Singing actor finds fans
By Suwitcha Chaiyong
Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb
Did you know
At school, Son was in a band with Ammy from The Bottom Blues.
Before being a lead actor in the high-rating TV drama Kaen Sanaeha (Furious Affection), heart-throb Yuke Songpaisan (Son) was criticised about his bad acting skills, with some viewers describing him as robotic.
However, the 24-year-old actor has proven extremely popular not in his homeland, but also in China, where he has many fans. Son even won the most popular overseas artist prize at the recent Asian Idol Awards for his work in the TV drama, Li Kid Fah Cha Ta Din (Destiny).
Though he has become known as an actor, Son’s dream job is singing. The star’s dream came true when he had the opportunity to sing “Jai Aoei (Oh My Heart)” for the Furious Affection soundtrack. Son then released his ballad “Roem Ton Rak Gan Mai (Back to Love)” with Grammy’s subsidiary label, Frontage.
Student Weekly recently met up with Son at the Frontage office. The good-looking star told us about how he improved his acting skills and about his new music career.
Student Weekly: What was your first performance like when you were in a junior high school band?
Son: Our first performance was at our school, Bangkok Christian College, which is a boys’ school. We didn’t get any compliments. Our friends criticised us badly, because they all played in bands as well. But we didn’t take their criticism seriously.
Student Weekly: Since your band played rock music, why did you decide to start singing pop songs?
Son: I enjoy listening rock music and it was fun to play, but my voice is soft. It goes well with easy-listening songs.
Student Weekly: How did you feel when your first single was released?
Son: I was overwhelmed. I’ve dreamed of being a singer since I was very young. I never thought about acting. I almost cried when I first got to record in a studio, because I was finally doing what I loved.
Student Weekly: What were the main differences between singing “Back to Love” and “Oh My Heart”?
Son: “Back to Love” features a type of soulful melody that I wasn’t familiar with. I had to practise a lot before recording the song. “Oh My Heart” is an easy-listening ballad. It’s an emotional song, but it wasn’t as difficult to sing as “Back to Love.”
Student Weekly: How did you improve your acting skills?
Son: I learned from watching other actors, and by seeing a lot of American and Korean movies. I also studied acting with director M.L. Bhandevanop Devakula. I’ve always believed in my characters, but the way I expressed it wasn’t obvious. I used to act the way I’d react to situations in real life, but I learned that I had to express my feelings much more than that.
Student Weekly: How do you prepare yourself for crying scenes?
Son: I just try to believe what has happened to the character. But while crying, I have to control my face so that it doesn’t become too distorted. Nobody wants to see an ugly face on TV! When I can’t control my face, I sometimes just cover it with my hands.
Student Weekly: Can you tell us about the recent Asian Idol Awards?
Son: There were celebrities from all around Asia at the event, and Chinese fans came to support their favourite singers and actors. I was proud to be there as a Thai actor. I prepared some Chinese phrases and also spoke English while I was there.
Student Weekly: Is Chinese language difficult?
Son: Yes. It’s very difficult to separate the sounds of different words. I plan to study Chinese language in the future.
Student Weekly: What was your meeting in Shanghai like?
Son: It was my first meeting and it was great. My fans were very happy to see me. Some of them even cried. I sang a Chinese version of Loso’s song, “Fon Tok Thee Na Tang (Raining at the Window),” because it’s a well-known song there.
Student Weekly: What were your Chinese fans like?
Son: I was impressed that they were so happy to see me. They tried to get very close to me and even chased me everywhere by taxi! I think it was similar to the way Thai fans react to Korean celebrities.
Student Weekly: What do you particularly like about being a singer?
Son: I love to get up onstage and see happy fans in the audience. I’m addicted to being onstage and hearing my fans scream. They encourage me a lot.
Vocabulary
- heart-throb (n): a famous man, usually an actor or a singer, that a lot of women find attractive
robotic (adj): like a robot, making stiff movements and speaking without feeling or expression, etc.
subsidiary (n): owned or controlled by another company
compliment (n): a remark that expresses praise or admiration of somebody
overwhelm (v): to have such a strong emotional effect on somebody that they don’t know how to react
emotional (adj): showing strong feelings
distort (v): to change the shape, appearance or sound of something so that it is strange or not clear
addicted (adj): enthusiastically devoted to a particular thing or activity
encourage (v): to give somebody support, courage or hope
