At the peak of his career, Dang Khoi suddenly disappeared from music stages to fight a terrible disease.
Looking back at his heyday, the male singer does not regret temporarily leaving the stage, but on the contrary, he feels lucky to have been loved so much by the audience.
Hello Dang Khoi! Although you stopped at "Anh trai vu ngan cong gai", many people think that you have succeeded in warming up your name through the program. Many viewers wonder if for you, this is the program for you to regain your former glory?
- I think I am a very lucky artist in my journey nearly 20 years ago. Now when I come to "Anh trai vu ngan cong gai", I am very touched when the songs "Co be mua dong" and "Thuong thuong yeu yeu" when sung are still enthusiastically responded by the audience.
Honestly, I was surprised when the young audience knew the lyrics and sang along. They are a generation more than ten years older than mine, but they still know and remember the lyrics.
Then when the episodes were aired on TV, many viewers texted me to say that they were very touched to see me back on stage, their childhood memories came flooding back. As an artist, I was very happy and appreciated that. I also did not expect that this time returning to the stage would bring so many emotions to the audience.
I really feel lucky and for an artist, that is the most precious thing, the biggest award for an artist.
You yourself have been absent from music stages for quite a while. When you come back and sing familiar songs in front of many audiences who love you, how do you feel? Are they the same as before?
- I am really happy. When I stand on stage, I feel so energetic, like I am only 20 years old even though I am 41 now. I feel healthier, more excited and happier because I am living with passion.
I think for a singer, the happiest thing is to sing on stage, to sing for the audience and to be loved by everyone.
Returning to the stage with such wonderful emotions, do you ever feel regretful about your past glory, when songs like "Winter Girl", "Winter Leaf"... used to "make waves"?
- I have never thought of regretting the past glory or the journey of my career. On the contrary, I think I feel proud of that journey. 2024 is the 21st anniversary of participating in the arts and I have the opportunity to return to music. That is also a wonderful thing.
In the past 10 years, there have been personal issues that have prevented me from appearing on stage or releasing new products. As for feeling regretful, I definitely don't. I think I'm very happy because now wherever I go, the audience recognizes and loves me.
As you said, for a singer, singing and standing on stage is a joy, but you had to put that passion aside for a decade. Can you share about that period of absence, what made you decide to put your career on hold when it was at its peak?
- During the 10 years of absence, a lot of things happened. In 2010 - 2011, when I thought I was at the peak of my career, I learned that I had an ear disease. Up to now, I have undergone 2 major surgeries in 2011 and 2020. Honestly, when I first discovered the disease, I was very sad because my illness was serious, and the surgery was quite dangerous because it affected the nerves and brain. I am more optimistic now, but the hearing in one of my operated ears has only recovered about 50 - 60%.
When I gradually recovered, my family encountered a tragedy, my biological mother and mother-in-law both had cancer. At that time, I, like all other children, wanted to wholeheartedly take care of my parents and my wife. I was determined to put my career on hold to devote all my time to taking care of and accompanying my two mothers in treatment, and I was quite fortunate that both mothers' health is still maintained.
It was not until 2024, when I accepted the invitation of "Anh trai vu ngan cong gai" that I had the official opportunity to return to music, return to my passion and sing on stage, sing for the audience who always love me. I think the performances I perform are not only for the audience but also for myself.
So what was the biggest motivation for you to return to music during this time?
- I think one of the most important reasons why I accepted to participate in the program was because I wanted to fulfill my parents' wishes. In the past 10 years, when I spent all my time accompanying my parents in their treatment, perhaps they felt guilty that their son had spent all his time and put aside his greatest passion in life, which is music. That's why they always encouraged me to sing again.
Sometimes when I watch a music program on TV, I miss my job and my parents know this. Now that everything has stabilized, my parents still remind me a lot about singing again and that is also the reason why I accepted to participate in the program.
I want to give them precious memories as well as fulfill their wish to see me return to the stage, return to music. I think that will also be a joy to give them more energy to fight the disease.
At this point, between career and family, which do you prioritize more?
- From the time I got married until now, I have always put my family in the number 1 position. When I was young, without a family, my priorities were work and music. I am very proud of my journey, I have devoted myself for more than ten years. With my personality, when I do something, I always put my heart and soul into it and devote all my time to that work.
When I got married, I promised both sets of parents that I would spend time and mind to build a family and keep the small family always warm and peaceful for its members.
I think I am a lucky artist because I always receive love from the audience. Until now, the audience not only loves me but also has affection for my extended family. I really appreciate that and will try my best to bring quality projects to the audience in the future.
