Late Kim Sae Ron Receives Heartbreaking Tribute At Cannes

The late actress Kim Sae Ron was honored with an emotional tribute in director Jung Joo Ri (also known as July Jung)’s Cannes-invited film Dora.

The director is currently attending the 79th Cannes International Film Festival with her new film Dora, which was officially invited to the Directors’ Fortnight section. On May 19, 2026 local time, she met with Xportsnews at the Korean Film Council booth inside the Palais des Festivals in Cannes, France, where she opened up about the meaning behind the tribute.

Dora follows a family as they leave Seoul for a seaside villa in the middle of summer. While staying there, Dora, played by Kim Do Yeon, experiences love for the first time while suffering from an unknown illness, which slowly shifts everything around her.

The film has drawn attention as July Jung’s latest work following A Girl at My Door and Next Sohee, as well as for its collaboration with idol-actress Kim Doyeon and Japanese actress Sakura Ando. It held its world premiere on May 17 and received a standing ovation from the audience.

During the ending credits of Dora, Kim Sae Ron’s name appeared under a special thanks message from the production company and director. The tribute was especially meaningful because Kim Sae Ron previously worked with July Jung on the 2014 film A Girl at My Door.

While discussing the themes of Dora, July Jung explained that although she is known for female-centered stories, the film was not intended to focus only on gender.

Because I am a woman and a female director, the characters and protagonists naturally tend to be women. It’s not that I specifically think about solidarity or anything like that.

One thing I really wanted to do with this film was tell a story about generations, rather than about women or men. My feeling was that I hope younger generations somehow survive and ultimately recover. I believe hope still lies with the younger generation.

— July Jung

The topic naturally led to Kim Sae Ron, who was deeply connected to July Jung’s career through A Girl at My Door. When asked about the late actress, the director became visibly emotional—eventually shedding tears as she spoke about the loss.

In that sense, actress Kim Sae Ron is an incredibly big and important actress to me and to our production company. The fact that we lost that actress is so difficult. It hurts so much that we, our film industry, and our society ultimately lost her.

— July Jung

Kim Sae Ron’s name in the credits served as a quiet but powerful tribute from July Jung and the production team.

Meanwhile, Dora is scheduled to be released in Korea in the second half of 2026.