From I.O.I to Cannes: K-pop idol Kim Do-yeon’s rise as an actress

Kim Do-yeon / Courtesy of Red Peter Films

Kim Do-yeon is steadily establishing herself as one of Korea’s rising young actors, moving from a Blue Dragon Film Award win to a Cannes Film Festival invitation in less than a year.

“This award will become a great source of strength for my acting,” Kim said while accepting the Best New Actress trophy at the Blue Dragon Film Awards last November. “I want to become an actor who continues to think and reflect more deeply, but never hesitates.”

Six months later, the former I.O.I member is now heading to Cannes Film Festival.

Kim stars in “Dora,” which was invited to the Directors’ Fortnight section of the 79th Cannes Film Festival, opening May 12. It marks the first Korean film invited to the section in three years since director Hong Sang-soo’s “In Our Day” in 2023.

“Dora” tells the story of a family that leaves Seoul for a seaside villa during midsummer, where a young woman named Dora, who suffers from an unknown illness, experiences love for the first time, gradually unsettling everyone around her. The film is the third feature by director July Jung, known for “A Girl at My Door” (2014) and “Next Sohee” (2022). Kim leads the film alongside Japanese actor Sakura Ando, who has won the Japan Academy Film Prize for best actress three times.

For Kim, Cannes Film Festival represents her first major step onto the global stage as an actor. Julien Rejl, artistic director of Directors’ Fortnight, said of “Dora” that young Dora, gathered with family and friends for a summer holiday, becomes the person who ignites all the passions within this small world.

The film is expected to reveal a new side of Kim. Moving beyond the youthful image she has shown so far, she takes on more emotionally layered acting, broadening her artistic range. With the film set to premiere at Cannes, attention is already turning toward her performance in the movie.

Kim’s rise has been rapid. Last year, she won best new actress at the 46th Blue Dragon Film Awards for her screen debut in “Idiot Girls and School Ghost: School Anniversary.” Her fresh presence, stable acting and ability to fully embody characters quickly established her as one of Korea’s most promising young stars.

Kim Do-yeon / Courtesy of KBS

Her career transition has also drawn attention. Kim first gained public recognition through Mnet’s “Produce 101” in 2016. She later debuted in the project group I.O.I and received widespread popularity before re-debuting as a member of girl group Weki Meki.

Known for her striking visuals, long limbs and model-like image, Kim earned recognition both for her talent and popularity as an idol. But after Weki Meki disbanded, instead of immediately pursuing another entertainment project, she chose to study abroad in London.

The reason was acting.

Appearing on MBC FM4U’s radio program “A Perfect Day with Lee Sang-soon,” Kim said, “I went to London for two months and attended an acting school there. During my idol activities, I naturally began acting as well, and I loved it so much. That’s why I decided to study.”

Perhaps because of that effort, Kim is increasingly being evaluated simply as an actor rather than as an “idol-turned-actor.” Industry observers point to her strong fundamentals, stable performances and natural emotional expression as key strengths. Rather than relying only on popularity, she has steadily built up her filmography, something many say has fueled her current momentum.

Her activities are expected to expand even further with the upcoming 10th anniversary reunion of I.O.I. While continuing to solidify her position as an actor, she is also expected to create synergy by returning to the group that first introduced her to the public.

Instead of relying solely on name recognition, Kim has steadily proven her potential through her dedication to acting, continuous efforts and a growing body of work. From winning best new actress at the Blue Dragon Film Awards to stepping onto the Cannes stage, Kim is advancing her career at her own pace and emerging as one of Korea’s next-generation actors.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by a generative AI system and edited by The Korea Times.