Actress Hong Dao is set to make her debut in a Korean feature film, "Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub", playing a powerful businesswoman. The film, directed by Choi Kook Hee and based on the comic series by Heo Young Man, is scheduled for release in South Korea on 23/9, one day before Chuseok, the Korean Mid-Autumn Festival.
The movie centers on Jang Tae Young, portrayed by Byun Yo Han, who builds an online casino empire only to lose everything after being betrayed by his close friend, Park Tae Young, played by Roh Jae Won. Their paths cross again in the high-stakes world of international gambling, leading to a strategic showdown driven by revenge.
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Actress Hong Dao's look in "Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub". Photo: CJ ENM |
Actress Hong Dao's look in "Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub". Photo: CJ ENM
In promotional images for the cast, Hong Dao appears with short hair and a cool demeanor. She plays Thao, a formidable businesswoman who views life's critical decisions as a gamble. Her character is pivotal to the story, particularly as the film's setting expands to include Vietnam and Japan.
To prepare for her role, Hong Dao not only delved into her character's psychology but also learned poker rules, practicing how to hold cards, use chips, and perform various actions at the betting table.
During filming, the actress praised director Choi Kook Hee and her co-stars, including Byun Yo Han, Roh Jae Won, Ayaka Miyoshi, and Tsuyoshi Ihara. Hong Dao recounted that when she was in South Korea for filming last December, Byun Yo Han invited her to dine at a Michelin-starred restaurant and referred to her as "Vietnamese Mom" after their conversations about work and life.
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Hong Dao and actor Byun Yo Han on the set of "Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub". Photo: Character provided |
Hong Dao and actor Byun Yo Han on the set of "Tazza: The Song of Beelzebub". Photo: Character provided
"The Song of Beelzebub" is the fourth and final installment of the "Tazza" franchise, following "Tazza" (2006), "Tazza: The Hidden Card" (2014), and "Tazza: One Eyed Jack" (2019).
Before this project, Hong Dao had already participated in international productions, including Netflix's series *Beef* and the Vietnamese-Korean film *Mang me di bo*, directed by Mo Hong Jin.
Hong Dao appears in the trailer for "Mang me di bo" (2025). Video: Film crew provided
Hong Dao, 64, whose full name is Nguyen Dinh Hong Dao, is recognized as one of the "golden generation" theater artists from Ho Chi Minh City in the 1990s, alongside Thanh Loc and Hong Van. In 1994, she moved to the United States, settling in Northern California. In recent years, Hong Dao has appeared in numerous films such as *Phuong Khau*, *Thua me con di*, *Ngoi nha buom buom*, and *Chi dau*. She is set to star in *Len huong*, directed by Khuong Ngoc and Tan Hoang Thong, which will be released domestically on 18/9.
Following her divorce from actor Quang Minh in 2019, Hong Dao has managed her time between the US and Vietnam to care for her two children and parents, who currently reside in California. In 2024, she played a supporting role in *Mai*, a film that grossed VND 520 billion, becoming a record-breaking Vietnamese blockbuster at the time. In early 2025, she received the Best Supporting Actress in Film award at the Green Star Awards in Ho Chi Minh City.
Cat Tien
