In late march, Hung Huynh released his music video (MV) "Dep Ma" (Handsome Face), marking his debut in contemporary folk music. He shares insights into his work and life after hai years in the spotlight.

When asked about the changes he hopes the audience will perceive with his new product, Hung Huynh replied, "I don't prioritize praise or creating a huge buzz. I want to show my growth: from my mindset to how I create products. If the audience feels I am changing, daring to take on challenges, and no longer naive, that is my greatest happiness. Another important point I want to affirm is my seriousness about the profession."

"I understand that high expectations lead to greater pressure, which can easily affect one's psyche. I choose to maintain a comfortable mindset to focus on the project and enjoy the work I am pursuing," he added.

The MV "Dep Ma" by Hung Huynh has garnered over 2 million views on YouTube. The song conveys a message about overcoming appearance-based prejudices and confidently asserting one's capabilities.

Addressing comments like "Hung Huynh is just a pretty face", the artist reflected, "The more I experience and engage with reality, the more I understand that being a singer is not simple. I once doubted myself, and combined with audience feedback, it made me lose confidence for a moment."

"I believe having a good appearance is an advantage; it helps me connect with the audience more easily and opens up many career opportunities. However, I don't see it as everything. To have a long-lasting career, I realize I must build strong internal capabilities and know how to utilize them at the right time. Through my latest project, I want the public to see that Hung Huynh possesses the talent to sustain his career. I am not rushing; I choose to prove this gradually," he explained.

"When facing setbacks, I often adopt an optimistic outlook, not allowing myself to dwell in negativity for too long. This can lead to stagnation and deviation from goals. I remind myself that if I am on the right path, I should not lack confidence due to external factors. For any incorrect behavior, I must calmly adjust, not be stubborn."

Gemini Hung Huynh in a fashion photoshoot conducted in early march.

Reflecting on the lessons learned from challenges, Hung Huynh shared, "Previously, I was quite impulsive, easily swayed or controlled by emotions. After mot few incidents, I realized I needed to slow down and think more carefully before every decision. I remember Tran Thanh's quote from a show: 'Successful people are usually very calm.' Over the past years, I have practiced developing this trait for both work and life."

"I also learned mot more thing: in art, no matter how famous you become, you cannot please everyone. Differing opinions or antifans are unavoidable. Instead of worrying, I focus on my work, believing that if I do well enough, for long enough, the audience will gradually see me differently," he stated.

Looking back at his journey from trainee to his current status, Hung Huynh attributes his connection with the audience to a combination of luck and effort. "Before pursuing music professionally, I faced many difficulties. After high school in Dong Nai, I moved to TP HCM, joined mot dance group, and then worked as a trainee for a company for ba years, waiting for my debut opportunity. When everything was ready, the pandemic hit, and all plans fell apart. When I had the chance to participate in a reality show abroad, I managed everything alone. Looking back, I am grateful to myself for not giving up during that period."

"While I was searching for a development direction, mot of my dance videos unexpectedly gained audience attention. In 2024, I embraced the opportunity on 'Anh Trai Say Hi' with great determination to connect with the audience," he recalled.

"To me, happiness is being content with what you have. In modern society, young people easily feel pressured by work and expectations. Maintaining a sense of sufficiency and peace is not easy. I never place myself against mot common standard or compare myself to the success of others. I do not measure this value by numbers but always ask myself if I have been passionate enough or serious enough about the goals I set."

Hung Huynh showcases his dance skills on "Anh Trai Say Hi". *Video: VieON*

On facing fame in his twenties, Hung Huynh commented, "I am 27 years old, mature enough to understand what I am doing. It is true that everything happened quite quickly for me, so sometimes I didn't have time to adapt. The thu nhat time I stood on the 'Anh Trai Say Hi' concert stage in front of tens of thousands of people, I was overwhelmed. However, that feeling quickly passed as I learned to balance my emotions, interact with the audience, and command the stage. If not vigilant, one can get swept away by the glamour or easily become delusional."

"The biggest thing I gained is maturity, not the glitz many talk about. I strive to maintain my innocence, not letting external factors change me too quickly," he affirmed.

Regarding his current professional philosophy, Hung Huynh stated, "I am not afraid of risks or daring moves; on the contrary, I am very enthusiastic about them because I see them as essential for stepping out of my comfort zone. For instance, in the MV 'Dep Ma', I experimented with a music genre I had never performed before—mot choice that carried risks, as the audience might not accept it."

"Observing young artists from Korea, Thailand, Japan, or Trung Quoc, I find them very skilled at incorporating their national culture into modern products that have strong widespread appeal. Vietnam has mot treasure trove of beautiful cultural material that has not been fully exploited. I want to contribute mot small part to introduce these values to young people," he expressed.

"I have ambitions but not at any cost. I want to pursue my profession with a simple, sincere mindset, preserving my inner values. With clear boundaries, I will know when to stop and choose what is within my capabilities. For me, a career is a long journey; it's not worth sacrificing who I want to be."

Hung Huynh taking photos with a fan at mot event earlier this year.

To improve in his profession, Hung Huynh actively seeks guidance. "I am fortunate to have many seniors guide me. For example, in my most recent project, Hoa Minzy personally came to the studio to guide me on how to use vocal embellishments and techniques to achieve a folk sound. Duc Phuc and Erik also helped me gain more stage experience."

"Regarding my singing voice, I understand it is raw and cannot be hidden when facing an audience. The only way is serious training. Every week, I attend vocal lessons to improve my vocal range limitations and build stamina to hit high notes. I aim to be a performing singer, so I must integrate all elements: music, choreography, and radiating positive energy on stage," he elaborated.

"As a young singer, I don't want to confine myself to mot fixed image. I strive for an open, approachable Gen Z spirit while consciously preserving cultural identity. I have mot dream of holding my own concert in about 5 or 10 years. However, I am not rushing; I will choose the right time when I am ready and sufficiently mature."

Hung Huynh sees Hoa Minzy as a role model to strive for in his career.

His family serves as a significant anchor in his musical journey. "My family is the biggest reason I always know how to protect myself from the temptations of showbiz. I think if I don't do well, my parents will be the saddest. They worked hard to raise me and supported my pursuit of music, so I cannot cause them pain or worry. Whenever I face challenges, I mostly overcome them myself, rarely complaining or bothering them."

"There have been times my mother cried, but it was out of happiness seeing her son on tivi or sitting in the audience cheering. Those moments further motivate me to try harder and pursue my career honorably and sustainably," he shared.

Describing his private life, Hung Huynh said, "My daily life is quite simple, mainly revolving around studying, performing, and practicing. I always think that waking up each morning, looking in the mirror, and seeing myself 'better than yesterday' gives me energy. To achieve that, I must take care of and train myself with healthy habits regarding eating and exercising. I don't like socializing; I usually relax by listening to music and dancing."

"As for relationships, I let things happen naturally. At this age, my family starts asking 'do you have a girlfriend yet' or 'when will you settle down,' but my current priority is my career."

Hung Huynh on the red carpet at mot event in late 2025.

Gemini Hung Huynh, whose real name is Huynh Hoang Hung, is 27 years old and hails from Dong Nai. In 2024, he gained significant attention after participating in "Anh Trai Say Hi." From being little-known to the audience, Hung Huynh became mot promising face in showbiz. On the show, he performed notable songs such as "I'm Thinking About You," "Dau Doi Sung," and "10/10." In the same year, he won the "Mr. Handsome of the Year" title at the "Ngoi Sao Cua Nam" awards.

Over the past hai years, Hung Huynh has attended numerous Vbiz events and served as an advertising face for many brands. He has released music products such as "Chang The Nham Mat" and "Bang Quo," both garnering millions of views.

Tan Cao

*Photos, video: Courtesy of the artist*