Veteran artist Kieu Mai Ly is participating in the web drama Yeu nhau ngay nang am (Loving each other on a sunny day), produced by cai luong actress Ngoc Huyen, which will air on 19/9. Ly says she’s touched that the younger generation still remembers her and invites her to join their projects, allowing her to continue performing.
"Whether I play a major or minor role, everyone always treats me with respect and takes good care of me, looking after my meals and rest behind the scenes", she says.
Whenever she receives an invitation to act, Ly doesn't mind traveling or accepting modest pay. She's simply happy to continue working and connect with younger colleagues. When not filming, she enjoys domestic travel with her family. Ly prefers exploring new places to resting at home, finding that venturing out energizes her.
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Artist Kieu Mai Ly at age 76. Photo: Provided by the artist |
Ly is concerned about the declining state of cai luong (reformed opera) theater. For many years, she and her colleagues haven't had the opportunity to perform in substantial, psychologically complex plays. Occasionally, she accepts invitations to sing at clubs in downtown or suburban TP HCM to satisfy her longing for the stage.
Cared for by her granddaughter and surrounded by family, Ly feels her life is fulfilling. The income from acting in films, singing, and performing at small theaters is enough for her daily meals and performance attire. "That's happiness for me", the artist says.
Born Nguyen Thi Ly, she studied traditional Vietnamese opera and folk music with teacher Nam Dong from a young age. At 16, she was invited by producer Minh Ha to sing for the Hoa Xuan troupe. After working with several troupes, including Minh Luong - Thuy Lan and Minh Canh, her career took off when she joined the Da Ly Huong troupe. She became known for her dramatic roles in social plays like Nguoi san nguoi (The Hunter), Nan con roi (Abandoned Children), Bon trieu dola mot bo tra (Four Million Dollars for a Tea Set), Men ruou huong tinh (The Scent of Wine and Love), Gai nhay (Dancing Girl), and Doi la mot chu T (Life is a Letter T). She was highly regarded for her ability to portray complex characters with constantly shifting emotions.
After 1975, she joined the Thanh Nga troupe, where artist Bao Quoc persuaded her to transition to comedy. Kieu Mai Ly then became a popular comedian on city stages and a key figure in the success of the Trong nha ngoai pho (Inside and Outside the House) program throughout the 1990s and early 2000s. Besides theater and cai luong, she also gained fame in films, appearing in projects like Hello co Ba (Hello Miss Ba) (2012), Lua Phat (Buddha's Fire) (2013), and Ngay nay ngay nay (Once Upon a Time) (2015).
Hoang Dung
