Returning to Vietnam meant facing many bitter experiences.
Many were surprised when Truong Minh Cuong decided to leave the US and return to Vietnam to live and work. What prompted him to make this pivotal decision?
- I think the biggest reason is that my passion for filmmaking is still too strong. In the past, I had to put that dream on hold because of my family and my children.
But now that my family is gone, I realize that filmmaking is ultimately my only passion. Therefore, I decided to return to Vietnam to continue working in the profession and give it my all for the rest of my life.
However, at my age, I really need everyone's support to stay motivated. Before returning to Vietnam, especially before filming for " Lật Mặt 7" (Face Off 7) began, I went through quite a few bitter experiences.
At nearly 50 years old, starting over in today's vibrant entertainment industry is a huge challenge for me. But because of my immense passion, I still want to try, to take the plunge, and hope that what I do will create a miracle…
Actor Truong Minh Cuong is approaching 50 years old.
He once accepted giving up the pinnacle of fame to move to America for his family. And then, when his sacrifices and expectations were no longer fully realized, did he ever feel lost and alone?
Moving to America was a huge sacrifice and trade-off for me. In some ways, I could consider myself a failure in that choice.
In fact, I never intended to stay in the US long-term; it was simply a desire in my life journey: to visit the US at least once, to experience life there.
But due to some family issues, especially for the sake of my children's future, I was forced to stay and accept the fact that I had to end my career in the country.
Although reality didn't quite live up to my expectations, I still had very different experiences in an environment where both gains and losses go hand in hand.
My years in America were difficult in every aspect, but the hardest was when my family fell apart and I had to say goodbye to my daughter. From someone who once had everything, I became someone who had nothing: my family, business, and career all collapsed at the same time. That shock left me reeling, and at times I couldn't accept myself. I went through a long period of psychological crisis, and then fell into depression.
But gradually I came to understand that what has happened cannot be changed or reversed.
The only thing I can do is live to the fullest in the present, fully dedicating myself to life, my work, and my true passions, while accepting and taking responsibility for past choices.
What helped Truong Minh Cuong overcome that period of depression? Who was his support system during that time?
- It's my two children. I want them to see a better, more responsible father than I was before. Maybe I'm not perfect, maybe there were reasons why things went wrong, but I feel I have a responsibility to my life and to my children.
I chose not to give up, to embrace change and become better every day. There were wounds that took me 4-5 years to heal, to learn to accept myself and move forward.
It's a very long and difficult journey, and not everyone has the patience to get through it.
For me, returning and starting over is not just about restarting my career, but also about proving that no matter how difficult things get, if you are determined and don't give up, you can still keep going.
The actor was once dubbed the "king of commercials".
Making a comeback at nearly 50 years old, accepting a fee of 25 million VND.
After all those past failures, what is the biggest lesson you've learned?
- These events have molded me into a completely different person: calmer, more tolerant, and more profound. Instead of dwelling on the past, I look at failures to find motivation. I always see myself as a warrior; every challenge that comes my way is only meant to enrich my life experience, never to make me retreat.
It's safe to say that upon returning to Vietnam, Truong Minh Cuong is starting from scratch. At nearly 50 years old, what kind of pressure is he facing?
- I don't think I'm starting from zero, but from a very deep negative. The pressure now is many times greater than it was back when I was a country boy who came to Saigon, because now I'm not young anymore.
At this age, the pressures of health and the ravages of time force me to work a hundred times harder than usual. I accept it and have to learn to live with it.
Sometimes the pressure makes me want to give up, but then I tell myself: Heaven and earth are testing me so much, surely it's to reward me with a "diamond."
I hope so, to give myself the motivation to keep going. If I give up when faced with difficulties, I feel I don't deserve what I've been through. I have to be the one to overcome them, and I believe this effort will inspire many others.
Truong Minh Cuong shared that, upon returning to Vietnam to start over, he accepted a fee of only 25 million VND.
Once dubbed the "king of advertising," "movie star," and "Vietnam's Jang Dong Gun," with an enormous income, now having to start all over again, does Truong Minh Cuong ever feel disheartened?
- Yes, absolutely. Before, a single second of advertising would get me tens of thousands of USD, but now some places offer me all sorts of jobs but only pay 25 million VND. They even use my level of fame to compare and negotiate prices.
There were times when I felt frustrated and didn't want to accept the roles. But if I didn't, I wouldn't have any money. I'm here alone, with all sorts of expenses to cover, and I also have to take care of my children in America and other family members. So I don't picky about roles, big or small, leading or supporting, villainous or kind, as long as I can practice my profession and make an honest living.
I once read a quote that said if life always flows downstream, it means you are "dying," and only by swimming against the current can you truly exist.
Now that he's back in Vietnam, how does he maintain contact and relationship with his ex-wife and children in the US?
- I still keep in regular contact with my children in the US. My eldest is 17, over 1.8m tall, and doesn't like appearing in the media, so I respect their privacy.
My ex-wife has moved on with her life, so I chose to let things settle down.
Currently, I'm focused on my career and my own journey. What I hope for most is that my children can be proud of me. Although I can't be with them as much as I'd like, I always want them to see how hard their father has worked and that he never gave up.
"With money, everything will fall into place."
After all these events, does Truong Minh Cuong still have faith in love and marriage?
- Yes, absolutely. I still have faith in my work, my love life, and everything around me.
What I've been through has taught me many lessons to improve myself and gain more experience for future endeavors. I haven't lost faith in life after these events.
If someone new came into your life right now, what would you expect from them?
- I'm not expecting anything. Right now, I just hope more people get to know me and I can make a lot of money. I think that with money, everything else will fall into place.
If I haven't succeeded yet, I wouldn't dare hope for anything else. My biggest goal for 2026 is to get back on track and reclaim my starting point.
I want to conquer another mountain peak. If I reached the summit in my youth, now I want to see what the "peak for an old man" is like.
At my current age and health, to regain my former glory, I would have to work twice, three times, or even a hundred times harder than I did in my youth. I sincerely hope everyone will support and motivate me so that an "old man" like me can climb this old mountain again.
Truong Minh Cuong makes a comeback in the movie "Chien Nam: Cicada Shedding Its Skin" (Photo: Provided by the film crew).
Are you worried about becoming "outdated" by returning to the current film market?
- Yes, absolutely. After 15 years in America, I barely keep up with social media, like TikTok. I have to sit and watch TikTok for a whole week to understand what young people are doing.
In my time, competence was the deciding factor. Now, technology and media are developing so rapidly. I feel out of place, but I still have to learn to fit in. At this age, I no longer have the power I once did, only experience and life lessons.
How does Truong Minh Cuong feel now that "Chien Nam: Cicada Shedding Its Skin" - a film shot 10 years ago - is finally being released in theaters?
- This role took a toll on me, both literally and figuratively. I broke my arm during filming, which significantly impacted my health. At the time, I was living in the US, but I still decided to fly back to Vietnam to participate, and even invested money in the film because I loved the script so much.
The film went through many ups and downs, such as changing actors, revising the script, reshooting many scenes, and waiting 10 years before finally getting the chance to be released. For me, just the fact that the film was released means I've fulfilled my responsibility to the project.
I don't dare expect the film to reach 200-300 billion VND. After 10 years, audience tastes and filmmaking methods have changed significantly. I only hope the film achieves a small miracle, just like my own journey – trying to turn defeat into victory.
Thank you, Mr. Truong Minh Cuong, for your sharing!
Actor Truong Minh Cuong (born in 1978) was known to audiences through many television dramas, most notably "Gió nghịch mùa" (Wind Against the Season). He is called the "Vietnamese version of Jang Dong Gun" because his face bears a striking resemblance to the South Korean star.
Furthermore, the actor was once dubbed the "king of commercials" because he was chosen by so many brands. At one point, Truong Minh Cuong appeared in five commercials during the 15-minute "prime time" for commercials.
In 2009, Truong Minh Cuong married a businessman and then moved to the United States to settle down. In October 2021, he confirmed that he had finalized his divorce.
In 2023, the actor returned to Vietnam and starred in "Face Off 7: A Wish," directed by Ly Hai.
Image: Facebook profile
Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giai-tri/vua-quang-cao-truong-minh-cuong-u50-sau-do-vo-toi-van-tin-vao-tinh-yeu-20260114182655998.htm
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