Honestly, if you haven’t seen the short film for LISA Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi, you might want to grab a box of tissues first. Seriously. Most of us are used to LISA being the ultimate "Rockstar"—all high energy, sharp choreography, and that cool, untouchable swagger. But this project? It’s basically the opposite. It’s quiet. It’s devastating. And it shows a side of her that feels way more human than anything we've seen since her debut.
Released in August 2025 as a companion to her debut solo album Alter Ego, this five-minute short film isn't just a music video. It's a cinematic pivot. While the song "Dream" dropped back in February, the visual collaboration with Japanese actor Kentaro Sakaguchi completely recontextualized the lyrics. Suddenly, a song that sounded like a standard breakup ballad became a haunting story about grief and the "what ifs" of a life cut short.
What actually happens in the Dream short film?
The story kicks off with LISA in mourning. She's at a funeral, looking completely hollowed out. Then, in a moment that feels like a glitch in reality, her partner—played with a heartbreakingly soft touch by Kentaro Sakaguchi—walks through the door. From there, they go on this hazy, sun-drenched road trip. It feels like a memory you’re trying to hold onto while you’re waking up.
They laugh. They dance. There's a scene at a gas station where Kentaro hands her the car keys, a small gesture of trust that feels heavy in hindsight. But the real gut punch comes during a stop later in the film. LISA walks over to the passenger side to talk to him, and he’s just... gone. In his place sits a metallic urn.
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It turns out the whole road trip was a manifestation of her grief. She wasn't driving with him; she was driving him to his final resting place.
The film ends at a lake, where they once had a conversation about the afterlife. LISA said she wanted to be a tree. Kentaro, in a line that has basically become the most quoted part of the project, said he’d want to be the lake reflecting her beauty. Watching her scatter his ashes into that water while those lyrics play? It's brutal.
Why Kentaro Sakaguchi was the perfect choice
You’ve probably seen Kentaro in The 100th Love with You or Signal. He has this specific "salt-face" (shio-gao) charm—he looks kind, a bit fragile, and incredibly expressive without saying much. That's exactly what this role needed. Because the dialogue is sparse, the chemistry between LISA and Kentaro Sakaguchi has to do all the heavy lifting.
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- Natural Chemistry: They don't look like two idols posing. They look like a couple that’s lived together for years. There are shots of them brushing their teeth side-by-side and just joking around that feel incredibly intimate.
- The "2019" Connection: Fans have been spiraling over the lyrics "Like it's 2019, baby." While some speculate about LISA’s real-life past, the video uses Kentaro to ground that nostalgia. He represents a version of her life that existed before the global solo superstardom took over.
- Acting Growth: After her stint in The White Lotus, people were curious if LISA could actually act in a dramatic sense. Working opposite an actor of Kentaro’s caliber forced her to step up. She isn't "performing" for a camera here; she’s reacting to loss.
The lyrics vs. the visual narrative
If you just listen to the track on Alter Ego, it sounds like she’s asking an ex-boyfriend if they can still be friends. She asks, "Are you always gonna hate me for that night in Tokyo?" It feels like a messy breakup song.
However, the short film changes the stakes. By pairing the song with Sakaguchi's character—who is clearly deceased in the narrative—the "open-ended" breakup she sings about becomes a permanent one. The "dream" isn't just a fantasy about getting back together; it’s the only place where he’s still alive.
Actionable insights for fans and creators
If you’re looking to dive deeper into this era of LISA's career or understand the production, here are a few things to keep in mind:
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- Watch the credits: The film was directed by Ojun Kwon. If you like the aesthetic—that grainy, nostalgic, film-like quality—look into his other work. He’s a master of "mood" over "action."
- Listen for the production shifts: Notice how the music is sparse at the beginning but swells with "heavenly synths" when the black-and-white memories of Kentaro appear. It’s a deliberate "sonic hug" for the listener.
- The Japanese Connection: This collaboration wasn't random. LISA has a massive footprint in Japan, and Kentaro is one of the country's most respected "soft" leads. It’s a brilliant cross-market move that felt organic rather than corporate.
- Check the timestamp: Pay attention to the "3 nights on the stereo" line. It's likely a nod to Dominic Fike, adding another layer of "real-world" texture to the fictional relationship.
Whether you're here for the K-pop crossover or you're a fan of Japanese cinema, LISA Dream feat. Kentaro Sakaguchi is a rare example of a music project that actually values storytelling over virality. It’s a slow burn, but once it hits, it stays with you.
If you want to fully appreciate the narrative arc, watch the "Dream" trailer first, then the 5-minute short film, and finally, go back and read the lyrics to the song on Alter Ego. The layers of "what-could-have-been" are much clearer when you see the two of them together on screen.
Check out the official LLOUD YouTube channel to see the high-definition version of the short film. It’s worth watching on a big screen to catch the small details, like the matching rings they wear in the kitchen scene.