Who is singer Khong Tu Quynh?
Khong Tu Quynh, whose real name is Khong Tu Quynh, is a Vietnamese singer, actress, and model born on November 22, 1991, in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam. Performing under her birth name as well as the moniker "Dau Tay" (Strawberry) and later "Selene" as a member of the female supergroup LUNAS, she operates primarily within the V-pop, teen pop, ballad, and dance-pop genres. She rose to prominent fame in the late 2000s as one of the defining musical icons of Vietnam's 9x generation, earning widespread recognition and accolades including a Zing Music Award for Music Video of the Year in 2010. In 2024, she expanded her career by joining the girl group LUNAS.
Background/biography
Khong Tu Quynh was born and raised in Ho Chi Minh City, Vietnam, in a family of Vietnamese-Chinese heritage. From an early age, she displayed a natural passion for performance and the arts, frequently participating in school cultural activities, district music events, and the "Bup Sen Hong" children's festival.
During her secondary school years, she began working as an advertising model for popular Vietnamese teen magazines such as Muc Tim and VTM. Her transition into professional singing occurred after she was discovered by talent manager Thao Minh Chau while hosting an event, leading to a contract with NewGen Entertainment.
Career and achievements
- "Tiem Banh Dau Tay" (2007) – Breakout single
- "Lanh" (2008) – Hit single
- "Nho Lam" (2008) – Single
- Dau Tay's Story (2009) – Debut studio album
- Try to Up (2009) – Online album exploring underground styles
- Cong Chua Teen va Ngu Ho Tuong (2010) – Feature film debut as Dau Teen
- "Voi Vang" (2010) – Single performed at Miss Vietnam Europe
- Thien Su 99 (2011) – Feature film starring role as Thuong
- Mai Mai Ben Anh (2012) – Studio album
- "Dung Co Niu Keo" (2015) – Comeback single under 6th Sense Entertainment
- Debut with girl group LUNAS (2024) – Joined as member Selene
Khong Tu Quynh began her music career in 2007 and quickly became a staple of the Vietnamese teen pop movement. Her debut singles achieved major radio and online success, leading to widespread brand endorsements and high demand across music stages. In 2009, she released her debut physical album, Dau Tay's Story, alongside a short film, followed by the experimental digital album Try to Up.
Over the subsequent decade, she branched into acting with prominent roles in commercial feature films and television dramas like Mau Cua Tinh Yeu and Thien Su 99. After moving to 6th Sense Entertainment in 2014, she released modern pop tracks such as "Dung Co Niu Keo". In 2024, she entered a new phase of her career as a member of the idol group LUNAS.
Origin of the "Strawberry Girl" nickname
Khong Tu Quynh acquired her long-standing public nickname, "Co Be Dau Tay" (Strawberry Girl), following her early stage breakthrough. Despite having no prior experience on major concert stages, her first large-scale performance with NewGen Entertainment took place in front of an audience of over 5,000 people, where she performed the song "Tiem Banh Dau Tay". The rapid success of the track and its associated sweet aesthetic led fans and media outlets to associate her permanently with the strawberry image.
Public reception
Music critics and youth media in Vietnam frequently refer to Khong Tu Quynh as a key idol of the "9x generation," highlighting her contribution to shaping Vietnamese teen pop culture during the late 2000s. Audiences and industry observers have noted her ability to maintain career longevity, transitioning from youthful pop tracks to mature dance and ballad genres while successfully maintaining presence across singing, television hosting, and film acting.
