By Thu Anh

HCM CITY — Young pop idol Sơn Tùng M-TP’s latest music video (MV) has attracted more than 167 million viewers on YouTube.    

The MV, Lạc Trôi (Drifting) is a production between the singer who composed the electronic music piece and Triple D, his partner, producer and DJ who worked on mixing.  

Produced by Tùng’s company MTP Entertainment, Lạc Trôi reached a new record in Việt Nam after attracting nearly five million viewers on the first day of its release on January 1, 2017.

The work broke the record made by the singer after his album, Chúng Ta Không Thuộc Về Nhau (We’re Not Together), attracted three million fans on the first day of its release in 2016.

Another MV of Tùng, Nơi Này Có Anh (You’re Waiting Here), released last Valentine’s Day, has attracted over 161 million viewers, making the singer, a native of Quảng Bình Province, the year’s most popular artist.

His songs are a mix of Vietnamese folk music and K-pop.  

“I wanted to impress my fans who have supported my career since I was just a rural boy who loved singing and composing,” said 23-year-old Tùng, winner of the MTV EMA Milan 2015 for the Best Southeast Asian Act.

Tùng began his career in 2012 after moving to HCM City. He works as a singer and songwriter.

He quickly became a star after most of his songs became big hits and ranked at the top of Vietnamese music charts and online forums.

His hits, including Cơn Mưa Ngang Qua (The Rain), Em Của Ngày Hôm Qua (You of Yesterday), Thái Bình Mồ Hôi Rơi (Sweat of Thái Bình) and Không Phải Dạng Vừa Đâu (I’m Quite Different), have attracted millions of fans, mostly teenagers.

Another singer, Hương Tràm, is looking for a new idol to fill the gap left by older pop star Phương Thanh.

Her MV, Em Gái Mưa (Love in Rain), released in September on YouTube, has attracted 89 million viewers, following two MVs by male producers Huỳnh James, Pjnboys and Only C.

Tràm, winner of the Voice of Việt Nam 2012, a Vietnamese version of the American TV reality show The Voice, has worked hard to reach her career today.

Born in a traditional family in Nghệ An Province, 23-year-old Tràm inherited her love for music from her parents when she was a child.

Tràm’s strong and emotional voice was influenced by her father, Meritorious Artist and folk singer Tiến Dũng, who is deputy director of Nghệ An Province’s Department of Culture, Sports and Tourism.

Her natural dance talent comes from her mother, a veteran dancer of the Nghệ An Music and Dance Troupe.  

“I was the winner of Voice of Việt Nam 2012 at the age of 18. In music, your fame comes and goes quickly; only your career lives long,” said Tràm in a recent interview with local media.

Em Gái Mưa is a production by Tràm and young composer Mr Siro, one of HCM City’s young music producers. It features a teenage love story.

MVs by female singers, Bích Phương and Bảo Anh, are also hits.

While Phương’s Bao Giờ Lấy Chồng (When Do You Get Married) has had 51 million views, Anh’s Sống Xa Anh Chẳng Dễ Dàng (Without You) has reached 50 million views. Both MVs feature women and love.

“Young singers have invested a lot in their MVs, appealing to fans with their unique voice and dancing, and their videos that resemble movies. Some albums used 3D technology to enhance them,” said composer and music producer Nguyễn Hồng Thuận told Người Lao Động (Labourer) newspaper.

“You see American and Korean singers act like movie stars. Vietnamese artists are no exception to the trend,” he said. — VNS