Anh trai vượt ngàn chông gai

Anh trai vượt ngàn chông gai (lit. 'Brothers Overcoming Thousands of Obstacles') is a music reality TV show broadcast on VTV3. It is the Vietnamese version of the Chinese show Call Me by Fire, produced by Mango TV.^[3][4]

The show features 33 male artists (referred to as "talents") who perform together in concert nights to compete for a spot in the "all-powerful family," consisting of the final winners. Unlike the female version of the show, Sisters Who Make Waves, this program allows artists nearing the age of 30 to participate. Additionally, following the original Call Me by Fire format, after each concert night, members of the losing team must select a few members to be eliminated from the show, with 17 "talents" ultimately emerging as winners.^[5][6][7]

All the "talents" will split into teams to form musical groups called "houses." They will undergo training to perform in official competition nights, including one concert, five performance nights, and two finales, to select the top "talents" for the "all-powerful family." Throughout the competition, in addition to performing, there will be special rules: bidding for songs and performance order. The 350 audience members in the studio will evaluate and vote for the "talents" to determine the ranking of the performances as well as each person's "firepower points" after every show.^[8][9]

On January 25, 2024, the producers announced via the official fan page of the show "Chị đẹp đạp gió rẽ sóng" that they would be producing and airing "Anh trai vượt ngàn chông gai," the Vietnamese version of the Mango TV (China) reality show "Call Me by Fire." The producers stated that the Vietnamese version will maintain the spirit and values of the original while making appropriate changes to meet the tastes and entertainment culture of the local audience.^[10][4][11] In response to opinions suggesting that "Anh trai vượt ngàn chông gai" is simply a male version of "Chị đẹp đạp gió rẽ sóng," a representative for the producers denied this, stating that the criteria, rules, and methods for resolving conflicts in this show are completely different from the "Chị đẹp" version.^[12][13]

In early April 2024, the producers announced the key members of the production team for the show's first season. Accordingly, Dinh Ha Uyen Thu serves as the general stage director, SlimV as the music director, Anh Tuan and Khanh Vy as the show's hosts, Dang Thieu Ngan as the content consultant, and Tran Quoc Vuong as the stage visual director. The identities of the participants for the first season were revealed throughout April and May 2024.^[14][15]

Starting June 23 (about a week before the official premiere), the show released its identity bumpers, teasers, the official MV teaser, and the official trailer.^[16][17] Before the air date, a representative for the producers further revealed that the contestants "don't just compete in singing but also in wits," demonstrated through the song auction rules. With this signature gameplay, the producers aim to portray men who, while friendly in real life, are highly strategic and resourceful when competing against one another.^[18][19] On June 28, the show's official theme song MV, titled "Hỏa ca" (Song of Fire), was released.^[20][21]

The official press conference took place on June 26 with the participation of almost all the "talented brothers" (except for artist Tự Long, who was absent due to his own schedule)^[22] along with several guest artists.^[23][24] During the press conference, the production representative stated that the show is not looking to form a group like in *Sisters Who Make Waves*, but rather to find an "all-around family," meaning the winners. The producers view this as a beautiful journey with a meaningful destination, and the participants are not required to perform together after the show ends.^[25] Additionally, addressing opinions that the votes from the 350 audience members do not represent the majority, the production representative confirmed there will be an independent auditing firm to oversee the results. The representative asserted that the on-site audience voting is only momentary and does not represent all viewers.^[26] Furthermore, the audience can also vote to choose the winners for seven sub-awards for the "talented brothers."^[27]

At the beginning of 2025, the producer announced that they would not be producing Season 2 of Call Me by Fire in 2025, along with Season 3 of Sisters Who Make Waves,^[28] giving up the airtime for the show Gia đình Haha. The program is expected to resume production for Season 2 in 2026.

The program is produced by the Arts Department of Vietnam Television in collaboration with 1Production (a subsidiary of Yeah1).

The program is filmed at 1Studio (located at 41–49 An Phu, An Phu Ward, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City), which, according to the production unit Yeah1, will "produce high-quality content" for the producer in 2024.^[29] Filming had to be temporarily suspended at one point to dismantle unauthorized construction at the filming location.^[30] According to Tuoi Tre, the site was designated in the construction contract as a "residential building combined with offices," signed between Yeah1 and the Dandelion Advertising Joint Stock Company for a value of over 142 billion VND.^[31]

The show's theme song is "Hỏa ca" (Fire Song), produced by SlimV and co-written with It's Charles, and performed by the 33 "talents" from the first season. The MV teaser was released on June 26^[32] and the official MV was released two days later.^[20][21] SlimV stated that this song was created to convey the spirit of unity and create a bond among the artists participating in the show. The song combines the modernity of electronic music with rock music and symphonic music pieces. According to SlimV, the inspiring nature is the most attractive aspect of this theme song, and through it, he hopes the audience can feel the fiery spirit that the "talents" want to convey, which may include memories from each person's music career.^[33][34]

Anh trai vượt ngàn chông gai broadcasts every Saturday from June 29, 2024, at 8:00 PM on VTV3 and premiered at 8:30 PM on the same day on the channel YouTube Yeah1.^[35]

Right from the announcement of the contestants' identities, Brothers Overcoming Thousands of Thorns attracted audience attention by consistently ranking among the most discussed programs on social media, according to Kompa's statistics.^[36][37] With the program Brothers 'Say Hi' – a program with the same theme, content, and motif – airing at the same time as this program, many viewers predict there will be a competition in terms of popularity and the ambitions of the producers, as well as an expectation that the programs will have their own special elements to attract audiences.^[38] However, according to Người Lao Động, the participation of many artists in the same show can become a disadvantage; the article cited the example of the show Sisters Riding the Winds and Breaking the Waves by the same producer, Yeah1, where too many 'beautiful sisters' caused the audience's attention to be dispersed. Each artist has their own audience and fans, so arguments and accusations to protect idols constantly occur, thereby affecting the producers to some extent.^[39]

The MV for the show's theme song "Hỏa ca" (Fire Song) received much support and praise from the audience upon its release. A review by Znews stated that in addition to the captivating and attractive music and meaningful lyrics, the MV's content was also highly appreciated, and giving all the talented brothers equal vocal time was also a big plus.^[40]

When the first episode aired, the show received widespread audience support; most of the controversial issues in Sisters Who Make Waves were reportedly resolved in Brothers Overcoming Thousands of Obstacles.^[41][42] A review by Law Life stated that it had been a long time since the first seasons of The Voice of Vietnam, Vietnam Idol, or The Remix, that a television program broadcast on national television was as "attractive, impressive, and enjoyable for audiences of all ages" as this one. The review also mentioned that the discussions and comments from the audience about the talents, songs, etc., after each episode on social media were a sight that had not been seen again for a long time. Writing in the online newspaper Communist Party of Vietnam, Anh Tuan commented, "the program has attracted the attention of the audience because of the artistic and humanistic values that a national television channel needs to do in the 4.0 era, the digital age, and at the same time opens up opportunities for producers to aim for a further goal of jointly developing Vietnam's cultural industry."^[43] According to Tien Phong, through the program, artists past their peak regained their appeal, and a series of other artists had their appeal elevated.^[44] The program achieved the top 1 rating on VTV3 for most of its broadcast time, based on female audiences in four major cities according to Kantar Media data.^[45]

The program has also been recognized as a testament to the development of the cultural industry with attractive programs and great social effects. Prime Minister Pham Minh Chinh in his speech at a conference mentioned the success of two concerts Anh trai "say hi" and Anh trai vượt ngàn chông gai, and highly appreciated the creativity of young Vietnamese people participating: "Through these two concerts, we have seen that we are capable enough, intelligent enough, and creative enough to develop the cultural industry and entertainment industry. We have a culture rich in national identity, with internal strength, traditions, and potential to enhance cultural enjoyment..."^[46]

• VTV awarded certificates of merit to the program Brother overcomes thousands of challenges is an "impressive entertainment program, which has made contributions to honoring cultural and national values" at the show on December 14, 2024.^[58]
• The concert Brother overcomes thousands of challenges was awarded by Ministry of Culture, Sports & Tourism in the category of "Outstanding Performance Program of the Year" at the 2024 Program Introducing Outstanding Artists and Notable Books in the Field of Performing Arts and Literature.^[59]
• The concert Brother overcomes thousands of challenges in Ho Chi Minh City on March 22, 2025, was recognized by Guinness World Records as the "Event with the largest number of participants wearing Vietnamese traditional costumes" with over 5,000 people.^[60]

Jun Pham, BB Tran, S.T Son Thach, Kay Tran and Bui Cong Namofficially formed the group B.O.F after the show. The name B.O.F has multiple layers of meaning, combining "Boys On Fire" (passion on stage), "Boys Over Flower" (attraction from individual brilliance), and "Boys Friend" (a close, warm spirit). Operating under the management of 1Label company, the group released their debut song "Tet Dinh Noc" on January 4, 2025.Then, on the evening of May 14, 2025, the group officially launched a "debut" product called "No Fair," inspired by villains from fairy tales, cartoons, comics, and classic legends.^[61][62][63]

Another group named Sx7 was also formed, combining two male artists from season 1, Cuong Seven and (S)TRONG Trong Hieu. The group's name combines the letter "S" from (S)TRONG Trong Hieu, the number "7" from Cuong Seven's stage name, and the letter "x" – a symbol of connection, integration, and balance of opposing energies.^[64]

On August 31, 2024, the show's producer announced plans to organize Anh trai vượt ngàn chông gai 2024 Concert, the show's first concert. The event was held on October 19, 2024, at Ravopark by the Saigon River, part of The Metropole Thu Thiem (Song Viet) complex, in Thu Thiem Ward, Thu Duc Ward, Ho Chi Minh City.^[65] The concert attracted approximately 20,000 attendees, and the organizers donated 1 billion VND to the Thu Duc Nghia Tinh fund. Also during the concert, the producer announced that a second concert would be held in Hanoi, later reconfirmed as Vinhomes Ocean Park 3 in Van Giang Ward, Hung Yen on December 14.^[66][67]

At the show in Hung Yen, the producer continued to announce the organization of third and fourth shows on March 22 and 23, 2025, at The Global City, An Phu Ward, Thu Duc City, Ho Chi Minh City.^[68] After the fourth night, in response to the audience's call, the producer confirmed that the fifth and sixth shows would be held on June 14 and 15 of the same year at Vinhomes Ocean Park 3 in Van Giang, where the second concert was previously held. The producer later announced that the two concerts on September 6 and 7 at The Global City, Hung Yen, would officially be the final leg of the concert series. In addition, the two concerts will also feature participation from farmers, fishermen, and salt farmers in Hung Yen.An Phu, Thu Duc, Ho Chi Minh City. After the 4th night, in response to the audience's call, the producer confirmed that the fifth and sixth shows would be held on June 14 and 15 of the same year at Vinhomes Ocean Park 3 in Van Giang, Hung Yen, where the second concert was previously held.^[69] The producer later announced that the 2 concerts on September 6 and 7 at The Global City, Bình Trưng, Ho Chi Minh City will officially be the final leg of the concert series.^[70] In addition, the 2 concerts will also feature participation from farmers, fishermen, and salt farmers in Haha Family.

At the show in Hung Yenon December 14, 2024, the producer announced a special documentary project called Mưa lửa: Anh trai vượt ngàn chông gai The Movie, along with the third concert schedule expected to take place in March 2025. According to the producer, this is an authentic film about the journey of creating a memorable summer with 33 talented individuals.^[71]

On April 28, 2025, the official poster along with the title "Rain of Fire" for the film was announced. The film officially premiered on May 16, 2025, almost a year after the broadcast, compiling moments from the show as well as performances.^[72]