Thanh Nghi: From a Hunan boy to the top, but the most disappointing in 2025

Thanh Nghi, whose real name is Pho Thi Ky, was born on May 17, 1990 in Hunan, China. In a family with a military tradition, his mother expected her son to follow in her footsteps and become a soldier.

But instead of choosing a life of discipline, he dreamed of entering the arts, a thorny and unpredictable path.

The road to leaving his hometown to study and pursue acting in Beijing was not smooth. Thanh Nghi lost all his money due to theft and had to sleep in the park during the early days of his career. That was the period when he was determined not to let his family know, just quietly overcome it to affirm his choice.

First steps into the profession

After graduating from the Central Academy of Drama in 2012, Thanh Nghi began looking for opportunities. In the early days, he sent out hundreds of auditions to film crews but was repeatedly rejected. Some directors thought he was not handsome enough to be on screen, and even advised him to give up acting.

Despite that, Thanh Nghi persisted in his career. He first appeared on the big screen in 2009 in the film Giao Thua, but it was not until 2012 that this work was released. His first television role was Phung Tieu Bao in Duong Cung My Nhan Thien Ha (2011). However, his first attempts only left a faint impression.

From 2012 to 2015, he starred in several films such as Ghost Love, Too Late to Love You or Dong Tieu Thu, but his name still did not become famous. It was not until his role as Lam Kinh Vu in Thanh Van Chi that Thanh Nghi was noticed by the audience, but it was still not enough to break out and become an A-list star.

The turning point of "Liu Ly Me Nhan Sat"

In the summer of 2020, Thanh Nghi suddenly became famous thanks to his role as Vu Tu Phuong in Liu Ly My Nhan Sat. The film quickly became a historical phenomenon, putting him in the ranks of the most beloved young actors at that time.

The audience praised his bright face, ancient-style temperament, and his remarkable improvement in acting. The shadow of this role was so great that his projects that had been "in storage" were also brought out to air to take advantage of the popularity. From an obscure actor, Thanh Nghi became a new rising male god of Chinese cinema.

Peak then... stagnation

After Liu Ly, Thanh Nghi continued to be assigned many key projects such as Tram Van Huong Phai (2022), Lien Hoa Lau (2023) or Tham Tiem (2024). In which, Tram Van Huong Phai further strengthened his image as a "historical lover", while Lien Hoa Lau brought him closer to the general audience.

However, not all works are successful. Tham Tiem, which aired after 5 years of being "shelved", failed miserably in terms of ratings, becoming a big disappointment. Some of his other projects such as Pho Son Hai, Anh Hung Chi, Vuong Quyen were postponed, had their broadcast schedules deleted, or were suspected of not having a license.

His career was at its peak and suddenly became unstable, causing public opinion to think that he was "frozen" in the historical film genre.

Controversy and controversy

Along with his fame, Thanh Nghi also faced many controversies. Once appearing at a fan meeting, he was discovered to have a cold attitude, avoiding communication with co-star Vien Bang Nghien, causing an explosion of controversy. The incident damaged his image, many viewers thought the actor was unprofessional.

In addition, his acting ability is also often a topic of discussion. Some people think that Thanh Nghi is just a "male god of appearance", not good enough to carry a big movie. The fact that many projects failed has further spread doubts about his ability.

Awards, achievements and salaries

Despite his ups and downs in his career, Thanh Nghi still reaped a number of notable awards during his golden period. He received the "Potential Actor" award at film and television events and was honored by many media units as an outstanding face in the historical film genre.

Besides, his salary also became a hot topic. In Pho Son Hai, the salary was revealed to be up to tens of millions of NDT, even higher than many experienced seniors. This number caused controversy: supporters said it was a worthy achievement after the success of Luu Ly and Lien Hoa Lau, but many opposed because his acting was not stable and he had not proven his lasting appeal.

The debate over "huge salaries" clearly reflects the state of the Chinese film market, where stars can be paid highly based on traffic and fandom, rather than their own ability. The case of Thanh Nghi has become a typical example of the difference between commercial value and artistic appreciation.

Relationships with colleagues, fandoms, and the market

One of Thanh Nghi's biggest challenges was not his acting, but his behavior. After the fan meeting with Vien Bang Nghien, the online community was divided into two opinions: loyal fans continued to defend their idol, while neutral audiences criticized his disrespectful attitude towards his colleagues. His "cold" image was then closely scrutinized.

In the fiercely competitive Chinese market, peer relationships are very important. Many actors of Thanh Nghi's generation choose to skillfully maintain a friendly image, but he rarely interacts and rarely appears in entertainment shows. This helps maintain his mystery but also makes him lack opportunities to connect with the public.

Thanh Nghi's fandom is large and enthusiastic, but has also caused controversy when he overzealously defended his idol. Every time his acting was criticized, social media erupted into "wars of words" between fans and anti-fans. This division partly affected the actor's overall image.

From a market perspective, Thanh Nghi is considered a safe "historical card" for producers. However, the fact that his films are constantly postponed shows that his name alone is not enough to guarantee commercial success. The market currently needs more diversity in acting and image - something he is still struggling to find.

Attraction and strength

However, Thanh Nghi still has his own advantages. 1m81 tall, with a scholarly face and gentle eyes, he is considered the ideal male lead in ancient costumes. Roles with the image of fairy tales and swordplay always help him score points with fans.

Thanh Nghi's special point is his perseverance. From an actor who was once advised to quit his profession, he has made constant efforts to one day stand among the stars. It is this story of overcoming difficulties that helps him maintain a loyal fan base, ready to support him even when his career is in trouble.

The future is uncertain but not over yet

By the end of 2025, Thanh Nghi is in a rare "halfway" stage: famous but lacking explosive projects, many films are on hold. Compared to the golden age of Luu Ly, his appeal in the market has clearly decreased.

However, those who follow his career believe that if he chooses the right role, Thanh Nghi can still make a strong comeback. The Chinese historical drama market always needs faces with special charisma, and Thanh Nghi is still among the few who possess this advantage.

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