According to Jiupai News on 27/11, Tran Vu, 44, died in his rented room in Chengdu, Sichuan province, on the evening of 21/11. As he lived alone, his death went unnoticed for three days until distant relatives were informed. Authorities announced the cause of death as a cerebral hemorrhage.

Tran Vu's mother, Ba Chu, stated that her son suffered from high blood pressure. She had repeatedly urged him to seek medical attention, but Tran Vu, believing himself young, did not prioritize his health.

Tran Vu in a film scene. Photo: Jiupai News

Tran Vu previously worked as a security guard in his hometown of Pengzhou. Two years ago, he moved to Chengdu, rented a room, and embarked on an acting career. He often played roles such as restaurant staff or passersby. Ba Chu revealed that her son frequently stayed up late, practicing lines and acting until one o'clock in the morning when he had work.

Wang Xiaochuan, a colleague of Tran Vu, said that he never picked and chose roles, dedicating himself to every part. Upon learning of Tran Vu's death, film crews proactively paid his outstanding remuneration.

Yang Yang, a friend of Tran Vu, expressed his sorrow, feeling empathy for himself and others earning a living as background actors. Currently, they primarily find work with short film crews, characterized by "ultra-short" production times. To cut costs, crews condense filming into a few days to several weeks.

According to Yang Yang, in this common situation, he and his colleagues must always be ready to secure opportunities for performance and income. They often snatch a brief nap on set before continuing their work.

According to Sohu, last year, the wage for background actors in Hengdian, Zhejiang province – China's largest film studio – was 135 yuan for 10 hours of work (approximately 503,000 VND), a decrease from previous years. The actors' union stated that the film industry faces many challenges, with most production companies under significant pressure, leading to adjustments in remuneration.