SEOUL - Singer-actress Suzy opens up about the striking resemblance between her real life and her character, Lee Doo-na, in the Netflix series "Doona!" The series focuses on Doo-na, a K-pop idol in hiding who craves normalcy in her life.
According to a new release by the Yonhap News Agency, a former member of the now-disbanded girl group Miss A, spoke about the similarity during an interview with a group of reporters in Seoul on Thursday.
In the series, Doo-na becomes paranoid and jumpy in a convenience store, mistaking camera shutter sounds from a customer as a paparazzi intrusion. Suzy said that this scene resonated with her deeply, commenting, "I felt as if I was hit in the stomach when I read the scene in the script. Her (Doo-na's) situation was so similar to mine."
Suzy also revealed that she made several suggestions to director Lee Jung-hyo, known for popular TV series like "Crash Landing on You" and "Romance is a Bonus Book." For instance, she recommended that the store owner in the aforementioned scene be changed to an older man, to reflect Doo-na's desire for anonymity.
Working closely with the director allowed her to delve into the intricacies of Doo-na's emotional states. "I've never worked with a director who had as many questions as he did," she said. "Whenever I was asked a question, it helped me understand and express Doo-na's emotions."
The series is based on the popular webtoon "The Girl Downstairs," and explores the relationship between Doo-na and Lee Won-jun, played by Yang Se-jong, as they become housemates. Speaking about her own experience as a K-pop idol, Suzy reflected on how she managed the pressures and difficulties by not dwelling on them.
The 29-year-old artist, who debuted in 2010, mentioned that she often contemplates retirement but doesn't have specific plans for life after stardom. "I am always saying to myself I can quit this business at any time, so my current project could be my very last," Suzy said, adding that this mindset motivates her to give her best in every moment.