Since its release over a week ago, the song has garnered 10 million views on YouTube and sparked widespread discussion on social media. Alongside its emotive melody, People's Artist Nhu Quynh's performance in the music video has deeply resonated with viewers.

She portrays a mother whose son fought in the 1972 Battle of Quang Tri Citadel. Despite her limited screen time, the veteran actress powerfully conveys the wartime anguish of those on the home front. Her anxious gaze as she sends her son off to war, her frantic search for him among the returning troops, and her tears of grief upon learning of his death allow viewers to viscerally experience the devastating losses of war. Thuy Dung, 20, from Hanoi, praised the combined performance of Nhu Quynh and singer Hoa Minzy, noting how their acting, interwoven with the music, heightened the emotional impact for the audience.

Artist Nhu Quynh in the MV. Photo: YouTube Hoa Minzy Official

"Pain Amidst Peace" marks Nhu Quynh's music video debut. She explained her participation stemmed from a desire to collaborate with a singer on a project commemorating the 80th anniversary of National Day. Having lived through the war, the actress empathizes with the mothers and wives who endured immense suffering. She believes there's no greater heartbreak than sacrificing a husband or son for the fight for national independence.

Born in 1954 to cai luong artists Tieu Lang and Kim Xuan, Nhu Quynh spent her childhood immersed in the arts, frequently attending Hanoi Children's Palace with her parents and recording children's songs for the Voice of Vietnam radio station. In 1970, she graduated from the first cai luong class at the Hanoi Art School (now the Hanoi College of Arts) and joined the Chuong Vang Cai Luong Troupe.

While trained in cai luong (a form of Vietnamese opera), she transitioned to film, gaining recognition for roles in "The Song of the Departure," "See You Again," "Holiday," and "First Love." In recent years, she has portrayed mothers in television dramas such as "Don't Make Me Forget" and "The Taste of Affection." Following her role in "The Journey of Justice" (2022), she has taken a break from acting to rest.

Composer Nguyen Van Chung wrote "Pain Amidst Peace" after a week of research and film viewing to cultivate his emotions, completing the song in three days. Director Dang Thai Huyen, known for the "Red Rain" project, chose the song as the film's main theme, praising its humanistic message and Hoa Minzy's emotive vocals. "I believe this song will have its own powerful and enduring legacy," the director stated.

Phuong Linh