'Thang Co' Phung Ngoc reunites with 'Uncle Ba Phi' Mac Can

Ho Chi Minh City - Phung Ngoc - the actor who played Co in "Southern Land" - visited artist Mac Can, reminiscing about their time together after nearly 30 years of acting in films.

The former actor said that on April 17th, he and a few friends visited the 79-year-old artist's new residence at the Thi Nghe nursing home (Binh Thanh district). Initially, when Phung Ngoc first entered Mac Can's room, the old man thought he was a staff member. Only after being introduced, "I'm Co," did he recognize him, smiling and praising him, "You've grown so much."

Phùng Ngọc was surprised to find that Mạc Can still kept commemorative photos from the 1997 TV series "Southern Land ," including one with him and Hùng Thuận – who played the role of little An. He also told Mạc Can that he had stopped acting a long time ago and now mainly lives in Bình Dương . Before leaving, Phùng Ngọc gave the artist some money, knowing that the artist was still struggling financially.

From right to left: Mac Can, Phung Ngoc, and Hung Thuan during the filming of "Southern Land" in 1997. Photo: *Provided by the subjects.*

Phùng Ngọc recently pursued a career in digital content creation, livestreaming to sell local specialties from the highlands. Occasionally, he acts in short videos and posts them on social media to satisfy his former passion for acting. Famous for his role as Cò in a film by director Nguyễn Vinh Sơn, he participated in a few films in his youth but without much success. The actor gradually withdrew from acting because he felt his talent had faded and he was no longer suited to the arts.

"Thằng Cò" (The Crane) once lived a nomadic life in many provinces and cities, doing jobs such as tending rubber plantations, working as a motorbike taxi driver, a barber, and selling clothes on the sidewalk. The actor married in 2004 but soon divorced because he didn't want his partner to suffer.

In October 2023, Phung Ngoc met Hung Thuan again when a colleague visited his rented room. At that time, "Thang Co" (a nickname for Phung Ngoc) worked as a security guard earning seven million dong per month, paying about 1.5 million dong for rent. Feeling sorry for his friend's impoverished life, Hung Thuan advised him to pursue livestreaming sales as a way to have more opportunities and rebuild his life.

Hung Thuan reunites with — Hung Thuan visits the lodging of "Broker" Phung Ngoc in October 2023. Video: *Hung Thuan Official*

Artist Mac Can moved to the Thi Nghe Nursing Home at the end of February. There, he and six other veteran artists receive daily healthcare and are monitored by medical staff. Previously, he lived alone in a small rented room of only a few square meters, costing 2.4 million VND per month, with his daughter coming over daily to help with cooking and hygiene. Having left the screen and primarily writing books and scripts, Mac Can covers his living expenses with support from philanthropists.

The 11-episode television series "Southern Land" (Đất phương Nam) premiered in 1997 and tells the story of An, an orphaned boy who wanders south searching for his father. While stranded in the South, An encounters the hardships of those suffering under the oppression of landlords and colonialists. Despite his struggles, An is always surrounded by the love and support of those who care for him – a source of strength that helps him overcome adversity. After its broadcast, the series became a sensation, becoming one of the classic television series of the 1990s. Characters like An, Cò, Ông Ba the snake catcher (Mạnh Dung), Uncle Ba Phi, and Võ Tòng (Lê Quang) have resonated with audiences for generations.

Mai Nhat

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