On July 29, 2025, the Vietnamese-Korean co-production film Mang mẹ đi bỏ (Walk with Mom) held its official premiere and press conference in Ho Chi Minh City, drawing attention from both Vietnamese and Korean film communities. The event featured the presence of director Mo Hong-jin, along with the main cast members including Vietnamese actors Hồng Đào, Tuấn Trần, Juliet Bảo Ngọc, and the South Korean star Jung Il Woo, who has captivated audiences with his roles in popular dramas such as Unstoppable High Kick and Moon Embracing The Sun.
Jung Il Woo, affectionately nicknamed the "Vietnamese Son-in-law" by local fans, arrived in Ho Chi Minh City on the morning of the premiere day to enthusiastic greetings. His participation marks a significant milestone as it is his first deep engagement with a Vietnamese story, highlighting the growing collaboration between the Vietnamese and Korean film industries. The actor plays Jeong Min, a gentle and devoted Korean husband whose youthful romance with Hạnh, a Vietnamese woman portrayed by Juliet Bảo Ngọc, forms a tender and poignant thread in the film.
Despite his character being Korean and having limited Vietnamese dialogue, Jung Il Woo made a heartfelt effort to embrace the Vietnamese language for authenticity. He requested the director to allow him to speak a few lines in Vietnamese, transforming a Korean confession into the charming phrase, "Từ bây giờ tôi sẽ thích em" (From now on, I will like you). This small but meaningful change added a natural warmth to the interaction between Jeong Min and Hạnh, bridging cultural and linguistic gaps in the story.
Adding to his dedication, Jung Il Woo also learned to sing "Lệ đá," a classic Vietnamese song beloved by Hạnh’s character. The process was challenging due to the tonal complexities and pronunciation nuances of Vietnamese, but with Juliet Bảo Ngọc’s patient guidance—repeatedly singing lines for him to mimic—he managed to perform the song. At the premiere event, he even attempted to sing "Lệ đá" once more, with some playful assistance from Bảo Ngọc, earning applause from the audience for his earnest effort.
Juliet Bảo Ngọc, who plays Hạnh, also undertook considerable preparation for her role. Since most of her dialogue is in Korean, she dedicated months to learning the language, striving to deliver her lines without relying on dubbing. Her scenes were primarily filmed in South Korea, requiring her to travel alone and adapt to a foreign production environment. Despite being away from home, she felt comforted by the supportive crew and the friendly presence of Jung Il Woo during filming.
The film’s central narrative revolves around Hoan, played by Tuấn Trần, a hardworking hairdresser who faces numerous life challenges, including caring for his mother, Bà Lê Thị Hạnh (portrayed by Hồng Đào), who suffers from Alzheimer’s disease. Bà Hạnh’s memory is trapped in her youthful days in South Korea, particularly recalling her romance with Jeong Min. The story sensitively explores the emotional and physical toll of caregiving, as Hoan grapples with feelings of love, exhaustion, and the painful question of how to cope when love becomes a burden.
Both Hồng Đào and Tuấn Trần expressed the depth and difficulty of their roles during the premiere. Hồng Đào highlighted the challenge of conveying intense emotions through subtle expressions, especially eye contact, which she considered crucial to portraying her character’s internal struggles. Tuấn Trần emphasized that Hoan is a more mature and complex character compared to his previous mother-son roles, bringing new layers to his performance.
Director Mo Hong-jin, known for his previous work on The Last Wish of Prisoner 2037, shared that he approached the script with a strong desire to authentically reflect Vietnamese culture and family values. Collaborating with local production teams and researching Vietnamese lifestyles, the director aimed to create a story that resonates universally, emphasizing the enduring choice of family members to stand by each other through hardships.
Mang mẹ đi bỏ is rated K, meaning it is suitable for viewers under 13 years old when accompanied by parents or guardians. Early screenings were scheduled for the evenings of July 30 and 31, 2025, with the official nationwide release set for August 1, 2025, across cinemas in Vietnam.
Jung Il Woo’s involvement extends beyond acting; his affection for Vietnam is well-known, having traveled extensively through the country in 2024. He visited northern and central provinces, including motorbiking through Sa Pa, climbing Fansipan peak, enjoying the beaches of Da Nang, and rowing traditional basket boats in Hội An. These experiences enriched his connection to Vietnamese culture and likely informed his heartfelt portrayal in the film.
In sum, Mang mẹ đi bỏ stands as a heartfelt cinematic bridge between Vietnam and South Korea, weaving themes of love, memory, and family responsibility. With a talented cast embracing linguistic and cultural challenges, the film promises to offer audiences an emotionally resonant experience that transcends borders.
