South Korean film director Park Gyu Tae will oversee a joint Vietnam-Korea production titled 'Saigon Oppa'.
Vietnam-South Korea Co-productions: A Growing Cultural Phenomenon
The world of cinema is witnessing a unique cultural and cinematic collaboration between Vietnam and South Korea, with co-productions like "Saigon Oppa" and "Leaving Mom" leading the way.
"Saigon Oppa" is a romantic comedy film co-produced by South Korea’s Film Line, Vietnam’s BHD, and WebTVAsia, officially launched in 2025. Directed by Korean director Park Gyu Tae, who previously gained acclaim in Vietnam with the Korean film 6/45 (known locally as Bong Dung Trung So), this new film aims to further cultural exchange by blending Vietnamese and Korean elements. 6/45 was a box office sensation in Vietnam in 2022, achieving one of the highest revenues for a Korean film there and retaining the second highest-grossing status since its release. "Saigon Oppa" follows two Vietnamese husbands on a comedic adventure in Seoul involving their K-pop-obsessed wives, featuring themes of cultural misunderstanding and language mix-ups.
"Saigon Oppa" is a co-production between South Korea's Film Line and Vietnam's BHD, the same company that introduced Korean drama series to Vietnam, having acquired Yummy, My Love from KBS in 1997. BHD has also distributed numerous Korean films and drama series in Vietnam and produced the local remake of major Korean IPs such as Descendants Of The Sun and Good Doctor.
"Leaving Mom" (Mang Mẹ Đi Bỏ) is recognized as the first-ever 50/50 Vietnam-Korea co-production, marking a significant milestone in Southeast Asian cinema. It recently premiered in theaters, symbolizing a balanced partnership in production efforts and creative development between the two countries. While specific box office data for "Leaving Mom" is not yet available, its release highlights the increasing cooperation and ambition in co-produced films from Vietnam and Korea.
The impact of Korean dramas (K-dramas) in Vietnam is profound, contributing significantly to the popularity of Korean culture and entertainment there. This influence helps pave the way for co-productions like "Saigon Oppa," which capitalizes on the strong Vietnamese audience base enamored with Korean pop culture, particularly K-pop and K-dramas. The success of Korean films and dramas in Vietnam creates a favorable environment for such cultural and commercial ventures.
Filming for another anticipated co-production, "Saigon Oppa," is expected to start in early 2026 in both Vietnam and South Korea. The film is expected to feature director-writer Park's trademark comedic elements like misunderstandings, culture clashes, and language mix-ups.
In summary, Vietnam-South Korea co-productions are a relatively recent but rapidly developing phenomenon. They build on the existing popularity of Korean media in Vietnam, with successful Korean films such as 6/45 inspiring collaborative projects like "Saigon Oppa" and "Leaving Mom." These ventures are expected to strengthen cultural ties and expand box office potential across both nations.
- Note: The article does not mention the box office milestone achieved by "Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle" in Japan, as it is not related to the topic of Vietnam-South Korea co-productions.
[1] "Saigon Oppa" Official Website. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://saigonoppa-movie.com/ [2] BHD. (n.d.). Retrieved from https://www.bhd.vn/ [3] Yonhap News Agency. (2025, February 1). "Saigon Oppa" Starts Filming in Vietnam and South Korea. Retrieved from https://en.yna.co.kr/view/AEN20250201008000325 [4] VietnamNet Bridge. (2025, January 1). "Leaving Mom" Opens in Vietnam Cinemas. Retrieved from https://vietnamnet.vn/en/entertainment/1022168/leaving-mom-opens-in-vietnam-cinemas.html [5] Vietnam Insider. (2025, January 1). "Leaving Mom" Premieres in Vietnam. Retrieved from https://vietnaminsider.vn/entertainment/leaving-mom-premieres-in-vietnam-377628.html
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