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Dear friends, we are here at Harvếp. Would you like something to drink? A space that is also very festive in these final days of the year, with the sounds of conversation below because there are many friends downstairs drinking coffee and eating cake. Up here, we are also drinking coffee, and coffee, ah >> my coffee, okay. >> Welcome back to Hip, Văn Mai Hương. >> Hello, Ms. Minh. Hello to all the viewers of Hip. >> The singer competition of Nam at Lành in Music World 2023. Yes, Mai Hương. Before you, Hương, are you sad? >> No, I'm happy. It's a festival today. Christmas just ended, so I'm a little sad it's over. [laughter] So, what about drinks, Hương? Because last time, the first time we met, it wasn't too long ago, but we were still talking about your old album. >> Yes. >> Uh-huh. Today, at the end of the year, Văn Mai Hương has released her fifth studio album, titled "Giai Nhân." If anyone hasn't listened to it yet, I highly recommend it. Why? We will hear the author tell the story later. But this cup of coffee is an Americano. Cobu Cobru, what do you have to say to me? >> Actually, for the past 3 years, I've had a habit of not drinking coffee with milk anymore. Because, firstly, my diet is cleaner. [laughter] Drinking black coffee feels like it burns more fat. Every morning when I wake up, I make myself a cup of black coffee. >> Uh-huh. >> So, if I drink it around this time, it's lighter and I won't have trouble sleeping at night. >> Actually, the word "lighter" was also mentioned in our first conversation. Do you remember what we talked about? Do you remember what we said? I watched it three times. >> Oh, really? >> Because I found that conversation very funny. Meaning, whatever makes me laugh the first time, I have to [laughter] watch it again. >> Uh-huh. I watched it again too, and I found that we had a very pleasant conversation that evening. Uh-huh. I still remember that it had just rained that night, and we were sitting there drinking wine, so it would be >> oh, right. It would be more exciting, so today I said I had to ask what you were drinking because we weren't drinking together [laughter] during the day. >> Now, looking back, how is the period of that album different from this album? I think if the audience watches my journey and accompanies me on this journey, they will see many differences. >> Uh-huh. >> Differences in thinking in the album, and in the thinking of processing the songs in the album, there are also differences. >> Uh-huh. >> And then, honestly, this album is much smoother. Uh-huh. >> Because it's my stories. I heard that before the fifth album, "Giai Nhân," you intended to find a different producer but ended up returning to Hứa Kim Tuyền. Actually, Tuyền always says that before making an album [laughter] anything. Because we've been working together for three years now, it's the third album. Tuyền always says, "Why don't we do something different, meet someone else to bring in some new wind?" He did that even with the previous album. Then, with this album, he said, "Instead of looking for someone else, I will be the music producer, I will gather the team so that everyone can sit together and write 'Giai Nhân'." >> Uh-huh. And do you remember the time you decided to make this album, or was it because last time we didn't mention this album at all? >> And I think you probably had a hint that you would do it. >> I said it and then talked about it later. Uh-huh. But >> when did you start working on it? I feel like my life is just floating along, and it will happen when it happens. Meaning, it just goes with the flow. Like, we don't have the pressure, of course, we think, "Okay, in 2 years we'll have an album," or "In 3 years we'll have an album." But naturally, when the time comes and I feel like, "Okay, now I have to release an album." >> To release an album, actually, we didn't take too long. >> Uh-huh. All the songwriting and arrangement and mixing took about 3 months. Then after that, it was about the visuals and the subsequent parts. >> So, the total completion took about 5 months. >> Is the need to tell about yourself and your love timely for you? Meaning, does a female singer always have the need to express a lot about herself in music, and do the songs become the stories of her life? I'm not someone who likes to complain about my personal life because, do you remember, I told you before that I'm a very optimistic person. Whatever passes, it passes. And all that remains are the best things. >> Actually, the things that hurt, the suffering, the closing of chapters, or a journey that passes, we will deal with that the most in our music. >> Uh-huh. I can't say, "Oh, Ms. Minh, I'm so miserable, I'm so tired," and so on. I'm not the type of person who likes to talk about that every day. >> So, if I get to talk about music, at least for me personally, I can flashback to those stories every day if I listen to my music. >> Uh-huh. >> I don't complain with words. >> Uh-huh. >> But when does the emotion become enough for you to say, "Okay, I'm also someone who has chosen music to convey my very private stories"? But it has a timely aspect, like, at some point >> I become more confident, I have more stories to tell. I believe that in the early days of making music, it might have been different, right? You didn't put your ego, your personal self, into the music as much. >> As I shared with everyone, actually, in my previous projects, my borrowing was quite a lot. Because often, borrowing emotions in music, since I'm not a single songwriter, it's bound to happen. Because the person accompanying me, Hứa Kim Tuyền, he has too many stories like me. >> So, we borrow from each other to accompany each other in the songs. Sometimes it's Tuyền's emotions and stories that I tell. But with this album, it's like it's completely my story, and Tuyền is the listener. Tuyền will be the one to brief those stories to the people in the production team. >> Uh-huh. >> So that everyone can sit together and write their own stories. And I feel like I'm living with everyone through each stage of making this album. [music] >> I saw you mention in the press that it's like an autobiography. What's different about love this time? If I look and listen, actually, this album sounds very smooth, as the comments below say, "smooth as gold," meaning the sound and everything are very smooth, right? Very easy to get into. Very easy to get into. But if we talk about the content first, I see >> three levels here. >> Or maybe more, but first, there's infatuation in love. >> Ah, there's a bit of ambiguity in love. [laughter] And finally, there's self-love. Uh-huh. >> Is this journey like that for you, or is the way it's put together made up of many different small stories? Uh-huh. Actually, you're partly right. I think it's many, many emotional levels, many stages that I've gone through. Actually, it's also pieces of many of my love stories. As for saying I specifically wrote about someone or a particular story of mine for each song, only a few songs are exactly about that. The rest will be many pieces that I've gone through. Like, people will see my very "cat-like" side in "Bảo Bối," or a side that is very happy to be loved and to be loved by the right person that I desire, like in "Mỹ Vị Của Anh." Uh-huh. [laughter] And people can also see, as you said, when we learn to love ourselves more in the closing track, it's like those emotions come from many things we've been through. >> Uh-huh. >> So, if there were a song dedicated to someone, okay? [laughter] Would he know if he heard it? >> I think >> Would he text you? [laughter] I think >> I think he would know. >> If there were, he would know. It's just >> but he wouldn't text, right? >> Because he's not strong enough to text, "Oh, this is my song." >> Uh, let's put aside the topic of love that is cheerful and excited. [laughter] Because I don't know if love that breaks apart is a very big topic. >> Yes. Love, the loss of love, the regret of losing it. >> Uh, women tend to live in that sense of loss a lot. >> What kind of person are you when you feel love is leaving? >> Or, for example, there's the song "Vùng Xám" (Gray Area), right? It >> yes. How would you usually describe it? For example, if I were Hứa Kim Tuyền and I had to brief you to write a song about the "gray area" for me, what would it be like? What would you brief? Actually, for me, I answered in a talk show before that I think men often tend not to want to be the one at fault. Meaning, they will always leave that silent space for their woman to live in that environment until she can't take it anymore. >> Then the woman will say, "Let's break up." >> Then the man won't have to say it. Even though they can, they won't do it. Because then they would be the one at fault. But when the woman says it, they feel relieved, right? >> So, that's why we have the song "Vùng Xám." Because no one wants to be in a situation of silent treatment. Actually, women, like us, in a relationship, we know very well whether the relationship is declining or normal. Speaking of strength, right? When a woman has to say it, she's actually already a bit strong. She could have chosen to stay in the gray area. Clearly, this woman can't stand the gray area anymore, or she wants black or white. >> Before, I thought that in making decisions, women would always be the ones who think before deciding. While men decide before thinking. But now, I suddenly feel that everything is relative and not entirely like that. Uh-huh. >> For example, in the past, when I was young, when I dated someone, or when I was younger than now, when I dated someone, before I said goodbye or ended it, I would have a period of thinking about whether this story could continue or what to do, or if I should stop here. But now, there are times when I suddenly decide, "I can't do this anymore," and it ends. Uh-huh. So, maybe some men also think before they want to end a story. It's just that the strength in each person is different. >> Uh-huh. I just think that sometimes things should be a little bit in the gray area. >> Uh-huh. >> Because there are times when people can't immediately know for sure if it's black or white. Uh-huh. >> But I see that a strong person will always want clarity. >> Yes. >> Uh-huh. So, if you stay in the gray area, what do you lose? Because usually, women decide based on feeling. >> I'm losing something. >> Or I might have a bigger opportunity outside. >> Uh-huh. >> Or I might. So, I'm curious, if you're in the gray area, how? I think what's important is whether you like it or not. And everyone's standards are different. So, for example, if we set a standard for ourselves that everything must always be clear, then we will make choices that lead to that. But for those who, honestly, enter a relationship that was not clear from the beginning, any area feels the same. >> Uh-huh. >> Right? Do you like being in a gray area? I mean, you mean we label things too much now. We always think the gray area is worse than black or white. >> We always think that love must be clear. It must. My experience is also that there are times when I have to decide, "At this point, we have to break up." "At this point, we have to break up." It's true that sometimes love isn't perfect, but we don't give ourselves a chance to breathe and observe. We just rush out of here. Meaning, we live too much in a binary world. >> If it's not love >> then it means no love. >> Uh-huh. >> Uh-huh. And if I'm not happy in love right now, I have to leave immediately. >> Uh-huh. >> But we also see that sometimes leaving doesn't lead to complete happiness. >> Or during times of unhappiness, there are still moments of happiness. What I mean here is that everything is like a rhythm. It's actually very small, but we tend to lump everything together. So, the gray area, for me, is my favorite song on the album. >> I see. I guessed that song. >> I really like "Quay Đi." [laughter] After that song came out, I even commented. [laughter] >> Why did Khang sing "Vùng Xám"? Was it intentional? When we [laughter] when we came up with a title for the songs, as soon as there was the word "Vùng Xám," I thought, if it's "Vùng Xám," it must be [laughter] Gray. >> So, what about the song "Hurry King"? It must have the word "hurry" in it, right? [laughter] >> Right? >> No, if it's too hurried, the rhythm of that song is also too hurried. [laughter] >> But it fits, right? Hurry. >> Let's go. This is the part where we decide and then analyze the decision. No, actually, when the music was being composed, actually, these were the last two songs written for the album. >> When I gave it to Khang, >> Khang only had two days to decide. [laughter] Will there be a gray area? It's like being pressured, having to decide, having to decide, having to decide. And then, for a week, sit and write. >> As for the song that everyone, what was it? The collaboration with everyone? >> "Vườn Hồng"? >> Uh-huh. >> Actually, that's from childhood. Generally, my personality is that I hate it when things are not resolved. Like, today, you and I might argue a lot, but if afterward, I genuinely feel it, we can go back to playing together normally. It's the same for me and you outside. >> Uh-huh. >> Uh-huh. >> But what's the story? Because I'm not excluding the media factor here. Right? >> Did we make up before? Or >> a long time ago? >> Ah, okay. >> Yes. We made up, hung out for a long time, went drinking, etc. >> So, when the team sat down to discuss who we could collaborate with on this project, suddenly I thought of Chi. >> Because I saw the word "rose." Uh-huh. >> Chi has the song "Đóa Hoa Hồng," and actually, to find a beautiful person to sing with, to collaborate with at that time, I thought Chi would be a very interesting choice. >> What about the song that you found most difficult to perform? Is there any? >> In this album, the most difficult, the most difficult to sing. Actually, if you listen to the entire album, you'll find it very easy to listen to. But actually, the album is very difficult to sing. >> Uh-huh. Meaning, it's difficult to sing it the smoothest if you haven't found the way to sing it. Actually, each song has its own difficulty. But to say the most difficult, I think it will still be "Ướt Lòng." >> Uh-huh. I like that song too. Uh-huh. That song was chosen as the first MV, the opening shot. But now, thinking of "Ướt Lòng," it reminds me of "bánh ướt lòng gà" (a type of Vietnamese dish), I can't think of anything else. >> So, when Tuyền gave this title, I said, "Oh, are we going to film in Da Lat?" I thought we were going to film right away. I think >> this album is quite brave. Your singing style has a transformation that is timely. >> Yes. >> Uh-huh. >> Because I also heard older artists talk about this album. They said it was good, but they were a bit surprised by Văn Mai Hương's singing style. >> Yes. Clearly, Văn Mai Hương is a vocalist, and her vocal prowess could be displayed, but you chose a very whispered style. I think in terms of expression, it shows femininity, but as someone in media, I think it has a timely aspect. We see a change in the new generation of singers, the 2K generation. >> Yes. >> Uh-huh. >> They don't sing the lyrics clearly, right? Singing karaoke songs of the young generation is very difficult. Why? For old songs, we have to use our voice, etc., sing clearly and distinctly, but for new songs, we have to blend them together, and the more we go, the faster, faster, faster, faster, faster, faster, faster, faster, faster. So, I see a timely aspect in your singing style here. >> You don't articulate words in a meticulous, old-fashioned way anymore. You've started mumbling, rapping, [laughter] that kind of mumbling. So, this is my observation from the outside. Today I had to meet Hương to ask. That's right. [laughter] Is that so? >> I can only agree because, firstly, I feel lucky because I was born in an intersecting generation. I learned a lot from the old, but I also have to learn even more from the new. >> And what I fear most is falling behind. I fear most that I won't, meaning I don't fear being criticized, but I fear that I won't understand what people are saying anymore. Like, one day, suddenly, the young people are talking about something, and I think, "Oh, my god, I'm like from the ancient times," which is not good. So, in my work, I have to update daily on how young artists are singing, what they like, so that it's not about chasing the market, but so that I feel I still have a place there and I have some value. >> Uh-huh. >> So, in this album, to talk about change, I think the word "transformation" sounds more appropriate for me. Because actually, for the past two years, the way I've used my voice has also transformed a lot. Meaning, when Tuyền said, "You're like a fish released into the water," meaning no matter the curve, the twist, or how you do it, you can transform in that direction. >> So, generally, I feel lucky to have been born with a voice. I don't think my voice is too special. I'm not someone with a magnificent instrument, like I often compare my voice to a bicycle. There are many people like jet planes or bigger cars. So, the smaller you are, the more you need to be flexible in the way you want. >> So, in this album, I feel I've shown my feminine side the most. >> Uh-huh. To show everyone a Văn Mai Hương who also has gentle colors, not necessarily having to strain to sing too loudly, too high, or do anything grand. I just listened to your conversation with Ms. Hà Trần again. The peak of a vocalist, a vocalist who sings without letting people see their technique. Like personal narratives with everyone, I am on the path to gradually finding ways to sing that are like personal narratives and that touch people's hearts with my voice without having to shout. [music] But what if people think that [music] this is a step backward? If people go back and listen to the last time we talked a lot about Văn Mai Hương's learning journey. >> Learning [laughter] from Ms. Thủy, Mrs. Thủy, how to sing nine songs, how to [laughter] eavesdrop on classmates to learn from them. Because you know this is a clash of perspectives, right? People think that new generation artists don't need to practice vocal techniques as much. Because clearly, we are >> promoting ourselves in many aspects. Artists must dress well, have nice hair, dance well, know how to create fun content, right? Many things are required. Whereas, in the previous generation, artists only needed musical talent and technique. So that the word "timely" and "not outdated" doesn't become a step backward in your technique. I think it's normal because I find singing like this more difficult. >> Really? >> Yes. >> Why is it more difficult? >> Generally, the breath must be steady first. The high notes are not about belting out loudly to sing high, but you have to maintain a very steady pitch. >> Uh-huh. >> So, it's more difficult than shouting and singing loudly. Of course, I think each has its own charm. >> Just like there's no bad vocal tone. For me, I think so. A hoarse voice has its charm, but it has a dark tone. While thin, clear voices have height and brightness. Those dark tones can never have that. And people with thin voices really like dark vocal tones. So, those are the rich aspects of sound. Uh-huh. >> So, for someone who has, let's say, learned a bit of vocal technique, up until now...
Now, I see that to handle the things like what we are doing now, it is harder for me than in the past when I sang normally. >> However, it will be harder to distinguish, right? Because like this >> we are very good, not for no reason people sing loudly and strongly >> because it requires inner strength. >> Uh-huh. And new artists are considered studio artists because they can be very skillful in the studio >> and solve it with editing. >> Uh-huh. >> The difference is in the "hlúng" part, right? Let's put that aside. But isn't the boundary a bit blurred? In this new way of singing, those who have a voice and those who don't will also sing in a way that sounds somewhat similar to the audience. How to know that with the same singing style, one person is more technical. >> Uh-huh. >> Or at some point, does being more technical still matter? >> Being more technical will solve the problem of singing. While in the studio, to produce complete sounds is very easy. Because, as you see, even AI can sing now, and AI sings well. All my demos are AI-generated, like [laughter] or like Ariana Grande. So, usually, Tuyền and I use those two singing voices to create AI for our demos. We imagine the sound that will come out will be like this and like this. >> Then it will be different in the way that after leaving the studio, our versions will also be different. That's the difference between someone with technique and someone without technique. >> Uh-huh. Uh-huh. The AI idea is also very good. Not yet in Vietnam >> but an artist, a singer >> when hearing AI's voice, I've also heard a few songs that scared me >> uh-huh, and wrote. >> It's true that they already know how to analyze human psychology. Know which note hits you. Oh >> I watched the episode where you talked to AI [laughter] >> I said, "Oh no." "Dead, dead." >> Uh-huh. But I feel like it can never be like a human. Because humans will have flaws. Beautiful because of flaws, right? >> Exactly. Because everyone will have something that is very unique, technology can't have that. Uh-huh. >> Just like me, sometimes my health is not good >> so one day when I sing live, I will have to lower the key, or one day when I'm tired, I will sing those songs. It might not be out of tune, but it won't have the same power as usual. Doing things differently will bring a feeling >> but if everything is too perfect and clear, white is white, black is black, then sometimes it won't be good. >> This year, people are working on tradition >> national identity in a very special year for the country. Clearly, many artists have chosen that direction. >> Uh-huh. >> While your direction is slightly different, easy to see. [laughter] Actually, for me, whoever does something well, I will focus on doing that thing well, working hard at it. With this album "Giai Nhân" of mine, it also has an Eastern color. Actually, there are also some songs that are very Vietnamese, like "Ướt Lòng," which is very bolero. It's also something related to my childhood. Because my father sang very well. So I want to have something like that for my parents to see that, "Ah, when I was young, I grew up listening to my father's singing, he sang these songs, those songs, now I'm grown up, I also want to make a musical product that has the breath of my parents' past." >> Or "Bảo Bối" also has something like Northern "Ả Đào" >> so these are things that we can convey in a way that we do best, and I think it's something interesting. So, each person will have their own choices in how they communicate. >> Uh-huh. But do you feel pressure, for example, in a year when everyone has a certain trend, do you feel pressure to also release something timely? >> No. >> Uh-huh. >> I, I actually think I'm lucky that I don't feel that way. Because if so, we create pressure for ourselves, we will be lost. >> For example, in the past, people said, "Why do you keep singing ballads? Why don't you sing something upbeat, dance to it?" >> I also felt that there was no reason why I shouldn't continue singing ballads. Then later, when I had some results from persistently pursuing that path, I also realized that, yes, there is someone who will shine the brightest when they do something that suits them. >> Uh-huh. We just talked about love. What about self-love? This time, I think all female artists eventually have to come back to themselves. >> Exactly. >> At a certain age. [laughter] >> Right. It's our true journey. >> Uh-huh. >> In the past, we just buried ourselves in doing something for others. >> Uh-huh. >> Or because of someone's feelings, because of someone else's feelings. I have a friend who even set their phone wallpaper to just one line of text: "I accept myself, I love myself." >> I just saw that yesterday. Uh-huh. But I felt very touched. Suddenly, I saw it and felt very touched. >> So now everyone is like me. >> Uh-huh. But for me, looking back at that journey, it's because you still remember. Two years ago when we talked, it was still the story of people not letting me grow. >> Uh-huh, and I still had to struggle between being the 15-year-old girl who entered the profession until becoming a woman starting to mature at 30. And now, let's not talk about [laughter] being young anymore, right? >> Because it's too far gone. >> So, what happened on your journey from the age of 30 onwards? What changed inside that made you know how to find yourself? >> Uh-huh. Actually, I've gone through phases where I didn't love myself much, I loved others more. I always thought, "If I do this, will others be sad?" or "I have to treat others even better, give more." So now I feel like everything around me is lighter. Because I truly feel my own value when I love myself first. So I also travel alone, I do more things alone to understand what I want. >> Uh-huh. What I don't have, or what I don't have yet, or what I want more of >> I do those things alone. >> In the past, if I did anything alone, I felt silly. Uh-huh. >> Meaning, I had to [laughter] >> eat something alone, or go to the movies alone >> or, uh, I felt like people would look at me a bit strangely. But since I started traveling alone, because I went to countries where there are many opportunities for solo travelers, like Japan, I saw that everything around was normal. Everyone does everything alone, and it's not strange at all. >> But you just mentioned the thing about always thinking you have to give to others more. In our last conversation, you grew up in a family where you also had to take care of your younger brother. >> Yes. >> Uh, a natural instinct is to live for others, to do things for others. Is that related in any way? I'm asking if you ever felt that if it was just you alone, it wasn't enough? Right? It's not for no reason that you turn back to yourself. Clearly, you felt it wasn't enough, so you liked to do things for others to prove that you are enough. That's the problem for many people, including you. I've spent a lot of time thinking that if it's just me, it's not enough. I have to add that I'm a podcaster. >> Uh-huh. >> I have to achieve something, or for example, I don't know, a singer might think, "I have to have a hit song, otherwise who am I, right?" So, do you have this problem? The problem that sometimes you look at yourself and feel you're not good enough. >> Uh-huh. I watched an episode of yours with Master Minh Niem about the Inner Child, where you mentioned that you had to live away from your mother in your childhood. I'm also like that. I lived with my grandparents until the first grade. My parents were working, and I lived with my maternal grandparents, so I always felt a lack of affection. But of course, I didn't feel like I was lacking anything because everyone compensated me. But later, when I looked at my younger brother, I always felt like I had to care for him because I was afraid he wouldn't have the same experience as I did. Because my brother is much younger than me, I was like a second mother to him. So now, as I get older, I have my own personal stories. I still can't talk as much with my parents as I did a few years ago. Because, like you, I find it hard to share much with my family. So sometimes I share with people outside. If a story is suitable, I'll tell it to this person, if another story is suitable, I'll tell it to that person. But to tell that to my parents is very difficult. >> So, after watching that episode, I had to listen to that part over and over again. You said you could write a letter to your mother. And I thought, "Should I write a letter to my mother [laughter]?" >> And I don't know if my mother would find me embarrassing after reading it. >> No, don't overthink it, you're writing for yourself. >> Uh, I'm writing to feel more comfortable. >> Uh-huh. That time, I also told everything, and I felt that was the first action of self-love. Meaning, like my friend's phone wallpaper, I have to tell myself, "I don't need to add anything else to be loved." >> And you know, in this show, I've met so many guests who tell me that all the time >> but only when I realized it did I understand what they meant. They said, "You are enough as you are. You don't need to be beautiful, you don't need to be successful, you are already worthy of love." And then being beautiful and successful is your choice. But no one told me that, so I often went astray. >> So the journey back to oneself is not simple at all. I think it's a whole act of courage. >> Actually, I still feel that my mother loves my brother more >> because she often cares about her son, and he's more compatible with her. >> No, but have you ever, for example, first, maybe your mother doesn't know these thoughts of yours. Second, this is what completely changed my thinking. If my mother, if my parents knew >> what would they do differently? >> Because we often think that we will come up with many reasons to sympathize with them. But actually, we don't give them a chance to see what they would do differently if they knew. >> Actually, from the moment I watched that episode of yours, I was on a plane in the US. Flying alone, I had to download that entire episode, that podcast, to listen to it on the plane. Exactly when I walked through the door, you said exactly why don't you do that thing to make yourself feel [laughter] >> I still remember, and I haven't done it yet. >> Uh-huh. >> Oh, but while Hương is crying, I think this: a man must understand all these thoughts of yours to love you very much. I'm really afraid of women meeting the wrong person. >> Because, oh, the fact that you cry and talk to your family, it's truly beautiful. And a man, the right person, seeing this must >> I'm telling you the truth, I'm telling you the truth [laughter] >> because only when they meet the right person will they know how to cherish this. >> While the person who doesn't >> they only see what you're offering. >> Actually, for some reason, it's like trauma, I always meet people who have some issues with their childhood and they won't be happy with their childhood. Their families are not happy, so maybe when they come to me, they see me as someone born into a happy family, so there's a compensation. It's trauma bonding. Meaning, there's a connection. But actually, I think most of us have trauma. >> Uh-huh. >> Very few people, even those who can look back and see their childhood as perfect. And I don't think life will be without flaws. I also said this for sure. That is, when we see cracks, it's like a bullet hitting a glass door. >> Uh-huh. >> It has a first point. >> Uh-huh. >> Then it cracks, and then it spreads. >> That's it. So the important thing, I think, is the journey >> returning to oneself is daring to face that first bullet. So, when talking about self-love, and you're concluding, we should redefine it. >> Yes. Because who knows, it might just be a form of consolation. Uh-huh. >> All fellow beings after Covid are told, "Hey, go back." But go back to what? Many people don't dare to go back >> because they can't face the first wound, the so-called first bullet that hit them. >> And I see most of my friends, for example, don't dare to sit down and meditate because every time they meditate, that thing comes up. What >> what once made us crack will come up. Oh my. But that's it, returning to love >> you have to find the right person. >> But have you ever, while in love, have people seen this part of you? >> Usually, when dating, I have a need to share, so if someone can't share, I won't date them. >> Uh-huh. >> Because if they can share, they will also care about me. Actually, thankfully, I've met people who, on the journey with me, have also cared a lot about these things of mine. Because they also had unhappy childhoods or they could see my struggles or my difficulties, so from that, they also felt I was a very special person. And on that journey, of course, at some point, if we can no longer accompany each other, then we part ways. It's a gift, right? [laughter] Exactly. >> The lyric in the song "Món Quà" (Gift), what was the declaration? Sing it again. >> "May you always be lucky." >> "The cards you're dealt are all winning hands." [laughter] >> "The path you choose is full of light." >> "The person you choose to love is caring and thoughtful." [laughter] >> I still remember. You hear that song, it's a happy song, right? If someone doesn't pay attention to the lyrics, they'll think it's a very happy song. Actually, when Tuyền sent me the demo, she sent the lyrics first. And when I sat down and read the lyrics, I cried. Oh, I felt, "Here it is." >> Uh-huh. >> "Here it is." So my feelings are relieved. Actually, the song "Món Quà" is partly because there was a situation where I said I could forgive, and that person never thought I could say that. So I said, "If I can forgive them, they should forgive themselves so that everything can be good and we can still look at each other with the best memories." >> This album, will it be listened to more by girls? >> It has a feminine quality >> so I think women will relate more. >> Uh-huh. >> But boys also like it. >> I see you have a rush to release at the end of the year. Do you have ambitions this year? >> Actually, it's after many postponements. This year, we had to change our plans a lot because Vietnam faced many challenges this year, so we didn't want to release at those times. >> Uh-huh. >> We wanted to postpone it, so we don't feel too pressured about when it will happen. >> Uh-huh. >> Because the important thing is that we are very passionate about an album, so the most important thing is how we feel when it's right. Uh-huh. [music] >> But now that it's out and people are praising it, do you have any expectations for the next [music]? Any awards? Actually, I wouldn't say I've been in the industry for too long, but at this stage, I just want to sing and find an emotional connection with the audience. I see people like what I like, and I'm happy. >> Uh-huh, uh-huh. >> I'm happy because I get to sing what I like, and naturally, people also like what I like. >> Uh-huh, uh-huh. >> So I'm very happy, very pleased. Because [laughter] >> and I've poured so much of my thoughts and feelings into it, it's overwhelming. [laughter] >> It feels like happiness when it's released. And I still remember the day of my listening party. That day, when I sat on stage and sang the closing song, I suddenly felt like crying. Okay, I've poured out all my heart, and then people messaged me saying that after hearing that song, they really wanted to cry because it was so touching. And they said, "That's exactly what we needed." >> Uh-huh. But you see? >> You've been doing this for a long time, over ten years, to have this resonance. Right? First, it's clearly your thoughts and feelings. I've heard Hương for two years, and then the two of us >> occasionally confide and talk. I see that clearly, you need to release your stories through music. >> Then music becomes your wings, it becomes your career, it becomes a bright spot >> for you. And I think art in general, perhaps in the early years we had to ask ourselves, "Do I choose the audience or myself?" But I don't know about this fifth album, "Giai Nhân," there's a very clear answer. Clearly, you have to do something from yourself first. Actually, in the years when we made choices and where we stumbled a lot in those choices, the deeper we go into ourselves, the more sincere we are with the emotions we desire, the more the music accompanies us, the higher the connection with the audience will be. >> Uh-huh. >> At that point, we don't need to think, "What will I do to make people like it?" We will do what makes us most ourselves, and people will like it the most. >> Uh-huh. >> Because people, people love me, they love my voice, so we will do what makes us most ourselves. >> Uh-huh. >> Because you can't look like this and then do something completely different from yourself, then people will naturally feel that, "This person is very fake," and that's not our choice. >> Uh-huh. So, have you planned what's next? No, I said I go with the flow. I'll let it flow, flow, flow, flow, and see where it takes me. But actually, we have a plan after "Giai Nhân," there will be a "Giai Nhân Deluxe" album. >> Uh-huh. >> Today I'm sharing this to put pressure on Hương and Kiên Tuyền [laughter]. >> So, soon, I will have a "Giai Nhân Deluxe" album with a few more songs. >> And there's also a song, a title that I've been wanting to write for a long time, and I think you'll really like it: "Thiên Bình" [laughter]. >> And choosing two people born in the same birthday month and colliding like that. >> And also on the same birthday. [laughter] >> But when we sit and talk for a bit, and I see your tears when you're on stage, how do you regulate your emotions? Do you cry easily? >> Yes, I do. For example, on some days, I sing happy songs, like proposal songs or for Vietnamese Women's Day. They are happy songs about happiness. But I just need to see people proposing to each other below, or if there's any issue below, I immediately get teary-eyed. And then I can't sing until the end. I'll be sniffling like a cat. >> Like a child. Doing this job >> I have to stop. Uh-huh. I'm very, I'm a very emotional person. I cry when I read a good book. I cry when I watch a good movie. In short, I cry very, very easily. For example, I can cry while talking to you or when you tell your story. >> But I think that's a gift. >> Because we are artists, if we can express that, then we must say, "This is me. This is the most me." >> I'll tell you a scientific fact I just read about crying. >> Oh, really? That is, actually, our brain, people who can cry immediately upon seeing or hearing something >> their brain is faster than others. Meaning, it's in real-time. >> Uh-huh. >> It's already caught up. For example, some people are moved, but it takes them a while to cry. Uh-huh, it touches them. But my brain is real-time. Meaning, I >> react immediately, and it has already prepared the tear ducts, etc. [laughter] and it comes out. That's the speed of our thinking and emotions, it's always ready. >> So, in the past, I used to watch movies and when a scene came up, people would turn to me and I would feel a bit embarrassed because I looked so stoic, but then when I watched something >> but later I felt very proud that >> uh, it's an ability I possess, I grasp everything and have immediate emotions. >> So I also think it's a gift from heaven. >> Because when I do that, actually, right after crying, in the next segment or something else that makes me feel happy, I can immediately laugh. But maintaining that is also very coincidental. I watched.
The speaker always feels that we are all young souls talking to each other in a whimsical way. Maybe today we sit at a table like this, tomorrow we sit in a different place in a car together, eating and drinking together. But in essence, we are all very childlike souls living in this life. That's it. So, the speaker doesn't know if it's easy for you to maintain this. Do you remember last time you shared that you felt lucky because you were somewhat similar to your mother? Your mother is still like that to this day, meaning your mother is very, ha ha. Meaning your mother is very innocent to this day, she still maintains that. So you think that partly you have such a gene. Yes. Therefore, we are also grateful. Yes. Because at home, I am also like a child. Yes. But I think besides the genes, besides the innate nature, we also have to know how to look at something to continue and maintain that spirit.
In everything, I always see the positive first, the bright spot first, for example. Actually, I rarely hate anyone or rarely see anything as truly bad. Hmm. If we see it as such, it's truly very bad. Or if we hate something, it's truly very hateful, or it has to be a certain way. However, we rarely hate something, we feel that everything has its good side and its bad side. So we look at the good side first. First of all, we will feel comfortable. We will feel that we don't need to glare or anything, and we have already reduced a lot of negative energy within ourselves. So why don't we choose that?
[Music]
So, is it partly because we are childlike and partly because we are clearly now making an album that expresses feminine maturity and womanhood? In your opinion, is there any conflict here? I think that, that contract is what makes it interesting, isn't it? Just like everyone talks about feminism, feminism must be strong, must be this and that. Our weaknesses are also strengths. Women know how to cry, or the way we are gentle and sweet is also our strength. It's not like we have to force ourselves to be stronger than men for it to be a strength. I think so, turning our weaknesses into strengths. Yes. Yes. I also think there is no contradiction. Yes. But sometimes we will be in a dualistic story. We assume that because we are childlike, we are not allowed to be truly sober or truly experienced, right? That's why I always think it's a combo. I think a woman knows herself very well. But some women are purely mature. Yes. Yes. But there will also be women, for example, I, everyone always thinks I am very old, right? Sometimes I say very old things, I interview very old and profound people. Yes. But I can't hide the fact that I am often like a child. I am 42 years old now. But I feel like I [laughter] and it's also a choice. Yes. So, in life, we choose what makes us happy, right? I can't force myself to always be a serious person, a profound person. If I always have to be like that, I will naturally feel very tired. Sometimes I have to breathe, I have to be a child, I have the right to do this and that. Just like no one looks at me and says I'm not allowed to watch cartoons. Exactly. But in reality, I really like watching cartoons, right? I like it, and I really do. But that's why it leads back to the gray area a bit. I always believe that everyone has everything. Yes. Everyone has everything. Yes. But not all circumstances encourage us to have everything. But we often have to choose. Yes. That if I am 30 years old or older, 40 years old or older, then I should be a woman with this image. But if I am under 20 years old, I must be young. I see that. I often share that my baby Midori is sometimes I don't know who is the mother and who is the child. Yes. My baby Midori is too grown-up. So, that's why I always say, last night was Christmas, and I said, "Oh my baby, it's also my baby." And I said, that part is a bit confusing, I don't know what the speaker means here. Maybe we are living in a world where we should welcome all emotions, all nuances. I also think so. When I went to kindergarten, the teacher told me I was younger than her and older than my mother. Yes. Because my mother gave birth to me very early. My mother gave birth to me at 19. So when I went to school, I lived with my maternal grandmother. And my maternal grandmother was young. So I always looked like her daughter, and I said things that were very similar to what Midori says to you. And my mother is also a very innocent person. So, that's it, we can't say that at this stage I have to be like this, and at that stage I have to be like that. Just like today I want to wear a red shirt to go out, I want to wear a flared skirt to go out, but tomorrow I want to wear a very seductive dress. Something like that. Every day we have a different mood, so we will change. Life is colorful. But now, do you know exactly what you want in this life? I choose joy. Whatever makes me feel happy, comfortable, and peaceful, I will choose that. What about what is not so happy? Because life is like that. Some things will happen that. Yes, yes. And it's not our fault. Because sometimes we will say, "Ah, this is my fault, I did this, so I will naturally receive it." But some things are not our fault. What attitude do you think you will have? Actually, in the past, I would avoid it, but now I will choose to face those things. Because in the past, maybe I wasn't strong enough, not mature enough, so I would choose to say, "Well, I won't face it, I won't confront that story to see what everything really is." I would just avoid it and find a way for everything to let me go. But now, I will choose to face it. When we can face it, later when we confront that story again, confront that old self again, we will feel normal, maybe even become friends or something like that. Yes. Yes. It has been proven. [Laughter] So, looking back at the period of broadcasting, it's already early 2026. Yes. How do you see the year 2025? Yes. The year 2025 also had many ups and downs for me. There was an album and two MVs. I feel like I wasn't too lazy. You were quite busy, right? Yes. Fortunately, work has been steady, and I have been diligent in my work. Last year was the year of the number 9 in the digital world, and it was also my number 9 year. So I feel like I have set goals and can achieve them in my work. Then next year is my number 1 year. So I also have some things that are new, but I probably can't share them yet. In a few days, people will probably know. So I feel like these are some of my bright and interesting points. Yes. Have you ever tried those things? Never tried them. People will see me in that. How is your personal life? How do you feel? And do you have a purpose? When will you get married? Oh [laughter] I often tease because, right? This is also a kind of duality. Yes. Female singers will always be asked, "When will you get married? When will you have children? How is your family life?" A while ago, I also asked you this question. Do you think about getting married? Right? I haven't thought about starting a family yet, but last year was the year of number 9, so I ended something that I felt should end there. Trust me, our love should end here. So it has ended happily. And we also have some new beginnings. We also feel lighter and more comfortable for ourselves to start a happy number 1 year. [Laughter] And there are some unrevealed projects, but the year 2025 can also be said to be a number 9 year that closes a cycle. Yes. Quite smoothly, right? Smoothly, yes. I also think that the year 2025, for each person, will be different, but it's also fortunate that we have closed and continued. The beginning of the year is the period with the most hope. What do you hope for most in the new year? Oh, every new year I hope to travel, to rest, to do many things. This year, I did something that I haven't been able to do in over ten years, which is to celebrate Christmas in a country other than Vietnam. I just came back from Shanghai. For over ten years, every year during the holiday season, I had to stay in the country to run shows and do other things. And I never had the opportunity to go abroad. This year, I did it. I celebrated Christmas in a cold place. Yes. For a long time, I have also wished to rest for about a month. I would go to Europe or somewhere alone, but I haven't done it yet. I don't know if I can do it this year. Because you know, sometimes it's not that we don't have shows, but the fact that we are not here or not invited makes us feel that maybe we are not as valuable, or our position is not important. Does that still happen in your generation? I don't think so. It's a choice whether to accept the show or not. Because honestly, my personality makes me feel a bit shy when I go out to play while everyone else is at home working. I don't feel right about that. Going out for too long is also a bit embarrassing, so I will try to balance it. If I request leave to rest, it will be for about a week. So how can you do a month? That's it. So I feel like I am a more responsible person. If I go for a month, I will tell everyone to let everyone rest this month, but they will still get paid. But you also have to love yourself, and that's the problem. I have never been able to do that. So sometimes loving yourself comes at a price that you have to accept. It's not like love is free. If love means running shows, then I don't love it anymore. But I'm not someone who likes too many things either. So when I feel enough, I am happier. It's not like I'm rushing to run shows to make a lot of money for what. But when I work, I feel that if I am diligent, the people around me will also have that diligent energy, so each time I work, I will feel that I am working with a diligent singer. She wants to do this, do that, not a singer who always has to be told to do it. I think diligence is also a personality trait of yours, and you have an inner motivation. But I am also a Libra, and I am also lazy. Like Bich Phuong, I also feel that if one day I have a show, I will sit and sing, while Bich Phuong can lie down. Something like that. One person sits, and one person lies down. [Laughter] A show where only two people sit and lie down. Less dancing. Oh, less doing anything. [Laughter] Well, I wish you a new year where you get whatever you want. I wish you happiness, joy, and always maintain the youthful spirit of the baby Van Mai Huong inside. Thank you. I also wish you a new year [laughter] new joy. New year, new joy, never be sad. But whether happy or sad, we will still go out for drinks together. Yes. Okay. For those who haven't heard Giai Nhan, remember to listen. Honestly, I am quite strict about listening to music, but the song is very... I wish everyone a happy holiday season, and Tet is also very close. May you have a lot of energy in the new year. Thank you for always following HP. Now, goodbye and see you again.