Nam Cuong (L) poses with co-star My Dung on the set of the upcoming teen TV series Nhung thien than ao trang

It’s not always a straight road to success in the music industry.

He has chosen acting as a stepping stone to singing success and scored himself a role in a new teen drama.

Cuong plays Bac, a twelfth grader, in the teen TV series Nhung thien than ao trang (White-shirt Angels). He had to compete with thousands of other hopefuls for the role so he is really excited that he got it.

“This is the first time that film director Le Hoang has produced a TV series, so he was very fussy about finding the right guy to play this character. At first, I was not chosen because I was too fat. I had to promise that I would lose enough weight in two weeks to get it,” Cuong said.

“I was happy because the role is one of seven main roles and it was not aimed at me. I had to make a big effort to get it,” Cuong said. He said that after shooting a third of the episodes he has fallen in love with his character.

Nhung thien than ao trang is directed by famed filmmaker Le Hoang, the man behind commercial hits like Gai nhay (Bar Girls) and Nu tuong cuop (Banditti). The edgy series is expected to create a stir amongst Vietnamese teenagers.

The series revolves around the character of 17- year-old July Miu, a Vietnamese girl born and raised in Britain. Miu returns to Vietnam to attend her senior year of high school and captivates her classmates with her bold approach to life. Bac is one of Miu’s friends and according to Cuong, he is very naïve and plain.

In stark contrast to the academically focused manner in which Vietnamese schools are usually run, Miu turns hers into one that is fun and carefree. Students have open and engaging conversations with their teachers while challenging the conventional norms of socially conservative Vietnam. The characters still maintain innocence, however, with a focus on problem-solving and daily issues.

Also starring with Cuong in the series are popular teen personalities like Le Anh Nhat as July Miu, singer Do Tung Lam, actress Mai Phuong, and popular teen sensation My Dung.

His first big role is not too hard for Cuong, as he topped his class at HCMC’s Stage and Cinematography College.

Road to singing success

Cuong’s main ambition is to be a singer for teenagers which is why he plans to release his second album at the same time the series is aired.

He won the Yo! Cung uoc mo xanh (Yo! The blue dream) singing contest in 2004 and some local music awards in Da Nang City but he didn’t have any luck with his first CD release. Despite poor reviews, Cuong remains optimistic.

“Any entertainer wants to be known. I have my own way. My target next year is to catch up with my friends, he says.”

Cuong’s friends and peers include singers Minh Thu and Toc Tien and song writer Viet Thanh.

He said that winning awards was no indicator of a great career.

“The prizes I won haven’t given me direction and I don’t have a teacher to help me either. I have settled in Saigon with empty hands,” said Cuong.

After three years singing, Cuong worked with composer Tang Nhat Tue and released his debut album named Dong Thoai (Children’s stories) in 2008. The album was about remembering problems from the past but music forums said it was sad and didn’t make sense. Cuong admitted that the style of his first CD was too old for him.

“Muc dong (Pastor) and Dong thoai (Children’s stories) on the album are two of my favorite songs that Tue has written. At the time I didn’t care about pleasing audiences or being trendy but my next album is definitely going to be more distinctive.”

Cuong said his new release is about the whirlwind of growing up and doesn’t following the current pop and R&B style.

The dynamic singer is now attending directing classes at the same school that he studied acting. He said that he is learning now to direct for later in life.

“My acting studies were intended to help me sing better – to express feelings in the music. Directing is for the future because I don’t think I will be able to act and sing all my life.”

Reported by Diem Thu