Ninh Duong Lan Ngoc's major challenge in Chi Chi Em Em 3

On the afternoon of September 23, a showcase event was held in Ho Chi Minh City to announce the Chi Chi Em Em 3 film project. This is the next installment in the Chi Chi Em Em "cinematic universe" by producer Will Vu, featuring a cast including Ninh Duong Lan Ngoc, Chi Pu, Ky Duyen, Steven Nguyen, Quoc Anh, and People's Artist Le Khanh...

Chi Chi Em Em 3 is set in the old Northern Vietnamese society, bound by strict rituals and conventions. Thi Mau (Ky Duyen) is a talented and beautiful young lady caught in complex emotional entanglements and many secrets. When love and honor face different choices, the characters must confront the consequences of their own feelings.

Sharing at the event, producer Will Vu stated that since developing the Chi Chi Em Em brand, he has always chosen a unique direction for each installment. Each story has a unique theme, a distinct spirit, and is built to be independent enough for audiences to approach each film separately. "This story will be completely different from parts 1 and 2, but it still retains the series' signature focus on women and their relationships," Will Vu shared.

Unlike previous parts which only had two female leads, Chi Chi Em Em 3 increases this number to five and adds a male lead played by Steven Nguyen. The producer revealed that this role was "tailor-made" for the actor, promising many surprises. Helming Chi Chi Em Em 3 is director Nguyen Huu Hoang, the filmmaker behind horror titles such as Ma Da and The Underworld Beauty Salon.

Addressing the question of whether shifting to the psychological-drama genre creates many differences compared to the genres he has previously worked on, director Nguyen Huu Hoang said that Chi Chi Em Em 3 provides more "room" for him to delve into the characters. "This is a film about relationships. When watching the film, everyone will see that among these five characters, there are main and supporting arcs, creating a complex web of different relationships. 

For me, this is both a challenge and a very new experience that I want to conquer while making this film," the director said. Prior to the showcase, the producer had announced four actors for Chi Chi Em Em 3, while the identity of the last one was kept secret, only teased through a silhouette. On social media, Ninh Duong Lan Ngoc was one of the names most speculated by the audience. It was not until the showcase that the actress officially appeared, confirming her role as the final piece of the film.

Ninh Duong Lan Ngoc revealed that what pressured her most was not the setting or the studio, but embodying the character Thi Lieu. After more than 15 years in the industry, this is a role with a different tone compared to her familiar image.

"This character is difficult for me because I have to restrain my energy. I am a person who is a bit hyperactive and quite flexible. The character Thi Lieu helps me mature and be more restrained in many ways. This is also what I found most difficult when taking on the role," the actress shared. People's Artist Le Khanh assessed that the role of Thi Lieu would help Ninh Duong Lan Ngoc open up opportunities to embody a different image, avoiding being typecast by what the audience already knows.

Alongside Ninh Duong Lan Ngoc, Ky Duyen is also one of the film's female leads. She noted that the role of Thi Mau is a major challenge as she must step away from her modern, edgy image to portray a graceful Northern Vietnamese woman. Chi Pu, the female lead in the first Chi Chi Em Em, also returns to the brand for the third installment. She said that continuing to participate in the project is another milestone in her acting journey. This time, Chi Pu takes on the role of Thi Nuong and appears with the image of a Bac Ninh Quan Ho folk singer.