Son Tung: I do what I like!

(Baonghean) - However, with Son Tung, he doesn't need any excuse. He just does what he likes. It may be a bit exaggerated, but I think his statement is almost a declaration of today's youth.

The final night of The Face 2016 – Vietnam Brand Face 2016, the young and very popular singer Son Tung MTP after his performance had a quick interview with the MC of the program. When asked about the ink on his forehead, the singer replied that it was a fake tattoo that had just been drawn.

Image of Son Tung and his forehead tattoo. Photo: Internet.

His “funny” English pronunciation of the word “Tattoo” quickly became the subject of a satirical movement on the internet. Many pictures, videos, even parodies and remixes of music… were circulated on the internet in a short time and brought a lot of laughter and entertainment to everyone.

Also in that quick interview, there was another statement from this young singer but it got less attention. That was the statement he made explaining why he drew that fake tattoo. The reason was simply “I just drew it because I liked it”. Yes, very simple. There was no deep reason, no meaning at all.

Usually, many people will choose a drawing, a number, or a word that has a personal meaning to tattoo on their body, such as the name of their wife, husband, children, or a drawing that represents the religion they follow. They choose tattoos to express their personality, or to mark an important event in their life. However, with Son Tung, he does not need to cite any reason. He just does it because he likes it.

It may be a bit too much, but I think that your statement is almost a manifesto of today's youth. If you like it, do it. We have passed the time when doing anything requires a lofty ideal, a humane purpose. Today's youth live more for themselves, they work and entertain according to their own whims. In that free and unconstrained space, they will be more creative, creating values, which may not be evaluated as good or not, but at least it will be a breath of fresh air.

Looking a little more broadly from the legal perspective, we also see it as very natural and legal. That is, citizens have the right to do anything that is not prohibited by law. Currently, as we know, our law enforcement system still has many limitations. Instead of being allowed to do what is not prohibited by law, citizens are only allowed to do what is permitted by law.

This is a very common phenomenon in commercial transactions, import and export, or cultural and artistic performances. The way the law is applied is a golden hoop that is holding back the development of culture, society, and economy. Son Tung's statement is also what businesses, artists and many other social groups are trying to say, that is, let us be free to do what we like, as long as it is legal.

Speaking of this, we must also note one thing: freedom must be allowed by law. The reason why singer Son Tung is so much ridiculed when talking about his tattoo is partly due to his English pronunciation, but more importantly, the tattoo is a copy of the famous German model - Daniel Bamdad. It is not Son Tung's new creation.

Son Tung's outfit that day was also similar to that of Korean singer G-Dragon. Even the song he performed, "We Don't Belong Together," a composition that was said to be his, was criticized for plagiarizing the song "We Don't Talk Anymore" performed by Selena Gometh and Charlie Puth.

This is not the first time Son Tung has been accused of copying and plagiarism like this. It can even be said that this is his style, when he copies the style of dress, the script of video clips, the choruses in songs from famous foreign singers. Maybe Vietnam is just a low-lying area of ​​the world in terms of culture and art so Son Tung is not afraid of being sued, but maybe someone needs to remind him that Vietnam has joined international conventions on intellectual property rights, global conventions on copyright. That means his works that show signs of plagiarism have legal risks if foreign authors sue.

We all remember that musician Bao Chan was once involved in a plagiarism scandal with the song Tinh thoi tho xa, and his career went downhill from there. But it seems that young audiences are now more lenient with Son Tung, some people oppose it, but there are also many people who support him regardless, so his career is still growing rapidly. However, Son Tung, as well as other artists, should remember that Vietnam will increasingly integrate more deeply with the world, not only in terms of culture and art, but also in terms of law.

So, just do what you like, but remember it must be legal.

Vu Tuan Tu