Meeting Trần Hảo in Real Life
Recently, a netizen spotted Trần Hảo at the airport while she was waiting to board her flight. Immediately, this person took several photos and posted them online. In the pictures, it’s clear that Trần Hảo, now 45 years old, still looks her best, as time seems to have left little mark on her.
Trần Hảo’s Career
Why has the once-celebrated star Trần Hảo gradually stepped away from the limelight?
When mentioning Trần Hảo, one cannot overlook her captivating roles, but she is not only known for her stunning looks but also for her high level of education. Born in 1979 in Qingdao, Shandong, China, Trần Hảo’s parents were factory workers. At that time, her father had just recovered from illness, and the couple hoped for a better life for their daughter. With those two blessings, the name Trần Hảo came into being.
Early Steps in Her Career
Although her parents did not have high expectations for Trần Hảo, she had her own aspirations from a young age. She had many interests and, with her parents’ support, she learned calligraphy, bamboo flute, dancing, and various other artistic skills from a very young age. During high school, she even worked as a host for a children’s program on Qingdao Television.
However, what truly brought Trần Hảo into the entertainment industry was when she was cast as an actress at the age of 17. Director Dương Á Châu was looking for actors for the comedy film “Mai Phục,” and Trần Hảo was selected for the role of the daughter of the department head, a girl named Đồng Đồng. Not only did Trần Hảo possess beauty, but she also had artistic talent and previous acting experience.
Success with Captivating Roles
Consequently, Trần Hảo’s teachers encouraged her to apply to art schools. At 18, during the university entrance exam, she applied to the Central Academy of Drama, the Academy of Military Arts, Beijing Broadcasting and Television University, and Shenzhen University. All four institutions accepted her, and Trần Hảo chose to enroll at the Central Academy of Drama. A year after starting at the academy, she began her acting career. She played multiple roles, hosted the program “Cửu Châu Nhậm Tiêu Dao” on Phoenix TV, portrayed the maid of Lã Bất Vi, and participated in various plays.
At that time, Trần Hảo had fully showcased her personality. After graduating from the Central Academy of Drama, she joined the Beijing People’s Art Theatre, taking part in works like “Lý Vệ làm quan” (as Nhạc Tư Doanh), “Chọn phi ký” (as Dương Liễu and Hà Hoa), and “Cô gái màu hồng” (as the captivating Vạn Linh). Since her role as the captivating character, Trần Hảo has been known by this nickname, which represents the first impression audiences had of her, as well as an acknowledgment of her beauty.
Memorable Roles
For Trần Hảo, however, beauty is not the most important thing. She is confident in her appearance and does not seek validation from others. At 20, Trần Hảo often felt troubled by this. Not only did she possess beauty, but she also had acting talent. Trần Hảo became A Tử in “Thiên Long Bát Bộ,” Như Ý in “Như Ý Cát Tường,” Lữ Hạ in “Song Hưởng Pháo,” Đỗ Nguyệt Hồng in “Tôi Yêu Sư Tử Hà Đông,” and Điêu Thuyền in “Tam Quốc.”
Despite having many roles, Trần Hảo was not entirely satisfied. She felt that audiences only saw her beauty, and film crews focused solely on her appearance. Yet she believed she had more to offer than just looks; she had acting talent as well. Perhaps due to the financial rewards, people tend to pursue new avenues, such as new acting paths. Trần Hảo was quite troubled that no film crew sought her out for more diverse roles.
Trần Hảo’s Decision to Further Her Studies and Start a Family
Trần Hảo fell into deep contemplation. She questioned why, despite her acting not being poor, many diverse roles did not come her way. After much thought, she realized that her beauty had become an obstacle. In fact, many actresses with outstanding appearances in the entertainment industry have faced similar issues. Some successfully transition from idol roles to substantial acting roles, while others leave the industry once they are no longer young.
If given a choice, Trần Hảo would certainly want to overcome this difficulty. Since her acting could not overshadow her beauty, she decided to continue her acting studies. After ten years in the industry, recognizing her “shortcomings,” Trần Hảo returned to the Central Academy of Drama to pursue a master’s degree.
During her time back in school, Trần Hảo also started a family and had several lovely children. She first met her husband, Lưu Hải Phong, in 2005. Initially, Lưu Hải Phong was just a fan of Trần Hảo, but as they spent more time together, he was attracted not only by her looks but also by her inner qualities.