Quoc Truong talks about behind the scenes of filming a hot scene with a co-star 7 years older than him, and talks about the billion-dollar salary.

First time arguing to change role

- You didn't act in a movie for 2 years and then returned to the screen with 2 roles in "Ut Lan" and "Chi nga em nang". Doctor Truong in the latter movie clearly had more screen time than writer Son in the previous movie and this was the first time you played a role with the same name as your real name in real life?

In the original script, the character had a different name, but after the director invited me, he changed the character's name to Truong, also to rhyme with the female lead's name, Thuong. I participated in Chi nga em nang when the script was not yet complete. I then contributed my opinion and the script later changed a lot, about 4-5 times.

- So you are the one who has the final say in changing the script and the character's fate?

I only have the voice to change my role. If I see something unreasonable, I will stand in the audience's perspective and ask questions. The director will then give an answer to convince me, otherwise he will edit it to make it reasonable. A successful film does not only have a script but also needs workshops with actors. I find these sessions very important because professional actors who have acted in many films will "tear" the script apart, ask tough questions to help the director make the script more complete.

Quoc Truong's doctor role in "Chi nga em nang" is showing in theaters.

- It sounds like Quoc Truong is a powerful actor who can give his opinion and change the character? Before "Chi nga em nang", did you ever do that?

No! After Ut Lan, I became more decisive in giving feedback. After a series of films such as: Anonymous, Sweet Trap, Yin-Yang Eyes and Ut Lan, I have more experience and can see the flaws in the role. Directors really like actors like that, so that's why they often invite experienced actors because they will analyze the script and give better feedback, while new actors sometimes see everything but are afraid to give their opinions. They don't dare to speak up, afraid that they will be scolded or embarrassed. As for me, I'm old (laughs), and I talk to the director like brothers giving feedback to each other, so my mindset is different.

I believe that I have been in the profession long enough to be able to give advice to directors - who are now my age or like my older brothers. In addition, I am more confident because I have a large film portfolio.

- With so many changes, are you satisfied with your role as doctor Truong?

I don't use the word "suggestion" but "construction". When I receive the script, I build the character with the director to make my role more beautiful. If I don't understand some questions, I ask them for the director to answer, from there giving the perspective of the character according to Quoc Truong and the audience.

At first, director Thanh Vinh did not know whether to make Truong a good or evil character. I suggested that he make Truong a good character because the film's duration was not enough for this character to be evil. Truong's kindness was very pitiful. If the film's content focused on sisterly love, why should I be evil? Evil is not enough to satisfy me.

Ms. Le Khanh said: "Hug me!"

- In the movie, the audience saw the age difference between you and actress Le Khanh. Did playing the lover of a woman 7 years older than you cause difficulties for Quoc Truong when in his mind, he assumed she was his older sister?

There were also many difficulties because I always assumed she was my older sister, so acting out the love scene was a bit difficult. Le Khanh and I have been sisters for more than ten years, and we used to act in plays at Idecaf. Le Khanh's husband is also a close brother that I often talk to, so now playing her lover is a bit strange.

But as a professional actor with many years of experience in the profession, I can separate the sisterly love and the character's feelings in the film to focus on the role. I have to know how to act so that the audience can see that I love the character played by Ms. Le Khanh. But to be honest, because the long-standing sisterly love has penetrated so deeply, when I act, it takes a bit of time and I have to concentrate.

- At first, when he learned that Le Khanh was chosen to play the female lead opposite him, he was surprised because in the film, the character Thuong was described as only 33 years old, too young compared to Le Khanh in real life. At that time, Quoc Truong asked why the director didn't choose a younger actress to play Thuong?

Initially, the role of Thuong in the script was the same age as my character. But the role was too heavy and they wanted to invite a young actress the same age as me to play it, afraid that she wouldn't be able to handle the role of Thuong. So the final script was revised, Thuong became the older sister and Truong had feelings for the older woman.

So I asked the director to give him a line with the word "sister" or else the audience wouldn't understand why Truong loved Thuong so unreasonably. Because a handsome, virtuous, talented man has no reason to love an older person who always rejects him. Truong was an orphan and was taken care of by Thuong since college, so for him, Thuong had both gratitude and affection. That's why Truong loved so madly.

Quoc Truong and Le Khanh at the movie premiere event.

- In the movie, there are no overly hot scenes between you and Le Khanh, but did you feel shy at first when acting in love scenes with her?

I was shy because I always assumed that she was my older sister. But Khanh was very understanding. She told me to act comfortably so that it would be quick because what if I was shy and acted all day? She said: "Hug me" and then put her hand on me, making me feel comfortable while acting.

I have never heard of billion-dollar salaries in this profession.

- In "Chi nga em nang", you also acted with Uyen An - Tran Thanh's younger sister - who directed many high-grossing movies. Do you want to participate in Tran Thanh's movies?

Mr. Thanh has only made a few films, and there are many male actors. For him to invite the actor, he has to be suitable for the role. I think he is clear and separates his personal and professional life. Maybe there is no project that is suitable for me yet, and in our working relationship, I have never had contact with him.

Usually, when Thanh hangs out with someone, he will look to see if that person is suitable for the role in the film he is making. He doesn't remember people he hasn't met. I met Thanh more than ten years ago when I participated in a charity program that he was the MC for, but we have never worked together.

Quoc Truong refused to reveal his salary.

- I heard that for commercial films, star actors are paid up to 2-3 billion for a role. I wonder if that's true?

I have never heard of billions of dong in salary in this profession. In this profession, we know each other's salary, so I really don't know who receives 2-3 billion dong for a role. My salary is also normal. I cannot reveal the specific number because this is taboo in this profession. But there are many people who cannot pay high salaries, so they proactively share a percentage of the profit because we know in advance whether the film will make or lose money.

Quoc Truong talks about billion-dollar salary:

Quoc Truong reunites with MC Anh Tuan VTV, the audience can't believe they have a 14-year age gap . MC Anh Tuan rarely appears to support his junior Quoc Truong at the premiere of the movie "Chi nga em nang" in Hanoi on the evening of October 2.

Source: https://vietnamnet.vn/quoc-truong-dong-canh-nong-voi-ban-dien-hon-7-tuoi-phu-nhan-cat-se-tien-ty-2448737.html