Buzz
At 68, this male celebrity sparks confusion as he pairs up with a co-star almost as young as his own child.
Participating in the drama titled The Enigmatic Tales of Truong An, renowned actor Nam Dat Hoa leaves the audience in bewilderment as he transforms into a character believed to be a 'plagiarized' version of the famous Di Renjie. The film, released both online and in theaters, faces a challenging journey with an initial revenue of only 840,000 CNY (2.8 billion VND).
In the movie, Nam Dat Hoa portrays a death-row inmate named Doc Co. Due to his intelligence and martial arts prowess, Doc Co is granted clemency by Vo Tac Thien in exchange for assisting her in investigating a mysterious case linked to the legend of the 'thousand-headed demon.' This mythical creature is the result of a previous rain-summoning ritual gone awry, turning the rain into oil and bringing misfortune.
According to QQ, the plot and the development of the male lead's character seem to be copied from the Detective Di Renjie version starring Luu Duc Hoa. Furthermore, at the age of 68, Nam Dat Hoa's appearance and acting are no longer as captivating as before.
Additionally, Nam Dat Hoa has a romantic storyline with co-stars more than 30 years his junior in the film. First is the 'ambiguous' moments between Doc Co and the beautiful character played by Clara Lee. The 30-year age gap between the couple, engaging in both combat and flirtatious scenes, leaves the audience with a mix of awe and discomfort. Despite her beauty, Clara Lee's acting appears stiff, resembling a 'mobile flower stand' flaunting skin rather than talent.
In addition to Clara Lee, Doc Co, portrayed by Nam Dat Hoa, also develops a romantic relationship with another character played by Tang Mong Tuyet. This character starts as Doc Co's companion and later becomes his lover, delivering a crucial 'lethal' blow to support him. Notably, Tang Mong Tuyet was born in 1994, making her 39 years younger than Nam Dat Hoa.
Beyond the age-discrepant relationships resembling parent and child, The Enigmatic Tales of Truong An concludes with an unusual and frustrating ending. According to QQ, the production team aimed for an open-ended conclusion; however, with the current failure of the film, launching a sequel is not an easy task.
