"Boss" Vinh Xuong: Gangster in movies, owner of a noodle shop in real life

(Dan Tri) - "When I go to the restaurant, I am an employee of all departments. I park the motorbike, hold umbrellas for customers, and still serve food if customers need it," drug lord Quan "Gia" from the movie "Doc Dao" shared with Dan Tri reporter.

Artist Vinh Xuong met a group of Dan Tri reporters at his spacious private house on Vuong Thua Vu street (Hanoi).

Different from his "cold-blooded", sinister and mysterious appearance in the currently airing movie Doc Dao , in real life, he is an open and approachable person.

"Many people told me: "With this face, how can I play the role of a boss?"

Having played many gentle roles, perhaps it was only when he transformed into the gangster boss Quan "Gia" in "Doc Dao" that artist Vinh Xuong really attracted attention. Since then, he has been called "the boss of the Vietnamese screen". How did he accept this? - When I was young, when I worked at the Vietnam Drama Theater, I was often assigned the roles of gentle country boys, policemen, soldiers or husbands who were afraid of their wives. Then, for many reasons, I stopped working at the Theater. 10 years later, when my life was more stable, I thought about returning to the stage and movies. However, doing theater, a play also requires several months of rehearsal while filming a TV series, I have more time. Therefore, I decided to try my hand at different types of roles on the screen. Since 2018, I have started playing villain roles in films such as: Sinh Tu, Ho Do Ca Crocodile, Dau Tri... Among them, Dinh Hoang Duc of Dau Tri - a villain who is kind and always respects his father, loves his wife and children, protects and takes care of his relatives - has probably left an impression on the audience. When I was invited to play Quan "Gia", at first I hesitated, thought a lot and decided not to accept this role. Because I thought that my face would not be suitable for playing a villain to the end... Moreover, this is a very dangerous criminal character who kills people without hesitation. I was afraid that when the audience watches the film, they will hate the character and then hate me. But in the end, because the script is good, each role in the film is independent and has its own personality, I also found it interesting so I accepted. When playing the role, I had to wear a wig. There are many beautiful hairstyles but I had to choose the one that best suited the character. I also discussed with the director, it's best to make this character as bad as possible and it's better to let the audience hate him from appearance to content.

Vinh Xuong as gangster boss Quan "Gia" in the movie "Doc Dao" (Photo: VFC).

Quan "Gia" is completely different from him in real life as well as his previous roles. Not to mention that this film brings together a cast of famous actors in the villain role. Is that a challenge and pressure for you? - Pressure with colleagues is definitely not, because the starting point is the same. We all know each other's abilities. However, some actors get to play characters that the audience loves, while others take on roles that the audience hates. When working, we have to try to coordinate in the best way possible and each person will have their own way of expressing and finding the key to their character. When I accepted the role of Quan "Gia", I knew I couldn't push myself. On the contrary, I turned my shortcomings in appearance, facial features and expressions into advantages. For example, Quan "Gia" looks very normal but sometimes, in his eyes, there is a sinister, mysterious and cruel look. In this character, evil is hidden behind an extremely calm appearance, disregarding life. He is a cold-blooded person, making many people in normal life not think that "Old" Quan is so evil.

Actor Vinh Xuong talks with Dan Tri reporter.

Many artists have shared that when playing villains, they encounter many funny and sad situations such as being cursed and receiving "bricks and stones" from the movie to real life, what about you? - Until now, I am still very peaceful on the street, I have never been cursed (laughs). However, on the fanpages about the movie, there are many mixed comments about me and my role in the movie Doc Dao . However, for me, whether it is praise or criticism, it is the audience's own way of feeling, I always respect, filter and listen. I think, an evil character but inside them still has a bit of humanity, just need to be awakened, the good nature will rise up, making the audience more accepting and sympathetic. As for the role of a villain to the end, it is understandable that the audience hates it. Some people criticized me: "With this face, how can I play the role of a boss" but I am not sad. Each person has a different way of expressing and looking at life. I believe that only when the audience criticizes my poor performance is there anything to worry about. If you play a villain and the audience still hates and curses you, you've succeeded.

Are there any funny stories related to your roles and acting career that you can share?

- Before, when I went out, people often called me Dinh Hoang Duc! Now, everyone jokes that I am Quan "Old". Many people in the neighborhood also watch the movie. When they saw me, they immediately said: "Vinh Xuong's acting in such a terrible and cruel movie!". When my two sons watched the part where their father acted with the actresses, one turned away and said nothing, the other put his face down on the bed and clapped his hands, saying "Oh my god, look". Maybe at that moment, they saw their father differently than usual. I was also afraid that my children would be shocked when they saw my role and actions in the movie. However, I did not forbid them from watching the movie I acted in. I called my two children to talk and explain to them about my job. I said: "Dad has to act true to the character in the movie, so there are many behaviors and words that are different from normal, you should get used to it and gradually accept it". Sometimes, I ask: "Do any of you want to be actors?", and both of them say: "No" (laughs). My wife understands my job and how hard it is to be an actor. However, perhaps after this movie, I won't play such a cruel villain anymore.

Vinh Xuong said that when he goes out, people call him "Old" Quan.

"Xuan Bac once lent me 50 million VND to start a business"

Many viewers are curious about what kind of person Vinh Xuong - the owner of a famous crab noodle shop in Hanoi - is behind the image of a powerful boss in the movie? - I have the opinion that I have to do my best and be true to that role. When acting in a movie, I always try my best with my role, be punctual and serious. When selling, I have to serve attentively and respect customers, only then can customers feel our dedication. When I go to the restaurant, I am an employee of all departments. I still park motorbikes, hold umbrellas for customers, and still serve food if customers need it. Running a restaurant and selling noodles is my job, I do it for myself, it is the bread and butter of the whole family, so I have to take care of it. When I do it, the employees will understand and be more aware. Some people tease that if "boss" Vinh Xuong combines with the "bad boy" on screen Anh Tuan to do business, it will only be prosperous. Look at his business as an example? - When people really need something, they will try to achieve their goals. I started my business with the desire to support my family and have a more prosperous life, so I did it with 200% of my strength. Business always has potential risks, sometimes you have to start over from scratch. Luckily, Tuan and I have the same point of view, so the business was lucky and favorable. Before, my husband and I lived in my parents' house. We just moved to our current house in 2022, after many years of doing business and saving. The house looks like this but it's not very spacious (laughs).

Peaceful life in the spacious house of artist Vinh Xuong.

In a conversation with Dan Tri reporter last year, actor Anh Tuan said, when you opened the restaurant, the rule was: "The wives are not allowed to get involved in this matter"? - That's right. One boss is fine, two bosses would be complicated, but adding two more wives... the staff won't know who to listen to (laughs). Therefore, we always have a rule that the wives do not participate. The ladies who come to the restaurant are our honored guests. Tuan and I have been in business together for 10 years now but have never argued or had any major conflicts. We only argue about what to add, what to reduce... We run the restaurant in a very family-like and simple way possible. If the economic factor is resolved satisfactorily, everything is very easy. In addition, we want to build a family restaurant so we don't build a chain of restaurants. In the early days of business, you must have had a hard time, had to borrow money, very difficult? - When I started my business, I had no money, People's Artist Xuan Bac lent me 50 million VND. After transferring the money, Bac also told me: "If you need more, just let me know!". I am always grateful for Xuan Bac's kindness. Without that money, how could I open a restaurant? At that time, even if he lent me 5 million VND, I would still be grateful for the 50 million VND to start my business. The money was earned very hard, so I appreciate this help. I also told my children: "Uncle Xuan Bac is the person who helped dad in the most difficult times" and I told this story to everyone I met. In the movie, he is a cold-blooded "boss", but when he does business, he is a decisive person. So when he comes home, what kind of husband and father is Vinh Xuong? - I am also normal, not flashy, not too romantic. I live like that... As a restaurant owner, your cooking must be 10 points? - My wife cooks much better than me. I also cook for my friends and children but it's just okay (laughs). The audience not only knows Vinh Xuong as the boss of selling crab noodle soup but also married a young wife? - Wherever I go, people ask me: "Are you a few decades older than your wife?" because my hair is gray but I'm only 8 years older than my wife. When I got married, I was also... young! Many people also asked: "Is she your second wife?". In fact, we were both getting married for the first time. Thank you for sharing!

Dantri.com.vn

Source: https://dantri.com.vn/giai-tri/ong-trum-vinh-xuong-giang-ho-tren-phim-chu-quan-ban-banh-canh-ngoai-doi-20241009013856356.htm