Audiences have mixed opinions about Tao Quan 2023

Year-end meeting - Tao Quan 2023 aired on the evening of the 30th of the Lunar New Year of Quy Mao. The program gathered most of the artists who have performed for decades and some new faces, including Xuan Bac, Cong Ly, Tu Long, Quoc Khanh, Quang Thang, Van Dung, Duy Nam, Trung Ruoi, Manh Dung, Ly Chi Huy, Thai Son, Thanh Duong, Anh Duc. MC Thanh Trung, singer Minh Quan, musician Tien Minh, designer Duc Hung also participated.

The most powerful figure in heaven is still the Jade Emperor (Quoc Khanh), next to him are Nam Tao (Xuan Bac) and Bac Dau (Cong Ly). The duo Duy Nam and Trung Ruoi take on the roles of assistants.

Impressive beauty pageant

This year, the Kitchen Gods did not follow the usual pattern of reporting to the Jade Emperor in heaven, but instead staged a competition called "Bold". More than 30 Kitchen Gods contestants wore sashes and registration numbers, competing for the crown.

Right from the beginning of the contest, MC Thao Van shared: "By 2030, Heaven strives for each family to have at least 1-2 beauty queens." Through a humorous lens, the artists recreated the catwalks and long name-calling that "caused a storm" at a beauty contest last year. Health Tao (Van Dung) also demonstrated her broken English speaking ability in her self-introduction video.

After a year of Vietnam’s beauty pageant boom, the fact that Tao Quan directly mentioned this phenomenon delighted the audience. On beauty forums, images of Tao Quan contestants competing in beauty pageants were shared and discussed.

Tao Quan 2023 turns into a beauty contest.

Throughout the Tao performances, a series of prominent issues in the economic, social, and political fields were mentioned, such as nepotism, abuse of power, bribery, illiterate officials, plummeting stocks, stock market sell-offs, suspended planning, mushrooming urban areas, traffic congestion, cracked sidewalks, etc.

In the scene where the Jade Emperor announced the top 5, initially the Traffic God (Chi Trung) was eliminated. At this time, the Health God (Van Dung) was surprised because he thought the Traffic God was "immortal". Immediately, the Social God (Tu Long) said: "No one holds the sacred sword of the upper world, doing wrong will still be beheaded as usual". The Traffic God continued: "Many people in the lower world also hope to land safely like you".

The details of the Construction God (Thanh Trung) withdrawing after being selected or the Energy God (Thanh Duong) being discovered to be illiterate were also highlights that caught the attention of viewers. Everyone realized that the God was directly referring to the incident of the inspection director in Ho Chi Minh City recently.

Many opinions say that Tao Quan 2023 still cleverly inserts content, deeply criticizing hot issues in society. When there are only 4 key Tao characters left to compete, they now dance together and sing: "one, two, right or wrong", "one, two, live or die". Then, the Jade Emperor appears, declaring: "do wrong, die, die, die".

In addition, trending keywords on social networks such as "o de", "con song que", "long stir-fried with melon"... are mentioned in the program.Upstairs, one of the hit songs of 2022, was rewritten and performed on the Tao Quan stage.

The program addresses many hot issues in society.

Emotional like watching the last season of Tao Quan

One of the scenes that moved the audience in Tao Quan 2023 was the appearance of People's Artist Cong Ly, in the image of Bac Dau. He sat in a palanquin, holding a fan, not much dialogue and interaction, but his charm seemed intact.

"Although his health did not allow it, Cong Ly still tried his best to contribute. Thank you. I wish him a speedy recovery," shared audience member Huyen My. Network member Hai Yen expressed: "Co Dau is still as energetic as ever. Thank you for trying despite your poor health to make the Tao Quan program complete."

The program spent the last 15 minutes looking back at the 20 years that have made the Tao Quan brand. A series of images of artists from many years ago were shown on the screen, recalling memories. A medley of impressive parodies of songs from Tao Kinh Te (Quang Thang) or Tao Xa Hoi (Tu Long) became the highlight. The audience got to listen to the songs again.Flood from the crossroads, Hoang mang style, So surprising, Debt love song...

The return of People's Artist Cong Ly moved the audience.

For loyal audiences of Tao Quan, this is a moment that makes them tear up, emotional, mixed with regret. Tao Quan used to be spiritual food, peach blossoms, and banh chung for those who love the program. Some audiences predict that 2023 could be the last season of Tao Quan.

"The old hits are sung by the old guys and the new ones are sung by Duy Nam and Trung Ruoi. It's like a generational transfer. After 20 years, the uncles and aunts have grown old and we have grown up," commented audience member Vu Tuan.

"2003-2023, a very long journey. This program is like a farewell, full of memories. 20 years go by so fast. Thank you artists," Thanh Mai expressed her opinion.

However, on social media, many viewers also shared that this year's show was hard to laugh at, with few valuable moments. Some parts were too long and not as impressive as viewers expected for the 20th anniversary.