Actor Jung Il Woo is taking audiences on a deeply emotional journey in the Korea-Vietnam co-produced film “Leaving Mom”, directed by Mo Hong Jin. The film tells the moving story of family, loss, and the love that transcends borders and language a project so touching that Jung chose to join without pay.
A Story Beyond Borders
The film centers on Huan (played by Tuan Tran), a street barber in Vietnam who cares for his mother (Hong Dao), now battling dementia. When his own health begins to fail, he travels to Korea to seek help from his estranged brother, realizing that he may soon have to leave his mother behind.
Jung Il-woo appears as Jung Min, the mother’s former husband, whose character appears in flashbacks that reveal the family’s past. His warm yet sorrowful presence adds emotional depth, portraying love, regret, and the passage of time in only a few short scenes.
“From the moment I read the script, I was completely drawn in,” Jung shared at the film’s Seoul premiere at CGV Yongsan. “It’s a beautiful story about family, forgiveness, and love that speaks across cultures.”
Director Mo Hong-jin recalled that he was touched by Jung’s passion: “He’s a beloved actor in Vietnam, so I wasn’t sure he’d accept. But he agreed immediately even without a guarantee.”
The Language of the Heart
The film unfolds across both Vietnam and Korea, using both languages naturally within the story. Despite the potential challenges, the director and actors relied on emotion more than translation. “The only language we didn’t need a translator for was the language of the heart,” Mo said.
Jung, who plays opposite Vietnamese actress Juliet Bao Ngoc, shared that he learned conversational Vietnamese for the role: “We spoke each other’s languages to connect as characters love doesn’t need perfect words,” he smiled.
Emotional Resonance & Global Praise
“Leaving Mom” has already touched audiences in Vietnam, becoming a box office hit with over 2 million admissions in its third week. Critics praised the film’s sincerity, emotional weight, and lack of artifice. “There are no flashy tricks here,” said Mo. “It’s about the truth of emotion.”
Jung Il-woo, who once earned the nickname “Vietnam’s Son” from his High Kick fame, laughed as he reflected on the project: “Now they call me the ‘Vietnamese son-in-law.’ I’m just thankful for the love.”
He closed with a heartfelt message to audiences: “This film reminds us of the people who shape our hearts family, friends, and those we love. Watch it together, and let it warm you.”
“Leaving Mom” opens in Korean theaters on November 5.