Kaimook makes her movie debut
By Tatat Bunnag
Photographs by Varuth Hiranyatheb
and are courtesy of Sahamongkol Film
Did you know
Prachya planned to make a film about luk thung music before he started working on Ong Bak.
With hits like Tom Yum Goong and Ong Bak, director Prachya Pinkaew is well-known for his action and martial arts movies.
Prachya’s new film, Luk Thung Signature, may surprise his fans with its mix of romantic comedy and traditional folk music of Northeast Thailand.
Luk Thung Signature tells the stories of seven couples whose lives are represented by different luk thung songs. Most actors who appear in the film are also established singers, including Ben Chalatit, Noi Pru, Nim AF5 and Tanon Jamroenj. The Voice Thailand starlet Rungrat Mengpanit (Kaimook) makes her film debut as an office maid who enjoys singing her favourite luk thung tunes at work.
As Luk Thung Signature opens on February 11, just before Valentine's Day, Student Weekly caught up with the 19-year-old star to chat about her movie role, passion for music and ideas about Valentine’s Day.
Student Weekly: How was your first acting experience?
Kaimook: It was fun and exciting, but I have to admit that acting is much more difficult than singing. I feel more confident with singing than acting. But this is definitely a good opportunity for me to try new things.
Student Weekly: How did you first become involved with the project?
Kaimook: I went to audition before I joined The Voice. Before that, singing was more like a hobby than a career. One day my friend saw an ad about the film and suggested that I should go to a casting. I thought it could be fun and somehow I got the part.
Student Weekly: Can you tell us about the plot and your character in the film?
Kaimook: The film tells story of people in different social classes who are all living in Bangkok, and how their lives involve luk thung music. I play an Isaan girl who works as an office cleaner. She has a passion for music, but is very shy so always hides in the toilet to sing. That’s the start of her romantic story.
Student Weekly: Were you familiar with luk thung music before working on this film?
Kaimook: I was born listening to luk thung. It’s been a big part of my life ever since I can remember. I always perform luk thung songs in every singing competition I join, including The Voice.
Student Weekly: Do you have any luk thung idol?
Kaimook: Like every luk thung fan, my idol will always be Pumpuang Duangjan. She’s the greatest singer of all time.
Student Weekly: As the movie will be in theatres just in time for Valentine’s Day, do you have any romantic plans?
Kaimook: Not really, I’ve never paid much attention to these kinds of celebrations. It’s not crucial that you have to give or receive presents on Valentine’s Day. You can do special things for the ones you love any day. I remember that when I was a kid I usually skipped school on Valentine’s Day, because there were too many people giving flowers. It’s kind of annoying. [Laughs.]
Student Weekly: What makes Luk Thung Signature interesting to watch?
Kaimook: It’s a movie for any music lover, no matter who you are, how old you are or what job you do. There’s never been a movie about luk thung music mixed with the lives of Bangkokians, which makes it very interesting.
Vocabulary
- starlet (n): a young woman actor who plays small parts and hopes to become famous
audition (n): a short performance given by an actor so that somebody can decide whether they are suitable to act in a film or TV show
crucial (adj): extremely important
skip (v): to not do something that you usually do or should do
