Artists and the challenges behind breakthrough roles

In an artist's career, sometimes just one role that touches the audience's emotions is enough to change an entire career.

Steven Nguyen and Do Nhat Hoang in the movie Red Rain. Photo: Galaxy

Breakthrough opportunities from "life-changing roles"

The film “Fighting in the Sky” is considered a “highlight” of Vietnamese cinema in 2025, not only because of its grand scale of action but also because of the young cast who dare to challenge themselves. Thanh Son, who is familiar to television audiences, tried his hand at the action genre for the first time in the role of guard Binh. He admitted that this was a difficult challenge, because he had to take on intense fighting scenes while expressing emotional depth. The role helped Thanh Son transform and was evaluated by experts as a significant step forward in his career.

Besides, Tram Anh - a familiar female face in the role of model also surprised viewers with the image of a strong flight attendant, far from the usual gentle image. Actors Loi Tran, Sy Toan or Vo Dien Gia Huy all showed seriousness in the training process, investing in each action scene and character psychology.

On another "front line", "Red Rain" - the film with the highest revenue in the history of Vietnamese cinema is not only a milestone for the industry Vietnamese movies but also a launching pad for a series of young names. Do Nhat Hoang, who used to be a quiet face in previous film projects, shone with the emotional image of a young man named Cuong. Steven Nguyen, who was only familiar in web dramas such as Bi Long Dai Ca, Cu Fist of Steel, has now proven his true character as a movie actor with the role of Quang - a brave soldier with a complex inner life.

At the same time, Lam Thanh My also created a surprise when she escaped the image of a "baby in movies", taking on the role of a wife and mother with a complicated psychology for the first time in "The Contract to Sell Bride" and before that, the horror film "Cam" with a revenue of 100 billion VND.

These roles not only help young actors step out of their comfort zone, but also confirm that they are fully capable of taking on heavy roles, competing fairly with the previous generation. The opportunity has opened up, but to maintain the heat, the real challenge begins.

The challenge of maintaining form and identity

If the “life-changing role” is the stepping stone, the next steps will determine whether the artist is truly stable in the profession. For young actors, avoiding “one-dimensionality” or “resting on one’s laurels” is a big challenge.

According to director The Hiep, the biggest problem of young Vietnamese actors today is the lack of long-term orientation. Reality shows that audiences are increasingly demanding and the Vietnamese film market is entering a period of professionalization. Pressure from box office revenue, from social networks, and from the public's expectations, makes it impossible for actors to rely solely on luck. They must constantly practice, change and invest to prove their true worth.

Another challenge is fierce competition. Vietnamese cinema is witnessing a wave of young actors who are well-trained, have outstanding looks, and diverse skills. That forces each individual to find their own style so as not to be lost. As in the case of Tuan Tran, although he has stood out in Tran Thanh's films, to be more widely recognized, he still needs roles with depth and cinematic weight.

Notably, the current young generation not only competes domestically but also faces integration pressure as Vietnamese cinema is trying to reach out to the international market. Preserving identity while keeping up with global trends is a difficult problem that not everyone can solve.

Obviously, a “life-changing role” is a golden opportunity, but to turn it into a real turning point, an actor needs more than just an excellent performance. It requires perseverance, a spirit of learning and a serious attitude towards work.

In the picture Vietnamese cinema is reviving after the pandemic, young faces such as Thanh Son, Do Nhat Hoang, Steven Nguyen, Vo Dien Gia Huy, Lam Thanh My or Tram Anh have been proving that: The new generation not only has appearance, but also passion, ability and desire to be recognized for their abilities.

Source: https://baoquangninh.vn/nghe-si-va-nhung-thach-thuc-dang-sau-vai-dien-but-pha-3381359.html