The veteran actress stars in the music video for the song written by Khanh An, inspired by her own grandmother. Phi Dieu said she was moved by the lyrics: "Afternoon sun dips behind the areca trees/ I return to our old house/ Mother's lullaby still echoes somewhere/ In my dreams, I call out: Mother!".
Khanh An invited Phi Dieu to star in the music video after seeing her in various television shows. The actress's kind face reminded her of her grandmother, who passed away almost a year prior due to a sudden illness while Khanh An was competing in Solo cung Bolero.
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Artist Phi Dieu's appearance in the music video. Photo: Khoa Tran |
In her advanced age, Phi Dieu continues to act in plays, films, and music videos. She occasionally rides her motorbike to filming locations in Ho Chi Minh City and surrounding areas. Initially, her children worried about her age, but the artist reassured them, saying that working regularly helps her stay mentally sharp and active.
She says she's fortunate to have good health and no significant underlying conditions. The actress follows no special diet, eating simple meals and avoiding unfamiliar foods. Due to the demanding schedule of acting, she rests and catches up on sleep at home on her days off. "I've been accustomed to this routine for decades", the veteran actress shared.
Born Nguyen Thi Phi, the artist is renowned for her portrayals of mothers and grandmothers on southern television. In 1954, she traveled north during the reunification, becoming a southern-accented broadcaster for the Voice of Vietnam radio station. Later, she returned to Ho Chi Minh City and worked at the Ho Chi Minh City radio station.
Phi Dieu was awarded the title of Meritorious Artist in 1997. She has been acting since 2000, leaving her mark with roles of resilient women facing hardships in films such as Blouse Trang, Thuy Khuc, and Ben Duong La Do. She has also appeared in commercials and music videos. She has two children with her late husband, musician Phan Nhan.
Khanh An explained that she titled the song "Finding Mother in a Dream" because she considered her grandmother a second mother. "Every night, when my mother and I returned from performances, she would wait for us at the door, sometimes until two or three in the morning. At home, I rarely had to do anything because she always did everything for me, from cooking to washing dishes", she said.
Khanh An's grandmother's final wish was to hear her sing in the competition, but she passed away before it happened. Khanh An created this music video as a tribute to grandmothers for the upcoming Vu Lan season.
Khanh An, 18, born and raised in Hanoi, is the daughter of People's Artist Nguyen Manh Hung, and her grandfather is the cai luong artist Nguyen Thanh Tung. She won first prize in the Promising Voice 2017, Idol Bolero Kids 2018, and was the runner-up in The Voice Kids 2019. In 2024, she was the runner-up in Solo cung Bolero. Several of Khanh An's releases have gained attention on YouTube, such as: Tim Em Cau Vi Song Lam (36 million views), Xin Em Dung Khoc Vu Quy (7.8 million), and Hai Que (6.5 million).
Mai Nhat
