Bae Doona

Bae Doona in 2016

Bae Doona (Korean: 배두나), also credited as Doona Bae, born October 11, 1979) is a South Korean actress and photographer. She became known outside Korea for her roles as a political activist in Park Chan-wook's Sympathy for Mr. Vengeance (2002), archer Park Nam-joo in Bong Joon-ho's The Host (2006), and as the doll in Hirokazu Kore-eda's Air Doll (2009).

Quotes

• I think that being an actor is a really good job. Of course, there are things you have to put up with. In order to create a real character from text on a page, you have to be extremely sensitive about various things, so it can impact one’s daily life. Apart from my talent, there might come a time when the public is sick of seeing me and wants to see less of me. I think that that time might come someday. That’s why I’m working hard right now. People ask me why I don’t take a break, but this time right now is too precious. I want to live each day as intensely as possible. As I passed 40, I thought that I should live without regrets. I feel like I’m living my life on sets. Right now, my entire life is on set.
  • "Bae Doona Talks About Working With Directors From Around The World, Friendship With Gong Yoo, And More" in Soompi (14 January 2021)

• I don't put limits in genres or have a set of roles that I prefer to play. It can either be a lead role or a supporting role. And I can take part in low-budget or independent projects or in a blockbuster. I aim to get my hands on anything that I want to do.
  • "Bae Doo-na tells of pressures portraying delicate character in 'The Silent Sea" in The Korea Times (3 January 2022)

• I’m not ambitious; I didn't intend to make a career in Hollywood. I have been lucky enough to receive many interesting proposals and I am working on them with the same curiosity, without a strategic approach. Perhaps it is a lack of sensitivity, but I do not feel any difference, except, of course, at the level of budget. To create a good film, everyone does their best by trusting a good leader. As an interpreter, I put myself at [the director's] service. That is my conviction as an actress.
  • "From Korea to Hollywood, Doona Bae is a Global Sensation" in L'Officiel (10 April 2019)

• I’ve already had the chance to play all the characters I wanted to. I do not dream of a role a particular type of film — I am happy to accept the roles that inspire me.
  • "From Korea to Hollywood, Doona Bae is a Global Sensation" in L'Officiel (10 April 2019)

• I’m quite spontaneous so even I can’t say what I’m likely to do in the future. I follow my instincts when I choose a film, so there are no boundaries. I want to work on challenging films, something new, something stepping away from the norm. I love challenges.
  • "INTERVIEW: DOONA BAE AND A GIRL AT MY DOOR" in FILMDOO (23 September 2015)