Actor Lee Do Hyun and Kim Min Ha are set to portray a poignant romance centered on survival in the upcoming film 'Viva La Vida.' The production team announced on August 19 that 'Viva La Vida,' directed by Park Dan Hee, had officially begun filming. The team also released photos from the script reading session featuring Lee Do Hyun, Kim Min Ha, and the rest of the cast. 'Viva La Vida' is a romance film that follows the story of Woo Ri, who wither away without a tomorrow while hoping for a miracle, and Tae Yang, who promises to give them a tomorrow. Lee Do Hyun will play Tae Yang. While preparing for the end of his life, Tae Yang makes an unexpected proposal to Woo Ri, played by Kim Min Ha. The film is expected to showcase a new side of Lee Do Hyun that audiences have not seen before. Kim Min Ha will take on the role of Woo, a character who endures each day while waiting for a miracle. After meeting Tae Yang, Woo Ri faces an unexpected change in her life. Kim Min Ha is expected to deliver a more emotionally mature performance as she portrays Woo's journey. The film will be directed by Park Dan Hee, who previously worked on 'Weak Hero Class 1' and the drama 'Tastefully Yours.' Known for her delicate directing style, Park is expected to capture the subtle emotional changes between the two young characters as their relationship develops.
The pairing marks an intriguing collaboration between two actors who have established themselves through emotionally demanding roles. Lee Do Hyun first gained attention through his supporting role in 'Hotel del Luna' before taking on leading roles in projects including '18 Again,' 'Sweet Home,' 'Youth of May,' 'The Glory,' and 'The Good Bad Mother.' He also made his film debut in the 2024 hit 'Exhuma,' playing shaman Yoon Bong Gil alongside Choi Min Sik, Kim Go Eun, and Yoo Hae Jin. Lee Do Hyun, born in 1995, has built a reputation for moving between romance, melodrama, action, and thriller genres. His performance as Joo Yeo Jeong in Netflix's 'The Glory' helped further establish his international profile, while 'Exhuma' marked a notable step into the Korean film industry. He was discharged from mandatory military service in May 2025 and has since returned to acting projects. Kim Min Ha, meanwhile, rose to international prominence through Apple TV+'s 'Pachinko,' where she portrayed the younger version of Sunja, the character played by Youn Yuh Jung in the later stages of the story. The series became a major breakthrough for the actress and introduced her to a global audience. Since 'Pachinko,' Kim Min Ha has continued expanding her résumé with projects including 'Light Shop,' 'Way Back Love,' and 'Typhoon Family.' She also appeared in the film 'Hana Korea' and has continued taking on a variety of roles across film and television. With Lee Do Hyun's emotionally nuanced performances and Kim Min Ha's growing reputation for compelling character work, anticipation is building for the two actors' first collaboration in 'Viva La Vida.'
