The Masked Singer Vietnam (Vietnamese: Ca sĩ mặt nạ, lit. 'masked singer') is a Vietnam reality singing competition that premiered on HTV2 - Vie Channel, Vie Giải Trí and the VieON app from July 16, 2022. This is the Vietnamese version of the South Korean television show King of Mask Singer, and is part of the Masked Singer franchise. The show is presented by Ngô Kiến Huy, with Trấn Thành, Tóc Tiên, Wowy (later Đức Phúc) and Bích Phương appearing in each episode as panelists, along with at least one guest panelist in each episode.[1]
Each season of The Masked Singer Vietnam features a group of celebrity contestants. 15 contestants will be divided into 3 groups. They will be in mascots and their identities are hidden throughout the show.[2] Each contestant will be provided with a hint video with clues related with that mascot. The contestant then performs a song with his or her real voice. The panelists can ask the contestant for more information, and are also provided with other clues about him/her to predict who the character is. The contestant will conceal his/her voice during that time.
At the end of each first mascots' performance, the panelists write their prediction about the contestant's real name. This is kept unknown until the contestant takes off the mask (only the first name written will be considered).
At the end of the episode, the panelists and 99 audiences in the studio will vote for their favorite contestant. This is then converted to the percentage of votes for each contestant. Whoever has the lowest votes will be eliminated and have to reveal his/her real identity.
As of season 2:[3]
- In the first round, all mascots in a group compete together. Two lowest-voted mascots from audiences will perform a battle performance, with the lowest-voted one by panelists and audiences being eliminated. Two subsequent rounds have the same rules, but with battle round eliminated and whoever has lowest votes will instead being unmasked.
- In episodes 10-12, the remaining contestants will be divided into 3 groups, with each group consisting of 3 contestants from each group. The contestant with the highest votes is safe for the next round, and the remaining 2 must perform a play-off performance and the panelists will decide who goes on to the next round.
- In episodes 13-15, the remaining contestants will perform weekly. For the semi-final night, there will be additional mascots, and no one will be eliminated, with their votes being transferred to the final.
- In the final (episode 16), only the one with the lowest votes is eliminated. The remaining 3 continued to be voted by audiences, and results will be announced at the awards ceremony.
- The mascot with the highest votes in the Top 3 wins the title, owning the "Golden Mask" trophy. Both the runner-up and third place contestants will get a medal.
In addition, the "Golden Ear" trophy is also present for the best panelist of a season. The prediction of each panelist will be announced when a contestant is eliminated. A correct prediction will give the panelist 1 point. After all contestants' identities are revealed, the panelist has a highest score will receive the "Golden Ear" trophy.[4]
Vie Channel announced in July 2022 to have bought the local franchise of King of Mask Singer.[5] Teasers for all mascots were also announced later on.[6][7] On July 6, 2022, Trấn Thành, Tóc Tiên and Wowy were announced to be the main panelists.[1][8][9]
Talking with Thanh Niên for the show's concept, the Vie Channel representatives said: "We realize that Vietnam has many potential singers who sings very well, but it seems that they are being lost and lack opportunities to develop against the microelectronics music... If those talents have the opportunity and the stage to showcase their talent, why don't we do this to help revive professional music?".[10]
The producers said that it took two years for them to produce and broadcast The Masked Singer Vietnam. According to the initial plan, the show would be filmed and premiered in 2021, however, due to the COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam, it was delayed. This, nevertheless, be a time for improving the quality of the show.[11]
The show is currently co-produced by Vie Channel and VieON.[5]
Choosing artists with each have different attributes is the first real challenge to the producers. In addition, they also tried to find artists of different ages and generations with the view to reaching more audiences. When the list of artists is complete, production begins; this takes them another half year, however, to discuss and take on the best strategy.[11]
The official theme song of the show is "Behind The Mask" by Châu Đăng Khoa, performed by Sofia and Red. This made the first appearance in the first episode of The Masked Singer Vietnam.[12]
The mascot sets were designed by Ngô Mạnh Đông Đông. Inspired by animals, he created mascots with elaborate designs, meticulous to every detail. Each set of wings is decorated with feathers and stones. With his outstanding talent, he has created lively mascot sets, bringing to the public works of high-quality arts. Speaking about designing those special mascots, he said that he loves taking risks, upgrading himself with new challenges and he hopes to receive many compliments for his "one-of-a-kind" mascot.[14] Despite his rich experience in jewelry making, he still finds it difficult to design mascots. He had to invite United States' experts to Vietnam to learn and research, and even had to learn non-specialist jobs.[15]
According to the show's representative, each mascot is built according to a different story and personality, creating a new highlight of the show that no other has at that time.[16] The mascots are also considered to be unique and more classy than the original one. Also, the mascots are made such that they can still sing normally without the need to open their mouths but can still sing.[17] Ngô Mạnh Đông Đông also said: "The microphone placement of each mascot is also very important. [...] We have to learn very carefully about this when putting the mic in, as well as adjusting the position of it so that the artist can see and sing normally".[15]
In order for the artists to have the most comfortable experience singing in their mascots, the producer said that they had special requirements when ordering mascot sets with the designer. "Our order was that the mascots should be beautiful, comfortable to wear in, and technically guaranteed for the artist to be able to sing, even if they are heavy or bulky. We and the designer worked very closely together, wearing the mascot over and over again with the band, and only when the technical requirements are guaranteed can the artist wear it to sing. As "The Masked Singer Vietnam" is a competition among artists, with quality first, we does not make difficulties for artists in mascot. Mascot is just an external form that creates stories for artists, and technical factors must be guaranteed to the highest such that they can perform their best in the competition." They also said that the investment for those mascot sets took them more than 1 year with a total cost up to billions dong. The mascot sets of the program are all elaborately made, designed using many expensive materials worldwide. Each mascot set is modeled many times, and they must ensure aesthetic factors and technical requirements when performing... before making a final product. After each round, more details are added to the mascot.[18]
Alongside mascot, Ngô Kiến Huy's costume design are also gaining attraction. Vương Khang said he was surprised to Ngô Kiến Huy's different concept to his costume every week to perform alongside dancers. According to him, his costumes cost him up to 500 million dong for making every appearance being neat. The mask is also one of the elements that he takes effort to. For him, the host is a symbol of the show; so the masks play an extremely important role in it.[19][20]
In each performance, the stage is staged in a different style with meticulous props to illustrate it. Every angle is also calculated to create an extreme performance with excellent visual effects, in order to make more sympathy with the audience.[21]
All contestants in The Masked Singer Vietnam are kept completely anonymous with both the audience and other staff outside the crew. They are not allowed to travel by personal vehicles and are not accompanied by any assistants or managers. Instead, a dedicated car will take them to the set and record at the scheduled time frame. They will then put on their masks and move into the waiting room, each with a separate room, labeled with each artist's name such that no one knows who they are sharing with. Those rooms only allows stylists and crews to come in to assist them with costume-related issues. They always have the companionship and supervision of the crew members whenever they go to ensure absolute confidentiality of their identities.[22] Thảo Trang shared during her participation: "This is not just a gameshow of singing and performing, but also a test of endurance in tight costumes. Wearing this mask is a bit hard to hear, but when singing, each singer will have earphones." Mai Tiến Dũng added: "Parking is also not allowed, everyone has to pick each other up afar, walk in while covered with blankets, each has a separate room. I heard the voice and suspiciously recognize the singer, but I couldn't shake hands, each was completely isolated, and all hidden after singing". The identities of the mascot artists are kept strictly confidential by the crew and are only revealed when they take off their masks on the stage.[23]
Hoài Sa currently is the music director, and also one of the few people who know the real identities of the mascots participating in the show. According to his revelation, there's a legendary artist participating the show.[24][25] Sharing when he was assigned the role of music director for the program, he said that the participants were not contestants but actually celebrities, and understands what is the strength of each person because he has worked with them before. "But, in the program, they have to sing songs that don't - make - their - name. It's a difficult problem but also exciting for me", he said, "When they practice they sing out of habits, but on stage, the aura will come in and they will have real feelings. I sit there and connect them with the orchestra, the real emotion comes from that."[24]
The Masked Singer Vietnam debuted on July 16, 2022. The first season premiered on HTV2 - Vie Channel and Vie Giải Trí every Saturday at 8:00 p.m. (GMT+7), alongside the VieON app which premiered it 30 minutes earlier.[26][27] All episodes are also premiered on Vie Channel's official YouTube channel at 9:00 p.m.. The awards ceremony were live simultaneously on television, the VieON app and the producer's official YouTube channel from 10:30 p.m. on November 19, 2022.[28][29]
The second season was premiered simultaneously on HTV2, VTVCab 1 and the VieON app every Friday at 9:00 p.m., also premiered on the producer's official YouTube channel. Both main performances and unmasking were aired on the same episode, except for episodes 2-6, which aired the unmasking part as a standalone part on Wednesdays.[30][31] The awards ceremony was live from 10:00 p.m. on December 16, 2023.[32]
In the first season, Trấn Thành, Tóc Tiên and Wowy served as the initial panelists, while Ngô Kiến Huy being the host.[1][8][9] For some reasons, however, Wowy only appears in the first two rounds, and Đức Phúc was then announced as an alternative.[33] Guest panelists also appear throughout the season. In season two Đức Phúc was replaced by Bích Phương.[34]
Contestants
Results Stage name Celebrity Episodes 1[a] 2[a] 3[a] 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Semi-finals Final Awards ceremony B O Sen (Ms. Lotus) Ngọc Mai SAFE SAFE RISK WIN SAFE RISK RISK SAFE WINNER C Phượng Hoàng Lửa (Fire Phoenix) Hà Trần SAFE SAFE SAFE WIN RISK SAFE SAFE SAFE RUNNER-UP A Lady Mây (Cloud Lady) Myra Trần SAFE SAFE SAFE RISK SAFE SAFE SAFE RISK THIRD C Tí Nâu (Brown Mouse) Thùy Chi SAFE RISK SAFE WIN SAFE SAFE RISK OUT B Hươu Thần (Deer God) Mai Tiến Dũng SAFE SAFE SAFE RISK RISK OUT B Báo Mắt Biếc (Blue-Eyed Leopard) Uyên Linh SAFE RISK SAFE RISK OUT C Kỳ Đà Hoa (Flowered Iguana) Thảo Trang SAFE SAFE RISK OUT A Chàng Lúa (Paddy Guy) Tăng Phúc SAFE RISK RISK OUT A Miêu Quý Tộc (Noble Cat) Hà Nhi SAFE SAFE SAFE OUT C Bướm Mặt Trăng (Moon Butterfly) Trung Quân SAFE SAFE OUT B Buffalove Vương Anh Tú SAFE SAFE OUT A Kim Sa Ngư (Sequin Goldfish) Lương Bích Hữu SAFE SAFE OUT C Nhím Uiza (Ouchie Hedgehog) Song Luân SAFE OUT B ChipChip Pink Juky San SAFE OUT A Phi Hành Gia Heo (Pig Astronaut) Vũ SAFE OUTEpisodes
- Guest panelist: Minh Hằng
- References:[35][36]
- Opening performance: "Behind The Mask" by Châu Đăng Khoa, performed by Sofia and Red.
- Guest panelist: Trúc Nhân
- References:[37][38]
- Guest panelist: Hari Won
- References:[39][40][41]
- Guest panelist: Ngọc Sơn
- Topic: First things
- References:[42][43]
- Unmasking performance: "Bước qua nhau" by Vũ, performed by Vũ.
- Guest panelist: Trúc Nhân
- Topic: First things
- References:[44][45][46]
- Unmasking performance: "Phải chăng em đã yêu?" by RedT, performed by Juky San.
- Guest panelist: Gil Lê
- Topic: First things
- References:[47][48][49]
- Unmasking performance: "Đổi hạnh phúc lấy cô đơn" by Nghị Martin and Song Luân, performed by Song Luân.
- Guest panelist: Trọng Hiếu
- Topic: Love
- References:[50][51][52]
- Unmasking performance: "Em vẫn tin vào tình yêu ấy" by Tú Dưa, performed by Lương Bích Hữu.
- Guest panelist: Châu Đăng Khoa
- Topic: Love
- References:[53][54][55]
- Unmasking performance: "Giúp anh trả lời những câu hỏi" by Vương Anh Tú, performed by Vương Anh Tú.
- Guest panelist: Đức Phúc
- Topic: Love
- References:[56][57][58]
- Unmasking performance: "Dừng lại vẫn kịp lúc" by Vương Anh Tú, performed by Trung Quân.
- Guest panelists: Châu Đăng Khoa and Bảo Anh
- Topic: Another universe
- References:[59][60][61]
- Unmasking performance: "Lâu lâu nhắc lại" by Đỗ Hoài Nam, performed by Hà Nhi.
- Guest panelists: Lê Hiếu và Phan Mạnh Quỳnh
- Topic: Party
- References:[62][63][64]
- Unmasking performance: "Sài Gòn yếu đuối biết dựa vào ai?" by Huỳnh Quốc Huy, performed by Tăng Phúc.
- Guest panelists: ViruSs và Hứa Kim Tuyền
- Topic: Favourites
- References:[65][66][67]
- Unmasking performance: "Ước mơ của mẹ" by Hứa Kim Tuyền, performed by Thảo Trang.
- Guest panelist: Bùi Anh Tú
- Topic: Fears
- References:[68][69][70]
- Unmasking performance: "Giữa đại lộ Đông Tây" by Hứa Kim Tuyền, performed by Uyên Linh.
- Guest panelist: Mỹ Linh
- Topic: Moments
- References:[71][72][73]
- Unmasking performance: "Người như anh" by Hùng Quân, performed by Mai Tiến Dũng.
- Guest panelist: Noo Phước Thịnh
- Topic: Ladies Night
- References:[75][76][77]
- By the rules, the accompanying mascots would be unmasked along with eliminated contestant. However, no one was eliminated in this episode, so their identities are still undisclosed as of now.
- Guest panelist: Lệ Quyên
- References:[78][79][80]
- Group performance: "Dưới ánh đèn sân khấu" by Hứa Kim Tuyền, performed by Lady Mây, O Sen, Tí Nâu and Phượng Hoàng Lửa.
- Unmasking performance: "Giấc mơ trưa" by Giáng Son (music) and Nguyễn Vĩnh Tiến (melody), performed by Thùy Chi.
- This was part of The Masked Singer Vietnam - All-star Concert event taken place on November 19, 2022.
- References:[81][82][83]
- Trấn Thành was revealed under the mascot "Kỵ Sĩ Nấm Hương (Mushroom Knight)" in Concert.
- O Sen got 5.070 votes by SMS and 145.967 votes by app, Lady Mây got 1.733 votes by SMS and 119.688 votes by app, Phượng Hoàng Lửa got 2.059 votes by SMS and 144.954 votes by app.
Contestants
Results Stage name Celebrity Episodes 1 2[i] 3 4 5 6 7[j] 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 Round 1 Round 2 Round 3 Round 4 Round 5 Round 6 Semi-Final Final Awards ceremony B Voi Bản Đôn (Ban Don Elephant) Anh Tú WIN SAFE SAFE RISK SAFE SAFE SAFE SAFE WINNER A Ong Bây Bi (Baby Bee) (WC) Orange WIN RISK WIN WIN RISK RISK WIN RUNNER-UP A Cú Tây Bắc (Northwest Owl) Hương Lan SAFE SAFE WIN WIN RISK SAFE RISK RISK THIRD A HippoHappy Lâm Bảo Ngọc WIN SAFE WIN RISK RISK WIN WIN OUT B Bố Gấu (Papa Bear) (WC) Hoàng Hải RISK WIN RISK SAFE OUT B Cún Tóc Lô (Pup in Hair Rollers) Ngọc Anh SAFE WIN SAFE WIN OUT C Chuột Cherry (Cherry Mouse) Nhật Thủy RISK RISK SAFE OUT C Sứa Thủy Tinh (Glassy Jellyfish) Phượng Vũ SAFE SAFE RISK OUT C Nàng Tiên Hoa (Flower Fairy) (WC) Dương Hoàng Yến WIN RISK OUT A Kỳ Lân Lãng Tử (Romantic Unicorn) Dương Edward RISK RISK OUT C Thỏ Xỏ Khuyên (Pierced Rabbit) Hoàng Dũng WIN SAFE OUT B Cáo Tiểu Thư (Fox Lady) (WC) Vũ Thảo My SAFE OUT C Tê Giác Ngộ Nghĩnh (Funky Rhino) (WC) Châu Khải Phong OUT B Cừu Bông (Fluffy Sheep) Khởi My RISK OUT A Bạch Khổng Tước (White Peacock) (WC) Hoàng Mỹ An OUT C Madame Vịt (Madame Duck) Kháh Linh OUT B Cá Ngựa Đôi (Seahorse Twinsies) Phạm Đình Thái Ngân OUT Trương Thảo Nhi A Khỉ Hồng (Pink Monkey) Ưng Hoàng Phúc OUTEpisodes
- Guest panelist: Song Luân
- References:[84][85][86][87][88]
- Unmasking performance: "Thà rằng như thế" by Nguyễn Hoài Anh, performed by Ưng Hoàng Phúc.
- Guest panelist: Bảo Anh
- References:[89][90][91][92][93][94]
- Unmasking performances: "Em là lý do" by Phạm Đình Thái Ngân and "Chạy qua bao con phố" by Trương Thảo Nhi, performed by Phạm Đình Thái Ngân and Trương Thảo Nhi.
- Guess panelist: Rocker Nguyễn
- References:[95][96][97][98][99][100]
- Unmasking performance: "Anh cứ đi đi" by Vương Anh Tú, performed by Khánh Linh.
- Guest panelist: Hà Nhi
- Topic: Dream & Business
- References:[101][102][103][104][105][106]
- Unmasking performance: "Bức thư cuối gửi anh" by Vũ Ngọc Bích, performed by Hoàng Mỹ An.
- Guest panelist: Bảo Anh
- Topic: Crazy Love
- References:[107][108][109][110][111][112]
- Unmasking performance: "Người yêu cũ" by Phan Mạnh Quỳnh, performed by Khởi My.
- Guest panelist: Vũ Cát Tường
- Topic: Milestones & Numbers
- References:[113][114][115][116][117][118]
- Unmasking performance: "Ngắm hoa lệ rơi" by Duy Cường, performed by Châu Khải Phong.
- Guest panelist: Văn Mai Hương
- Topic: Mistakes
- References:[119][120][121][122][123]
- Unmasking performance: "Silence" by Benjamin James, performed by Vũ Thảo My.
- Guest panelist: Nhật Thủy
- Topic: Cuisine
- References:[124][125][126][127][128]
- Unmasking performance: "Đoạn kết mới" by Hoàng Dũng, performed by Hoàng Dũng.
- Guest panelist: Đạt G
- Topic: Youth
- References:[129][130][131][132][133]
- Unmasking performance: "Thương em" by Khắc Việt, performed by Dương Edward.
- Guest panelist: Myra Trần
- Topic: Once Resounding
- References:[134][135][136][137][138]
- Unmasking performance: "Dù chỉ là" by Khắc Hưng, performed by Dương Hoàng Yến.
- Guest panelist: Khắc Hưng
- Topic: Lifetime's performances
- References:[139][140][141][142][143]
- Unmasking Performance: "Not My Only" by Mew Amazing, performed by Phượng Vū.
- Guest panelist: Quang Dũng
- Topic: A thousand pains
- References:[144][145][146][147][148]
- Unmasking performance: "Gật đầu" by Đoàn Minh Quân, performed by Nhật Thủy.
- Guest panelists: Thùy Chi & Erik
- Topic: Mind-blowing memories with fans - Fantastic
- References:[149][150][151][152][153]
- Unmasking performance: "Hãy yêu khi ta còn bên nhau" by Ngọc Anh, performed by Ngọc Anh.
- Guest panelist: Hứa Kim Tuyền
- Topic: OTP - One True Pairing
- References:[154][155][156][157][158]
- Unmasking performance: "Nhắn gió mây rằng anh yêu em" by Đoàn Minh Vũ, performed by Hoàng Hải.
- Guest panelist: Minh Tuyết
- Topic: Convergence of quintessence
- References:[159][160][161][162]
- Guest panelist: Bằng Kiều
- Topic: I am extraordinary
- References:[163][164][165]
- Group performance: "Tôi phi thường" by Bùi Công Nam, performed by HippoHappy, Cú Tây Bắc, Ong Bây Bi and Voi Bản Đôn.
- Unmasking performance: "Trái tim tan vỡ cũng không sao" by Tiên Cookie, performed by Lâm Bảo Ngọc.
- This was part of The Masked Singer Vietnam - All-star Concert event taken place on December 16, 2023.
- References:[166][167][168][169]
- Via the VieON app, Voi Bản Đôn got 183.324 votes, Cú Tây Bắc got 98.219 votes and Ong Bây Bi got 122.610 votes.
- The Masked Singer Vietnam on YouTube
- The Masked Singer Vietnam on Facebook