"The Other Side of the City" revolves around Cuong and Khue, two close friends who grew up in a working-class neighborhood on the outskirts of the city. Cuong is rebellious, playful, and lazy in his studies, but loyal and always ready to use his fists to protect his friends. Khue, on the other hand, is the school's "math star," academically gifted and well-behaved, but shy, introverted, and often the target of isolation and jealousy. Despite their seemingly opposite personalities, Cuong and Khue rely on each other like siblings, compensating for each other's shortcomings on their journey to adulthood.
The film also takes a fresh approach by placing the school story in close relation to the family (Image from the film).
However, the arrival of Tuyet Lan – a new friend who moved from "the other side of the city" – disrupted the seemingly stable world of Cuong and Khue. Tuyet Lan not only brought innocent first love but also became the link that unlocked a painful past. From misunderstandings, hurt, and secrets related to the death of their older brother, the friendship of the three children was thrust into a whirlwind of division, hatred, and wrong choices. After the tragedy, Cuong and Khue's lives diverged in two different directions.
Avoiding a heavy narrative style, the film opens up a world of youth that is both innocent and vibrant, yet also full of scars, mistakes, and their consequences. Behind each act of hurting others are the silent pressures faced by each young person—Cuong, Khue, or Tuyet Lan…—and also by their parents, such as Mrs. Nhung, Tuyet Lan's mother, who has high expectations for achievement; Mrs. Xuan, Khue's mother, a woman burdened by her humble origins; or Mrs. Phuc, Cuong's mother, a hot-tempered woman struggling to make ends meet, leaving her with insufficient time to guide her children, instead resorting to anger and scolding… Each character is placed within complex, multifaceted psychological profiles, allowing the audience not only to judge but also to reflect.
The film also takes a fresh approach by placing the school story in close relation to the family. The children's mistakes don't stop at the school gates. Mrs. Phuc – Cuong's mother – and Mrs. Xuan – Khue's mother – were close friends, relying on each other through years of hardship. But when a tragedy occurs, they are pushed to opposite sides: the mother of the perpetrator and the mother of the victim. Thao – Cuong's younger sister – also suffers considerable trauma from her brother's mistake. From there, the film addresses the role of parents in their children's upbringing.
"The Other Side of the City," directed by Meritorious Artist Vu Truong Khoa and Dao Duy Phuc, touches upon a rather thorny issue of school life, academic pressure, and adolescent trauma – a topic rarely addressed in television dramas. The team chose a vibrant narrative voice, blending the humor of school life, innocent friendships, first crushes, and the warmth of family. This balance allows the film to be both relatable to young audiences and profound enough to resonate with parents.
The young cast in the main roles brought a breath of fresh air to the film. Young actor Vo Hoai Vu played Cuong, portraying a rebellious, outspoken high school student with many psychological shifts. In contrast to Cuong is Khue – an introverted "mathematical genius," played by Thai Vu. Khue's character, while not immediately striking, possesses great inner depth: loneliness, insecurity, pride, and lingering emotional wounds.
In her first leading role, Tú Quyên plays Tuyết Lan, a girl with a perfect appearance but a deeply broken heart. The family storyline is handled by three actresses already familiar to television viewers, each with their own distinct personality: Huyền Sâm plays Mrs. Xuân – Khuê's mother, Khánh Linh plays Mrs. Phúc – Cương's mother. These two mothers, who once cared for and supported each other, have contrasting personalities, but despite misunderstandings and inner turmoil, they are both mothers who give everything they have to their beloved children. One of the characters symbolizing the themes of education and academic pressure is Mrs. Nhung – Tuyết Lan's mother, played by Thuỳ Dương. The character Thảo – Cương's younger sister, portrayed by child actress Ali Thục Phương, is a bright and energetic addition to the film. "The Other Side of the City" also features actors Nguyễn Lê Như Thành, Nguyên Châu, Trung Anh, and others.
The hidden aspects of school life, the pressure of academic achievement, and the journey of redemption for children who have gone astray and suffered much trauma (Image from the film).
With its topical subject matter, emotionally rich storytelling, and diverse cast of characters, "The Other Side of the City" promises to be a school-family drama that is both entertaining and portrays contemporary school life from multiple perspectives.
The series airs at 9 PM every Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday on VTV1, starting May 27, 2026.
Source: https://baophapluat.vn/goc-khuat-hoc-duong-o-phia-ben-kia-thanh-pho.html
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