KUALA LUMPUR, May 16 — Fresh off the success of a comeback album that has already racked up millions of streams, V-pop sensation Grey D has set his sights on performing for a Malaysian audience.

The 24-year-old artist, widely regarded as one of Vietnam’s biggest digital acts, recently released “Hoa ra...”, the lead single from his debut studio album, Ánh Sáng • Màn Đêm (Light • Darkness).

Since its release on March 23, the album has amassed over five million Spotify streams, with the single’s music video surpassing two million views on YouTube.

This growing regional recognition has fuelled his ambition to connect with fans beyond his home country.

“If my music is loved by audiences in Malaysia, that would be amazing,” Grey D told Malay Mail in a recent interview. “If possible, I’d love to perform for Malaysian fans and introduce more of Vietnamese music to them.”

Born Doan The Lan, the singer first rose to prominence on reality shows like The Voice Kids Vietnam before becoming the youngest member of the popular V-pop boy band Monstar.

Since launching his solo career in 2022, he has become Vietnam’s most-streamed male artist on Spotify, and was the first Vietnamese artist to surpass 1.5 million monthly listeners on the platform.

However, the transition from a group to a solo act was a daunting journey.

“As a solo artist, I have to take on every role myself,” he admitted. “Honestly, it was very overwhelming at first, and looking back now, I feel grateful for the journey I’ve been through. When one person has to handle everything that would normally be done by a whole team, you naturally have to spend much more time on it.”

That professional challenge coincided with a difficult personal and creative period, which became the central theme of his new album.

“‘ÁNH SÁNG’ (Light) represents the moment I found myself again through music,” he explained.

“It was during a period when I felt like I had fallen into ‘MÀN ĐÊM’ (Darkness) — lost, directionless, and emotionally numb. That emptiness was what scared me the most.”

He explained that “Hoa ra...” was chosen as the lead single because it symbolised his creative rebirth after nearly two years of feeling lost.

“When I finished writing it, it felt like I had rediscovered the feeling I’d been searching for during those two years in the darkness,” he said.

While the millions of streams are a welcome validation, Grey D insists that his songwriting comes from a place of genuine emotion, not a desire for chart success.

“I believe that only when I create music from genuine feelings can it truly connect with the audience’s emotions,” he said.

Asked about the potential for V-pop to find a foothold in Malaysia similar to K-pop, Grey D remained humble.

“I see myself as just one individual, but if V-pop can make an impression in Malaysia, that would also be something I’m truly proud of,” he said.

Ultimately, after a period of intense self-reflection, his focus has shifted from metrics to personal fulfilment. For him, the joy of creating is now the ultimate reward. As for the fans he hopes to meet here one day, he has a simple expectation.

“I think I’ll meet people who are incredibly lovely and friendly,” he said. “I believe music is something truly beautiful — a bond that can bring people together, no matter where you’re from.”