VOV gears up to host K-Pop Contest 2019

A press briefing on VOV’s K-Pop Contest was held in Hanoi on September 30.

Tran Nhat Duong, Deputy Head of VOV3 (Music information and entertainment channel) made the statement at a press briefing about the contest held in Hanoi on September 30.

Mr Duong, who is also acting as deputy head of VOV’s K-Pop Contest 2019, noted that the event aims to discover fresh talent and help audiences understand more about the music and culture of both Vietnam and the RoK, in addition to providing a platform for talented young people.

Kim Hyo-jae, CEO Sublime Entertainment Concert Company, noted that the contest is expected to serve as a bridge connecting the people of both countries.

The RoK is renowned for being home to plenty of talented producers and choreographies with plenty of experience, it is therefore hoped that they can help to develop talents capable of debuting in both Vietnam and the RoK.   

The judges will be made up of famous singers and composers from both nations. Among them will be Yang Jung-seung, also known as Midas Son, who is a producer for many well-known Korean singers such as Kim Jong-kook, Kim Bum-soo, MC The Max, and Lee Sun-hee.

Furthermore, choreographer Lee Won-woo will also be a judge in the contest. He played a key role during the “Love yourself” concert by the band BTS in 2018 and in the music video for “Idols”, also by BTS. 

National broadcaster VOV will host the K-Pop Contest which will begin in October 2019 and run until January 2020.

Entries will be submitted between October 1-20 with the organisers able to receive soundtracks or video clips through CDs or videos. Each contestant will be able to send one or two Korean songs recorded on mobile phones, cameras, or specialized equipment. 

Each entry requires a full name, telephone number, individual photo, and a Facebook link. Contestants can send their entries directly to VOV3 channel at 58 Quan Su street, telephone number: (04) 3826 5064, or VOV5 channel at 45 Ba Trieu street, Hanoi, telephone number: (04) 3826 6809. Alternatively entrants can e-mail: gionghathaytienghan@gmail.com.

As many as, 25 selected entries will progress to the preliminary round which is set to take place in late November.

The semi-final round will be held at VOV’s Theatre in December.

The final night is set to take place in Hanoi in January 2020. Either the Hang Day stadium or the Quan Ngua competition hall will host the event.

The song contest will be split into two categories depending on age, including nine to 16 and 17 to 25. Entrants can be Vietnamese or foreigners living and working in the country.

Contestants will also be allowed to sing Korean songs in a modern style. Organizers encourage contestants to compose new pieces in the Korean language.

The finale of the contest will be broadcast live on VOV’s radio channels, VOV.VN, along with television channels. including Vietnam Journey, VTC, VOV3, and VOV5.

The winner will receive a cash prize of VND50 million whilst the second-place prize will be awarded VND30 million.

The three third prizes will be given VND20 million each, whilst those receiving the five consolation prizes will be given VND10 million each.

The most popular contestant will also receive VND10 million.

Entrants who make it through to the final round will be trained in vocal techniques, and stage skills by Korean experts. Aside from their appearance, they will also make their debut on VOV’s radio and television channels, as well as in domestic and foreign media. 

The song contest is being co-organised by VOV, the Broadcasting Development JS Company, and Sublime Entertainment Concert Company.

The event is held as part of a range of activities to commemorate 27 years since the establishment of diplomatic relations between Vietnam and the RoK (1992-2019), and one year since the first Korean language program broadcast on VOV5.