Seoul [South Korea], February 18: First runner-up Kim Duyen recreated her coronation moment after 13 years with the newly bestowed crown.
To welcome the new year, runner-up Kim Duyen posed for a special photoshoot wearing evening gowns by designer Le Ngọc Lâm, instead of the traditional ao dai worn by many other artists. The highlight of the photoshoot was the crown that was handed down to her after many years.
"It's been a while since I've had a photoshoot with the crown, so I'm feeling a little nostalgic. 2026 also marks the 13th anniversary of my coronation. To be honest, the crown I wore when I was crowned was damaged, and the organizers just gave me a new one, so I wanted to capture this special moment of my achievement," she shared.
For Kim Duyen, the crown is not only a symbol of her title but also a memorable milestone in her youth. However, she affirms that the title is only the starting point, and the journey that follows is what matters most.
Kim Duyen denies rumors of having a wealthy benefactor.
In recent years, Kim Duyen has been relatively quiet in the showbiz industry. When questioned about having a wealthy benefactor who might be driving her away from the arts, she frankly denied it.
"For the past few years, I've focused on business, so I haven't been very active in showbiz. I prefer to work hard on my own rather than rely on wealthy benefactors, because my goal is to become a wealthy person in my own right," she said
According to the beauty queen, temporarily stepping away from the spotlight was a deliberate choice to build a financial foundation and develop her own career. She wants to be remembered as an independent and self-reliant woman, rather than one who relies on glamorous connections.
Looking back on the past year of the Snake, Kim Duyen said she was fortunate to have achieved her goals, the most memorable of which was the film she starred in - " Tea Witch," which won the Most Popular Television Series award voted by the audience at the 2025 Green Star Awards . This milestone helped her gain more confidence in her acting career.
In addition, she previously impressed audiences as a news anchor for VTC. "Being a news anchor is one of my favorite jobs. Now that the station in Ho Chi Minh City is no longer operating, I feel a little regretful. If I have the opportunity in the future, I would still like to return to being an anchor for the station," she expressed.
According to Kim Duyen, hosting news programs helps her hone her confidence, demeanor, and ability to handle situations-important skills for all her artistic endeavors.
A simple Tet holiday with family.
Entering 2026, runner-up Kim Duyen said she has many new projects in the business field, so she's quite busy. However, art remains a parallel passion.
"I will continue to act in films if there are suitable roles and participate in shows and events if I can arrange the time," she shared.
When asked about sharing the same name as another beauty queen, Kim Duyen responded casually: "People know me by many titles such as CEO, actress, and MC, not just as a runner-up in a beauty pageant. So, I think it's nice to have the same name."Unlike her glamorous image on the red carpet, Kim Duyen says she always prioritizes family during Tet (Lunar New Year). This year, she returned to Long An (formerly, now Tay Ninh) on the 28th of the lunar month to reunite with her relatives.
"On the first day of the Lunar New Year, I went to church to pray for peace and good fortune in the new year. That afternoon, I'll take my whole family to Nha Trang. According to folk beliefs, swimming in the sea can wash away all sadness and bring good luck in the new year," she shared.
On New Year's Eve, she maintains the tradition of peeling pineapples and placing candles inside to scent the house. Her mother also boils pomelo leaves with salt for family members to bathe in, as a way to "ward off bad luck and welcome good fortune." The beauty queen further revealed that she avoids saying negative things in the first days of the year and especially "doesn't eat too much spicy food to avoid weight gain and acne."
Thirteen years after winning the crown, Kim Duyen no longer prioritizes the glamour of her title but focuses on building lasting personal value. From a runner-up in her twenties to a businesswoman, actress, and MC at 33, she has chosen to progress slowly but surely, true to her motto: to become "her own boss."
Source: Thanh Nien Newspaper
