Vietnamese Glee.
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Glee Vietnam is one of the most hotly anticipated TV shows of the year. Following the format of the US version, it is set in a high school and tells the story of a bunch of ill-adjusted misfits.
However, unlike in the US version, the actors selected for Glee Vietnam look less like social outcasts, and more like mean girls (and boys). Moreover, while the Vietnamese cast includes a number of well-known local actors, fans are worried about their ability to sing – the main tenet of the TV show.
For instance, Yaya Truong Nhi taking the role of coach Sue Sylvester, played by Jane Lynch in the American version, seems like a big gamble. This is not only because Yaya Truong Nhi’s young glamorous look is startlingly different to the original character (a brash middle aged woman), but also her singing voice has been described as ‘passable’. There is also no telling about her acting ability, which is a big concern for such a significant Glee character. Other cast members with questionable singing ability are Rocker Nguyen, Huu Vi, and Angela Phuong Trinh.
The film directed by Nguyen Phan Quang Binh. According to director Nguyen Phan Quang Binh, the crew wants to make changes to the show to make it suit local culture. Binh said some changes are necessary because otherwise fans could just watch the original. “I hope Glee lovers will welcome the changes”, he said.
Glee US version was first aired in May 2009 and quickly became a phenonmemon, featuring numerous big-name guest stars such as Britney Spears, Gwyneth Patrow and Ricky Martin.
The show brings together a group of ambitious misfits who try to escape the harsh realities of high school by joining a glee club, where they find strength, acceptance and their voice, while working to pursue dreams of their own. In 2011, it won a Golden Globe for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy, and an Emmy for Outstanding Casting for a Comedy Series.
