Meritorious Artist Kim Oanh: 'Fame once hurt me'

I don't make money from art

Recently, you surprised the audience when you returned to the theater stage after a long absence with the play "Who Filled the Forever Swamp". What is the reason for this return?

- After the death of artist Anh Tu - my close brother, there was a long time when I did not watch the stage. (Kim Oanh shed tears and was silent for a moment when mentioning this - reporter). After 3 years, I started to return to the audience seat, with the question: "I wonder if there will be anything new?"

The play "Bach dan lieu" by Tran Luc made me... excited. At that time, I thought: "Oh my god, it seems like I have found a director to trust and dedicate myself to". I liked it so much, I immediately called Tran Luc to join Lucteam.

Meritorious Artist Kim Oanh. (Photo: FBNV)

Vietnamese television dramas are increasingly being invested in, with a large audience. Many artists are flocking to act in films, why did you choose the stage?

- It can be said that with my acting career, I have had certain successes. In addition to being loved by the audience on television, the number of awards I currently own is enough to apply for the title of People's Artist, but I still want to continue to contribute and create. "If I stop here, I am content, it is no different from dying" - I always tell myself that.

That is also the reason why I "erased the flag and started over". I did it again in a different form, which is an expressive style of performance, almost symbolic - like what Mr. Tran Luc is doing. I am taking my first steps, having to learn from the beginning, which is much more difficult than the young people. They are like blank sheets of paper, they can freely draw the first strokes, but I have to erase and rewrite everything.

In each play, I will have to create a new form of character life, through the hands of the director. This challenge is new and extremely attractive.

It seems that at this point, you spend a lot of time on your passion, not on fame or name affirmation?

- In 2016, I had a huge emotional shock. I discovered that I had devoted myself to creating fame, but that fame had caused great harm to myself. That fame made me tired. At that time, I thought: "From now on, I don't have to try to be more famous. Life has given me too much fame."

Currently, many brands still ask me to write advertising articles on Facebook, the salary is not low (60 - 80 million VND). However, I can confidently tell you that I always refuse them, I do not make money that way.

That's why sometimes I feel sad when many people say: "Artists live off the audience", maybe that's true for others, but for me, I live off of other jobs.

I also talked to Mr. Tran Luc: "Don't worry about my salary, I come because of my passion, not to make money. If 200-300 theater-loving audiences come to watch the show, I'm very happy."

You don't make money from art, but I think being famous also helps you in other jobs. For example, when you do business, people trust you more?

- I think I have the ability and intelligence to talk to a business owner, not because I am a celebrity. Until now, my friends still love and respect me for who I am, not because I am an artist.

Artist Kim Oanh in the play "Who filled the Forever Swamp". (Photo: FBNV)

I love all the sadness

It can be seen that you are a sensitive person, with strong emotions about life. This will certainly enrich your inner world, but does it sometimes make you sad?

- Many people with normal jobs are sensitive, but the sensitivity of an artist is much greater.

When I was young, my sensitivity also made me feel stuck and depressed. Now, after experiencing everything, sometimes there are still people and things that make me sad, but I am sober enough to see that they do not do it on purpose. I understand that: They are just a bit weak in terms of language or expression, I should not think too much.

On your personal page, you often write about love and life stories. At this age, has your perspective on love changed?

- No, love for me is always only one, and so is my personality.

The only difference is that when we were young, we could see each other 7 days a week, expressing our love at all times. But now, when we love, we don't necessarily have to see the person we love often, because of our busy work and life. Thinking about each other, wishing each other well already makes us happy.

So, does the man who makes you feel different change with age?

- No, there is only one type. It is a man who is smarter than me, because otherwise, I cannot talk.

A sensitive but intelligent woman, this is probably not a good thing?

- Oh, it's okay, sadness has its own beauty. I'm not afraid of sadness.

Of course, if I were a little more stupid, a little more carefree, maybe I wouldn't be single now and would be thinking that I'm happy somewhere. But maybe, just maybe, that happiness will "slip away" and one day be shattered. If I'm not brave enough, something worse will happen. So, just enjoy and love your sadness.

Thanks for sharing!