UPRIZE debuts with a 7-member lineup, aspiring to become the number one idol group in Vietnam.
From 30 contestants in the Survival Stage, undergoing rigorous auditions, to 11 newcomers advancing to the next round, along with 5 nights of international exchange performances, and finally, 8 talented young men making it to the Grand Finale, this is proof of a spectacular transformation in appearance, professional skills, and work ethic.
Top 8 rookies advance alongside all-powerful producer SOOBIN before the debut lineup is announced.
Through the final interview, the audience also got a deeper insight into the hearts of the young artists as they shared about their journey, especially with Cuong Bach - who had experienced many moments of wanting to give up: "If 'The All-Round Rookie' had appeared about half a year to a year later, I think I would have chosen something else to do... I've thought about giving up many times, but my desire and passion to stand on stage was too great." Each transformation of the rookies throughout this journey shows that the core value of the program lies not only in skills but also in honing personal resilience in the face of the immense pressure of the entertainment industry.
At the International Exchange stage with the group TEMPEST, the 8 rookies delivered an explosive performance of "Temple," achieving 98.6% of the milestone score, successfully unlocking 2 more debut spots and bringing the official lineup of the debut group to 7 members. With the name "UPRIZE," a play on words from "Rise UP," embodying the spirit of "Rising Up," the group will not just be a name but an affirmation of their proactive spirit in forging their own path and constantly conquering new heights.
The performance of "Temple" at the International Exchange Stage in the Final Round ignited the audience.
In the moment of receiving the honorary shirt – a symbol of discipline and unity – the 7 members with the highest individual scores across 5 Performances and 1 Final Night, including Cuong Bach, Phuc Nguyen, Lam Anh, Duc Duy, Wonbi, Duy Lan, and Long Hoang, shared emotional stories, each carrying an inspiring tale of their own growth:
Cường Bạch, the first member to directly debut and also achieving the title of "National Idol" by reaching Top 1 in online voting, said: "I want to thank the 'seeds that have sprouted' over the past 7 years. You are the ones who have made me the happiest person today. And I can confidently say that the current Cường Bạch has surpassed the Cường Bạch of the past. I hope that we will continue to walk together to conquer many more paths and achieve even greater goals in the future."
Phuc Nguyen (Highest accumulated points): “This is just the beginning... Phuc Nguyen will always remind himself to always have a goal in mind and will prove to everyone that they will be proud of Phuc Nguyen.”
Lam Anh: “These guys, whose talent was doubted from the very first episode, and who were questioned about whether they were qualified to participate in an idol program, are standing here today to prove that they deserve it.”
The rookies expressed their gratitude to the audience for the memorable journey they had just completed.
Duc Duy: “In the beginning, I was always afraid that I wasn't as good as others. Now, I realize that I don't need to be better than anyone else; the person I need to surpass is myself... I've been hiding in the shadows for too long. I need to let myself into the light, not just the stage light, but also the light of everyone. Everyone is my light.”
Wonbi: “My journey in pursuing art cannot be without my mother. We've gone through so much together that I didn't even have enough gas to go to school, but my mother still sacrificed for me. I know the next stage will be very difficult for me, but if my mother continues to support me, I will confidently pursue my passion seriously and wholeheartedly.”
Duy Lân: “We’ve shed a lot of sweat, a lot of blood, but of course, we’ve also had a lot of fun… Thank you to all the new recruits, thank you for growing together. Thank you for being a part of each other’s youth. Everyone, each and every one of you, is a part of what has been the most meaningful journey of my life. And I believe that the light you are all radiating, no matter what, will surely shine even brighter in the future in some way.”
Long Hoang: “The journey so far has truly been like a miracle for me. I think I'm one of the most resilient members of the All-Round Rookies, people often tease me, saying I'm 'long-lived and legendary,' and I think that's very fitting…”
Ms. Ngo Thi Van Hanh - General Director of YeaH1 Group - shared about the journey so far and the aspiration to become the number one idol group in Vietnam.
Speaking about the group's vision, Ms. Ngo Thi Van Hanh – General Director of YeaH1 Group – affirmed: “We have expectations, and I believe you share them. We expect to have a music group where our boys are both talented and virtuous, worthy of representing Vietnamese youth... We hope that we will continue to develop, continue to receive the love of the audience, and become a source of pride, steadfastly striving towards the goal of becoming the number one idol group in Vietnam.”
Setting the goal of becoming the number one group is not just an assertion, but a strategic move based on solid training and an "international-level" mindset. UPRIZE emerged at a time when the V-pop market craved idol groups with distinct personalities while still meeting professional standards according to regional criteria. With the support of strategic partners and a leading training team, UPRIZE promises to not only inherit the best qualities of previous generations but also embody the free-spiritedness and independence of Gen Z, creating a modern Vietnamese musical identity capable of competing on equal footing in the international arena.
Thai Le Minh Hieu: A regrettable ending and an open future for the newcomers.
Although the UPRIZE lineup has officially announced 7 members, the absence of Thai Le Minh Hieu has left many viewers with mixed feelings and regret. Entering the program as a model, 2025 marked a bold turning point for Hieu when he decided to pursue a professional music career. From someone who "didn't know how to dance," Hieu diligently practiced to overcome his limitations. His presence in the Top 8 of the Finals wasn't just luck, but the result of a strong will and unwavering effort to fulfill his role completely, even in skills that were previously his weaknesses.
UPRIZE Group
Despite narrowly missing out on a debut, Hieu proudly shared: “I’m happy because I’ve had such a beautiful journey, going through all the auditions and performances to become who I am today. Now, I’m confident standing in front of thousands of people to dance, sing, and express my emotions. That change is very positive… as long as I’m happy, that’s all that matters.” With strong support from his fan community, after the Grand Finale, Thai Le Minh Hieu’s career path will surely not end here, but will open up new and promising directions for a promising entertainment artist in V-biz.
Furthermore, regarding the future of other contestants in the Top 11 Rookies, such as Ho Dong Quan, Swan Nguyen, and Minhtin, the public believes that even though they didn't make it into the official debut lineup, their potential and recognition after the show are proof of the success in creating a generation of outstanding young artists. With their honed skills and support from the production team, a bright future awaits them.
Individual cumulative score report
The launch of UPRIZE is not only a perfect ending to a "survival" program but also the beginning of a promising journey to redefine the concept of "idol group" in the Vietnamese market. With a foundation of iron discipline honed over nine months and a modern musical mindset, UPRIZE carries the responsibility of pioneers, ready to break old boundaries and establish new standards. No longer timid rookies, the seven boys are now a unified entity, where distinct personalities blend to create collective strength.
UPRIZE faces a long road ahead with bigger stages and wider markets, but with the spirit of "proactively forging their own path," this new generation boy band is expected to become a proud symbol, bringing the pulse of Vietnamese music to resonate with the global art scene. Audiences have every right to believe that UPRIZE will not only achieve the title of "number 1 in Vietnam" but will also become young, determined cultural ambassadors striving for the brightest heights in the future.
Source: https://bvhttdl.gov.vn/khep-lai-hanh-trinh-dao-tao-9-thang-uprize-hua-hen-tiep-tuc-bung-no-tren-thi-truong-giai-tri-viet-nam-2026011818214951.htm
Comment (0)