Hot heart-throb finds first love
By Tatat Bunnag
Photographs are courtesy of
Sahamongkol Film International
Did you know
First Love was originally called Where is Love?.
Thai movie fans will surely be excited to see First Love, the first feature film to star the kingdom’s currently hottest celebrity, Jirayu Tangsrisuk (James).
Directed by Pitak Panpleam, First Love is a coming of age comedy about a first romance, set in the beautiful surrounds of northern Thailand.
In the film, James plays a university freshman who applies for membership with the university’s Ballroom Dance Club in attempt to be near the girl of his dreams.
Student Weekly recently caught up with the 19-year-old heart-throb to ask him all about the making of First Love, which opens in cinemas this week.
Student Weekly: Can you tell us about your character in the film?
James: I play a university freshman named Namnan. He’s a nice guy, but very lazy. Namnan usually gets up late in the morning, and he has no real goal in life. But everything changes when he meets Pakboong, who is a member of the Ballroom Dance Club. Namnan decides to change and do whatever it takes to win her heart. He even joins the Ballroom Dance Club.
Student Weekly: Is the character you played much different from your real personality?
James: It’s pretty close, actually. Like Namnan, I’m quite a laid-back person. But whenever I’m into something, I always try to give it my best effort.
Student Weekly: Was the entire film shot in Phitsanulok?
James: We shot many scenes in Phitsanulok and surrounding provinces, including at the famous Phra Si Rattana Mahathat temple. We also filmed a scene at Phu Tab Berk in Phetchabun province. We filmed at dawn near a Hmong hill tribe village. We were up on the hill since six in the morning to catch the romantic sunrise.
Student Weekly: Is it true that you taught your co-star Kiratika Sawangjang [Sai-Eiam] ballroom dancing?
James: Yes. I used to learn Latin and ballroom dance, so I knew some of the basics. We had to rehearse a lot before filming the dance scenes. We also had a dance instructor to teach us. I just gave Sai-Eiam some tips while we were rehearsing together. It went really well because she’s a fast learner!
Student Weekly: What’s the most memorable scene for you in First Love?
James: I love the scene where we ride on a traditional long-tailed boat. Namnan and some friends rush to take a boat so that they can meet Pakboong in time. It was definitely a fun experience.
Student Weekly: Do you remember your experience of first love?
James: I’m not sure if I can really call it first love, but I did like a girl who was in the same class as me in kindergarten. I didn’t do much from what I remember, but I tried to act cool near her. [Laughs.] Whenever we had afternoon nap time, I used to get up from my spot and try to sleep near her when the teacher left the room!
Student Weekly: Do you plan to act in more feature films?
James: Absolutely. I’m currently filming a new romantic drama movie called Timeline, which will also star Toey Jarinporn. Hopefully the filming will be finished by the end of the year.
Vocabulary
- bond (v): to develop a relationship of trust and affection with somebody
currently (adv): at the present time
surrounds (n): used when referring to a particular area
freshman (n): a student who is in their first year at a university, college or high school
heart-throb (n): a famous man, usually an actor or a singer, that a lot of women find attractive
goal (n): something that you hope to achieve
laid-back (adj): calm and relaxed
dawn (n): the time of day when light first appears
basics (n): the simplest and most important things that people need in a particular situation
rush (v): to move or do something with great speed
