"Globalization and Public Catographies of Vietnam Idol" by Long Bui

The biggest disappointment of my life is when in Season 9, Jessica Sanchez lost American Idol to Phillip Phillips. Not relevant, but just had to say.

Honestly, this reading had me really lost. There were so many words and ideas that Bui used that confused the hell out of me. I found myself looking up multiple definitions of idea words and then word words (like ersatz. Who uses that????)

I digress. This article was taking a look at what a bigger global scene really means and uses Vietnam Idol to explore that. An interesting aspect of this article is how Vietnam "isn't ready" for such intense globalization. Idol is based on an audience that has access to technology (ie a TV to watch the show weekly and phones to call in and vote) but 70% of the Vietnamese population is rural and maybe don't even know what the show; the show is not reaching a substantial portion of the Vietnamese people. However, the show's producers still attempt to advertise is as this amazing modern thing that represents how amazing Vietnam is, as if somehow, these young, attractive looking singers represent Vietnam. Perhaps this is the way that producers want to showcase Vietnam, but the case is, its not. Its an inaccurate way to represent Vietnam.

They are trying to create a reality TV show that is more authentic to Vietnam! But the problem is, they are trying to take a US led masculine globalization idea (aka something that is totally not what Vietnam is all about) and trying to make it their own. It's like trying to create a product that is copying someone else, but trying to say that it is all you. Its like Paladins vs Overwatch. Paladins says that they may have been inspired by Overwatch, but cmon, its Overwatch. And I applaud Vietnam Idol, but they do not have enough global capital to create its own Idol type cultural creation. Places like Japan and China, with more capital, don't need and Idol type cultural item because they have a bigger global presence. Vietnam doesn't have that influence and power, and perhaps they are trying to compensate by jumping into the global scene so quickly.

The whole idea of a masculine culture with a feminine face image is actually really interesting. The idea that feminine beauty representing a public culture is a masculine idea. Her looks are more important than her voice, which is just. That's messed up. However, it is interesting how Phuong Vy brought up the agent orange bit, as if this authenticates Vietnam Idol. It actually does I think. It says that while they may be moving forward with the world (or rather, trying to) they must remember their history.