The news of the actress's passing on 1/9 due to a serious illness shocked many artists and the public. Just a month prior, Ngoc Trinh appeared radiant at her graduation from a beauty course and was working on her master's thesis in theater. "So, Vy from 'The Scent of Coriander' has left us," wrote Song Minh, a fan who had interacted with the actress on several occasions, in a farewell post.

With a career spanning nearly 30 years and dozens of roles, Ngoc Trinh shone brightest in "The Scent of Coriander." Released in 2006, the series garnered significant attention as the first television collaboration between Vietnam and South Korea.

Ngoc Trinh recreates the image of Vy in "The Scent of Coriander" in 2013. Photo: Pham Thi Ngoc Trinh's Facebook

Ngoc Trinh embodied Vy, a young woman from the countryside with an unfortunate childhood, abandoned by her father at birth and losing her mother early in life. Arriving in the city to search for her father, she endured many hardships before finding work at a traditional pho restaurant. With her intelligence and sharp mind, Vy diligently learned the trade to preserve the traditional pho recipe, characterized by its distinct coriander flavor.

Before the series aired, many questioned her suitability for the role of a country girl. Undeterred, Ngoc Trinh dedicated herself to the character, from her appearance to mastering the art of chopping vegetables, picking herbs, and carrying bowls of pho. Upon its release, "The Scent of Coriander" resonated with audiences, achieving viewership ratings of over 20%, a high figure for television at the time, with Ngoc Trinh as one of its highlights.

The actress captured viewers' attention from the opening scenes, portraying Vy's arrival in the city, wide-eyed and naive, only to be robbed of all her belongings. Ngoc Trinh's sincere and natural acting touched the audience, allowing her to shine alongside veteran actors like Thanh Loc and Kim Xuan.

The series became a phenomenon, embracing the "rags-to-riches" storyline favored by many Korean directors, combined with showcasing local cuisine and culture. For a long time, at 9 PM, audiences would gather in front of their televisions to follow the drama. They laughed and cried with the characters, from scenes of Vy going to school in her white Ao Dai uniform, her eyes full of innocence, to moments where she faced conflicts with her jealous younger sister. The story of Vy's journey from poverty to successful businesswoman inspired many young viewers.

Ngoc Trinh's career entered a new chapter, transforming her from a promising stage actress to a sought-after television star. "After playing Vy, people recognized me everywhere. My fan base grew tremendously," she once said.

At the peak of her success with "The Scent of Coriander," a year later, Ngoc Trinh experienced stomach-related health issues. After multiple unsuccessful treatments, she withdrew from a project to undergo surgery, with actress Hong Anh taking over her role.

Ngoc Trinh later attributed her health problems partly to overworking. She often worked 16 hours a day, waking up at 5 AM to go to the set, filming until the afternoon, then preparing for evening stage performances. "After many days of this intense schedule, I became exhausted without realizing it. It wasn't until I couldn't eat and my body was extremely weak that I went to the doctor and was shocked by the diagnosis," she revealed in an interview.

"The Scent of Coriander" also introduced Ngoc Trinh to South Korean director Kim Se Hyuk, who later became her husband. They discovered many shared values and lifestyles while working together. He encouraged her to embrace challenges, despite her initial shyness and fear of failure. At their wedding in 2009, numerous film and stage artists celebrated "little Vy" finding her "prince charming."

After 9 years of marriage, they parted ways, leaving friends and colleagues saddened. Ngoc Trinh chose a single life, focusing on acting and teaching at the University of Theater and Cinema in TP HCM. In early 2022, she received a gold medal at the National Drama Festival for her role as Mrs. Vy in the play "Cloudy Rain," one of her last stage performances.

Ngoc Trinh as Mrs. Vy in the play "Cloudy Rain," performing with Hoa Hiep in 2022. Photo: Hoa Hiep's Facebook

During her lifetime, Ngoc Trinh described her acting career as destiny, as no one in her family was involved in the arts. As a child, Pham Thi Ngoc Trinh dreamt of becoming a singer, captivated by the voices of Minh Vuong, Le Thuy, and Tai Linh emanating from her cassette player every night. She displayed a talent for singing and acting early on, with a clear voice and a fondness for portraying princesses and ladies in classical plays. While in high school, she secretly applied to the School of Theater Arts 2 (now the University of Theater and Cinema in TP HCM), aspiring to be a traditional opera singer.

Ngoc Trinh at 19, during her second year at the School of Theater Arts 2. Photo: Vu Hai Son

However, the opera acting class schedule conflicted with her academic studies. She switched to drama, believing "something is better than nothing." After receiving her acceptance letter, she finally told her family, enduring their disapproval. While assuring them she would prioritize her education, she pursued her passion, attending academic classes in the morning and drama classes in the afternoon for two years.

Occasionally, directors and theater managers visited the school to scout for talent. With her charming appearance and eloquent delivery, Ngoc Trinh caught the eye of artist Bach Lan, then director of the City Youth Theater. She landed key roles in plays like "My Hoai Thu" (as Hoai Thu), "Female Student" (as Thuc), and "Golden Shower Tree on High" (as Thien Ly).

After Ngoc Trinh graduated in 1997, the theater disbanded. As TP HCM's theater scene flourished with the emergence of privately-owned theaters, she joined Phuoc Sang's 135 Hai Ba Trung theater, a hub for young comedians, taking on minor roles.

Ngoc Trinh gained recognition in the theater world with the role of Bich Hong in "Our House" at the 5B Vo Van Tan stage. While replacing Hong Dao after the latter moved abroad, Ngoc Trinh's versatility in both dramatic and comedic roles made her a star. Her petite stature, as described by her teacher Tran Minh Ngoc, allowed her to play diverse characters, from children to the elderly.

Subsequent roles solidified her reputation as a powerful actress. In Idecaf's "Who Am I?", she impressed audiences as Nhuc Thi Thanh Nha, a country girl infatuated with singer Kim Chan Vu (played by Minh Thuan), determined to move to the city to be near her idol. She also portrayed Dr. Anh Thu in "Our Story" (TP HCM Television), a young person facing life's challenges, and the restaurant owner in "Who Loses, Loses Whom," a character who despises dishonesty, drawing laughter from the audience.

Ngoc Trinh considered "Dancing Heart" a milestone in her drama career. Under Vu Minh's direction, she portrayed the cheerful spirit of a blind orphan. She collaborated with the director to refine the character, emphasizing optimism and resilience. The role earned her the Golden Orchid Award in 2005, one of her most prestigious accolades.

Director Thanh Hiep, a senior colleague, noted Ngoc Trinh's unwavering passion for acting from her early days until her passing. She often called him late at night, discussing character development, exploring dialogue and pacing to resonate with the audience. He vividly remembers her childlike joy upon winning the Golden Orchid Award for directing "49 Days of Love" in 2014, immediately calling her mother to share the news.

"Trinh promised to let me read her master's thesis, and we planned to travel to Hanoi together for her presentation so I could support her. Her passing leaves that promise unfulfilled, but it also leaves behind a burning love for art, a sincere heart, and an unforgettable memory," the director said.

Mai Nhat