Sakura Ando Makes Her Debut in Korean Cinema... Meeting Kim Do-yeon in 'Dora'

Japanese leading actress Sakura Ando is making her debut in Korean cinema through director Jung Joo-ri's new film 〈Dora〉. 〈Dora〉 is the latest work from director Jung Joo-ri, who has portrayed delicate female narratives in films like 〈Dohee-ya〉 (2014) and 〈Next Sohee〉 (2024). Set in a seaside town, it tells the story of a girl with physical and mental pain who meets another woman and discovers healing, solidarity, and love. Sakura Ando is set to play the role of the wounded girl Dora, drawing attention from both domestic and international film circles. 〈Dora〉 is scheduled to crank in this August in Namhae.

The lead role of Dora has been cast with singer and actress Kim Do-yeon, who is a former member of the group I.O.I and currently active in Weki Meki. Do-yeon started her career as an idol and has been recognized for her acting skills through various supporting roles in dramas and films, recently shining in the movie 〈Amoeba Girls and School Ghost Stories: Founding Anniversary〉. She is currently also active in the play 'Anna X'.

What is particularly noteworthy about this project is that Sakura Ando is appearing in a Korean film for the first time. Sakura Ando has established herself as a leading actress in Japan with her role in Hirokazu Kore-eda's 〈A Family〉, which won the Palme d'Or at the 71st Cannes Film Festival. Since then, she has showcased powerful performances in numerous works such as 〈Monster〉 and 〈Bad Land〉, securing a solid fan base in Korea as well. The production team expressed their anticipation, stating, "The new combination of Sakura Ando and Kim Do-yeon will meet with an original female narrative to deliver a deep resonance."

The title of the film 〈Dora〉 is derived from Freud's famous 'Dora' case. This case is a counseling record where Freud treated an 18-year-old female patient, analyzing unconscious sexual desires and repressed family conflicts, which was also published in a book in 1905. The film is expected to modernly explore inner wounds, healing, and female solidarity based on this motif.