First Impressions and Unfiltered Thoughts: Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol

What’s more fun than trying out a new drama? Trying out a new drama with your Kbesties, of course! After a month-long delay, due to COVID, Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol finally premiered, and several of the Fangirls couldn’t wait to try it out! Was it worth the wait? Read on to see if this heart-fluttering drama should be an addition to your watchlist!

The Plot

From MDL –

“Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol is a romantic comedy about a pianist named Goo Ra Ra who hits rock bottom after her family’s sudden downfall. After she finds her way to La La Land, a piano academy in a small village, she ends up crossing paths and falling in love with the tough and mysterious Sun Woo Joon, who seems to be hiding a lot of secrets.

Goo Ra Ra is an immature and mischievous pianist. With her bright laughter and sunny disposition, she’s a simple, confident, and lovable person, having the charm of making anyone laugh no matter how difficult the situation. Goo Ra Ra also enjoys making jokes and acting unpredictably even during serious moments as she has lived a life without fear, being able to gain whatever she wanted with money. Something happened that caused her to become bankrupt. She doesn’t have anything now, and she is frustrated with her situation.

Sun Woo Joon doesn’t care what other people think about him, but he has a warm heart. He is free-spirited and doesn’t have a specific dream or goal for his life. He makes ends meet by working part-time jobs.

Goo Ra Ra and Sun Woo Joon meet at the small private piano academy LaLa Land in a country village.”

MiataMama: I had high hopes for this story, knowing that the drama comes from the same screenwriter as Terius Behind Me and Shopping King Louie. And I wasn’t disappointed!! The mix of familiar tropes and unexpected role reversals totally sucked me in. It’s quirky and sweet and silly, with just a dash of mystery to keep things interesting. 

Telzeytalks: Well. We have already had two episodes and there is no sign of a piano academy yet! This not what I expected, but silliness and surprise twists abound. And if you’ve ever seen a bride run away from a wedding, you should see this version!

Kmuse: I went into this drama not knowing anything, except that I often don’t enjoy Go Ara’s dramas. That said, I was pleasantly surprised. Go Ara is charming and I am really interested to see where the story takes us.

Clkytta: Hello fluffy, yet serious drama! I adore a plucky heroine who manages to rise above all that life throws at her. While it does have all the tropes in the book, it also has that one thing that makes a drama succeed or fail, a great cast who I’m smitten with.

The Characters

Goo Ra Ra

Go Ara plays our plucky, riches-to-rags heroine Goo Ra Ra. Her life has been turned upside-down, yet she remains amazingly cheerful and confident even when confronted by the series of unfortunate events life dishes out.

MiataMama: Go Ara is knocking this role out of the park – she’s cute, she’s beautiful, and her crying skills are top-notch! And she’s got the most adorable, fluffy side-kick in the form of her dog Mimi. Ra Ra might be a bit clueless when it comes to the logistics of life, but she’s got more than enough optimism to overcome any obstacle that comes her way! 

Telzeytalks: Go Ara is probably most famous for Reply 1994 and Miss Hammurabi, where I liked her a lot. She may have done some bad fake-crying in episode 2, but her scenes in episode 1 were very good. Her character in the show may be gullible and would do anything for her dad, but see how he comes to her rescue at her childhood recital, and what it means to her.

Kmuse: This might be my favorite Go Ara character to date. She is believable as a naive, rich girl. So far, it isn’t annoying since she somehow is just so likable and clueless. That said, I could see it getting old if they don’t have her mature a bit in the next few episodes.

Clkytta: Go Ara was made for this role. Even her crying is on point and not annoying me. She’s got that whole dewey-eyed sweet look down pat and I’m reminded of why I loved her in Reply 1994. She is an eye actress, all of her emotion is in her eyes. If she’s not directed correctly, then she comes off as immature.

Sun Woo Joon

Lee Jae Wook plays our mysterious and caring knight-in-not-so-shining-armor, Sun Woo Joon. His goal in life seems to be working his part-time jobs and not drawing too much attention to himself. But as his path crosses with Goo Ra Ra, things start to get complicated! 

MiataMama: I’m so delighted to see Lee Jae Wook in a leading role!!! There have already been several swoon-worthy moments – yeay! And while the curious-cat in me wants to uncover more about Joon’s background, for now, I am content enjoying all the cute interactions between him and Ra Ra!

Telzeytalks: His performance in Extraordinary You put him on my radar; he’s only had four dramas before now, and was completely different in each one. I’ve been waiting to see what he does as a lead. So far he’s been stunned by the leading lady and managed to be sullen and distant without being cold. Watch how he gets Ra Ra to stop crying at the wedding! He is seemingly hiding from his family, but willing to visit his grandpa. See how prepared he is to escape from the goons!

Kmuse: I appreciate that every character Lee Jae Wook takes on is different. I don’t feel like I see the same performance over and over. So far, I am adoring his reaction to Ra Ra. I’m assuming there is a backstory between the two that she doesn’t remember. Hopefully, this will help me stay invested in their relationship.

Clkytta: All I can say is that I love him. He is one of my favorite newer actors. He has so much charisma!

Cha Eun Seok

Kim Joo Heon plays the newly single doctor, Cha Eun Seok. He’s starting life over and is both surprised and delighted when Goo Ra Ra shows up as a patient in his small town hospital. Can he win her heart, or will he be destined to remain a secret admirer?

MiataMama: This is my first drama with Kim Joo Heon and the first thing that captured my attention was his lovely deep voice! As I watched the first couple hours of this drama, I found myself hoping that Eun Seok would fill the role of a kind and supportive, older brother type, for Ra Ra. Girl really needs someone mature and reliable looking out for her! 

Telzeytalks: This guy was in It’s Okay to Not be Okay, where he had a mustache and goatee and looked like someone else entirely. We know that the doc doesn’t care about money or pretension from the way he enjoyed Ra Ra’s unorthodox recital and left the big hospital. We are wondering why he doesn’t let on to the ex-groom that he’s seen Ra Ra, and keeps cross-examining Joon.

Kmuse: I didn’t realize he was the publisher in It’s Okay to Not be Okay! He looks so different in this drama. I’m a bit sad that he isn’t the leading man because his quiet support is really working for me. I see a bout of SLS in my future.

Clkytta: I was watching this with Miatamama and I shouted out, “It’s Hottie Agent!” He is another actor that I’m totally in love with right now. He comes across as reassuring and introspective and I like that.

Final Thoughts

MiataMama: I was totally hooked after the first episode – this drama is so sweet and cute! In addition to the leading characters, the supporting cast is well rounded and fun too, with lots of familiar faces! Already have my weekly watch date with Clkytta on the calendar – I can’t wait!! 

Telzeytalks: I thought the first episode was random, but the second episode put things together and now I’m solidly in. We have cheerfulness and cuteness to spare, with peeks at little secrets here and there. I’m pleased to see Seo Yi Sook, who was the Grandma Goddess in Hotel del Luna, and Ye Ji Won, who was Jennifer in Thirty but Seventeen. I love how they explain the meaning of the title, and how they work Twinkle Twinkle Little Star into the plot and the background music all the time. Lots to look forward to!

Kmuse: I loved the writer’s past drama, Shopping King Louie, and I hope that I enjoy this show just as much. So far everyone is super cute and likable and I hope it stays that way.

Clkytta: It’s such a fun drama. Miatamama and I are able to fit in some quality kbestie time as we watch, which makes me enjoy the drama all the more.

Drama Fans, have you tried out Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol yet? Share your thoughts with us in the comments below!

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5 thoughts on “First Impressions and Unfiltered Thoughts: Do Do Sol Sol La La Sol

  1. Love this review! I’ve been wanting to start watching this drama since the first teaser was out! But I don’t like to wait each week for an episode to come out so I’m going to wait until it’s finished airing to binge watch! Now that I read your review I know it’s worth it!!

  2. I like this one from the first episode. I am really liking Go Ara’s character too. She is totally giving me Reese Witherspoon’s vibe from the movie Clueless especially when she walked out with the dog – Mimi. How adorable is Mimi!!!

    • Oh! Yes – now that you point it out, there are definitely Clueless vibes going on with our main girl!!
      Love Mimi – she is the cutest little marshmallow!

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