“Advertising King” Truong Minh Cuong: “I was depressed, lost everything when I went to America”

Actor Truong Minh Cuong (born 1978) has been known to the audience through many television dramas, the most prominent of which is Seasonal wind. Possessing a handsome appearance and elegant demeanor, he is also chosen by many brands to appear in commercials.

Truong Minh Cuong once shared that at one point, within 15 minutes of “advertising prime time”, there were 5 ads featuring him. The actor’s salary also skyrocketed over time, sometimes up to 1.5 billion VND for 30 seconds of appearance.

However, at what was considered the peak of his career, Truong Minh Cuong decided to suspend his artistic activities and settle in the US. After 12 years living in a foreign country, in 2023, the actor returned to Vietnam and announced his return to acting.

“There was a time when I lost everything”

Returning to Vietnam after a long break from artistic activities and living in America, how does Truong Minh Cuong feel he has changed?

– Lately, I rarely shop or use branded goods. I don’t eat luxuriously, sometimes I’m a vegetarian. I feel like I’m revived, wanting to give more without expecting anything in return. I’m completely different from the old version of myself – a person who only wants to receive.

Where does this change come from?

– In America, I started to get more excited, wanting to stand up after failures, but when I returned to Vietnam, my energy became full.

What specifically are the failures that Truong Minh Cuong talks about?

– There was a period when I was exhausted, lost my career, my family, lost everything. It was a very difficult period for me. I fell into depression, the condition was so serious that the doctor said that if I made 2 phone calls and I didn’t answer the phone, an ambulance would come to my house. The doctor said I could die at any time.

Truong Minh Cuong’s life in America seems difficult. Have you ever regretted the decision you made in the past, leaving your career in Vietnam to come here?

– In life, there are decisions that are right at one time but wrong at another. I chose to come to America not only for myself but also for my children and relatives.

I didn’t expect that after that decision, I would face many great lessons about failure and mistakes. I understand that I have made mistakes but I can’t be sentimental forever, I have to be stronger to have a good life and have the health to correct my mistakes. After all my mistakes, I feel like I have improved.

How long has it been since you came to America that you missed it and thought you needed to return to art?

– In recent years, since I overcame my period of depression, I realized I needed to do something more meaningful. Acting is what I do best, it’s ingrained in my blood and I think I have to return to art.

However, for a long time, the audience did not see him make any moves to show his drastic return to art?

– Everything has a reason. I’m afraid because I left art and the audience when I was successful, doing very well and receiving great expectations. When I left, I failed and returned.

I was extremely shy so I kept hesitating, waiting for a moment, waiting for a suitable opportunity. I also always send signals that I want to return to Vietnam to work. Luckily, this signal was received by Ly Hai and Minh Ha.

“I’m afraid I’ll fail again”

So Truong Minh Cuong was personally invited by director Ly Hai to participate in “Face Off 7: One Wish”?

– I still have to audition and meet the requirements to get this role. I remember at that time I was sitting in a crowded coffee shop in America, but had to “audition online” according to the topic that director Ly Hai requested. I cried right in the cafe.

When I first practiced dialogue at director Ly Hai’s house, I cried. I remember the feeling of eating a film crew meal. It wasn’t a “delicacy” but I was very happy. The purpose of my return is not for glory or fame, but to show my enthusiasm. I’m ready to die on stage, die on set.

Has Truong Minh Cuong’s acting changed after 12 years of hiatus?

– When I first accepted the role, I was very carefree. However, when he arrived in Vietnam, he realized the love and expectations of the audience Turn over 7, I felt scared again. I’m afraid I won’t do well and will disappoint the audience. I’m afraid that after past failures, if I continue to fail, I don’t know what my life will become.

Fortunately, when I act, I receive many compliments, which makes me more excited and more confident in my profession. Currently, my positive energy is very strong.

For me, the role of Hai Khon is a psychologically heavy role, very difficult, especially when I just returned after 12 years away from art. I brought my failures and brokenness over the past 12 years into the character. It can also be said that without the changes in the past 12 years, it would have been difficult for me to complete this character.

Returning to art, is Truong Minh Cuong afraid of his personal life and past being dissected?

– As a celebrity, my private life will certainly receive attention from the audience. I was a failure, maybe even a very bad person, but that’s just the past. I have overcome difficulties, accepted new things and have a better current version than yesterday. Although it takes more time, I am on the path to change to be happy.

Who is there to encourage and support you in this comeback?

– My mother has been by my side and encouraged me a lot, making me excited and motivated to grasp happiness in life. My mother saw that I was sad so she always gave me a lot of advice. For a long time, I always wanted to punish myself. I missed my two children, felt guilty towards them, and towards my relatives.

My mother and I love each other very much, but we are not together. When I was young, I stayed at home while my mother worked far away. Later, when I became an adult, I didn’t stay at home. Currently, my mother is residing in the US, and I am returning to Vietnam. In the future, I will definitely arrange for my mother, my children and I to be together more.

Mom’s health is still good, but lately, being away from me makes her sad because she misses me.

What about Truong Minh Cuong’s relationship with his two children at present?

– My two children are currently 11 and 14 years old. The children are living with their mother. My child and I talk often. I also often fly back to visit my children. My children always support what I do. However, now that the children have grown up, I also want to keep their lives private.