Bach Vu took the audience on an emotional journey, beginning with his bold decision to leave a stable finance career and pursue art - a turning point that was both terrifying and liberating. He posed a profound question: “Why are you here?” not just in the room, but on this planet, in this lifetime. Drawing from his own experiences, Bach Vu challenged the stereotype that Gen Z is “lazy,” affirming instead that today’s youth carry the weight of the past while holding the keys to the future. To go all the way, he argued, is to dare to ask the hard questions and step into “the arena of life” with courage, rather than remain a passive observer. Bach Vu (Mark Vu) is a prominent figure in the new generation of Vietnamese artists, known for his unique visual language. After more than 10 years of establishing his career in finance in the UK, Bach Vu decided to return to Vietnam to pursue his passion for painting from 2021 to the present.In his artistic journey, Bach Vu won an award at the 7th Young Fine Arts Festival and had his work shortlisted for the UOB Painting of the Year Vietnam 2024. In addition to creating art, he also participates in art editing, demonstrating his thinking and ability to arrange professional display spaces.He sees painting as a way to "reach out and touch his soul," a choice that brings true happiness rather than just material success. His works are imbued with his own personality, reflecting the identity of a Vietnamese artist who is confidently living and working in a globalized and 'flat' environment, while also reflecting the process of searching for the artistic voice of a young intellectual. This talk was given at a TEDx event using the TED conference format but independently organized by a local community. Learn more at https://www.ted.com/tedx