But besides the compliments about music and images, a detail became the focus of debate, the scene of the male singer standing on a model of a Lac bird at the opening of the MV.
Many opinions believe that this is a disrespectful expression of Lac bird, a symbol associated with Dong Son culture and national history.
However, in the face of such controversies, the most necessary thing is probably calmness and a comprehensive view.
An artwork cannot be evaluated just by a frame separated from the overall content.
Art always has its own language, with the same image, each person can have a different way of feeling. The important thing is what the author wants to convey and what message the work brings to the public.
In this case, the production crew said that the image of Lac bird is placed in the space of Los Angeles to show the intersection between Vietnamese cultural identity and the spirit of global integration.
Looking in that direction, this is not an act of degrading or insulting cultural symbols, but an effort to bring a Vietnamese symbol into the world in contemporary art language.
For many years, many people have complained that young people are increasingly distancing themselves from traditional values. Therefore, when an artist brings the image of national culture into popular products and creates widespread debate, it is also a positive sign.
At least, millions of viewers today are mentioning Lac birds.
Many young people are learning for the first time what Lac birds are, how they appear on bronze drums, and what their cultural meaning is. From a cultural promotion perspective, this is commendable.
If all cultural symbols are only placed in glass cabinets and are not allowed to be created, renewed or interpreted in new artistic languages, they will be very difficult to reach the younger generation.
Heritage only truly lives when it is present in contemporary life.
Of course, creative freedom does not mean that artists can do whatever they want. Cultural and historical symbols need to be approached with understanding, responsibility and respect.
A strong culture is a culture confident enough to dialogue with different interpretations.
Debating about Lac birds in Son Tung M-TP's MV is normal. Debate helps society pay more attention to culture.
But debate is only meaningful when based on understanding and goodwill.
Sometimes, instead of criticizing artists for standing above Lac birds, what is more concerning is to find out what they have done so that Lac birds are mentioned more in the public's mind today.
