Bae Doo Na
Info
🙂 Native Name: 배두나 (Bae Doo-na)
🌏 Nationality: South Korean
♂️ Gender: Female
🎂 Born: October 11, 1979
🏠 Birth Place: Seoul, South Korea
🌌 Zodiac Sign: Libra
📏 Height: 5 feet 6 inches (168 cm)
💍 Spouse: Not married
👶 Children: None
Biography
Bae Doona, born on October 11, 1979, in Seoul, South Korea, is a renowned actress and photographer. Her mother, Kim Hwa-young, was a prominent stage actress, which exposed Bae to the world of theater from an early age. Despite this, she initially did not intend to pursue acting. In 1998, while studying at Hanyang University, she was scouted as a model, leading to her debut in the television series “School” in 1999.
Bae’s film debut came in 1999 with “The Ring Virus,” a Korean remake of the Japanese horror film. She gained critical acclaim for her roles in “Barking Dogs Never Bite” (2000) and “Take Care of My Cat” (2001). Her portrayal of a political activist in Park Chan-wook’s “Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance” (2002) further solidified her status as a versatile actress. In 2006, she starred as an archer in Bong Joon-ho’s “The Host,” one of South Korea’s highest-grossing films.
Expanding her career internationally, Bae collaborated with the Wachowskis in “Cloud Atlas” (2012), portraying multiple characters, including Sonmi~451. She reunited with them for “Jupiter Ascending” (2015) and starred in their Netflix series “Sense8” (2015–2018), where she played Sun Bak, a South Korean businesswoman and martial artist.
Returning to Korean cinema, Bae delivered notable performances in “A Girl at My Door” (2014) and “Tunnel” (2016). She also led the cast in the crime thriller series “Stranger” (2017–2020) and the Netflix period zombie thriller “Kingdom” (2019–2020). Beyond acting, Bae is an accomplished photographer, having published several photo books showcasing her work.
Hobbies
Photography: Bae Doona has a profound passion for photography, often capturing candid moments from her daily life and travels. She has published several photobooks showcasing her work.
Reading: She enjoys immersing herself in literature, often exploring various genres to gain diverse perspectives.
Traveling: Bae has a love for exploring new cultures and destinations, which also provides inspiration for her photography.
Yoga: To maintain her physical and mental well-being, she practices yoga regularly.
Cooking: She finds joy in experimenting with different cuisines and cooking styles in her free time.
Interests
Fashion: Bae Doona has a keen interest in fashion and has been featured in various fashion magazines and campaigns.
Music: She appreciates a wide range of music genres and often attends live performances and concerts.
Art: Beyond photography, she has an interest in various art forms and frequently visits galleries and exhibitions.
Environmental Conservation: Bae is passionate about environmental issues and supports various conservation initiatives.
Animal Welfare: She is an advocate for animal rights and actively participates in related campaigns.
Facts
Multilingual: Bae Doona is fluent in Korean and English, allowing her to work seamlessly in both domestic and international projects.
International Recognition: She gained global fame through her roles in “Cloud Atlas” and the Netflix series “Sense8”.
Modeling Background: Before acting, she started her career as a model in 1998.
Theater Roots: Her mother, Kim Hwa-young, is a renowned stage actress, which influenced Bae’s early exposure to the arts.
Award-Winning Actress: She has received numerous accolades, including the Best Actress award at the Asian Film Awards for her role in “A Girl at My Door”.
Secrets
Introverted Nature: Despite her public persona, Bae Doona is known to be quite private and enjoys solitude.
Selective with Roles: She is meticulous in choosing roles, often turning down mainstream projects in favor of more challenging ones.
Behind the Camera: Bae has expressed interest in directing and producing in the future, aiming to tell stories from a different perspective.
Philanthropy: She quietly donates to various charities, preferring to keep her philanthropic efforts out of the spotlight.
Personal Archives: Bae maintains a personal collection of diaries and journals, documenting her experiences and thoughts over the years.
Funny Things
Prankster on Set: She is known to play light-hearted pranks on her co-stars during filming to keep the atmosphere lively.
Mismatched Socks: Bae has a quirky habit of wearing mismatched socks, considering it her personal fashion statement.
Fear of Balloons: She has mentioned having a slight fear of balloons popping, leading to amusing situations on sets decorated with them.
Doodling: Bae often doodles caricatures of her colleagues during script readings, adding humor to the sessions.
Dance Moves: Despite not being a professional dancer, she enjoys showcasing spontaneous dance moves, much to the amusement of her friends and crew.
Fears
Public Speaking: Bae Doona has admitted to feeling anxious when speaking in front of large audiences, despite her acting experience.
Heights: She experiences discomfort with heights, avoiding activities like bungee jumping or skydiving.
Deep Water: While she enjoys the ocean, she has a fear of deep water and prefers staying close to the shore.
Insects: Bae is not fond of insects and tends to avoid areas where they are prevalent.
Being Misunderstood: She fears that her reserved nature might lead to misunderstandings about her intentions or feelings.
News
Starring Role in ‘Family Matters’ (2024): Bae Doo-na took on the lead role of Han Young-soo in the Coupang Play series “Family Matters,” portraying a mother with the unique ability to edit memories. The series delves into the dynamics of a family with extraordinary abilities confronting malevolent forces.
Portrayal of Nemesis in ‘Rebel Moon – Part Two: The Scargiver’ (2024): Bae reprised her role as Nemesis, a scarred and stoic warrior, in the second installment of Zack Snyder’s “Rebel Moon” franchise on Netflix. She underwent rigorous training to embody the character’s warrior essence.
Insights on Open Relationships (2024): In a candid interview, Bae Doo-na shared her perspective on open relationships, emphasizing the importance of maintaining privacy in her personal life to fully immerse herself in diverse acting roles.
Discussions for ‘Family Plan’ Thriller Drama (2023): Bae was in talks to star in the thriller drama “Family Plan,” focusing on using brain hacking to punish villains by making them experience severe pain, reflecting her interest in complex and challenging roles.
Lead Role in ‘The Silent Sea’ (2021): Bae Doo-na starred in Netflix’s original sci-fi drama “The Silent Sea,” set on the moon in a dystopian future, showcasing her versatility in diverse genres.
TV Drama
Music / OST
Bae Doona, primarily renowned for her acting career, has also ventured into music through her involvement in film and television projects. Here’s an overview of her musical endeavors:
1. “Linda Linda Linda” (2005): In this Japanese film, Bae Doona portrayed Son, a Korean exchange student who becomes the lead vocalist of a high school girl band. The band performs covers of songs by The Blue Hearts, a famous Japanese punk rock band. Bae’s performances include tracks like “Linda Linda,” “Boku no Migite” (“My Right Hand”), and “Owaranai Uta” (“Never Ending Song”). Her role required her to sing in Japanese, showcasing her versatility as an artist.
2. “Gloria” Original Soundtrack (2010): Bae starred as Na Jin-jin, an aspiring singer, in the South Korean television drama “Gloria.” She contributed to the drama’s soundtrack with songs such as “I’m a Fool” (“바보랍니다”) and “Ready to Fly,” the latter featuring Jung Jae-yun. These tracks highlight her vocal abilities and complement her character’s journey in the series.
3. Music Video Appearances: Throughout her career, Bae Doona has appeared in several music videos, collaborating with various artists. Notable appearances include:
- “You” (“너”) by Fish (2000)
- “Party Time” by Ray Jay (2000)
- “Every Time I Look at You” (“널 볼때 마다”) by Kang Kyun-sung (2007)
- “Tsumetai Ame” (“쓰메타이 아메 / 冷たい雨”) by Every Little Thing (2009)
- “Seesaw” (“시소”) and “Confession” by Kim C/Hot Potato (2010)
- “Temperature of Separation” (“이별의 온도”) by Yoon Jong-shin featuring You Hee-yeol (2010)
These collaborations further demonstrate her engagement with the music industry beyond her acting roles.
While Bae Doona’s primary focus remains on acting and photography, her musical contributions, particularly in the context of her film and television work, reflect her multifaceted talent in the entertainment industry.
Gallery
