Tightening to re-establish performance standards
According to the newly issued document, the Ho Chi Minh City Department of Culture and Sports requests organizations, individuals and businesses operating in performing arts in the area to strengthen discipline, ensure honesty, in which special emphasis is placed on rectifying the situation of lip-syncing. This is implemented based on the direction of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism and the Ho Chi Minh City People's Committee, and is also linked to regulations related to cultural behavior in the digital environment.
A noteworthy point is that this "tightening" method is not general, but goes into specific requirements. The management agency emphasized that technical means must not be abused, especially the use of recordings instead of live performances - a behavior often called lip-syncing.
Performance programs must be in accordance with the registered content and form and approved by competent authorities. The script needs to fully reflect the performance structure, artistic requirements, technical conditions, costumes, illustrations and the list of participating artists.
In the process of organization, units must strictly comply with the approved script, and at the same time seriously conduct re-examination, ensuring that the content is not distorted. Promotional activities must also reflect the reality of the program, not exaggerate or cause misunderstanding about the performance form.
According to the assessment of management agencies, the abuse of lip-syncing not only violates regulations but also infringes upon the public's right to enjoy cultural values, negatively impacting the art environment and social psychology. In the coming time, inspection work will be strengthened, violations will be strictly handled and the results will be publicized.
Cannot trade for authenticity
Reality in recent years shows that controversy about lip-syncing is no longer an isolated phenomenon. At a music awards program "Lan Song Xanh", singer Nguyen Duyen Quynh once had to apologize after being discovered lip-syncing live. This caused public controversy because the female singer is considered a talented voice, well-trained and has won 2 major music competitions.
Besides, the performance of Bum Bum and Hong Loan in the program "Tu Tinh Phuong Nam 4" also caused controversy when it was said to have used a pre-recorded version even though the program sold tickets. Accordingly, both performed the song "Lanh Cung" but chose lip-syncing, making the audience unhappy.
These events quickly spread on social networks, leading to many mixed opinions. The common point is that the audience's reaction is becoming faster and more intense than before.
In the context of technological development, audiences have many tools to verify a performance. Live videos, sound analysis, or simply personal feelings can all become a basis for questioning authenticity.
When a performance is "perfect" to the point of not having any errors - not out of breath, not out of rhythm - suspicion almost appears immediately. And once trust is questioned, the value of the whole program is affected.
From a market perspective, the noise may create attention in the short term, but in the long term it will reduce the prestige of artists and organizers. Audiences may accept an imperfect performance, but it is difficult to accept the feeling of being deceived.
It is undeniable that modern artists have to bear a lot of pressure when both singing, dancing, and ensuring image and interaction with the audience. In that context, the use of sound support layers has become popular. However, the boundary set by management agencies is necessary: Technology should only play a supporting role, not completely replace real voices.
A live performance, after all, is not a place to show absolute perfection. On the contrary, the "imperfect" elements - a distortion, a sudden breath - create a sense of authenticity, which audiences seek when spending money to buy tickets for.
The move to tighten lip-syncing is therefore not only aimed at restoring order in performance activities, but also a necessary step to reaffirm the core value of the stage: Authenticity. When technology can create perfect performances, it is the limitations of people - real voice, real emotions are the factors that retain the audience for a long time.
