Globalization and Public Cartographies of Vietnam Idol by Long Bui

            Bui address the global popular culture limitations and the impact of globalizing processes by using the case study of Vietnam Idol. The notions of intercultural convergence and exchange through media communication disregard challenges of postcolonial nations to assume full membership in “global village” (886). There is a tension between “cultural homogenization” and “cultural heterogenization”. When I read about these terms, I thought about how there is constant struggle in culture of trying to be independent, but also consenting and using aspects from other cultures. This is demonstrated in Vietnam idol. The show brought Vietnam into the global culture but it also served to create contradictory notions of culture. The author contrasts it to western Idol. Vietnam idol has poor lighting, cheesy theme songs, cheap production which all contribute to its appearance as an inferior version of the Western shows such as American Idol. It also receives less circulation and prestige. The contestants sing songs ranging from a wide variety from other Asian ballads to US hip hop and their own culture’s traditional music. Additionally, like the American idol highlights personal stories and struggles, Vietnam Idol also highlights contestant’s struggles as well. Yet, the author notes that they are taken as just an evidence of global happening made possible by the “arrival of particular form of US cultural expression. I also thought how it was interesting how on page 894, Bui inserted the dialogue of the two different judges explain how it is expected for Vietnam Idol to be a copy cat of American idol. But they cannot; as each country has different cultures and behaviors, therefore, the judges and contests will show different behaviors from those of American Idol. This relates to topics discussed in lecture how culture is dynamic and always changing and that there is no one culture.