Tran Ngoc Vang: Undergoing a rugged transformation, shedding his "handsome heartthrob" image in the film "Five-Toed Pig"

At the premiere of "The Five-Toed Pig," Tran Ngoc Vang affirmed that he was not afraid to compromise his image to embody a complex psychological role. The actor hopes that the audience will recognize his genuine acting ability rather than his handsome appearance.

Tran Ngoc Vang asserted, "I have no image to lose."

On the afternoon of April 22nd, the premiere of the film "The Five-Toothed Pig" officially took place in Ho Chi Minh City, bringing together a large cast including director Luu Thanh Luan, creative director Vo Thanh Hoa, and talented actors such as Thanh Thuy, Vo Tan Phat, and Meritorious Artist Oc Thanh Van. However, the focus of attention was on Tran Ngoc Vang – an actor who is showing great progress in diversifying his roles, especially after this horror film was announced as a sequel in the folklore universe, following the success of "The Demon Dog" and "The Spirit Cat".

In "The Five-Toed Pig," Tran Ngoc Vang plays Chi, a man who returns to Vietnam after a long period living abroad. Unlike his usual glamorous or romantic image, his character must confront horrifying secrets buried in the past and mysterious spiritual phenomena surrounding an unusual animal known in the Mekong Delta as "Miss Five-Toed Pig." This role demands complex psychological transformation, as the character is pushed to the boundary between doubt and extreme fear in the face of distinctive religious elements such as shadow puppetry and demon dances.

Sharing his thoughts at the event, Tran Ngoc Vang confidently expressed his views on his profession with a bold statement: "I have no image to lose." For the actor, embodying a character with many hidden aspects and psychological depth like Chi is a golden opportunity to break through his own limitations. He frankly admitted that instead of maintaining a safe, clean image to please the majority, he craves roles that are substantial and challenging enough for the audience to see him as a true actor, rather than just praising his handsome appearance.

To embody this role, Tran Ngoc Vang invested a great deal of time researching the atmosphere and psychology of the character so as not to be overshadowed by seasoned veterans. This role required him not only to act physically but also to portray deep-seated fear, blending seamlessly into the eerie spiritual space meticulously created by director Luu Thanh Luan.

Competing directly with many strong contenders at the box office during the April 30th holiday such as "Hero," "Blood Moon Party 8," and "Phi Phong," Tran Ngoc Vang remains confident in the unique qualities of his film. He believes that the seriousness of the crew and the storytelling, rich in regional culture, will be a magnet attracting viewers. Tran Ngoc Vang's return in a "heavy-duty" horror project like "Five-Toe Pig" is not only a test for him personally, but also an affirmation of a generation of passionate young actors, ready to dedicate themselves and "break down" old images to build new and deeper artistic values.

The journey from "Mr. Vietnam" to a promising face of Vietnamese cinema.

Born in 1998 in Phan Rang, Ninh Thuan, Tran Ngoc Vang is one of the promising young actors in contemporary Vietnamese cinema. Possessing a bright appearance, impressive height, and a striking, cinematic face with features that are both romantic and resolute, he quickly caught the eye of filmmakers even while still a student at the Ho Chi Minh City University of Theatre and Film. However, instead of simply capitalizing on his good looks, Tran Ngoc Vang chose a slow but steady path, persistently honing his skills to establish himself as a professional actor.

The first milestone marking Tran Ngoc Vang's public appearance was winning the 2020 "Face of Cinema" competition. This was not just a beauty award, but a competition of acting skills, where he overcame many strong competitors with challenging psychological performances. This success became his ticket to his first leading role in the film "The One Who Needs to Forget Must Remember" (directed by Duc Thinh, produced by Charlie Nguyen). Although the film did not achieve the expected box office revenue, his natural and energetic performance alongside veteran actress Hoang Yen Chibi helped him win the Best Actor award at the 2020 Green Star Awards.

Building on his success, Tran Ngoc Vang constantly reinvents himself through diverse roles. He's not afraid to try his hand at both television and film, from charming, romantic playboys to characters with complex, conflicted inner lives. 2023 and early 2024 marked a breakthrough for the actor when he participated in the horror film "The Masked Man" and, especially, his profound role in the high-grossing film "Because My Mother Decided We're Breaking Up." Here, his excellent chemistry with Thuy Anh made him a beloved name among young audiences, affirming his ability to command the screen and create amazing "chemistry" with his co-stars.

By 2026, Tran Ngoc Vang continued to assert his prowess by venturing into the folk horror genre with the film "The Five-Toed Pig." With his resolute declaration, "I have no image to lose," he demonstrated a serious work ethic, readily shedding his glamorous image to throw himself into challenging, haunting roles that demand high-level psychological expression. This is considered a crucial turning point, helping him shed the label of "hot boy acting in films" and move closer to the image of a truly talented star.

Despite his relatively young age and short career, Tran Ngoc Vang maintains a quiet, low-key lifestyle, focusing entirely on his work. He always takes the time to observe and learn from his seniors and constantly seeks out challenging scripts. His humility, eagerness to learn, and clear artistic vision are the factors that have helped Tran Ngoc Vang not only achieve the title of "heartthrob" but also become an important figure contributing to the new image of the next generation of actors in Vietnamese cinema.

Does the Vietnamese version of Boys Over Flowers (F4) deserve to be named as these male idols? Đình Như18:57:50 11/04/2026The concept of the "F4 male heartthrobs" in Vietnamese films has recently been frequently mentioned on social media, with audiences naming four young faces: Tran Ngoc Vang, Vo Dien Gia Huy, Ma Ran Do, and Quoc Anh.