Sơn Tùng M-TP’s new music video to be permanently deleted following controversy over suicidal content

Sơn Tùng M-TP in a still from his latest music video “There’s No One At All”,  which has faced criticism for allegedly encouraging violence and suicide. Photo courtesy of M-TP Entertainment

HÀ NỘI — “There’s No One At All”, the latest music video from Vietnamese singer Sơn Tùng M-TP, will be permanently deleted and his company M-TP Entertainment fined VNĐ 70 million over the controversial violent and suicidal content, the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism confirmed on Thursday.

Previously, the video was removed from YouTube Việt Nam following a request of the Department of Performing Arts under the culture ministry.

Following the meeting with representatives of M-TP Entertainment, Phạm Cao Thái, Chief Inspector of the Ministry of Culture, Sports and Tourism, informed that the company would be fined VNĐ 70 million and must take remedial measures.

The measures include forcible destruction of any cultural product with harmful contents, returning illegal profits obtained from the commission of violations, and removing all sound and video recordings associated with the cultural product in electronic form on networks and the digital environment.

“Teenagers’ depression and suicide are a big concern of the whole society. Therefore, the State management agency has taken action promptly and the violators have also been made aware of and sanctioned according to Decree No. 38/2021/ND-CP on prescribing penalties for administrative violations, involving cultural and advertising activities,” Thái said.

Sơn Tùng M-TP was not present at the meeting and instead authorised a representative, Nguyễn Trần Dương, the Company’s Sales and Development Director.

As the music video is only unavailable on YouTube in Việt Nam, but is still available in other countries, M-TP Entertainment said they were aware of the violations and are committed to complying with the law, namely destroying the products and completely removing it from all platforms.

“There’s No One At All”, composed and performed by Sơn Tùng M-TP, drew criticism for allegedly encouraging suicide by portraying an orphan who jumped off a tall building after experiencing depression.

Many parents thought the music video transmitted a negative message about life, and were afraid that its violent content could negatively affect children, especially in light of recent suicides among young students across the country.

“There’s No One At All” was Tùng’s first song in English. As of Friday afternoon, 22 hours after its official release on YouTube, the video had over 7.2 million views.

Sơn Tùng M-TP, whose real name is Nguyễn Thanh Tùng, 28, is one of the biggest pop stars in Việt Nam.

Called the “Prince of V-pop” for his popularity, Tùng has received many accolades, including an MTV Europe Music Award, a Dedication Music Award, a Mnet Asian Music Award, seven Làn Sóng Xanh (Green Wave) Awards and inclusion in Forbes Vietnam’s 2018 30 Under 30 list. VNS