It is worth mentioning that this actor did not participate in the movie, but was likened by the Chinese media to the "largest beneficiary" when the number of followers increased sharply, many scenes of his old movie were dug up by the audience and widely spread on social networks.
The reason stems from the debate surrounding the image and acting of the male lead Truong Lang Hach in the role of a general. The image is too meticulous, the face is bright, the makeup is thick and the "soái ca" style makes the character judged as unrealistic in the battlefield setting. From there, audiences begin to compare with previous general images on screen.
In that wave of comparison, Ha Nhuan Dong's role of Xiang Yu in "Shu Han Legend" was unexpectedly mentioned as a standard. The image of the general with a muscular body, strong aura, rough but realistic styling style has created a clear contrast with the current trend of "maleizing" generals.
Many opinions believe that Ha Nhuan Dong's "rise" this time partly comes from the comparative effect. When audiences feel unconvincing about the new image, they tend to find old values that were once highly appreciated. This is also the reason why his combat excerpts, especially horse riding scenes, using heavy weapons, are widely shared.
In fact, to get that impressive role, Ha Nhuan Dong invested a lot of effort. Not from a formal acting background, he actively researched the character Xiang Yu through historical documents such as History, and at the same time trained physical strength, gained muscles and practiced martial arts for a long time. The action scenes in the film are mostly done by him himself, limiting the use of stunt actors.
Not only stopping at this role, Ha Nhuan Dong also made his mark through many different images, from the role of Lu Bu in ancient costumes to the image of a gentle businessman in That Year Flowers Bloom and Moon Is Full. The diversity in acting helps him maintain a stable position in the hearts of audiences, although not always at the peak of his fame.
The fact that a 51-year-old actor suddenly "heats up" again also reflects a noteworthy trend in the entertainment market: the value of seriously invested roles still has long-lasting vitality. While many works today prioritize form, characters built with depth and authenticity are easily remembered by audiences.
However, it is also necessary to recognize that the comparison between actors or works in different genres is not completely fair. Each film has its own orientation in style and audience. However, the public's reaction this time is still a signal showing increasing expectations for content quality.
From Ha Nhuan Dong's story, one can draw one thing: in art, serious efforts may not bring immediate success, but will accumulate value over time. When opportunities appear, what has been prepared in advance will become the foundation for creating new recognition.
