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After 25 years of involvement in Heavenly Sword and Dragon Saber, the actors of that era had to endure many ups and downs in life.
Heavenly Sword and Dragon Saber is one of the most renowned martial arts novels by the writer Kim Dung. From the classic original, numerous filmmakers have successfully adapted it for the screen. Among them, the 1997 version of Heavenly Sword and Dragon Saber produced by TVB is regarded as the most outstanding.
With faithful character representation and impressive acting, the talented cast of the film including Huynh Nhật Hoa, Tran Hao Dan, Phan Thieu Hoang, Ly Nhuoc Dong... left a profound impression on the audience. 25 years have passed since the film aired, and the actors of that time have now taken different paths in life, but their lives have all experienced many ups and downs.
'Qiao Feng' Huynh Nhật Hoa
In the film, Huynh Nhật Hoa portrayed the character Qiao Feng, one of the three main characters of the work. Compared to his sworn brothers Doan Du and Hu Truc, Qiao Feng is considered to have the highest martial arts prowess, but also the most tragic life.
In the real world, Huynh Nhat Hoa was also the most heavyweight male star in that constellation of stars back then. He belonged to the 'fantastic five' who once dominated the scene, alongside Luu Duc Hoa, Luong Trieu Vy, Thang Tran Nghiep, and Mieu Kieu Vy. Apart from portraying the righteous hero with a stick, he also gained fame across Asia through movies like 'Boundless Loyalty, Racing Boss, Bloodied Sword'...
When joining 'Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre', Huynh Nhat Hoa was already married to actress Luong Khiết Hoa. The renowned actor is known for his love and dedication to his wife and children. However, his life encountered tragedy when his wife was diagnosed with leukemia.
The years-long treatment process for Luong Khiết Hoa's illness gradually depleted Huynh Nhat Hoa's wealth. Nevertheless, he remained devoted to his wife, even taking on various jobs to cover medical expenses.
Yet, despite seven years of battling the disease, Huynh Nhat Hoa's wife could not overcome it. Her passing deeply devastated the actor. He even sought therapy for mild depression.
Fortunately, with the encouragement from his daughter, friends, and fans, the once-famous 'Kiều Phong' gradually overcame the dark days. Currently, he lives a happier, more positive life.
Occasionally, the actor appears on television programs and entertainment events. Apart from that, he enjoys playing soccer, making candles, and gathering to chat with close friends.
'Doan Du' Tran Hao Dan
To Vietnamese audiences, Tran Hao Dan was once a beloved face of TVB. Alongside famous stars like Huynh Nhat Hoa, Phan Thieu Hoang, Ly Nhuoc Dong, the male actor contributed to the iconic series Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre.
The role of Doan Du propelled Tran Hao Dan to fame across Asia. Subsequently, he appeared in numerous major projects and was regarded as the 'big brother' of TVB for a long time. Unfortunately, he later became embroiled in various scandals such as misconduct towards colleagues, bar incidents..., severely tarnishing his reputation.
After his mistakes, Tran Hao Dan gradually transformed into a loyal husband and devoted father. He constantly shares happy moments with his family on social media. However, the actor still struggles to regain his positive image in the eyes of the audience.
Additionally, accepting poorly written scripts, participating in low-quality films, and minimal investment further diminished the reputation of the Tran family's actor. The Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre star even became ridiculed as the 'king of trash films'.
With waning fame and advancing age, Tran Hao Dan had to pivot towards online artistic activities, livestreaming interactions with fans. At 53, the Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre star tirelessly works to support his four young children and contribute to the family's financial burden.
'Hu Truc' Phan Thieu Hoang
Among the three main actors of the movie, Phan Thieu Hoang is the only one born into a family with an artistic tradition. Thanks to his family background, the male actor stepped into the acting career early on and became a child star.
After taking on the role of Hu Truc, Phan Thieu Hoang's career soared like a kite in the wind. He was even expected to succeed Jet Li, Jackie Chan in the action movie genre.
However, just as his career was flourishing, Phan Thieu Hoang found himself embroiled in controversies. At 23, the Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre star unexpectedly married actress Tran Thieu Ha, a union not approved by his family.
With the birth of their second child, the burden of earning money and the deteriorating relationship with Tran Thieu Ha led Phan Thieu Hoang into severe depression. In 2002, the actor decided to part ways with Tran Thieu Ha after years of struggling with pressure and illness.
Not long after, Phan Thieu Hoang publicly dated actress Gia Hieu Than. At that time, the couple faced harsh criticism as many believed Gia Hieu Than was a 'third party' intervening in the relationship between Phan Thieu Hoang and his ex-wife.
Although the couple later clarified, this incident still heavily impacted his image. Additionally, the male actor faced trouble due to allegations of debt.
A series of scandals caused Phan Thieu Hoang's career to plummet uncontrollably. Currently, he still acts in movies, participates in events but cannot return to his peak.
'Vuong Ngữ Yên' Ly Nhuoc Dong
Apart from the main trio, Ly Nhuoc Dong left the deepest impression on the audience in Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre. With her charming beauty, elegance, and determined demeanor, she is always considered the most iconic 'Vuong Ngữ Yên' on screen.
The success of Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre brought Ly Nhuoc Dong many opportunities. However, at the peak of her career, she unexpectedly gave up everything to pursue love.
The actress spent 10 years of her youth by the side of a businessman over 10 years her senior - Quach Ung Tuyn. She hoped her boyfriend would give her an official status. But in the end, all Ly Nhuoc Dong received was bitterness.
At 42, Ly Nhuoc Dong was callously abandoned by her boyfriend. Shortly after, her father passed away unexpectedly. These consecutive shocks left the actress emotionally devastated, on the brink of collapse. She battled depression and even contemplated death.
It took 5 years of treatment, along with the love and support of family and friends, for Ly Nhuoc Dong to recover and return to normal life. By 2013, she was determined to make a comeback in the entertainment industry, shedding her past and starting afresh.
At 56, Ly Nhuoc Dong remains active in showbiz. She actively acts in films, lands lucrative advertising deals, hosts livestream sales, models for fashion shows... In her autobiography, the Heavenly Sword and Dragon Slaying Sabre beauty likened herself to a phoenix rising from the ashes.
Unfortunately, Ly Nhuoc Dong is still single. The actress shares that she is content with her single life. Instead of romance, she devotes time to herself and her family. During her free time, Ly Nhuoc Dong enjoys practicing yoga and cooking.
