At the beginning of 2026, Chinese screens witnessed the explosion of many historical and drama projects. However, many films caused controversy when actors tried to "rejuvenate" too much to play characters in their twenties.
Stars who have turned 30-40, or even older, with thick makeup and elaborate shapings, still find it difficult to hide the traces of time on their faces. Wrinkles, experienced eyes or mature demeanor sometimes distract the audience from the story.
In that context, the appearance of Dam Tung Van in the TV series "Ngã đích sơn dữ hải" became a rare exception. At the age of 35, Dam Tung Van surprised the audience when she convincingly transformed into a young female university student.
The film aired on CCTV quickly achieved a viewership rate exceeding 2%, attracting attention thanks to its fast pace, context accurately recreating the 1990s, and a cast of talented actors.
The biggest highlight of the work is the female lead Phuong Uyen Chi played by Dam Tung Van. With a simple white shirt, ponytail hair and a natural round face, she realistically recreates the image of a female student in the 1990s.
Without needing exaggerated expressions or elaborate makeup, her clear eyes and gentle demeanor are enough to convince viewers. On social networks, many viewers commented: "This is the true image of a female university student.
Dam Tung Van's success becomes even more prominent when placed next to controversial cases in the Chinese entertainment industry, where many stars try to play younger roles but create a feeling of awkwardness.
A commonly mentioned example is Liu Xiaoqing. In the ancient costume project "Cam Tu An Nhien" recently, the veteran actress once caused controversy when taking on a character much younger than her real age. Despite possessing rich acting experience, the age gap and mature aura make her "teenage girl" image a topic of discussion online.
In fact, such cases do not necessarily stem from the lack of ability of actors. The problem lies in the difference between age, demeanor and characters on screen. Youthful beauty is not only in makeup or hairstyle, but also in eyes, aura and naturalness emanating from within.
That is Dam Tung Van's great advantage. A round, soft face, lines not too sharp and a bright smile help her maintain a rare youthful look. More importantly, the actress does not intentionally "act" to create cuteness. Instead, she expresses youthfulness through her eyes, gestures and natural demeanor.
In "Ngã đích sơn dữ hải", her character Phuong Uyen Chi not only has the innocent look of a female student but also shows stubbornness and resilience.
The scenes of facing a traitorous boyfriend, exposing plots in a conference, or bursting into tears when standing in distance from her foster father are all subtly and emotionally expressed. Viewers commented that she not only "plays the role" of a young girl - but it seems to be that girl herself.
From Canh Canh in "The Best of Us", to Ly Tiem Tiem in "In the Name of Family" and now Phuong Uyen Chi, Dam Tung Van has been associated with the image of young girls for more than a decade. It is worth mentioning that although time has passed, her roles still retain their naturalness and authenticity.
The success of "Ngã đích sơn dữ hải" once again shows: a convincing film is not about forcing actors to "rejuvenate", but about choosing the right people for the right role.
And Dam Tung Van, with her youthful natural beauty and sophisticated acting, is proving that the appeal of youth on screen cannot be created by makeup - but must come from the temperament and talent of the actor.
