Amidst the bustling final days of the lunar year, as we prepare to step into the Year of the Horse 2026, the “Don’t Be Afraid to Say Love” team has just completed an inspiring new chapter.
This project is a spontaneous interplay between sports – fashion – graphic design – video production, where heritage values meet modern creative vision, all is captured and reframed into comic books’ panels. For this journey, we are honored to be joined by basketball athlete Ngoan Huỳnh (@huynhngoan), who shares her profound “words of love” through the raw, lived experiences of her time on the court.
In this creative experiment, by deconstructing movement into rhythmic frames, designer Hải Lê (@lebuingochai) doesn’t just display a series of photos, he builds a visual dialogue, drawing deep inspiration from the sequential art of comic book panels to reframe Ngoan’s journey. Each panel acts as a heartbeat, capturing the fluid motion of the game and the stillness of profound reflection.
At this moment, how has the Ngoan of today evolved from the version of yourself that first held a basketball?
I feel I’ve grown stronger and more confident, but more than anything, the fire I have for basketball burns more fiercely than ever.
If you were to personify basketball, what would that person’s personality be like?
Vibrant, resilient, and brave. A soul that lives entirely for the collective.
What has basketball taught you about love?
It taught me how to love with patience and sacrifice, and the will to never give up.
To me, love isn’t just an emotion; it’s a constant companion.
In your mind’s eye, what color is the court as you step onto it?
It is the color of confidence, the hue of a deep hunger for victory pulsing in my heart.
Have there been moments where you felt small on the court?
There are times when the roar of the crowd drowns out my own heartbeat. Under the blinding lights, I suddenly feel like just a tiny speck in the middle of a vast, infinite space.
When competing internationally, what piece of Vietnam do you carry with you beyond the jersey?
Stepping onto the international stage, I carry more than just our national colors. I bring my pride, the firm belief that I belong there, our flag, my sweat, and an unyielding spirit that never backs down.
Is there one thing you would like to pass on to the next generation?
Don’t rush to find the spotlight; be patient and build it yourself. Basketball will give you fame and thrill, but it will also bring pressure. Only humility and a team-first spirit can truly carry you far.
Through the raw strength of Ngoan Huynh, the poetic lens of Chiron Duong, and the rhythmic storytelling of Hai Le, we’ve discovered that sports, fashion, and art all speak the same language: Love.
Ngoan’s journey reminds us that “glory” is not a destination to be reached in a hurry, but a sanctuary built brick by brick with patience, humility, and an unyielding spirit. Whether it’s the roar of a crowded stadium or the quiet stroke of a calligrapher’s brush, the essence remains: finding peace within the movement and belonging within the collective.
As we step into a new chapter, may you carry with you the fire of a competitor and the serenity of a soul that knows its worth. Thank you for walking this path with us, and as always, don’t be afraid to say love – to your passion, to your heritage, and to the journey that makes you who you are.
CREDITS
Characters
Featured Character / Athlete Ngoan Huỳnh @huynhngoan
Supporting Character / Ngân Bùi @ngan_b
Layout Design / Hải Lê @lebuingochai
Photographs / Chiron Duong @chironduong
Production Support / Hải Mân @carl.thewatermelon
Wardrobe / Áo Dài by Chợ Trời @chotroi.band
Short Video Credit
Director Joey @joeyyyyy20 Uyen Thy @ngh.uynthy
Production Designer Scarlett @paranoid.scarlett
DOP chautatdat @tadachau
CamOp chautatdat @tadachau
Gaffer Koi @koithichanpho
Editor Joey @joeyyyyy20 Uyen Thy @ngh.uynthy
Sound Designer Uyen Thy @ngh.uynthy
Colorist Scarlett @paranoid.scarlett
Studio @fusion.artsspace
Project by ChiLab team
Team Support / Việt Thắng – Thiện Tài – Vân Vân
Set Props / Dremachi @dremachi_space
