the couple starts dating and remains together for a while, appearing happy. However, Doona is still haunted by the sudden departure from Dream Sweet and is unsure of her decision. In the eighth episode, a significant turn of events occurs. Despite living life on her own terms, Doona realizes that escaping the spotlight is impossible. This realization is further intensified when Park In-wook sues her for financial damages she cannot afford.
When Won-jun visits her, he realizes that In-wook is also present and confronts him, urging him to let them live their own lives. However, Won-jun soon discovers that In-wook has once again gained control over Doo-na. By Episode 9 of Doona!, Won-jun and Doo-na have grown distant. Doo-na has returned to her career as a solo artist, while Won-jun continues his studies. It is evident that both of them are experiencing the consequences of living in separate worlds. During a dinner meeting, Won-jun breaks her heart by stating that this is the extent of their journey together. She is angered by his decision to give up on her, like so many others have done, despite her unwavering commitment to him.
Fast forward four years and everyone has moved on with their lives. Doo-na has achieved success as a solo artist, while Won-jun is still pursuing his studies. The former roommates of their shared house gather for one final meal together, but Doo-na is noticeably absent. Later on, Won-jun returns to retrieve his belongings and unexpectedly finds Doo-na there. They share a drink but act as if they are strangers before she departs for her empty and desolate apartment.
Angry and determined, Doo-na confronts Won-jun in his dormitory, expressing her newfound happiness with herself. Yet, she implores him to apologize for abandoning her and admit his regrets. To her surprise, Won-jun sincerely does so, assuring her that his love for her never wavered.
Fast forward to another scene in which Won-jun achieves the highest score on his civil service exam. Meanwhile, Doo-na's career continues to flourish. In the concluding moments of the K-drama, they find themselves separately in a shopping center in Japan. Although their paths never cross, Doo-na glances back as Won-jun walks away. The final scene leaves their relationship status open to interpretation, inviting questions about whether they permanently broke up, acknowledging their profound impact on each other's lives, or if they secretly continued dating, fueled by Doo-na's career and their shared happiness.
Doona! Episode 9 may have given away the answer
Netflix
Doona! Episode 9 starts with Doo-na and Won-jun reuniting in a field after the intro. Despite the emotional ending of the show, there are still new possibilities to uncover. In the opening scene, Doo-na and Won-jun encounter each other at a charming pink field. This particular scene is not revisited or clarified throughout the episode.
However, it is evident that the scene should occur significantly after Won-jun passed his exam. In this particular scene, Won-jun appears noticeably older and dons the same beige trench coat as he did back in Japan. It is highly possible that he is also wearing the exact same suit and tie. On the other hand, Doo-na's appearance is different, in contrast to her lace Prada outfit at the shopping center.
If we are to entertain the idea that there is more to their story, it could be that the two have met once again to reconcile their relationship or perhaps they never actually separated in the first place. After all, there seems to be a knowing smile on Won-jun's face whenever he looks at Doo-na. To further support this theory, in Episode 8, Won-jun can be seen crossing the same street in the same outfit after a train has passed. Additionally, Episode 7 showcases Doo-na crossing the same street but wearing a different ensemble, and it is evident from the writing surrounding the scene that both episodes take place in Japan.
In Episode 7, the opening scene features both of them standing on opposite sides of the train tracks, facing each other. Additional scenes showcase their time together at the beach, with Doo-na dressed in the same outfit she wore in the field on the train. It is possible that Won-jun and Doo-na kept their relationship concealed. For more K-drama news, click here. Stay updated on Netflix news here, explore our Behind Your Touch explainer here, and learn about the ending of A Time Called You here.
