Early this year, Ngoc Thuan garnered attention for his lead role in the film "Ai Thuong Ai Men", directed by Thu Trang. The actor discussed the pressure of returning to the big screen after 20 years and his relationship with his 23-year-old wife, Bich Ngoc.

"What challenges did you face playing Kha, the loyal Western gentleman, in the new film?"

"Initially, Thu Trang messaged me, inviting me to audition. At the time, I was quite overweight, weighing 88 kg, and I thought I wasn't suitable for the role, so I declined. After some time, I received another casting invitation from the producer, perhaps because they saw some aspect of Kha in me. After reading a few scenes, I got goosebumps from the highly emotional climactic moments, imagining the Mekong Delta setting of the 1960s. Not taking this role would have been a major regret in my career."

"The most difficult part was the director's request for rapid weight loss. My wife and I planned an exercise regimen. Every day, during three sessions—morning, afternoon, and evening—I would jump rope about 3,000 to 4,000 times, combined with a diet primarily of boiled eggs, vegetables, and fruit. My goal was to lose weight while maintaining a healthy, toned physique. Whenever I felt hungry or craved sweets, my wife would be there to encourage me, limiting invitations for snacks. Ultimately, I lost 18 kg, achieving my target before filming began."

Ngoc Thuan with his wife, Bich Ngoc, born in 2003. Photo: Provided by subject

"How has your wife been a source of emotional support in your work?"

"Professionally, my wife respects my decisions and my ability to choose scripts, so she rarely offers advice. However, whenever I have a new project, I always tell her the summary of the story and the locations where I'll be filming."

"At one point, I lost my passion for cinema because I gained weight and couldn't maintain my physique. Ngoc was a great source of encouragement, helping me cast aside my hesitation to return to the film set after a long absence. She was always enthusiastic, saying, 'You just go; I'll take care of the children at home'. For a full month while I was filming 'Ai Thuong Ai Men' in the Mekong Delta, my wife and daughter, baby Harley, would video call daily, cheering me on to overcome psychological barriers before each difficult scene."

"How did you and your partner meet?"

"When I first met Bich Ngoc at a friend's party, my first thought was, 'Could she be my wife?' (laughs). It wasn't just love at first sight, but also a determination to pursue and win her over. In the following days, I tirelessly messaged her, but she didn't pay much attention, even blocking me on Facebook."

"Some time later, Ngoc and I coincidentally reconnected on a trip to Da Nang. This time, I asked for her phone number, we talked, and re-established our connection. The more I interacted with her, the more I loved Ngoc. She gave me a sense of comfort, security, and carefree happiness—something I rarely experienced in previous relationships. After many ups and downs, I used to view life with a somewhat negative perspective, but since meeting my wife, everything around me seems more beautiful."

Ngoc Thuan and his wife share many interests, such as travel and large displacement motorbikes. Photo: Provided by subject

"With a 17-year age difference, how do you and your wife bridge the age gap?"

"We are always harmonious and close. My wife has the vibrancy and energy of a young adult, while I am more mature and reserved. These two contrasting personalities make our married life less monotonous. Although I have acted alongside many female co-stars, my wife has never been jealous because she trusts me completely. I always proactively share everything, from work to social relationships."

"My wife is very understanding of her husband's psychology, occasionally giving me small but practical gifts, like shirts from my favorite fashion brand. The biggest gift I ever received from her was a large displacement motorbike imported from the US, worth over 500 million VND."

"I had always dreamed of owning this bike, but seeing the high price, I told myself it would be a bit wasteful if I only bought it for leisurely rides and coffee. My wife saw me often browsing it on websites and quietly took notice. One day, Ngoc invited me to a showroom and bought it for me with her savings from her business, for my 37th birthday."

Ngoc Thuan and his wife with their first daughter. Photo: Provided by subject

"After many years of acting less frequently, what is your life like now?"

"People say that marriage brings many financial pressures, but I find life more comfortable, partly because my wife is skillful at managing the household. I also help her with her business; her family has been in the traditional food business for several decades, specializing in wholesaling vermicelli, pho, and hu tieu in Go Vap district." We are not wealthy, but our income is steady and sufficient."

"I have been acting for a long time and have been fortunate to be known and loved by the audience. After marrying, I told myself I needed to step back and focus on my small family. Having a child changed my life completely. I always feel a warm connection between father and child."

"Every time I return home from work, my fatigue seems to vanish when my child babbles, 'Daddy'. Every morning before going to film, I look at my child, and an indescribable emotion swells within me. I am in the happiest phase of my life—with a stable job, a small home full of laughter, and I only wish to maintain this until the end of my life."

Ngoc Thuan, 40 years old, began his career in the 2000s and gained attention for his bright appearance. In 2006, he made his acting debut with the lead role in the film "Trai Nhay". At the time of its release, the work attracted attention as a rare Vietnamese film exploring the theme of same-sex love. Ngoc Thuan played Tuan, a young man from the countryside who works as a masseur, aspiring to rise but surrounded by pitfalls. His life changed when he met Dung Tony (Duc Hai), a wealthy but lonely Vietnamese-American professor. Tuan was psychologically torn due to his innocent relationship with Dau (Mai Phuong), a tea seller.

After that work, he continued to participate in films such as "Vo Chong Dau Thoi @", "Lac Loi", "Gao Nep Gao Te", and modeled for fashion shows in TP HCM. In 2022, he married his girlfriend, 17 years his junior, and they have one daughter.

Mai Nhat