While cinemas are facing problems attracting audiences due to the impact of COVID-19, TV series have started to dominate, with the return of many well-known actors and with a large number of viewers sitting down in front of their TV screens.

UNIQUE SUBJECT: A scene from ‘Yeu Hơn Cả Bầu Trời’ - a rare work depicting Vietnam’s Air Force. Photo vnreview.vn

A variety of TV series projects have been launched already this year and many others continue to be aired, creating a playground for actors to show off their abilities and shine.

With just four episodes, Yeu Hơn Cả Bầu Trời (Love More Than the Sky) from the Vietnam Television Film Centre (VFC) was broadcast during the first days of the Lunar New Year, a good start for a TV series to boom in 2021.

DIFFERENT PERFORMANCE: Phuong Oanh in ‘Hương Vị Tình Than’. Photo vnreview.vn

The series stirred the audience’s affections and emotions due to its beautiful shots. It was a rare work about the Vietnamese Air Force in modern times.

Director Nguyen Khai Anh says that in addition to honouring the Air Force, the series emphasises familial love, love between a man and a woman, and love for teachers and comrades.

With many beautiful scenes shooting in the air about the sea, sky, and the flights with characters featuring the life of the young full of cheers but sometimes conflicts and pressures.

After 2020, viewers have the chance to admire the progress of series such as Hưong Dương Ngược Nắng (Sunflowers against Sunlight) and Trở Về Giữa Yeu Thương (Back to Love). The two films have won favour among viewers of different ages and interests, including young people.

FAMILY STUDY: The film ‘Hẹn Em Ngay Nắng’. Photo vtv.vn

According to the VFC, viewers will enjoy a number of attractive TV series this year, especially those about psychosocial issues.

The dominance of TV series about love and family in past times encouraged the VFC to continue pursuing such themes.

Director Nguyen Danh Dung, who had great success with the series Về Nha Đi Con (Come Home, My Dear) during 2019-2020, again promises to bring surprises to the audience with his new project Hương Vị Tình Than (The Savour of Friendship), which has more than 100 episodes.

With filming beginning last October, Hẹn Em Ngay Nắng (See You on a Sunny Day) also attracted the public’s attention when it revealed information about the cast and the features of some characters.

It depicts family issues and is from director Bui Quoc Viet, with youthful and amazing young actors such as Ha Viet Dung, Quynh Kool, Cong Duong, Quang Anh, and Bao Han.

Besides young faces, veteran actors such as People’s Artist Trong Trinh and Nguyet Hang also contributed lively performances.

COUNTRY SETTING: ‘Mua Hoa Tìm Lại’ (Flower Season Regained) - a psychological film with a rural theme. Photo vnreview.vn

Though only a few trailers have been revealed, Mua Hoa Tìm Lại (Flower Season Regained) -- a psychological film directed by Vu Minh Tri -- also promises to heat up TV screens because of its rural theme, which is recognised as a strength of the VFC.

The series brings together a group of beloved young actors such as Thanh Huong, Manh Hung, and Huong Giang. 

Chance to shine

 

With many TV show projects already announced and many others on the way, viewers will have the opportunity to enjoy the acting of many young faces from the north.

In Hương Vị Tình Than, they will see a completely different Phuong Oanh from her previous roles in Quỳnh Bup Be (Quynh the Doll) and Co Gai Nha Người Ta (Their Girl). Trailers reveal that Oanh’s character has a strong personality and a bit of manliness.

Another actor who has been playing different roles and is loved by audiences is Manh Truong. In 2020, Truong underwent a transformation, playing many different characters, from a serious and upright prosecutor in Sinh Tử (Life or Death), to a cunning businessman in Tình Yeu va Tham Vọng (Love and Ambition) and an engineer in Hồ Sơ Ca Sấu (The Crocodile File).

His roles in new series this year are being eagerly awaited by viewers.

RECURRING THEMES: Love and family have dominated TV series over the last two years. Photo thegioidienanh.vn

TV series have seen the impressive return of famous actors such as Quach Thu Phuong and Vo Hoai Nam after a dozen years away from the small screen.

As one of the most popular TV actors today, Hong Dang says there was a time when he wanted to quit acting. “That was back in the 2000s when drama series weren’t as developed as they are now,” he says.

According to director Nguyen Mai Hien, the topics of love, family, and crime have not “cooled down” this year. But to gain the same success as Về Nha Đi Con, Hoa Hồng tren Ngực Trai and Sinh Tử, new series must have scripts with deep contents reflecting all angles of life and with great acting.

People’s Artist Thu Ha and two other famous female actors -- Van Dung and Quach Thu Phuong -- confide that they chose to return to TV series because of a desire to renew themselves and be more creative in roles that are different from what they’ve done previously.

Excellent Artist Minh Vuong says it is important to have new faces in TV series but they should understand each other and be united.

“The previous generation will be ready to offer strong support playing different roles,” she says.

Meanwhile, in the south, many production companies are making TV series with old themes. Senior elite artist Nguyen Phuong Dien says he is directing Lưoi Trời (Sky Net), a series set in the south during 1940-1950. Director Nham Minh Hien and the Mega GS Cinemas Co have invested in the series Vợ Quan (Mandarin’s Wife).

Taking advantage of the popularity of themes surrounding family, director Vo Thach Thao is presenting Cay Tao Nở Hoa (The Apple Tree in Blossom), a series starring Nha Phuong, Thuy Ngan, Song Luan, and Truong The Vinh.

As a viewer loyal to soap operas, Nguyen Thanh Huong in Hanoi’s Hoang Mai District, says that TV series have become diverse and more appealing.

“In addition to the topics of love and family, TV series with characters like judges, doctors, pilots, and border guards are bringing a fresh perspective and excitement to viewers,” she says.

VNS