Park Gyu-tae, the South Korean helmer behind 2022’s breakout comedy hit “6/45,” has inked a co-production agreement for his next feature “Saigon Oppa” during a high-profile cultural diplomacy event in Seoul.
The deal was revealed at the Vietnam-South Korea Forum on Cultural Industry Development Cooperation, held during Vietnamese General Secretary To Lam’s state visit to South Korea. The forum was co-chaired by 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 participation from Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Foreign Affairs Bui Thanh Son.
The project represents an ambitious three-way partnership between South Korea’s Film Line, Vietnam’s BHD, and regional powerhouse WebTVAsia. Production is slated to begin in early 2026, with filming planned across both Vietnam and South Korea.
Park’s “6/45” proved a massive hit in Vietnam, becoming the second highest-grossing South Korean film of all time in the market after breaking box office records in 2022. The director spent over two years crafting the screenplay for “Saigon Oppa” following a visit to Vietnam.
The comedy follows two reluctant Vietnamese husbands on a wild mission to track down their K-pop-obsessed wives in Seoul. Described as packed with “outrageous misunderstandings, culture clashes, and language mix-ups,” the story promises Park’s trademark comedic style while exploring themes of love, kindness and cultural connection.
“I’m grateful to Vietnamese audiences for loving my previous film 6/45,” Park said. “I hope this Vietnamese-Korean co-production will contribute to cultural exchange between our two countries and become a film that unites Korea and Vietnam. I’m very honored to be part of this new project.”
Park has Korean action comedy thriller “Husbands in Action” in the works at Netflix.
For BHD, the project marks a evolution in Vietnam-Korea collaboration. The company has deep ties to Korean content, having distributed numerous Korean films and series, including local adaptations of major IPs like “Descendants of the Sun” and “Good Doctor.”
“We are now honored to be one of the first producers to collaborate with South Korea on creating new IPs based on stories from both countries,” said BHD senior VP Ngo Bich Hanh. “This is a new trend for producers from both nations and has already been proven successful, as seen with the box office performance of the movie ‘Leaving Mom’ that just launched in cinema in Vietnam.”
WebTVAsia founder and CEO Fred Chong added: “K-pop’s influence across Asia and beyond is undeniable, and I’m confident this project will break new ground for regional co-productions while elevating Vietnam’s film industry.”
Film Line CEO Kim Tai Sik said: “Film Line has championed Southeast Asian co-productions for years, and partnering with one of Vietnam’s top studios is a groundbreaking opportunity. Bringing together talent from both countries is our passion, and we look forward to showcasing new talent and cultures to the world.”
The agreement was among several cultural cooperation documents exchanged during the forum, which brought together leading experts, government officials and key businesses from both countries’ creative industries. Cast announcements for the film are expected soon.
Vietnamese Deputy Prime Minister Bui Thanh Son affirmed the Vietnamese government’s commitment to creating favorable conditions for the effective implementation of these initiatives, encouraging businesses and creative organizations to actively participate in ensuring the cultural industry serves as a strong bridge between the two nations.
