Kỳ Duyên discussed preparing for the role of Thị Mầu on the 5 November broadcast of Sao Check. Tuổi Trẻ reported that the performer described the character as different from her everyday personality and from her earlier role in Bộ tứ báo thủ.
Building the character
Asked by host Thái Trang why she chose the role, Kỳ Duyên said she initially doubted she would be selected after auditioning because the character differed from her previous screen image. She said she wanted to take on the challenge despite expecting debate about the performance.
To prepare, she revisited literary and stage versions of Thị Mầu. She studied the eyes, walk and manner of earlier performers, then selected and adapted details for her film interpretation rather than copying one version intact.
Kỳ Duyên said one difficulty was moving in pointed wedge shoes about five to seven centimetres high. She recalled injuring a toe while getting used to them. Alongside the walk, she practised conveying the character’s playful gaze.
Talking about personal pressure
The performer said that she sometimes used intense physical exercise to deal with negative feelings, including once running on a treadmill for two hours. She clarified that her remark referred to exercise and was not an intention to harm herself.
She said she felt relief after a workout and also valued talking with a trusted person about her feelings. These were her own experiences as described in the programme.
Looking back on the years since winning Miss Vietnam at 18, Kỳ Duyên said she missed her younger self but did not regret the experiences that had shaped her. The interview centred on her view of the role and her personal growth.