Actor Binh An gained attention for his role as the "VIP guest," Lan Anh's (Luong Thu Trang) younger lover, in the series *Gentle Sunlight*, which aired starting in June. His character, unnamed and appearing in only 10 segments, is the catalyst for the breakdown of Lan Anh and Bac's (Duy Hung) family.

Binh An in *Gentle Sunlight*. The series, directed by Bui Quoc Viet, explores the lives of factory workers in urban areas. Photo: VFC

Binh An in *Gentle Sunlight*. The series, directed by Bui Quoc Viet, explores the lives of factory workers in urban areas. Photo: VFC

In episode 31, which aired on the evening of 15/7, the "VIP guest" goes to Lan Anh's boarding house, harassing and pressuring her into meeting him. He demands they resume their affair and threatens to release a compromising video of her when she refuses. When Lan Anh slaps him, he retaliates violently.

On VFC's fan page, the scene sparked much discussion. Many viewers praised Binh An's convincing performance, noting his sneer, gaze, and villainous smile.

Binh An said he didn't need much mental preparation for the role, having played both good and bad characters in his nearly 10-year career. He expressed satisfaction in portraying the character authentically, eliciting the audience's disdain and fulfilling the director's vision.

Lan Anh is harassed by her younger lover. Video: VTV Go

In recent years, Binh An has become known for playing "bad boy" roles. In the 2022 series *Happy Garage*, he drew criticism for his portrayal of Quan, a seemingly devoted boyfriend to Son Ca (Quynh Kool) who secretly has an affair with Cam Khe (Diem Huong), a senior executive at his company, for career advancement.

Binh An anticipated the audience's reaction but was saddened by personal attacks. He received messages like, "You play a gigolo on screen, you must be one in real life." On social media, he clarified, "Acting is acting, life is life. Please don't judge my entire life based on one role."

Son Ca discovers Quan's infidelity. Video: VTV Go

In *Don't Make Mom Angry*, he played Khoi, a womanizing photographer with a carefree lifestyle. He marries Vy (Quynh Luong) due to an unplanned pregnancy. Initially, lacking love for his wife, Khoi continues his philandering ways. Binh An grew a beard and adopted a polished look to emphasize Khoi's playboy persona.

In the crime thriller *The Black Remedy*, Binh An plays Long, a wealthy young man belonging to the Cityboys, a group indulging in social vices. Beneath Long's gentle exterior lies a cold-blooded killer with a disturbed mind. As a student, he murdered his father's mistress and later uses the same method on Vuong (Tuan Anh), a fellow Cityboy.

Unlike his on-screen characters, Binh An has stated he dislikes going to bars or drinking alcohol. He researches and observes life, studying scripts to understand his characters' psychology. He considered Long a "major challenge" but enjoyed portraying such a complex character and receiving audience recognition for his performance.

Long confesses to murdering his father's mistress. Video: VTV Entertainment

The actor explained that he only began taking on villainous roles in the past few years due to his growth as an actor. From 2014 to 2017, he typically played gentle, meek, or heartbroken characters. He finds these more complex roles more stimulating, allowing him to explore new territory.

A graduate of the Hanoi University of Theater and Cinema, Binh An is open to any role, even those with deviant personalities. "I'm happy to be working in this profession every day, allowing the audience to see my growth through each role," he said. In a film airing in November, he will play a character he describes as his "most villainous yet."

32-year-old Binh An, with his striking looks and 1.82 m height, has starred in numerous films such as *Zippo, Mustard and You, Against the Flow of Tears, The White Poplar Melody, Through Summer, Running Away From Youth, My First Love, Love More Than the Sky,* and *The Mirror Mask*. In 2022, he married Miss Vietnam runner-up Bui Phuong Nga, 26, after four years of dating. A year prior, the couple shared a small scene in the series *11th of May*.

Phuong Linh