Episode 4 of “Anh Trai Vượt Ngàn Chông Gai 2026”: Challenges emerge, genuine brotherhood shines through the first Performance Round

The four Nhà: Nhà Vinh Quy Bái Tổ, Nhà Điện Ảnh, Nhà Soạn Nhạc, and Nhà Hoa Lửa delivered emotionally charged performances. In the end, Nhà Soạn Nhạc emerged as the leader of the bracket, while Nhà Làm Mạnh also secured a place in the next round. Performance Round 1 concluded on an emotional note as the first two Anh Tài to leave the competition were 14 Casper and Vương Anh Tú.

Hắc Mã Match: A stage for breakthroughs and soaring emotions

Nhà Vinh Quy Bái Tổ: Lý Ngựa Ô performance

Nhà Vinh Quy Bái Tổ opened the match with a performance of "Lý Ngựa Ô," a song featuring the melodies of Huế folk music

Opening the Hắc Mã Match was Nhà Vinh Quy Bái Tổ, the "knight" House comprising three Anh Tài: Jun Phạm (Leader), Thanh Duy, and Mew Amazing, with an impressive remake of "Lý Ngựa Ô." Drawing on the Huế folk melodies associated with traditional wedding processions, the cultural exchange between regions, and the aspiration for marital happiness, the performance conveyed a story of courage and determination. It portrayed a man who, after bringing glory to his homeland, returns home to embrace the personal happiness he has long sought.

The stage was brought to life by a remarkable remake of the familiar song

Beyond its captivating musical arrangement, the performance also stood out for Jun Phạm's spectacular martial arts and choreography. He surprised the audience with a professionally choreographed broadsword routine created by Anh Tài K24 Nguyễn Trần Duy Nhất, while Thanh Duy and Mew Amazing complemented the performance with graceful silk dance sequences, creating a harmonious balance between strength and elegance. The opening performance earned 2,150 audience votes, officially setting the benchmark score for the entire Hắc Mã Match.

Nhà Điện Ảnh: Anh Sẽ Đến Cùng Cơn Mưa performance

Nhà Điện Ảnh brought a deeply moving family story to the stage

In the second performance, Nhà Điện Ảnh, comprising four Anh Tài including Neko Lê (Leader), Nguyễn Văn Chung, Tùng Mint, and Phùng Minh Cương, chose the vocal ballad "Anh Sẽ Đến Cùng Cơn Mưa." The song was inspired by a film about a family that loses its mother. Hoping to comfort a child who longs to see her again, the father tells the child that the mother will return when the rainy season arrives. When the rains finally come, she does return, bringing the family moments of complete happiness. However, as the rain comes to an end, she is once again forced to say goodbye.

To create a performance that was both emotionally resonant and suited to its stage production, Nhà Điện Ảnh thoughtfully reimagined the original storyline. The story follows the spirit of a young man who is granted a brief opportunity to return to his family. During those precious moments, he is immersed in the joy of reuniting with his loved ones. Yet that happiness gradually gives way to heartbreak as he realizes that time is slipping away and the moment of farewell is drawing near. Despite the overwhelming pain and regret, he cherishes every second and remains quietly grateful for the precious opportunity to bid his family one final goodbye.

Nhà Điện Ảnh brought the reimagined storyline to life with an emotionally powerful performance

Because the group was not particularly strong in vocals, House Leader Neko Lê guided the team to work together to overcome their individual weaknesses rather than focusing solely on their strengths. Nhà Điện Ảnh's heartfelt portrayal of the reimagined story resonated deeply with the audience. However, the performance ultimately fell short of surpassing the benchmark score previously set by Nhà Vinh Quy Bái Tổ.

Nhà Soạn Nhạc: Nợ Em Cả Bầu Trời performance

Nhà Soạn Nhạc was regarded as a formidable contender, boasting well-rounded Anh Tài with strengths across the board

The turning point of the Hắc Mã Match came with the third performance, "Nợ Em Cả Bầu Trời," presented by Nhà Soạn Nhạc, comprising four Anh Tài: Hoàng Tôn (Leader), Thỏ (Da LAB), OSAD, Hồ Đông Quan, and Hà An Huy. The only X-Song (original composition) featured in Performance Round 1, the song was developed from an improvised chord progression by Hà An Huy, combined with a demo that Hoàng Tôn had created eight years earlier and had seemingly left unfinished.

The X-Song developed from an improvised chord progression, gave the five Anh Tài the opportunity to shine on stage

A heartfelt ballad, "Nợ Em Cả Bầu Trời" tells the story of a man riding into battle, forced at times to set aside his personal feelings in pursuit of a greater purpose. The song serves as a poignant message of comfort and farewell to the one left behind: "Thật lòng anh chẳng muốn xa rời - Và tiến nuối vẫn đầy vơi - Nợ em cả bầu trời - Nợ em cả một đời". Brought to life by the five Anh Tài's emotive vocals and enhanced by an elaborate stage production that captivated both the eyes and the ears, Nhà Soạn Nhạc rose to claim the No. 1 spot in the Hắc Mã Match.

Nhà Hoa Lửa: Let Me Go performance

Nhà Hoa Lửa closed the Hắc Mã Match with a spectacular performance of "Let Me Go"

Closing the Hắc Mã Match was Nhà Hoa Lửa, comprising five Anh Tài including Hoàng Dũng (Leader), Thơm (Da LAB), Hoàng Rob, Vương Anh Tú, and Cheng, with the performance of "Let Me Go." Sharing the inspiration behind the song, House Leader Hoàng Dũng explained that "Let Me Go" serves as a metaphor for breaking free from conventional boundaries, celebrating the spirit of freedom and the journey of men on horseback in pursuit of artistic fulfillment.

With its energetic melody and demanding choreography, the performance challenged every member to push beyond their limits. Despite the pressure of closing Performance Round 1, the group delivered a passionate and explosive stage performance. However, their score was ultimately not enough to surpass Nhà Soạn Nhạc, which remained at the top of the Hắc Mã Match.

Nhà Hoa Lửa captivated the audience with five distinctive vocal colors and intricate choreography, delivering a performance that impressed both visually and musically

A life-or-death moment and the emotional farewell of Anh Tài 14 Casper and Vương Anh Tú

With the final results, Nhà Soạn Nhạc, the Top 1 of the Hắc Mã Match, and Nhà Làm Mạnh, the Top 1 of the Bạch Mã Match, became the only two Houses to advance to the next Performance Round with all of their members intact. House Leader Hoàng Tôn shared emotionally, "It means so much to move on to the next round together with my brothers. It feels like all of our hard work and dedication have finally paid off."

In contrast, the remaining six Houses were placed in the danger zone. The six Anh Tài with the lowest individual Firepower scores from each House, including Mew Amazing (Nhà Vinh Quy Bái Tổ), Tùng Mint (Nhà Điện Ảnh), Thuận Nguyễn (Nhà Mỹ Nam), Vương Anh Tú (Nhà Hoa Lửa), 14 Casper (Nhà Ngoại Ô), and Đinh Mạnh Ninh (Nhà Củi Lửa), faced a greater risk of elimination than their teammates.

Each Anh Tài in the danger zone was given a choice: enter the Fire Chamber alone to face the result or step inside together with their teammates. The moment fully embodied the spirit of Brotherhood, highlighting the deep bond and quiet sacrifices shared among the Anh Tài. Most Houses ultimately chose to move forward together and face the outcome as one.

Explaining his decision to enter the Fire Chamber alongside his teammates, 14 Casper shared emotionally, "I don't know why everyone else chose to go alone or with their teammates, but I believe I ended up in this group because of my brothers' choice. Even so, they have always fought wholeheartedly to protect us. They were also the ones who encouraged me and gave me the confidence to do things I once believed I could never achieve. That's why I wanted to face this result together with them."

Unlike most of the others, Tùng Mint and Vương Anh Tú chose to enter the Fire Chamber alone to spare their teammates from sharing the emotional burden. Vương Anh Tú reflected, "I have seen how hard my teammates have worked. I didn't want them to go through this heavy moment with me after everything they had given. So I chose to face my own journey on my own."

Whether they chose to stand together or shoulder the burden alone, the sincerity and mutual respect shared among the Anh Tài created one of the episode's most touching and memorable moments. In the end, the first two Anh Tài to bid farewell to the program were 14 Casper from Nhà Ngoại Ô and Vương Anh Tú from Nhà Hoa Lửa.

2 Anh Tài end their journey at Performance Round 1

14 Casper reflected emotionally as he bid farewell to the program, saying, "Although my journey was brief and not long enough for me to fully see how much I have changed, I can clearly feel that I have broken down many of the barriers that once held me back, allowing me to become more confident. The most precious gift I will take with me from this journey is the brotherhood I have found here. Throughout my life, I have always been the older brother carrying responsibilities for others. But here, for the first time, I experienced what it feels like to be cared for and cherished by everyone. I will always treasure these memories and the beautiful moments we shared together."

Anh Tài 14 Casper and Vương Anh Tú bid farewell to the competition, surrounded by the embraces of their teammates and a shared sense of regret

Anh Tài Vương Anh Tú also reflected on his journey, saying, "Having gone through many challenges in both my career and personal life, I have come to realize that whether it is a beginning or an ending, my passion for art will never fade. When I first joined the program, I often felt overwhelmed. But as time went on, through the moments we shared together and seeing everyone embrace each other in tears at farewell, I felt truly grateful for having overcome my own fears and gained experiences and values that I will always cherish".

The remaining Anh Tài could not hold back their tears as they bid farewell to two exceptionally talented and beloved teammates

Bringing Performance Round 1 to a close with many unforgettable emotional moments, "Anh Trai Vượt Ngàn Chông Gai 2026" promises to deliver even more spectacular and intense competitions in the episodes to come.

Source: 1Production