After the resounding success of "Red Rain", is this the first time you "Go North" and take on the main role in a VTV prime time drama? What do you see as the biggest difference in your working rhythm?
- This is the first time I have come to Hanoi to act in a TV series, so I could not avoid being initially confused. However, whether it is a Southern or Northern film crew, I believe that is a place where artistic souls meet, so the working style is not too different. The only difference is probably in the rhythm of life.
In the South, the filming intensity is usually continuous and the lunch break is very short. In the North, I find the lunch break longer, quite "chill" (relaxing), helping me regenerate energy.
In "Red Rain", he plays Quang - a character on the other side of the battle line with inner turmoil. Coming to "No Limits", he transforms into Lieutenant Colonel Dao Minh Kien, a soldier in peacetime. How do you feel when playing opposite roles?
- Previously, I was very eager for a thorny villain role and fulfilled my wish with the role of Quang. After that project, I wanted to try my hand at the role of a protagonist, the image of a revolutionary soldier. And fate brought me to the role of a peacetime soldier in "Unlimited". I really appreciate the meaning that this character brings to the audience and want to thank director Nguyen Duc Hieu for his trust.
Is the pressure from a "movie star" when stepping onto the small screen making it difficult for you?
- Saying no pressure is not right, but it is positive pressure. I don't want to confine myself to a certain model but want to become a multi-talented actor.
The biggest difference is in cinema, there are fewer dialogues, so I have more time to study psychology in depth. As for television dramas, the intensity and volume of scripts are very large. Fortunately, I am very enthusiastically guided by director Nguyen Duc Hieu. There are segments that are not yet felt, Mr. Hieu will sit down to explain and explain until I truly "understand" the character.
What is the difference between the character Lieutenant Colonel Kien this time and your previous roles?
- If the character Quang in "Red Rain" has a torn inner world and few dialogues, then comrade Kien in "No Limits" requires standardity only in each regulation and charter. In my opinion, Kien is a rather dry image, very "bad" in love, but extremely serious in work. However, in parallel with that rigid appearance, there are still segments about love and family that require me to show a softer, more everyday acting style.
Can you share about the most impressive scene, where you have to try to overcome your own limits?
- That was the scene filmed at the thermal power plant in Uong Bi, Quang Ninh. In an emergency situation when the character Dung was trapped next to a tank about to explode, comrade Dung wanted to sacrifice himself, but I turned back to save him. The scene at that time was filled with smoke and dust, I had to wear a toxic mask, it was very difficult to breathe, and the film crew had to work continuously until 10 pm. Many times I thought I couldn't breathe because I was too tired, but looking at the crew members all working hard, I told myself not to stop. At that moment, I overcame the limit that I had never imagined.
In this project, you have a collaboration with Minh Trang. Can you share a little about the "chemical reaction" between the two of you?
- Performing a romantic scene with Minh Trang, I find it very... easy (laughs). The character Kien when meeting Trang is introverted, so almost everything is led by Trang proactively. I feel lucky to have a co-star like Trang. The two brothers are quite compatible, just briefly discussing the segment and you can immerse yourself and juggle very well together.
