Lai Trung Duc was born in the border district of Duc Co. His father was a war veteran who fought against the Pol Pot regime at the border, while his mother worked as a rubber latex tapper.
From his primary school days, Duc discovered his love for hip-hop after watching CDs featuring the dance style. With no dance classes available in his small town, he turned to the internet, teaching himself the moves he saw online.
His passion for dance gave Duc newfound confidence in front of crowds. He began signing up for school talent shows, performing on stage before hundreds of spectators as early as middle school.
A turning point came in ninth grade when Duc’s father passed away. The loss sent him into a downward spiral—he started hanging out with rebellious friends, neglecting his studies, and eventually failed his tenth-grade year.
However, fate intervened during a visit to a local barbershop. There, Duc met a barber who was a well-known hip-hop dancer from Ho Chi Minh City. The man’s style and demeanor captivated Duc, embodying the image of a true hip-hop dancer he had always imagined.
Inspired, Duc enrolled in the dance class the barber opened in Duc Co. It was here that he gained a deeper understanding of hip-hop’s many styles, and his first teacher ignited his passion to pursue dance seriously.
At one point, Duc’s performances caused a stir at school. Dozens of students signed up for his dance class after the barber returned to Ho Chi Minh City.
As the group’s leader, Duc became more focused on his studies, earning him the nickname “Kiem” (meaning “to restrain” or “to hold back” in Vietnamese), a moniker that would later inspire his stage name.
“That was when I started earning my first performance fees. Even if it was just a few dozen or a few hundred thousand dong, the feeling was indescribable. It made me think seriously about a career—could I really make a living from this?” Duc recalled.
One morning, after finishing his high school graduation exams, Duc accompanied his mother to tap rubber latex along a muddy red dirt road. When he lamented about their poverty and wondered when he would escape it, his mother, Tran Thi Oanh, replied firmly, “Go out into the world.”
Her words struck a chord with the young man, fueling his ambitions. Duc soon left his hometown, setting off for the bustling city of Ho Chi Minh City.
While making a delivery near the District 10 Cultural Center, Duc noticed several hip-hop groups practicing. Taking advantage of a free Sunday afternoon, he visited the center and learned that a hip-hop group competition was underway. Driven by passion, he signed up for a trial and immediately caught the attention of the Joker Rock dance crew.
Duc joined the group, paying a modest fee of just 350,000 VND per month—much less than other dance groups—practicing from 9:30 to 11:00 p.m.
This opportunity allowed him to perform with the group. At the same time, Duc began to develop his own unique style, incorporating dance and props to create illusions. On stage, he adopted the stage name KILLUSION—a blend of “Kiem” and “Illusion.” He soon delved into LED Dance and Laser Dance, modern forms that combine dance with light technology.
In 2020, Duc launched his TikTok channel, KILLUSION, posting clips of his rehearsals and performances. Unexpectedly, his short videos went viral, quickly amassing over a million followers. This surge in popularity brought him more gigs and a stable income.
However, the arrival of the COVID-19 pandemic upended his life. With events canceled, Duc returned to his hometown, considering opening a sidewalk coffee stall. But as he walked the familiar dirt road, he resolved to return to Ho Chi Minh City and pursue his dreams.
At the start of 2023, Duc made a bold move: he borrowed 100 million VND from his girlfriend to invest in a laser projector, determined to master Laser Dance.
Despite being a “tech novice,” he taught himself how to use the machine, gradually choreographing and creating his own routines with laser technology.
Duc’s mesmerizing dances, perfectly synchronized with laser lights, quickly made him famous. He began receiving performance invitations not only in Vietnam but also in Singapore, South Korea, and beyond.
By chance, during one performance, he met Dumbo Nguyen—a Vietnamese American dancer renowned in the U.S. for winning “America’s Best Dance Crew.”
Dumbo Nguyen reached out and proposed a collaboration. Seizing the opportunity to work with his idol, Duc found a new gateway to the world stage.
He began building his own Instagram channel—a platform popular in the U.S. and Europe. His short performance videos quickly trended, with his follower count skyrocketing.
Today, his Instagram account boasts over 1.2 million followers, with some videos surpassing 90 million views. Most viewers are captivated by his image: a modern, tech-savvy dancer who still embodies the rustic charm of Vietnam’s traditional conical hat.
Many have dubbed him the “conical hat dancer,” a signature that runs through all his videos.
Instagram user Andres Hernandez commented: “The Vietnamese guy with the conical hat is amazing. It’s so magical—I have no idea how he controls the laser lights like that. I want to see him live, no matter the ticket price.”
Duc also named his account MIV, short for “Made In Vietnam,” to assert his origins and national pride. He shared, “I want to show that Vietnam has many talented people who can achieve great things. The conical hat is my symbol—coming from a humble borderland, I carry a simple spirit but am always ready to embrace the modern world.”
Thanks to Dumbo Nguyen, Duc was sponsored to travel to the U.S., performing at numerous events and festivals across the country. He has also taken shows in Europe and Asia, having visited around 20 countries in total.
These performances not only provide a stable income but also allow him to explore the world and gain invaluable experiences—opportunities he never dreamed of as a boy from the borderlands. Through his journey, the image of Vietnam’s conical hat has become more familiar to international audiences.
Despite his global travels, Duc’s heart remains tied to his homeland.
Reflecting on her son’s journey, Mrs. Oanh shared: “Duc had his wild moments, but he was always obedient and helped me tap rubber latex. That’s why I trusted him to be independent. I’ve always supported his chosen path and am proud that he’s made a name for himself, with millions of fans following and supporting him. Most importantly, wherever he goes, he spreads the image of our homeland. That’s what I cherish and am most proud of in my son.”
