He reappears in cinema only as a touch point, while the main journey that the male singer wants to talk about lies inside: The journey to face fear, self-doubt and learn to live calmly amidst many fluctuations.
In a conversation with Lao Dong Newspaper, Hoai Lam did not avoid dark spots, nor did he try to paint a perfect image. His sharing shows that an artist has gone through a period of many stumbles, and then understands that the most important thing is not where to stand, but who to keep to be.
After many years of not appearing frequently, what has changed in your current life?
- I think the biggest change is the way I see things. Before, I lived quite fast, worked a lot, rarely had time to stop. Everything just happened continuously, I was also used to having to chase after work, according to expectations.
But now, I slow down. I no longer feel like I have to appear continuously or do many things at the same time. I spend time with my family, for smaller things, like staying at home to rest, listening to music, or simply sitting and thinking. Maybe for others, it's normal, but for me, it's a big change.
Have you proactively chosen a slower lifestyle after the upheavals? - I think so.
After a while, I will realize that if I continue in the old way, I am not okay.There are periods when I feel tired, no energy left, even no emotions for work.
At that time, if I keep trying to continue, everything will get worse. So I chose to stop. Not to quit the job, but to give myself time to rest, to understand what I need. When I stabilize myself, I will know how I should continue.
During the "regression" period, what did you face the most?
- Be yourself. It sounds simple, but it's actually not easy. When you are no longer busy, no longer caught up in work, you will have a lot of time to think.
There are times when I feel that I am no longer the same as before. No more confidence, no longer a sense of certainty when standing in front of the public. I once thought, I don't know if I am still suitable for this job.
But then I realized, everyone will have such periods.The important thing is whether you accept it or not.I learned to accept that you can become weaker at some point and that does not mean you fail.
You once mentioned emotional injuries in your personal life.How does that affect you?
- A lot of influence. I am a simple person, do not think badly about others, so when encountering bad things, I am easily shocked.
There are things that are not big in terms of material things, but they have a lot of psychological impact. When emotionally deceived, I am not only sad but also lose faith. It took me quite a long time to regain balance.
But then, I thought that was also a lesson. We cannot keep a too simple view of everything forever. We can still live well, live sincerely, but need to be more alert.
Did those experiences change you?
- Yes, but it's not a complete change. I'm still myself, still living sincerely, but I know how to keep a distance.
Before, I was easily trusted, easily shared everything. But now, I am more careful. Not because I doubt others, but because I understand that things are not always as I think.
I think it's maturity. We don't lose the good, but we know how to protect it.
At the present time, how do you see your career?
- I no longer see it as having to achieve something specific. Before, I often set goals, having to achieve this achievement, having to do that.
But now, I think it's simpler. I do what I think is suitable, I try my best with each job. If the results are good, that's a good thing, and if it's not as desired, then I continue to learn.
I don't want to put too much pressure on myself anymore. Because when there is too much pressure, I easily lose my true feelings.
Do you still feel pressured by the expectations of the audience?
- Yes, but I learn to accept it. The audience's expectations are very natural. When they love me, they will expect me to do well.
But I also have to understand that I cannot always be perfect. I think the important thing is that I work seriously, not superficially. As for how the audience receives it, I cannot completely control it.
After all, what makes you still want to continue with art?
- It's emotions.If there were no emotions left, I thought I would have stopped.Even though there are times of fatigue, but when I return to work, when standing on stage or participating in a project, I still feel something very familiar.That feeling makes me want to continue.
In addition, the support of the audience is also very important. There are times when I think I have been away for quite a long time, but when I return, there are still people waiting, there are still people encouraging me. That makes me feel not lonely.
With cinema, what principles do you keep for yourself when working in the profession?
- I think simply that if you have accepted, you must do it completely. "When I enter the film set, I don't allow myself to give up.
Not only in movies, but also in life. Maybe I will encounter difficulties, I will be tired, but if I have started, I should try my best to the end.
How do you want the audience to remember you in the future?
- I don't think about having to become a big image. I just hope the audience remembers me as a normal, simple and honest person. For me, that's enough.
Thank you for sharing!
