The cast of "Tao Quan" Tet Ky Hoi 2019 all wear reading glasses

Late on January 3, Xuan Bac made the public excited when he shared images of the artists in the first rehearsal for 'Tao Quan' (also known as 'Meeting at the end of the year'). For more than 10 years, the program has become a familiar spiritual food for the audience on New Year's Eve.

Attending the rehearsal at Vietnam Television were Xuan Bac, Quoc Khanh, Tu Long, Quang Thang, Cong Ly, and Van Dung. In which, Quoc Khanh is associated with the humorous character of Jade Emperor, Xuan Bac is the role of Nam Tao, and Cong Ly is the sarcastic role of 'Co Dau'. The two artists Tu Long and Quang Thang play a different role of Tao each year.

Xuan Bac lamented: "We're all wearing glasses, guys, 16 years of one program. It's really hard to describe my feelings now, I feel happy, proud and... sad too. Happy because we still work together passionately and closely, even though there are times when we get angry with each other. Proud because all of us, the entire crew, each person's job, whether small or big, contributes to a prestigious and quality program. Of course, there are years and years, but at least we have contributed to laughter and added meaning to the end of the year for most Vietnamese people, whether in the country or abroad. Sad - of course! We're all old together."

'Nam Tao' confided that from an energetic, enthusiastic, tireless young man in his 20s, he has now become a middle-aged man with many silver hairs on his head. As for Quang Thang, Cong Ly, Van Dung, Tu Long, Chi Trung, Minh Hang, Minh Vuong... and even director Do Thanh Hai, they have to wear glasses.

Because of their busy work schedules, every year the artists rehearse 'Tao Quan' all night, returning home at dawn. Everyone is sleep deprived, and their loved ones always hope, 'Don't stay up late this year!'

"Never mind, we still do it. Do it for the profession. Do it for the job. Do it for the passion... and perhaps most of all, do it for the responsibility. Responsibility to each other - responsibility to this life, responsibility to the trust of the beloved audience. Keep doing it, guys," Xuan Bac wrote.

Last year, 'Tao Quan' celebrated its 15th anniversary. Despite receiving mixed opinions about its increasingly bland content and not daring to directly 'attack' prominent social issues, the program still attracts a large audience. After 'Tao Quan' in 2018, artist Chi Trung announced his withdrawal from the cast due to his old age, poor health, and being 'overloaded' with the additional role of Director of the Youth Theater.