The signing ceremony took place at the “Viet Nam–Republic of Korea Cultural Industry Development Cooperation Forum” in Seoul, co-chaired by Viet Nam’s Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Nguyen Van Hung and the RoK’s Minister of Culture, Sports and Tourism Chae Hwi-Young, with the participation of Viet Nam’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son, along with representatives of government agencies, experts, and leading enterprises in the creative cultural industry of both countries.
“Sai Gon Oppa” is a work currently being scripted and directed by Korean director Park Gyu Tea, well known to Vietnamese audiences through comedy film “6/45: Lottery Couple,” which broke box-office records in Viet Nam in 2022. It remains the highest-grossing Korean film ever released in Viet Nam at the time of its release and, after several years, still holds second place in revenue.
Following his visit to Viet Nam in 2022, director Park Gyu Tea spent more than two years completing the first draft of this special script, and is now eagerly awaiting the opportunity to bring his idea to life.
Director Park Gyu Tae shared: “I am very grateful to Vietnamese audiences for their love for my previous film. I hope that this Viet Nam–RoK co-production project, ‘Sai Gon Oppa’, will contribute to cultural exchange between the two countries and become a film that connects the RoK and Viet Nam. I am deeply honoured to be part of this exciting project.”
The film tells the story of two Vietnamese husbands, unwillingly thrown together on a journey to find their runaway wives, who have gone to Seoul to attend a concert and “follow Korean idols”. With director Park Gyu Tea’s signature storytelling style, the script for “Sai Gon Oppa” promises humorous and laugh-out-loud situations. Throughout the film, awkward and comical “language barrier” moments are ultimately resolved through love, kindness, and empathy, erasing all linguistic and cultural divides. This is not only a romantic comedy but also a heartfelt journey of discovery and connection between two cultures.
Kim Tai Sik, CEO of Film Line, the Korean producer, shared: “Film Line has been pioneering co-production projects in Southeast Asia for many years, and collaborating with one of Viet Nam’s most prestigious and experienced film studios is a breakthrough opportunity. Bringing together talents from both countries is our passion, and we look forward to showcasing these fresh talents and cultures to the world.”
Representing the Vietnamese producer, Vice Chairwoman of BHD Ngo Bich Hanh said “BHD was the first company to bring the rights to a Korean film to Viet Nam for broadcast on VTV1 in 1997, and we have released many Korean films and TV series in Viet Nam. We have also acquired scripts and produced major Korean IPs such as ‘Descendants of the Sun’ and ‘Good Doctor’. Now, we are honoured to be among the first producers to collaborate with the RoK to create new IPs based on stories from both countries. This is a new trend among producers from the two countries and has already been proven to succeed spectacularly. This shows that Viet Nam–RoK cooperation has reached a new level – closer, more equal, and jointly promoting the cultures of both countries.”
Fred Chong, Founder and CEO of Web TV Asia, also shared his perspective: “It is amazing to be part of this Viet Nam–RoK co-production project. The influence of K-pop across Asia and the world is undeniable, and I believe this project will open new directions for regional co-productions while elevating Vietnamese cinema. I am truly excited to be part of this journey.”
According to the plan, filming will take place in both Viet Nam and the Rok in early 2026. Details about the star-studded cast from both countries will be announced by the producer and director in the coming period, promising to create a sensation in the film community.
