A Korean-Vietnamese drama centers on a son taking his mother to Korea, underscoring family bonds.

The film Mom, I’m Taking You to Korea, a Korean-Vietnamese co-production, opened on the 5th. It had earlier premiered in Vietnam this August, drawing about 2.2 million viewers and turning into a hit there.

Although the title feels stark, the story is warm and tearful. It follows Huan, a man with a frail body who works as a street barber, as he tries to bring his dementia-stricken mother Le Thi Thanh to her half-brother Ji-hwan in Korea.

Director Mo Hong-jin (52) said the decision to direct came from a single photograph. He recalled receiving a photo of a child walking hand-in-hand with his mother, and he felt that the image could express a family bond that transcends borders.

The original concept had a Saigon-based son taking his mother to his Hanoi-based brother, but the filmmakers reworked it into the current Korean-Vietnamese setup, believing the family theme could resonate in Korea as well. Mo explained that he restructured the idea by observing daily life in parks and markets, which helped shape the film.

The skepticism about a Korean director who didn’t speak Vietnamese faded once Vietnamese stars Tuân Trân and Hong Dao were cast, delivering powerful performances. Hong Dao in particular embraced the challenging dementia portrayal with a resolve to create a career-defining film.

Le Thi Thanh’s husband, Jung Minh, was played by Jung Il-woo, who locals affectionately call the “Vietnamese son-in-law.” He reportedly appeared pro bono as a gesture of gratitude for the love Vietnamese audiences showed.

Le Thi Thanh longs for her son Ji-hwan who is left in Korea, and Huan feels some hurt but believes that Korean welfare benefits could improve their life. With friends’ help, he sets out toward Korea with his mother.

“Someone in our family should be happy,” runs a line reflecting the director’s long-held thoughts about family and belonging.

“Personally, because I lost my mother when I was seven, family love is even more moving to me. Embracing family is like embracing the universe, and I hope this film makes audiences call their mothers,” the article quotes as part of the material shaping the film’s emotional core.