Welcoming us at his home (Binh Thanh District, Ho Chi Minh City), artist Trung Dan was neatly dressed and had a leisurely manner. Just like on TV shows, the male artist kept his conversation simple, bringing a sense of familiarity to the person he was talking to.
Artist Trung Dan was born in 1967 in Hoc Mon (HCMC), has nearly 30 years of artistic activities with many roles such as comedian, television and film actor, screenwriter, director, MC... The male artist has left a deep impression in the hearts of the audience through his works: Tin o hoa hong, Dui bong cay bo de, Dat phuong Nam...
Talking to Dan Tri reporter, artist Trung Dan had the opportunity to open up and share his thoughts and concerns about art. The male artist could not help but be proud when revealing his happy home with his wife, although initially, his marriage did not originate from love...
Artist Trung Dan and his happy marriage that did not originate from love (Performed by: Cao Bach - Nga Trinh).
"The definition of fame has changed"
Starting the story by looking back at his nearly 30-year career, artist Trung Dan pondered for a moment and then said: "I don't have a career?".
Trung Dan thinks the word "career" is too vague for him. He doesn't think he's famous, he just thinks he has a job like many others, that's all. Having said that, he paused, thought for a moment, then continued to confide.
"My family doesn't like art, but I do. I went to school and then started working until now, and I haven't had a year of unemployment. Every profession has its own difficulties. But of course I don't complain, because I chose it.
At the age of U60, Trung Dan rides his Cub motorbike to work every day. He said his motorbike has been ridiculed many times, but he doesn't care because he is not materialistic.
"Once, I was invited to impart professional experience at the District 4 Cultural House. People came to register for the course, said what kind of artist drives such a... creepy car, then they all went home (laughs)," the artist recalled.
Over the years, Trung Dan has appeared on television shows and in movies. However, the male artist admitted that although he is a familiar face to the audience, his salary is not high, just enough for him to "feel worthy". That is why he always saves and saves.
Talking about salary, the male artist's voice lowered, he said that being an artist is not easy, one must know how to calculate and save to be able to "relax a little", because the salary of this profession is "not stable".
Trung Dan said that he had witnessed many famous and wealthy colleagues who, when they were "near death", were living in rented houses, if not falling into poverty. Not long ago, when filming with a famous artist in the field of reformed opera, Trung Dan was shocked to learn that his colleague's salary was only 150,000 VND even though he filmed all day.
"Seeing my colleague's salary, I wanted to cry. When I fought for a higher salary for that person, they asked me: "Why don't you take your salary and give it to me?". After a while, I was also... fired," said artist Trung Dan.
However, the male artist said he was not sad, because he understood that the profession he was pursuing sometimes required "scratching and peeling" to survive.
"It's true that famous people in this profession are rich and have a lot of money, but if they are rich beyond imagination, it's probably not thanks to the money from this profession. I don't know if they work extra hours or what they do," he shared.
"I have no material things, so I am not famous"
Having been in the profession for nearly 30 years, Trung Dan realized that he was born with a personality that was contrary to his profession and the times. He said he lives by instinct, does not flatter, and does not take advantage of his profession to do things that are against the law.
The male artist believes that perhaps that is why he often stays out of the noise and scandals of the entertainment industry. Many colleagues even look at him with wary eyes. Throughout his career, he has received many comments, saying that if he were more "open" and "easygoing", he would certainly be richer, more prosperous and more famous.
However, Trung Dan has a different opinion. He said: "I do art but I'm being more open-minded, which means I'm not selective about the programs and projects I participate in, or condoning being late for filming with the group...
Of course, when working in such an environment, I have to give my opinion because the work created is a collective work."
Artist Trung Dan also confided that after many years in the entertainment industry, he has faced many pitfalls. "Behind the spotlight, there are many temptations, but escaping from them is not easy," he said.
The male artist said that at his age, he has a motorbike, an old car, and a house, so what else does he need? "Do they think I want to wear designer clothes and drive a car worth tens of billions of dong?", Trung Dan laughed.
The male artist confided that he often does charity work, but he never asks anyone for it, he does whatever he has. Every time he gets a decent salary from filming, he sets aside a few million dong to put aside in a corner. When he has saved up about ten million dong, he brings it to the head of the neighborhood group and asks them to send it to support poor families nearby.
"Don't go far, just stay in the area where I live, or my hometown Hoc Mon. Sometimes I've even been cheated, going to someone's house and seeing them in trouble, I helped them, but who would have thought that the family was gambling, but... it's too late," artist Trung Dan confided.
"My wife and I started out with a loveless marriage"
Although he believes that being an artist has many temptations, is "poor" in both literal and figurative senses, and is sometimes looked down upon, artist Trung Dan still affirms that every day he goes to the film set, has joyful energy, and sees young people passionate about their work, he is satisfied.
The male artist said he is sentimental, and that sentimentality makes outsiders think he is unpleasant and dry. "It's not unpleasantness, it's self-respect and seriousness," he confided.
Artist Trung Dan also revealed that he once refused the title of Meritorious Artist when the state considered it, because he realized that some artists who contributed more than him did not have it. "I don't think I am anything. Sometimes what I do is simply to earn a living," Trung Dan expressed.
Currently, Trung Dan lives happily with his wife. He revealed that he and his wife did not come together because of love but because of their family's matchmaking, but over time, he now "loves her endlessly".
"I listened to my family, went on blind dates, got engaged, and got married. At first, I lived with my wife out of love. But then when I saw my wife give birth, I felt so sorry for her. My wife was in pain for nearly 2 days, exhausted, just giving birth, then raising the child was extremely difficult, staying up all night. Looking at my wife's whole journey, I thought of my mother, then thought of my children.
Luckily, I was born a man. That's why I say if I'm angry with my wife, I can argue with her for a while, but if a man beats a woman, there's nothing left to say," artist Trung Dan expressed his opinion.
He added that his and his wife's daily life is very simple. On days when he is not filming, he stays home to grow vegetables and paint. The male artist and his wife have 3 daughters. The eldest is married and settled in Australia, the 2 younger daughters are of school age and live with their parents.
In the artist’s house, it is not difficult to see his carefully framed and hung doodles on the wall. Trung Dan said that they were drawings his daughter drew when she was little.
The male artist confided that his children are his last concern at this age, because besides the happiness and life of his children, he has nothing else to worry about.
Trung Dan said he often visits his daughter in Australia, sometimes with his wife, sometimes alone. "Some years I go once, sometimes three times, but usually I go when the airfare is cheap, to save for the next trip," Trung Dan added.
At the age of 56, artist Trung Dan does not seek fame or material things, he only wants his children to grow up and be happy.
When asked if his children wanted to follow in his footsteps, Trung Dan admitted that if they wanted to pursue art, he would be more sad than happy, because he understood the difficulties of this profession. However, if they had a passion, he would be willing to support them.
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