Cute villains...

On stage, there are male artists who specialize in playing villainous roles, the kind of characters that viewers "hate." But in reality, offstage they are very lovable, gentle, kind, and exemplary. Their career paths can sometimes be as challenging as that.

Speaking of leading male actors, audiences can never forget People's Artist Diệp Lang with his iconic roles such as Councilman Thăng (in the play "The Life of Cô Lựu ") or Councilman Dư ( in "The Song of the Hậu River "). He performed brilliantly, down to the most subtle details, every glance, every strained voice, every slight smirk. But in real life, he lived in a family steeped in traditional Confucianism, so he was extremely proper and exemplary.

Another renowned leading actor is Meritorious Artist Hung Minh, remembered for his portrayal of Ma Tac ( in "The Drum of Me Linh "), with the overwhelming murderous intent of an invader and the cruelty clearly visible on his face, or the cunning and deceitful capitalist Nguyen The Nam ( in "Darkness and Light" ). When the curtain falls, Hung Minh returns to being a gentle and amiable person. Now 87 years old, he still needs his wife to push his wheelchair wherever he goes, but a smile is always on his lips.

Trinh Minh Dung and Thanh Thuy in the play Under the Shadow of a Beautiful Woman

PHOTO: HK

ON MOVIE, A GANGSTER; IN REAL LIFE… A LEAF SWEEPER.

The Minh To troupe had Chi Bao, who specialized in playing generals from the Qing, Song, and Yuan dynasties who invaded Vietnam. In every role, he had a bushy beard, a fierce face, and a growling voice like a tiger, yet outside of acting, he spoke softly and smiled constantly.

For decades, the leading male actor of the Thanh Nga Buddhist cải lương (Vietnamese traditional opera) troupe has been artist Khánh Tuấn, with his iconic role as King A Xà Thế (in the play A Xà Thế ), a disobedient son who cruelly tormented his father. His performance was so brilliant that once, after the play ended and he was having a late-night bowl of porridge with his colleagues, an audience member stormed in with a stick. "Where's Khánh Tuấn? Where's Khánh Tuấn? Come out, I'll beat you up!" "Huh, huh, what's going on?" "He's so cruel! Who could bear to see him torment his father like that!" "Oh my God, auntie, it's just acting, it's not real!" Everyone had to intervene before the aunt finally left. Recently, he played Captain Sâm and Lê Chiêu Thống in excerpts from Hòn đất and Trời Nam, which were very well received.

Huu Tien and Phuong Lan in Life as You Wish

PHOTO: HK

Huu Tien is also a familiar leading man of the Youth World Theater, portraying characters like Mr. Hoang ( in "Painted Soul" ) who rapes and exploits orphaned children; Hai Khuong ( in "Life as You Wish" ) who rapes Be Ba until she becomes pregnant and then drives her away; or the cruel boss who steals someone's wife in " The Abandoned Mansion ." It's funny, "Painted Soul" has been performed for over a decade, and countless actresses have replaced the young girl, but only the role of Mr. Hoang remains unchanged. Huu Tien had to exclaim: "Oh my God, I'm old, I can't rape anymore, let me retire!" Unfortunately, since no replacement has been found, Huu Tien still has to perform this year, running, chasing, and struggling with young, healthy actresses – it's exhausting, not enjoyable at all!

Trịnh Minh Dũng of the IDECAF theater group has appeared in the role of Đinh Thắng ( in Lệ Chi Viên ) – an extremely cunning and wicked eunuch who conspired with eunuch Tạ Thanh to bring about the deaths of Grand Counselor Nguyễn Trãi and Scholar of Etiquette Nguyễn Thị Lộ. Or the role of Khương Cẩu ( in Dưới Bóng Giai Nhân ), a henchman of Hoạn Thư who ruined Thúy Kiều's life. In every role, Trịnh Minh Dũng is fiercely made up, glaring, smirking, and rolling his eyes… making the audience truly hate him. But when he's off-stage, Minh Dũng "reveals his true self" as a chubby, kind-faced guy who makes a living selling snacks, and his live streams are always hilariously chaotic.

Lam Thanh Son is a leading male actor at the Hoang Thai Thanh theater, known for his roles as Cang ( in Bach Hai Duong ) or Minh ( in "Half a Lifetime of Fragrance and Powder "), who specializes in deceiving and beating women. He has acted in many films, often playing gangsters and thugs. However, people jokingly say, "On screen, he likes to play the gang leader. In real life, he sweeps fallen leaves." This is because Lam Thanh Son is a devout Buddhist, having spent two years as a monk, shaving his head, living in a temple, sweeping fallen leaves, and being genuinely kind and gentle.

Lam Thanh Son and Tuyet Thu in the play Bach Hai Duong

PHOTO: HK

ACCEPTING THE ROLE FELT LIKE A BLESSING

Most aspiring actors dream of playing handsome leading roles, not villainous ones that audiences might dislike. But when fate brings it, you accept it. Khánh Tuấn, with his fair complexion and tall stature, was well-suited to playing handsome leading roles, but one day, artist Diệp Lang looked at him and advised him to pursue villainous roles. People's Artist Thanh Tòng also observed him and said the same thing. Khánh Tuấn trusted the professional judgment of his predecessors, followed their advice, and indeed succeeded.

Huu Tien laughed and revealed: "After decades of playing villainous roles, I've never received a bouquet of flowers from the audience. They only love the roles they feel sorry for, while I get disapproving glances. At first, it felt hurt, but I got used to it. Their dislike means I've performed successfully."

That being said, it's not easy for someone with a gentle nature to portray a villain. Lam Thanh Son said: "You have to observe real people in real life to 'get a model,' or refer to films, books, or use your own imagination to find the key to portraying your character. Because no two evils are alike, you have to act in a way that makes the audience believe." Finally, as Minh Dung said, the villain is an indispensable link in the stage script; actors shouldn't refuse, don't be afraid of "losing your image" in the audience's eyes, just perform well and fulfill your artistic function, and you'll be very happy.

Source: https://thanhnien.vn/nhung-kep-doc-de-thuong-185260107201054559.htm