Renowned for his 2022 comedy sensation “6/45,” South Korean director Park Gyu-tae is poised to embark on an exciting new venture. He has officially signed a Vietnam-Korea co-production deal for his upcoming feature, “Saigon Oppa.” The collaboration was sealed at a high-profile cultural diplomacy event in Seoul, showcasing a significant step toward deeper cultural ties between the two nations.
A Major Cultural Milestone
The announcement of Park Gyu-tae’s Vietnam-Korea co-production came during the Vietnam-South Korea Forum on Cultural Industry Development Cooperation. This forum coincided with the state visit of Vietnamese General Secretary To Lam to South Korea. Key figures presiding over the event included Vietnam’s Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung, and South Korea’s Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Chae Hwi-young, with additional participation from Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.
This project exemplifies a robust three-way partnership among South Korea’s Film Line, Vietnam’s BHD, and the regional giant WebTVAsia. Shooting is scheduled to begin in early 2026, with scenes filmed in both Vietnam and South Korea.
Plot and Creative Vision
“6/45” made a significant impact in Vietnam, becoming the second highest-grossing South Korean film ever in the country, following its remarkable box office success in 2022. Motivated by this acclaim, Park Gyu-tae dedicated more than two years to developing the screenplay for “Saigon Oppa” after visiting Vietnam.
The comedy centers around two Vietnamese husbands embarking on an adventurous quest to retrieve their K-pop-loving wives in Seoul. Filled with “outrageous misunderstandings, culture clashes, and language mix-ups,” the film promises Park’s signature comedic style while exploring themes of love, kindness, and cultural connection.
Park expressed gratitude to Vietnamese audiences for their support of “6/45,” hoping this Vietnam-Korea co-production will foster cultural exchange and unity between the two countries.
New Horizons for BHD and Partners
For BHD, this Vietnam-Korea co-production represents a pivotal moment in their collaboration with Korean media. The company has a history of engaging with Korean content, distributing various Korean films and series, including adaptations of popular IPs like “Descendants of the Sun” and “Good Doctor.”
BHD’s senior VP Ngo Bich Hanh highlighted the significance of creating new stories that span both countries, noting the success of this collaborative trend as demonstrated by the recent release of “Leaving Mom.” This venture further cements the growing synergy between the two nations’ film industries.
Fred Chong, founder and CEO of WebTVAsia, remarked on the powerful influence of K-pop across Asia and beyond, expressing confidence that this project would set a new benchmark for regional co-productions while boosting Vietnam’s film landscape.
A Bright Future for Regional Filmmaking
Kim Tai Sik, CEO of Film Line, emphasized their dedication to Southeast Asian co-productions, noting the transformative potential of this partnership with one of Vietnam’s leading studios. This collaboration promises to highlight new talent and cultural narratives on a global stage.
The agreement was one of several cultural cooperation documents exchanged during the forum, bringing together officials, businesses, and creative experts from both countries. Anticipation builds as cast announcements for “Saigon Oppa” are expected soon, signaling a promising new chapter in cross-cultural filmmaking.
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son reiterated Vietnam’s commitment to fostering such initiatives, encouraging active participation from businesses and creative organizations to ensure the cultural industry serves as a dynamic link between the two nations.
