Biography
- Name: Bae Doona (배두나)
- Date of Birth: October 11, 1979
- Place of Birth: Seoul, Korea
- Nationality: Korean
- Education: Konkuk University (Department of Film Arts)
- Religion: Paganism
- Instagram: @doonabae
- Height: 170.5 cm (5.59 ft)
Facts
Born in Seoul, Korea, Bae Doona is said to come from a wealthy background, with rumors being spread about her being the daughter of the president of Korean food production company “Pulmuone”. However, the actress herself has denied such rumors, stating that her father was friends with the Pulmuone president and they worked together at the beginning, but he is doing something different now.
Bae Doona has an older brother and a younger brother. Her father’s name is Bae Jong-deok, while her mother is Kim Hwa-young.
Career
In 1998, Bae Doona began her entertainment career as a model before landing her first acting role in the film “The Ring Virus”. Despite being a rookie, Bae Doona impressed viewers with her understated yet mysterious allure. The following year, she appeared in the series “School”, part of Korea’s most iconic school drama franchise. Her career breakthrough came in 1999 when she starred in “Barking Dogs Never Bite”, the directorial debut of legendary korean director Bong Joon-ho.
Unfazed by the requirement to appear barefaced on screen, Bae Doona later remarked that “Barking Dogs Never Bite” solidified her resolve to become a dedicated actress, changing her life forever.
According to the actress, she was even cut off from jobs because she looked “ugly” in this movie, but such challenges didn’t deter her resolve.
Bae Doona’s rising career saw her participate in acclaimed projects such as “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance”, “The Host”, “How to Meet a Perfect Neighbor”, “Stranger”, and “Kingdom”.
Throughout her career, Bae Doona continually surprises fans by taking on daring roles in films with age restrictions. Between 1999 and 2008, she won several prestigious awards at renowned award ceremonies, including the Chunsa Film Art Awards, Baeksang Arts Awards, Busan Film Critics Awards, and Blue Dragon Film Awards.
At the same time, Bae Doona also earned recognition in Hollywood, with various foreign projects like “Sense8”, ““Rebel Moon”, and “Cloud Atlas”.
Known as the “queen of bold scenes,” Bae Doona has taken on challenging roles involving daring content, such as explicit scenes in “Sense8” or violent themes in “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance”. Her fearlessness in tackling such roles has often left fans in awe.
She most recently won over critics and the public alike via roles in “Broker”, “Next Sohee”, “The Silent Sea”, and “Family Matters” – which earned massive critical acclaim.
Love Life
In her personal life, Bae Doona also stands out for her boldness. In 2014, she openly confirmed her relationship with English actor Jim Sturgess. Rumors about the couple first surfaced after they starred together in the 2012 film “Cloud Atlas”.
They were frequently seen together in public, fueling speculation. At the 2014 Cannes Film Festival, Bae Doona addressed the rumors directly, saying that Jim Sturgess is her boyfriend. According to the actress, previous reports saying they were just friends were incorrect and stemmed from her former manager.
The candidness of their relationship won the public’s admiration, but the couple split after a year.
In 2018, Bae Doona was rumored to be dating actor Son Seok-koo, her co-star in “Sense8”. At the time, Media outlets noted that Son Seok-koo often visited the Yongsan area, where Bae Doona lived. However, their agency quickly denied the rumors, stating that the two were close friends and colleagues.
Now, Bae Doona remains single and relatively private about her love life. She continues to channel her passion into her craft, appearing on magazine covers and participating in both domestic and international film projects.
Today, Bae Doona is celebrated as an irreplaceable talent in Korean entertainment, with a unique presence that sets her apart from others.
