Episode 6 "Tan Binh Toan Nang": leader battle as the risk of elimination appears for the first time

Facing the pressure to maintain the lineup, the "Promoted Rookie Team (Tan Binh Thang Cap)" decided to accept the highest challenge level ever, 115%, to rescue all 3 teammates, "All or nothing."

The competition for the leader position between Ho Dong Quan and Cuong Bach: Who is the suitable one?

Right on the eve of the 3rd performance, with the mental burden of facing the decisive round for the teammates' safety, the captain position becomes more important than ever, “This time, the leader will have a greater responsibility. Now, the group is missing 3 people, so we need a leader who leads really well, not just in skills but also in spirit, everything.” - Long Hoang shared.

Although trusted by the whole group, Ho Dong Quan and Cuong Bach had to go through a period of contemplation before deciding to run for the leader position because of the "trauma" from the previous phase when they had to watch the teammates they led stop one by one. However, facing the heavy responsibility of this decisive Performance, strengthened by the encouragement of their brothers and seeing the absolute trust in the members' eyes, both Cuong Bach and Ho Dong Quan were determined to set aside old feelings to bravely step up and take on the leader role.

Immediately after, the private discussion with All-Round Producer SOOBIN quickly highlighted the contrast in leadership styles of the two candidates. SOOBIN acknowledged that both Cuong and Quan possess talent and admirable diligence, and are a solid spiritual support for the whole team. However, SOOBIN also analyzed clearly: the difference in personality and psychology will make Cuong Bach's and Ho Dong Quan's leadership styles completely opposite, bringing distinct advantages and risks to the team.

Ho Dong Quan opened up about his previous times taking on the leader responsibility, "I always had to brace myself, try to become a standard for everyone to follow". However, seeing his teammates frozen, Dong Quan was determined to try again: "I really want to take care of everyone, so from then on, I started learning to be a leader, learning to become a good captain… Seeing my brothers frozen or my brothers at risk of stopping, I can't stand it.”

Contrary to Dong Quan's thoughts, Cuong Bach frankly shared that he is someone who always seeks freedom and personality, not wanting to force himself into a mold: "Honestly, with my personality and the artist orientation I'm developing, I don't really want to be a leader!". But Cuong Bach is ready to take on the responsibility because this is a very important round, "We need someone who can stand up to motivate as well as be a strong spiritual support for the whole group, to be able to get through the 3rd performance and rescue teammates, because it also affects the results, which could cause members to be eliminated.”

For All-Round Producer SOOBIN, the leader position in this phase needs someone with the ability to correct and put things on track. He emphasized: "The important thing in a leader's job is to help things get on track… Leaders are those who can speak and must be able to do." After careful consideration, All-Round Producer SOOBIN officially entrusted the leader responsibility to Cuong Bach for the 3rd performance. This decision reflects SOOBIN's priority for a decisive spirit, rather than the contemplation of someone looking for an escape for himself.

Explaining this decision, SOOBIN shared: "In this 3rd performance, you will truly fall into difficult challenges. When talking to both of you, SOOBIN saw that Cuong's spirit was higher. Quan is still quite doubtful of himself." In fact, Ho Dong Quan also frankly expressed his own lost state: "I haven't been able to find a path for myself. I know people expect a lot from me and I want to solve the problem of how to get out of my comfort zone."

However, SOOBIN hopes this is not an exclusion but a strategic combination between the two 'big brothers' of the "Promoted Rookie Team (Tan Binh Thang Cap)". All-Round Producer SOOBIN concluded: "Although Cuong is the leader, I still want to see something from Quan. Cuong and Quan are two very linked chains to regulate the entire atmosphere of the top 11.”

3 rookies frozen, pressure falls on the shoulders of the safe ones

The defeat in the 2nd performance caused 3 members, Thai Le Minh Hieu, Wonbi, and minhtin, to be frozen. The pressure is even higher as this is the first Performance where failing any challenge level means the risk of being frozen and eliminated.

Right from the first days of practicing for the song "Real Talk" in the Rescue Round (Vòng Phá băng), the atmosphere at the dormitory and the practice room became empty and heavy. While the safe members raced against time, the three frozen rookies were forced to stay behind, helplessly watching their teammates shoulder the responsibility of rescuing them.

Wonbi shared his emptiness: "It's quite empty. Before, I only practiced continuously, every day I had to wake up early to practice 3 songs at once, so I got used to that feeling. Now, every morning I wake up, I see everyone preparing their things and then watch them go to practice, it feels a bit sad". This helplessness also comes with a feeling of guilt seeing teammates pressured because of him, minhtin expressed: "When I was frozen, I felt very guilty because I had to put more pressure on the safe members to rescue me." Wonbi, Thai Le Minh Hieu, and minhtin even had to ask the crew to enter the monitor room to watch their brothers practice because they were so worried.

This situation created immense invisible pressure on the safe group. Ho Dong Quan felt it clearly: "The fact that I go to practice while 3 members are still sitting back at the dormitory, waiting for me, waiting for the results, the achievements I bring back, that feeling is truly an invisible pressure". However, this very pressure became a huge motivation for the safe rookies to try even harder. Leader Cuong Bach affirmed the "for each other" spirit: "Everyone will also give their all for Quan, for Tan, for Hieu.", Duy Lan also tried to overcome his stomach ache during practice, with the determination: "Not to leave anyone behind.”

As for the three frozen members, although not officially practicing, they still decided to use the time to practice the song "Guong vo lam lanh" – the only song they might have a chance to perform. Wonbi said: "With the spirit of the 3 frozen guys, we can't just stand still.”

Spirit of unity due to "survival" risk: Accepting the 115% challenge level for the first time to get the final rescue privilege

3rd performance Rules: The 3rd performance includes 2 rounds:

• Round 1 - Rescue Round (Vòng Phá băng): The 2 international groups perform in turn, the Rookie group performs last. After that, the program will compare the Rookie group's score with the average vote score of the 2 international groups' performances (equivalent to the 100% challenge level mark) to find the result of success or failure in conquering the challenge level.
• Round 2: The Rookie group prepares 2 performances to compete with the 2 international groups. The Vocal performance will be compared by vote score with International Group 1's Vocal performance. The Perform performance will be compared by vote score with International Group 2's Perform performance. Scores are compared based on the same 1 challenge level that the All-Round Producer chose for round 2. The frozen Rookies will be allowed to participate in the Perform performance if successfully rescued in round 1. If the rescue fails, the frozen member's position will be replaced by a dancer.

3rd performance Challenge Levels and Privileges - Round 1 - Rescue Round (Vòng Phá băng):

• Achieve 90% or more of the international group's score: Unfreeze 1 member.
• Achieve 100% or more of the international group's score: Unfreeze 2 members.
• Achieve 115% or more of the international group's score: Unfreeze 3 members.
• Each challenge level can only be chosen once per round; if passed, rescue the corresponding number of members. If round 1 fails to meet the challenge level, excluding the frozen members, each remaining Rookie loses 100 individual points.

For the goal of rescuing all 3 teammates, the rookies accepted to choose the record challenge level of 115% for the first time. “Before now, the group has never dared to choose the 115% challenge level, so I find rescuing all 3 people very difficult.” Duy Lan shared worriedly. Facing these thoughts, leader Cuong Bach affirmed: "In truth, we all do everything for each other, for each other's spirits, for 1 common goal."

Facing the tough 115% challenge level and the "survival" risk for the rookies, All-Round Producer SOOBIN decided to use the "Safety Buff Card" (Thẻ gia tăng an toàn) - a privilege that can only be used once during all 5 Performances - to reduce the challenge level by 11%. "This is a challenge SOOBIN sees as truly 'survival'… I don't want anyone to stop here," SOOBIN explained. The final challenge level for round 1 of the 3rd performance is 104%.

The difficulty of the round increased as the rookies had to face two professional international opponents: the "Diamond Rookie" K-Pop group ARrC, who opened the performance round with the youthful, dynamic performance "Vitamin I", and the powerful boy group from Warner Music, FEniX, who performed "Back to the time" composed by their leader MAX, with an energetic, explosive style. The voting result of the 2 international groups brought an average result of 627 points (equivalent to 100% of the milestone score for the "Promoted Rookie Team (Tan Binh Thang Cap)").

During the practice and recording for the song "Real Talk", the 8 safe rookies faced countless difficulties. This is a song that requires high technique but had to be completed in a short timeframe under the pressure of having to win to rescue their teammates. Understanding this burden, All-Round Producer SOOBIN always stayed close, side-by-side with the Top 11 to guide, paying detailed attention from dividing the singing lines to fit each person's voice, meticulously correcting vocal techniques, recording, to asking about and encouraging the members' health. The companionship of SOOBIN became an important source of motivation, helping the rookies temporarily set aside the pressure to focus all their efforts on the decisive performance.



The 8 members of the "Promoted Rookie Team (Tan Binh Thang Cap)", although they gave their all for the "Real Talk" performance, after the performance, understanding the risks and real pressure, some rookies recognized that the performance still had mistakes, leading to extreme anxiety before the results of this rescue round. However, leader Cường Bạch still recognized the effort from the whole group and boosted their spirits: "At this stage, everyone has seen each other as brothers, as a family. The group knows what the group has to do, so in a way, it also pushes all the brothers to always try every day even though they are very tired. I also want to encourage all the brothers because you all did very well on stage today. Thank you all very much.”

Episode 6 closes, leaving the rescue result of Round 1 of the 3rd performance open, forcing the audience to wait nervously again to see the next developments to confirm the result of the Rescue round that decides the fate of Wonbi, minhtin, and Thai Le Minh Hieu, along with the risk of preserving their forces or having to lose members at this arduous stage for the "Promoted Rookie Team (Tan Binh Thang Cap)".

The program "Tan Binh Toan Nang" (released as a main episode series on VTV3 and YouTube every Saturday night) has set a new standard for idol training programs in Vietnam by absolutely not exploiting drama or sensational elements, but focusing entirely on the professional level and professionalism in the Rookies' development process. With this serious orientation, YeaH1 has proven its strong investment in building a talented young generation of artists with solid skills, not only through the quality of music and choreography but also through the meticulous investment in the stage system, equipment, and standardized training process, affirming its commitment to elevating the quality of Vietnamese art.

The program is currently entering the Leveled-Up (Thang cap) stage, broadcast on VTV3 at 20:00 every Saturday and 20:30 on the YeaH1 One Youtube channel, and is officially available on the MangoPlus entertainment application.

Youtube link for episode 6: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e7lqxbooUUc