Rising Star Nguyen Hung Captivates Vietnam with Anthem ‘What’s More Beautiful‘

A relative newcomer, Nguyen Hung is quickly gaining recognition across Vietnam, largely due to the powerful resonance of his song, “What’s More Beautiful.” This anthem is connecting deeply with audiences, mirroring the success of the recently released film that inspired it.

The Phenomenal Rise of “What’s More Beautiful”

“What’s More Beautiful,” intricately linked to the film “Red Rain,” has emerged as one of the most popular songs in contemporary Vietnamese music. The song’s simple, heartfelt melody combined with the film’s meaningful box office success – particularly during the September 2nd holiday period – has propelled it to the forefront of the nation’s consciousness. As of August 2024, the Vietnamese film industry experienced a 35% increase in attendance compared to the previous year, signaling a strong cultural revival.

from Short Films to National Spotlight

prior to his role as Hai in “Red Rain,” Nguyen Hung was already establishing himself as a creative force. He was known for his work with the band Mayday, including the song “Miracle,” and his notable appearance in the short film “Wooden Fish,” which received the award for Best Short Film at the 2024 Kite Awards. This diverse background prepared him for the emotional depth required by his latest project.

Creative Collaboration and Cinematic Inspiration

Director Dang Thai Hung,reflecting on the song’s impact,described being deeply moved upon first hearing “What’s More Beautiful.” He recalled the song’s initial melodies being developed during script rehearsals with Nguyen Hung. “I immediately envisioned a scene where hung and his fellow soldiers would unite in song, performing on stage within the context of ‘Red Rain’,” Hung stated. He added that he does not know how the future of “Red Rain” will be, nor how much the public will like it. But for him,this is a movie with a great musical destination.

A Nationwide Performance and Viral Trend

The song’s popularity continued to soar during the “80 years of Independence” celebration held September 1st at My Dinh Stadium in Hanoi.A performance featuring Nguyen Hung alongside Pham Thu Ha and a crowd of 20,000 spectators singing “What’s More Beautiful” and “Mother Loves Her Son” became a highlight of the event, with many audience members rising to sing along.

Furthermore, a rustic duet performance with Bui Cong Nam at the “Sao Nhap NGU” concert on August 24th quickly went viral on social media platforms, praised for the complementary quality of their voices. Spectators noted Nguyen Hung’s emotive vocals evoking stories of war, harmonizing with Bui Cong Nam’s clear and hopeful tone.

TikTok and the Spread of a patriotic Melody

A 45-second electronic remix of “what’s More Beautiful” gained significant traction on TikTok, becoming a popular background track for patriotic content.by the end of July, the song had already entered the top 10 on the MP3 new music charts. The official lyric video on YouTube reached 2.3 million views in just two weeks, peaking at number one on Spotify’s Daily Viral Songs list. Notably, a sign language version of the song went viral even before the film’s premiere.

A particularly moving trend emerged on TikTok when the song was combined with a rendition of “Mother Loves Child”, creating videos featuring images of soldiers and mothers, evoking powerful emotions. One comment, garnering thousands of likes, stated: “If ‘Mother Loves Child’ embodies a mother’s heroic love, then ‘What’s More Beautiful’ is the response of children dedicating themselves to the homeland.”

A Voice for a New Generation

Nguyen Hung, reflecting on his experience with “Red Rain,” shared how the role of Hai, witnessing loss and sacrificing for peace, deepened his understanding of Vietnamese history. He commented that composing the song allowed him to connect with the emotional core of the film on a profoundly personal level.

“The release of ‘What’s More Beautiful’ coinciding with the 80th anniversary of the august Revolution and National Day is incredibly meaningful,” Nguyen Hung stated. “I am deeply gratified by the public’s response.”

Numerous artists from the Z generation, including Vo Ha Tram, Tung Duong, Hoa Minzy, and Phuong My Chi, have contributed to a wave of patriotic songs, further solidifying this musical movement.

Singer Tung Duong recently announced “Vietnam, let’s move towards glory”, a collaborative project with Dao to Loan, envisioning a modern epic celebrating Vietnam’s growth and aspirations.

What are your thoughts on the resurgence of patriotic music in Vietnam? How do you think music can contribute to national identity in the digital age?