Vietnamese singer Duy Manh has been unexpectedly named the ambassador for Yadang: The Snitch, a 450 billion VND (approximately USD 18 million) Korean crime-action film.

This marks the first time a Korean film has appointed a cultural ambassador in Vietnam, with Duy Manh’s appearance on the movie’s promotional poster drawing praise for his actor-like looks.

According to CJ HK Entertainment, Duy Manh was selected to represent Yadang: The Snitch in Vietnam.

The film, which delves into the murky world of drug trade intermediaries in South Korea, is the first of its kind to explore the "yadang" phenomenon - a real-life role in Korean society that acts as a go-between for law enforcement and criminal networks, trading insider information for money.

The movie stars Kang Ha-neul as Lee Kang-su, an ordinary man who stumbles into the criminal underworld and rises to notoriety as a cunning “yadang,” shaking up Korea’s drug trafficking infrastructure.

At the height of his brokerage career, Kang-su forms a tense alliance with ambitious prosecutor Ku Gwan-hee (played by Yoo Hai-jin), who uses “yadang” intel for personal advancement.

Meanwhile, Kang-su finds himself at odds with determined police officer Oh Sang-jae (Park Hae-joon), who is willing to risk everything to dismantle the drug rings.

The film features a powerhouse cast including Kang Ha-neul, Yoo Hai-jin, Park Hae-joon, Ryu Kyung-soo, and Chae Won-bin.

As the intertwined fates of the three central characters unravel, they become entangled in a dangerous political conspiracy involving high-ranking officials.

Lee Kang-su must navigate betrayal, survival, and justice to protect his position and life.

Released in South Korea on April 16, Yadang: The Snitch has topped the box office for two consecutive weeks, grossing 24 billion won (approximately USD 18 million).

To boost its presence in the Vietnamese market ahead of its May 16 release, the film’s marketing team invited Duy Manh to be the official local ambassador.

Born in 1975, Duy Manh is known for numerous hit songs, including Di vang cuoc tinh, Hay ve day ben anh, Tinh em la dai duong, and Loi sam hoi.

His song Kiep do den, which reflects the struggles of those ruined by gambling, has garnered over 34 million views on YouTube.

Huyen My