The Top 9 Pivotal Milestones in Pham Hong Phuoc's Career

Vietnam Idol 2012 stands as a paramount milestone in the musical journey of the 'Lonely Adult' crooner. Formerly a Foreign Language Education student, Pham Hong Phuoc, with his confidence, charm, and articulate communication skills, had already engaged in hosting various events. Hong Phuoc found his musical calling when he participated in this program. Renowned as the most 'vocally expressive' contestant, he earned the title of 'the strange wind' of Vietnam Idol 2012 from both judges and the audience. Pham Hong Phuoc showcased his ability to innovate, be creative, and break conventions, establishing a unique stage presence. He was highly praised for his excellent song selection and interpretation that harmonized well with his vocal range. Although he exited at Top 8, earlier than his talent deserved, the name Pham Hong Phuoc resonated with many. Post the competition, he continued to refine his education, transitioning from a future teacher to a full-fledged artistic path, receiving warm acceptance for his compositions. While not shining brightly in Vietnam Idol 2012, the show served as a launchpad for the successful music career of this talented musician today.

After collaborating on two singles with Huong Giang Idol, namely 'Season We Loved' (2/2013) and 'Acoustic Lemon Tea' (4/2013), Pham Hong Phuoc decided to redefine himself and assert his unique style with the debut solo single 'When Adults Are Lonely.' The song was released in July 2013, a time when Pham Hong Phuoc had already secured a solid place in the hearts of fans. 'When Adults Are Lonely' is part of the eponymous album, which also includes another track, 'The Sunless Side of the House.' Upon its release, the song garnered enthusiastic support from music enthusiasts, quickly making an impact and dominating reputable charts for an extended period. On Zing Mp3, 'When Adults Are Lonely' received nearly 44 million listens - an impressive number for a young singer. It's worth noting that this is also Pham Hong Phuoc's debut composition. To date, his name remains associated with the title 'the lonely lad.' The music video for the song also received fervent support, much like 'Season We Loved,' and its concept is equally unique. Currently, 'When Adults Are Lonely' has amassed over 7.5 million views, making it Pham Hong Phuoc's most-watched music video to date. With this single, Pham Hong Phuoc truly affirmed his unadulterated musical style - the style of a songwriter crafting essays set to music. Through 'When Adults Are Lonely,' Pham Hong Phuoc also solidified his place in the hearts of fans.

Right after concluding Vietnam Idol 2012, Pham Hong Phuoc introduced the duet single 'The Season We Loved' with his close friend Hương Giang Idol, as a gift to the fans who supported both during their time on the show. The song, composed by Pham Hong Phuoc himself, was unveiled on Valentine's Day in 2013. With its adorable lyrics, catchy melody, and emotionally charged performance by the duo, the song quickly gained enthusiastic support from the audience. The music video also exudes vibrant colors and is presented under a rather unique concept. At present, the MV has garnered over 4 million views. To this day, 'The Season We Loved' remains a go-to track for many young people to dedicate to their loved ones on every Valentine's Day.

In late 2015, following the success of the song 'I Have a Beautiful Sorrow,' Pham Hong Phuoc continued to present his fans with the second album 'We Will Be Fine' featuring 7 standout tracks. Among them, the most notable are the duet 'I Will Be Fine' with Thuy Chi and 'Thank You for Leaving Me' - the theme song of the book with the same title. Apart from the 6 self-composed songs, Pham Hong Phuoc made a strong impression with a bold transformation, collaborating with the owner of the hit 'Really Surprised,' Mew Amazing. This song brought an entirely new flavor compared to Pham Hong Phuoc's usual musical style, requiring him to undergo significant changes in both image and musical approach. It even took him half a year to learn the dance routine for this song. This marks one of the rare occasions when Pham Hong Phuoc sang a song not of his own composition. Eager to reinvent himself but not entirely confident in a different musical genre, he decided to collaborate with Mew. The song addresses the facade that young people often feel compelled to present, portraying a well-behaved front to others, only to truly live with rebellion within themselves 'after hours return.' This rebellion may be playful, mischievous, or even grotesque, but it is the essence that people try to conceal behind a perfect mask. The song and MV 'After Hours Return' contain sensitive scenes in both visuals and lyrics, hence being labeled 18+. While age labeling is common in music videos globally, it still remains relatively novel in the Vietnamese music scene. With this MV, you'll encounter a remarkably dynamic Pham Hong Phuoc, showcasing impeccable dance skills. It can be considered the perfect 'transformation' for the 'scholar' from 'Lonely Adult.'

Swing is a subgenre of Jazz originating from Africa and Europe. In Vietnam, Swing music isn't entirely new, but no young artist has seriously pursued it. In early 2014, Pham Hong Phuoc decided to make a mark with a Swing-influenced song following his successes in 2013. 'Spring Swing,' a song composed by Pham Hong Phuoc himself, aimed to bring a touch of sophistication closer to Vietnamese audiences. Through this song, Pham Hong Phuoc hoped to pioneer the serious pursuit of this music genre in Vietnam. Motivated by this aspiration, he invested in a music video for the song, shot in a retro style trending on social media. The video, with its vintage charm, perfectly complemented the festive Tet atmosphere. The song received considerable acclaim and support. Through 'Spring Swing,' Pham Hong Phuoc asserted his ability to explore various music genres, breaking away from the melancholic ballads with a self-reflective touch that he was known for.

Around mid-2016, after the success of 'Youth Will Pass' in collaboration with Van Mai Huong, Pham Hong Phuoc returned to the audience with a stylish MV promoting tourism in Vietnam. The MV for 'Vietnam, Go, Kiss, and Love' was meticulously filmed and completed by the young singer and his team over three months in various locations across the country. With this song, Pham Hong Phuoc shared, 'I am extremely proud of the beauty and people of our Vietnam. Through this song, I want to convey a message about love for the homeland. I hope that after listening, it will inspire everyone to step away from the online world, pack their bags, and go explore the landscapes of their birthplace.' 'Vietnam, Go, Kiss, and Love' has a fast-paced, cheerful tempo with a contemporary flair, blending pop and world music with traditional ethnic instruments. Just two weeks after the audio release, the song reached the top 3 most listened and shared tracks, as well as topped various music charts. Currently, the song has over 13 million listens on the Zing Mp3 music platform. Recently, on January 6, 2017, Pham Hong Phuoc proudly received the Top Hits Of Year 2016 award for 'Vietnam, Go, Kiss, and Love' at the Yan Vpop 20 Award ceremony. Additionally, he was nominated for the Male Singer of the Year award, competing with prominent names like Noo Phuoc Thinh, Thanh Duy, Soobin Hoang Son, Trong Hieu, among others.

2016 was a remarkably successful year for Pham Hong Phuoc, not only introducing a series of hits but also having the honor of playing the lead role in the film 'The Island of Inhabitants,' directed by actor Hong Anh. Despite being a newcomer and relatively inexperienced, Hong Anh placed great trust in Pham Hong Phuoc. His co-stars included renowned names such as Ngoc Thanh Tam and Nhan Phuc Vinh. Pham Hong Phuoc, feeling a great sense of responsibility, even shed 8kg for the role and learned to dive to capture the most authentic underwater scenes. Hong Anh had immense confidence in Hong Phuoc, believing his personality closely matched the character in the film, predicting that Pham Hong Phuoc would bring a fresh breeze to Vietnamese cinema. 'The Island of Inhabitants' explores the dilemmas in the journey to find happiness and the meaning of life for its characters, depicting a vibrant portrait of Vietnam's multicultural and multiracial society. After completion, Hong Anh promised that 'The Island of Inhabitants' would participate in national and international film festivals before its official release in theaters nationwide later this year.