Hung Minh: The illustrious double king for 1 time, U90 stays in a hostel, his wife works for Thanh Loc

At the age of U90, artist Hung Minh, although old and weak, is still optimistic and happy. Currently, he is living with his wife, artist Hoa Lan, in a rented hostel for a few million VND.

Double King of Poison

People's Artist Hung Minh's real name is Nguyen Ngoc Minh, born in 1939 in Chau Thanh, My Tho (now Tien Giang province). He is known as the "double king of poison" because he is famous for his evil roles on the stage of Cai Luong. He shared: "I am the same as People's Artist Diep Lang, artist Thanh Duoc, People's Artist Le Thuy is also my junior".

Sharing about the chance to come to his singing career, People's Artist Hung Minh said: "At that time, I was 13 years old and had nothing to do, I had to sell cakes and ice cream to make a living. Every time I sell out, I get 40 VND. Seeing that there was a singing troupe, I came to work as an assistant, people did something like printing a poster to introduce now. Every time I do it, I am allowed to go to see the song without having to buy tickets. Then I was asked by the troupe if I liked joining the choir. I agreed and went back and told my mother to let me in so that I could be raised, but there was nothing to do that was too hard! At that time, I was 13 years old, but I was quite tall, with curly hair like a western child."

People's Artist Hung Minh said that at first he mainly played as a servant, sometimes he was cut off from his salary for laughing while performing. Each play he was paid 3 VND, only enough to eat 1 meal with duck eggs and a little fatty meat. In addition to acting, he does errands for members of the troupe such as buying coffee, hanging hammocks... who told him to do it to be fed dinner.

After that, People's Artist Hung Minh moved to another singing troupe, where he was adopted by composer Nam Son and taught singing. Although he liked to sing and wanted to learn a profession, he found it quite difficult to start. Encouraged by his adoptive father and observing and learning from the main double brothers in the troupe, he began to play supporting roles and then was promoted to the main role when the troupe was short of people.

"At that time, the singing troupe was not like now to make billions of dollars, it was very happy to have a meal. Many people also give up, only those who love the singing profession can do it, otherwise it is very discouraged."

At the age of 19, People's Artist Hung Minh received the Gold medal of the Thanh Tam Award in 1959: "Mr. Diep Lang was 19.5 points, only half a point behind me, I got 20 points. If it is equal, the 2 brothers will win the same prize." It was also the first success to affirm the name for People's Artist Hung Minh to pursue an artistic path.

Since then, People's Artist Hung Minh has continued to work. Later, at an advanced age, he no longer sang but mainly acted in movies.

"This profession cannot be retired, health is still working. Only I am no longer healthy, people invite me but I have to refuse. Now I only make movies, I don't sing anymore," - the male People's Artist expressed.

In 1993, artist Hung Minh was awarded the title of Outstanding Artist. In 2023, he was awarded the title of People's Artist.

How do you live now?

Recently, director Khuong Dua visited People's Artist Hung Minh. The male artist is now 85 years old, constantly sick and still has to live in a narrow house, life is very difficult.

According to People's Artist Hung Minh, he and his wife and youngest son have been renting a small house for 4 years with a rent of 5.5 million/month, including electricity and water of 6 million VND. The youngest son of People's Artist Hung Minh, who works as a lighting technician, broke up with his wife, so he went back to live with his parents. People's Artist Hung Minh's monthly rent is supported by his and his wife's adopted children.

Artist Hung Minh confided: "I've been living in this house for 4 years. Phi Phung often visits here because his father is in the same group as me. I rent this house for 5 and a half million a month, both electricity and water are 6 million. I'm here with my wife and son.

My son also used to have a family, got married and had children, but after breaking up, he went back to live with my husband and me.

My wife is currently working to remind Thanh Loc, Huu Chau. This job only receives a daily salary, not a monthly salary because it is a seasonal job. People call me when they need it.

I have difficulty walking, so I can't do anything, now only my wife is left to work to take care of the whole family. My wife and I have an adopted child who also supports us with housing money.

My wife can still run a motorbike to work, she is also 67 years old this year."

Khuong Dua sympathized and said: "I came to visit artist Hung Minh to see what his situation was. I also want to invite my wife to play some roles in my film."

"I often make romantic movies with touching scenes. Inviting her to play is definitely suitable, or I play a role that I don't have to walk around like my grandfather sitting to greet my grandchildren when they go to school, I can do it too," Khuong Dua said to the male artist.

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