He has had a long journey attached to "Tao Quan", loved by audiences for his image as Tao Giao Thong.
How does the information that "Tao Quan" will stop production affect you?
- This is the 3rd time in the 22-year journey that "Tao Quan" has announced the cessation of broadcasting. No one has spoken out that "Tao Quan" will stop production permanently. Who knows, next year we will return?
It can be understood that you expect "Tao Quan" to return?
- Honestly, I don't expect much. I also really want to change a new dish for the audience, and hope the new program will be as attractive as "Tao Quan".
After all, whatever comes, will go. We should not expect and cling to past successes.
Things we used to compare to, "indispensable food", but in fact, when it is missing, most of us still find it normal.
Just like before, we thought, Tet must have "fat meat, pickled onions, red parallel sentences/ Neu tree, firecrackers, green banh chung". Now, fat meat, pickled onions... are not eaten by every household. Red parallel sentences, firecrackers are almost gone. Gradually, we also see it as normal when there is a lack of things that were once considered "indispensable".
But saying it and saying it again, I still think that a part of the audience will be disappointed when there is no "Tao Quan". Especially in the North, on the 30th night it is often cold, people do not want to go out, they will love the atmosphere of the whole family gathering, gathering around the TV to watch "Tao Quan".
Tao Quan" is still a summary full of laughter, humor, and satire when looking back at the past year.
Many controversial opinions have occurred, some people are nostalgic, some people think that "Tao Quan" should stop to change, because in terms of a television program, "Tao Quan" has fallen into the period of decline of a brand that has passed its peak. What is your view on this?
- There is a funny saying, "because of you, because of her/because of both sides". Let's temporarily call us "anh" (you), the audience is "a" (she). It's funny to call it that. Every year, every Tao season, we still try very hard, but we must also admit that human creativity is limited. But conversely, on the "a" side - you are also too familiar with a dish that is served for too long on New Year's Eve nights.
Furthermore, each of us is now closely associated with smartphones. On which is the whole world. All information and events are updated continuously, from all angles. When the audience is too fed up with all information and events throughout the year, they no longer need to watch it again on "Tao Quan". From a certain perspective, "Tao Quan" loses its element of surprise. Many repeated events are also boring, for example, issues that are mentioned every year such as traffic jams, traffic violations...
But no matter what, "Tao Quan" is gradually losing its appeal, the first mistake still belongs to the creative team and us.
We will try harder if we get a year off. Next year, if we come back, who knows, the audience will like it again.
The economic problem is also being posed with an old format like "Tao Quan", when the familiar audience of the program is said to be from the 5X - 8X generation. Gen Z, Gen Alpha audiences like to see short, concise things like on social networks. Gen Z, Gen Alpha audiences are also potential customers that brands target. "Tao Quan" broadcasting during prime time will have to recalculate this economic problem, do you think so?
- The question about the economic problem is not under my authority to answer. But, I think that each spiritual dish is only suitable for a certain age group, it is very difficult to have a program that pleases everyone.
Just looking at the scale of a family meal with 6 people is already very difficult to cook a dish that satisfies all 6 people. Grandparents, parents, children and grandchildren - 3 generations, of course, will have 3 different hobbies.
Controversy about "Tao Quan", we are already familiar with it.
Tao Quan" causes controversy with different audience ages, which is natural. We respect all opinions of praise, criticism, and rebuttal.
We have made efforts to build a program with a satirical perspective on the past year, under a humorous lens, to serve the majority of the audience.
May I ask a question, are you yourself ready to say goodbye to "Tao Quan"?
- No, I don't say goodbye to my artistic career. This year, I participate in the program "Spring Square" - replacing "Tao Quan", broadcast on New Year's Eve.
I performed with Hong Van. We were in the roles of an old couple after many years of separation. It would be a program with many levels of emotions, many flavors, with the participation of many generations of artists. I think these "dishes" will be relatively suitable for the majority of the audience.
But that's not why I expect "Spring Square" to become a "best seller" dish. Working in art for many years, I always face all situations and do not expect anything absolutely.
If closing the journey with "Tao Quan", what is the biggest mark for a stage artist like you in this program?
- The success of "Tao Quan" belongs to the efforts of the entire crew.
For me personally, the biggest mark I am fortunate to have is the role of Tao Giao Thong. Wherever I go, I am greeted by the audience "Chi Trung Tao Giao Thong", I am very happy.
If there is "Tao Quan" this year, I believe that Tao Giao Thong will be a good role, with many materials to make. The increased level of traffic violation penalties is an example. Unfortunately, "Tao Quan" has stopped production.
So, what will you do on New Year's Eve this year?
- New Year's Eve this year is like every year, I and my whole family cook bamboo shoot vermicelli with wood ear mushrooms to eat, watch TV and wait until 12 pm to welcome New Year's Eve, watch fireworks and then go to bed.
And I will look forward to the clear morning of the first day of the new year. Quiet. Gentle winter. For me, the morning of the first day is "fiercely" beautiful. But by noon, we are frantically searching for each other on the road, very noisy already.
At the age of 65, Tet is like every day for me, every year is the same. I just hope for stable health, hope for the country to develop. To reach A100, A120, I will still be welcomed, to take high-speed trains throughout the length of the country. That's enough to be very happy.
He once said that he did not expect life after retirement to be so interesting, when he could live slower, have time to admire the beauty of life. Recently, it was also known that he currently has a few billion deposited in the bank, often travels with his girlfriend... Is this what he has achieved after the journey he has gone through?
- I had a 45-year journey at the Youth Theater before leaving. I had a long journey of effort when carrying rice, clothes, and money on my shoulders. When in charge of the theater, I also had to take care of the lives of the brothers.
Honestly, looking back at that journey, I realize my efforts were truly... terrible. I went to distribute leaflets to each house, each car on the road, and then went to 63 provinces and cities selling tickets and touring.
So when you retire and slow down, you really have time to look up and see the blue sky overhead.
He also shared that he has no intention of remarrying, because he is older than his girlfriend, and does not want her to bear the burden. When he is old and weak, he will go to some nursing home... It seems that the way Chi Trung lives and thinks later - is something he has realized after a long journey?
- Family marriage, each tree has its own flower, each house has its own situation. My not remarrying is not entirely due to the age difference with my girlfriend.
She and I both see that I have just gone through a marriage that was once very happy in many periods, and finally broke down. So why should it be like this? It's better to just live and love each other as we are now.
I also considered going to a nursing home, and I told my girlfriend like that. I am 18 years older than my girlfriend, 10 years later I will be 75 years old, at that time my girlfriend is still young and beautiful. God knows, what I will be like at 75, will I be confused, will I have diabetes, will my blood pressure and cardiovascular system be stable... I anticipate everything.
I told Y Lan (girlfriend), at some point, he will live alone or go to a nursing home. I also have my own house, going back and forth. Having my own house, having an independent life. And having self-respect.
But that is the plan for the future. Currently, I still feel very energetic!
Having gone through a difficult youth of making a living, middle-aged marriage breakdown, how is Chi Trung at retirement age?
- I like to raise fish and birds. Wake up early in the morning, have breakfast with my girlfriend, then go to exercise and swim. Read books and watch movies in the afternoon. I like to watch American movies, sit and watch them every night, eat sunflower seeds.
I now live very regularly, on time. Know how to be proactive in exercising health. Know how to cherish the life I have. Know how to enjoy moments of health and clarity. Be myself. Do what I like.
Life for me is full and happy like that.
