GAIA want your love
By Suwitcha Chaiyong, photo courtesy of Do A Dot
The girl group GAIA created a buzz when it was formed in 2013. Its 25-year-old singer, Jutamas Wichai (Joy), was already known by K-pop fans because she joined GAIA after leaving the Korean group Rania. Following the singles "Audition Lueak Dai (Audition)," "Love Potion" and "Rak Thoe Tae Thoe Mai Roo (Unrequited Love)," GAIA recently released the dance song, "Love Me Please."
Student Weekly met up with Joy and the other members — Sirapassara Sintrakarnpol (Pam), 24, Janjera Junpitakchai (Junji), 24, Thanissa Intharit (Pleng), 21 and Panisa Udomruangkiat (Nun), 20) — at their label Do A Dot where they told us their fitness tips and band goals.
Student Weekly: When did you realise that you wanted to be a singer?
Pleng: When I was in a junior high school. I got great feedback when I performed in front of my relatives, friends and school mates.
Junji: I was a professional dancer and decided to be a singer because I was asked to attend an audition for GAIA. I thought it was a great opportunity.
Pam: I love to sing. Many American and Korean singers inspire me.
Nun: I fell in love with singing after joining several singing contests. I also like American and Korean artists and wish I could perform like them.
Joy: I started singing luk thung and changed to pop when K-pop became popular in Thailand. I went to auditions at several Korean labels and became a singer in Korea after high school.
Student Weekly: Did your parents support your decision to become a singer?
Junji: My parents run their own business, so they didn't understand why I wanted to be a performer. But I was stubborn. I chose my own path
Pam: During high school, my mother wasn't happy that I was obsessed with music and neglected my studies. But I made her proud by getting a bachelor's degree even though I was working as a singer.
Joy: I had a big argument when I wanted to give up my biology scholarship and pursue my singing career in Korea. I think I made the right decision.
Student Weekly: How did you learn the English lyrics for "Audition" and "Love Potion"?
Pam: Our American coaches told us how to pronounce every word. We had to practice a lot. The coaches were helpful.
Student Weekly: What do you do to maintain your singing and dancing?
Pam: To build teamwork, we have to practice a lot.
Junji: When we don't practice together, we have to maintain our strength by exercising.
Student Weekly: How do you feel when people compare GAIA with K-pop groups?
Pam: It's normal. Korea has so many girl groups and boy bands. But please check out our work. We try to be ourselves and we don't copy K-pop groups.
Student Weekly: How do you stay fit?
Junji: I would recommend that SW readers don't skip their meals or use diet pills. I used to take diet pills and they made me unhealthy and lifeless. You should exercise for 30 minutes, three times a week.
Pleng: If you don't like exercise, you should do other fun activities such as running with your dogs or doing household chores.
Student Weekly: What's GAIA's goal?
Pam: We'd like to meet everybody who appreciates our songs and likes to sing and dance. We're happy to perform onstage and make people have fun.
Joy: Our goal is to win over a lot of Thai people. We want our songs to be heard in other countries, but before being international we need support from local fans.
stubborn (adj): determined not to change your opinion or attitude
neglect (v): to not give enough care or attention to people or things that are your responsibility
pronounce (v): to make the sound of a word or letter in a particular way
maintain (v): to make something continue at the same level or standard
diet pill (n): a pill designed to help somebody lose weight
chore (n): a job or piece of work that is often boring or unpleasant but needs to be done regularly
win over (phrasal v): to get somebody's support or approval by persuading them that you are right
