In the second half of 2019, 1977 Vlog suddenly became a phenomenon on YouTube in particular and social media in general. Everywhere you go, you can hear people discussing the three guys and repeating the classic lines: “How? Have you ever seen Cậu Vàng?”, “Life is like a tango dance…”, “In this world, there are 2 people who can’t wave a fan, that’s Doraemon and Mị”,…
But perhaps people only know them and refer to them by the characters they play, such as Mr. Giáo, Cậu Vàng, Chí Phèo,… without remembering their real names. So, the person we meet today is not Cậu Vàng, not Chị Dậu, and not Mị or Thị, but just a guy born in 2001, Văn Tân.
Of course, we can’t deny that Tân became famous thanks to his roles, but in real life, he has many other interesting things as well. The most interesting thing is that even though he is just a freshman who has just arrived in Hanoi to study at university, or a Cậu Vàng with tens of thousands of followers, Tân still keeps all the most genuine and sincere qualities.
Our neighbor informed my parents about my fame, I didn’t tell them
Filming clips, doing advertisements, and occasionally participating in other activities, does Tân get very busy?
I find it normal, if not to say I’m free. Because I’m just a freshman, I only have a few classes a week, not every day, so I have quite a lot of free time.
It seems like working with 1977 Vlog doesn’t affect your studies much, right?
Exactly. I don’t see it affecting me at all.
At the beginning when I just started filming clips, I spent quite a lot of time, but luckily in the first semester, I had fewer classes, only one session a week. In the second semester, I got a bit busier, but I can still manage. Moreover, I don’t have to rent a house here; I stay at my uncle’s house. After school, I only have to eat and wash dishes, so it’s not too busy.
Studying while participating in filming clips, have you ever failed any subjects?
No, I haven’t. The subjects in the first year are just foundational courses, so if I pay a little attention, I can pass. It’s easy. *laughs*
So, do your parents know that you are filming comedy clips and are famous?
Yes. My parents knew from the first clip, but it wasn’t me who told them, it was our neighbor. At first, my parents didn’t know, but the neighbors watched the clips from 1977 Vlog and told my parents something like “that Tân kid does this and that.” So, when I got home, my parents asked me about it.
What did they say after finding out?
From the beginning, my parents have only encouraged me. They told me to try to learn from the two older brothers to gain experience to make my work easier and smoother.
What about your studies?
Ah, yes. My parents have mentioned that studying comes first, filming clips is fine, but I still have to focus on my studies.
Who wants to play the role of a dog…
Can you tell us about the time the two older brothers invited you to film a clip?
At first, the two brothers just hinted like “Tân, come over tomorrow to film a clip with me”. I had no idea what kind of clip it was, but since they asked, I just went. Then they explained the filming plan and stuff, and assigned me the role of Cậu Vàng. Of course, I refused; who wants to play the role of a dog, I would prefer to be Lão Hạc or Mr. Giáo. So I said, “I’m not filming. I’m going home now”. But in the end, “life pushed me along,” I was convinced by them.
How long was that convincing period?
About 1-2 days.
Was there a decisive moment that made you agree, or did they just talk a lot until you agreed?
They convinced me quite a bit. They praised the Cậu Vàng clip a lot, like “This script is amazing. Just film one and you will be famous, blabla.” Who knew it would actually be true.
Suddenly being invited to film a clip, you must have encountered quite a bit of hesitation and difficulties?
Right. Because both of them had participated in acting and had a passion for it already, while I was starting from scratch, I was very hesitant at first. However, they taught me little by little, from expressions to facial features and voice as well. However, I could learn those things, but the voice was something I couldn’t manage.
You’ve played all these roles like Cậu Vàng and female roles like Mị, Chị Dậu, Thị,… do you feel uncomfortable or “unjust”?
Of course. Besides Cậu Vàng, I also didn’t agree to all the female roles in the 6 clips. They were okay with letting me play other roles while they played female ones. But oh my, I don’t know if everyone has seen that picture of Trung Anh playing a female role? He looks like a Caribbean pirate! And then they said: “Tân, look at his face, isn’t it scary? Your face suits better. Just do it for your brothers”. So in the end, with their persuasion, I felt happy with every role.
So if you could choose any role, what kind of character would you pick?
I would choose roles like the evil ones such as A Sử, Chí Phèo, etc. From the second clip, I wanted to choose roles like that.
Why?
Because I like them. It’s just personal preference and desire.
Among the 6 clips, which one impressed you the most?
For me, the most impressive clip is Chị Dậu because it left a lot of marks like filming day and night, and there were many memorable scenes.
Which scene is the most impressive? Why?
That’s the scene “Life is like a tango dance…”. Because it was very long, and it was the first time I had to perform such a long line. Moreover, the line had to go along with actions. But when I was acting, I couldn’t say it, and when I was saying it, I couldn’t act. It looks easy in the clip, but coordinating both was quite difficult. So even though the two of them marked the ground for me to step to say this line here and that line there, it took me half a day to film that scene.
After so many takes, if you were asked to do it again now, could you do it?
No. The characteristic of my roles from beginning to end is just frowning, frowning, and frowning. And my voice isn’t even my own, so now if I’m asked to frown, I could do that, but acting, I can’t.
Although Sơn Tùng seems a bit shorter than me, he’s very handsome!
Between the two brothers, do you prefer Trung Anh or Việt Anh?
Since they are twins, their personalities are not much different, so I appreciate both of them. Also, why favor just one brother and then find myself… in trouble.
So what would you say about the two brothers?
Both are funny and humorous, but Việt tends to express himself more, while Trung is more reserved. Like Trung is better at persuasion, while Việt is more of the joker.
Now that when mentioning 1977 Vlog, many people will only remember the two twin brothers. Do you ever feel a bit left out?
Definitely not. I feel that this is as normal as eating or drinking every day.
At the end of 2019, you often went to Ho Chi Minh City, right? Was there anything that surprised or fascinated you there?
I found everything different—the scenery, people, and everything. I see Saigon has more trees and fewer people on the street. It could be because I go out when everyone is at home, for example.
So when you attended the WeChoice Awards Gala 2019, was there anything particularly impressive?
I got to meet famous people. The most special was meeting Đen Vâu, taking pictures, and asking for his autograph. I really liked him, and he is my idol. Oh, I also got to meet Sơn Tùng. Although he seems a bit shorter than me, he is very handsome.
People never call me by my name, always “Cậu Vàng, Chị Dậu, Mị,…” It’s so frustrating!!!!
Your life must have changed since you became famous?
Right. More people know me. One time I returned to my hometown and then came back to Hanoi, on the way from my house to the bus stop, I passed by a few neighbors. Occasionally, someone saw me and called out, “Oh Tân, Tân come here, let me hug you” and “Ah! This kid was on TV yesterday”… In general, wherever I go, people ask about me.
What about at school? Have you encountered any funny or special situations after becoming famous?
There was a time I asked to leave early because I had something to do, and the teacher said: “You look familiar. Did you film some vlog? Are you going to leave to film a clip?”. It seems all the teachers recognize me.
So it’s hard to skip school?
Ah. I don’t skip school. I usually send my class schedule to the two brothers, and they arrange the filming schedule, advertisements, and events for me so that it doesn’t clash with my class schedule.
With such a rapid increase in followers, many fans, and being incredibly popular on social media. It must feel very happy and proud?
Actually, I feel more bewildered. Because Facebook was peaceful, I just scrolled through quietly, and suddenly, boom, one person after another sent friend requests and messages.
So how do you deal with this chaos?
I will randomly accept one person.
Have you encountered any inconveniences?
Yes. Before, when I went on Facebook, I could comment and chat with friends about anything. But now I have to be careful, mindful of my words because everyone will be reading it.
Have you had any special situations online? Like a female fan confessing her feelings for you?
I haven’t had any confessions, but I’ve had many people trying to get to know me. But people never call me by my name, always “Chị Dậu, Cậu Vàng, Mị,…” It’s so frustrating!!!!
What about love? Do you have a girlfriend?
I don’t. Before, people mentioned a girl I took a picture with as my girlfriend, but that’s not true. She’s just a regular friend of mine. It’s normal for everyone to hang out and check-in with friends.
Do you have an ideal type of girlfriend?
I hope my girlfriend will have 4 points: not too fat, not too thin, is a girl, and is a Vietnamese girl. As for looks, just ordinary is fine, being too pretty doesn’t really matter.
This year for Tet, did you buy a lot of things?
Now I feel no interest in this anymore. When I was younger, I used to ask my parents to buy new things for Tet, but now that I’m older, I don’t. Moreover, recently I bought clothes for a few events, so I think I can wear them for Tet too.
Have you given your parents any gifts or lucky money?
I have given them the WeChoice Awards cup. As for lucky money, I have, but I won’t disclose the amount.
Thank you, Tân, for the conversation. Wishing you and 1977 Vlog a happy new year and even more success!