Recently, Chinese media reported that the Shanghai Drama Academy announced the list of doctoral interviews for 2026, in which Huynh Hieu Minh's name once again appeared in the major "The Art of Management/Planning Drama".
This is the second consecutive year the actor has participated in the competition after failing for the first time in 2025.
Notably, this year, Huynh Hieu Minh achieved 90.67 points in the interview round, while this major had a total of 5 contestants entering this round and he ranked first in terms of score.
Last year, Huynh Hieu Minh also took the same major exam, achieving 89 points in the interview round, but in the end was not admitted because the quota was only 1 person.
According to the school's arrangement, the written exam for the doctoral interview round will take place on April 25-26, and the direct interview on May 16-17. Due to registration in terms of academic equivalence, Huynh Hieu Minh also has to participate in additional exams including political theory and two specialized subjects (both written exams).
His expected mentor is Principal Hoang Xuong Dung, and there are also foreign lecturers from New York City University participating in joint training.
Before last year's failure, Huynh Hieu Minh once shared in an interview: "Taking the doctoral exam was my choice. Last year I was very sorry for not passing. I hope one day I will succeed, because my family has no doctors, I want to be the first.
The artistic management direction he chose is leaning towards theoretical research, unlike the performance - directing major that Kim The Giai passed the doctoral research entrance exam in 2025, so there is no direct competition between the two.
Previously, the school also clearly stated: "Whether they are celebrities or ordinary candidates, they are treated equally.
According to Sohu, Huynh Hieu Minh's determination to pass the doctoral exam is praised by many people for his lifelong learning spirit. From a positive perspective, the fact that a public figure like Huynh Hieu Minh, when over 40 years old, still dares to challenge and persistently study, is already a social example.
But there are also doubts whether celebrities going to school is only for "gold plating" degrees or not?
In the context of China's entertainment industry transforming towards improving quality, Huynh Hieu Minh's second doctoral exam journey is not only a pursuit of personal knowledge, but also reflects many broader issues such as public education, fairness in education and the transformation of the industry.
According to public information, Huynh Hieu Minh was born in 1977 in Qingdao (Shandong, China). He graduated from Beijing Film Academy and is currently Vice President of the China Film Association.
Huynh Hieu Minh has starred in many prominent films such as "Dai Han Thien Tu", "The Return of the Condor Heroes", "Liet Hoa Hero", "Tan Ben Shanghai", "Ben Toc Mai khong phai Hai Duong Hong", "Lang Nha Bang: Phong Khoi Truong Lam", "American Dreams in China"...
He was recognized by experts with many major awards such as Kim Ke, Bach Hoa, Hoa Bieu for Best Actor.
