Veteran Vietnamese boy band MTV group has collaborated for the first time with virtual singer Ann, releasing the pop ballad MV "Da co cha roi" on the evening of 15/1. This pioneering collaboration marks a new chapter for the established group and Vietnam's first product-releasing virtual artist.

At a press conference on the afternoon of 15/1 in TP HCM, MTV member Le Minh shared his enthusiasm for the project. He admitted initial concerns about working with a virtual singer, despite his long-standing interest in films about artificial intelligence. "However, working with the team, we witnessed their seriousness and creative thinking," Le Minh stated. He has also followed Ann's progress for three years, noting her vocal development. "Initially, people found Ann's voice similar to singer Thuy Chi. Recently, the virtual singer has learned more about vocal nuances, breath control, and conveying emotion, making her sound more natural," Le Minh added.

Ann's virtual singer founder - Bobo Dang (right), singer Nguyen Hai Yen (center), and three members of MTV group. *Photo: Organizer provided*.

The emotional pop ballad, composed by Ann's creator Bobo Dang, explores the profound theme of father-child affection. When creating the song, Bobo Dang researched MTV's vocal range and musical style to ensure effective harmonization between the virtual singer and the experienced group. The MV itself adopts a fantasy style, using the idea of time travel as a metaphor for humanity's desire to protect, correct mistakes, and love more completely. All scenes were filmed in a studio and processed using CGI (computer-generated imagery, a technology that uses computer graphics tools to create 3D images or scenes) to create interaction between real people and the virtual character.

Bobo Dang clarified that Ann is not an AI singer but a vocalist created using CGI technology. "Unlike AI, which automatically generates images, CGI is a 3D image creation technology that involves detailed human intervention and control," he explained. Ann's singing voice is also processed by software under the coordination of sound engineers and producers, not through pre-programmed commands. "I wrote this song from the perspective of an 18-year-old girl, reflecting on life, family, and her father," Bobo Dang shared. "The MTV members and I are all fathers, and we incorporated our real-life experiences to enrich the song's emotion."

Addressing Ann's commercial potential, Bobo Dang revealed that his virtual singer project has been profitable over the past three years. Ann currently holds contracts with brands that promote her on their channels. Ann debuted in the music scene in 2023, becoming the first virtual singer in Vietnam to release products, including two MVs: "Lam sao noi thuong anh" and "Cry". Other virtual singers, Michau and Damsan, previously appeared at the Ho Do International Music Festival 2022 in TP HCM via hologram projections, with real voices converted into virtual sound.

Virtual singer Ann (second from left) and MTV group in the MV. *Photo: Organizer provided*.

MTV, a boy band known for its modern music and alternative rock style, initially comprised five members: Thanh Nguyen, Le Minh, Anh Tuan, Phan Dinh Tung, and Hung Vu. After 15 years, the group continues with three members: Le Minh, Anh Tuan, and Thien Minh, having navigated numerous changes. This collaboration places Vietnam within a growing global trend. Unlike the nascent exploration in Vietnam's domestic music scene, virtual singers have "taken over" the Asian entertainment industry, particularly in Japan, China, and Korea. According to GlobalTimes, these virtual artists generate revenue from MVs, live performances, merchandise sales, and brand endorsements in the digital age.

Hoang Dung