Singer takes on TV
By Suwitcha Chaiyong
Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb
Did you know
Mod learned boxing for an upcoming TV comedy.
While pop duo Four Mod have taken a break from singing, both women have been keeping busy working on their individual projects.
Napapat Wattanakamonwut (Mod) has proved to be a standout actress. The 23-year-old star has played bad characters in several TV dramas since 2012, including Nong Mia (Sister-In-Law), Pu Cha Na Sib Thid (The Conqueror of Ten Directions) and most recently, Ching Rak Hak Sawat (Battle of Love).
Mod has also been working as a TV host on the programme Aueng Tueng Siaw (Speechless, Amazing and Exciting), which presents weird and wonderful things from around Thailand. On the show, Mod somehow makes everything run smoothly while dealing with many odd people and situations.
Student Weekly recently met up with Mod at Channel 8, where she told us about her television work.
Student Weekly: How did you feel when you were first offered the job as a host on Speechless, Amazing and Exciting?
Mod: I was thrilled. I also felt a bit scared because I knew I’d be working in some unusual situations. But I accepted the offer right away. I always like to work on something new.
Student Weekly: What makes the show stand out?
Mod: We present amazing and exciting things that will leave viewers speechless, as the title of the show suggests. I never expected to experience things like what we have on the show. For example, we had one guy who ate a live lizard. I had to watch him eat it and describe what happened!
Student Weekly: What is the biggest challenge of being a TV host?
Mod: I have to deal with unexpected situations. I also have no idea how the interviewees will react to me. I have to guess what viewers would want to know in each situation and respond to what people say quickly. I still have a lot to learn.
Student Weekly: Which episode was the most impressive for you so far?
Mod: When we filmed in Chiang Mai, we met an old man who fried chicken with his bare hands. I was surprised to see his hands in hot oil!
Student Weekly: Is there anything in particular that you’d still like to do on the show?
Mod: I’ve always wanted to swim with dolphins or feed dolphins and penguins, but the programme staff said that it wasn’t weird enough for the show. I also wanted to play with tiger and lion cubs, and that dream come true when we went to the Night Safari in Chiang Mai. They were so adorable.
Student Weekly: How do you feel about playing bad characters in TV dramas?
Mod: It’s fun! I always read the entire script before learning my part so that I can understand my character’s background and thoughts. When I play bad characters in dramas, I try to give some depth to their personalities. Sometimes I got a migraine from feeling the pressure that the characters experience.
Student Weekly: In Mae Lueak Koed Dai (If We Can Choose Where We Come From), you got to play a good character. How did you feel about that?
Mod: That role was the opposite from what I’d done before. Baiporn was a weepy character, but I was able to cry because I could understand how she felt. Playing a good character was tough because I had to act calm, and in real life I’m pretty hyperactive. I had to concentrate on acting more than usual.
Student Weekly: Do you have any special message for your viewers?
Mod: Speechless, Amazing and Exciting is a great new opportunity for me. I guarantee that the show lives up to its title!
Vocabulary
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speechless (adj): not able to speak because you are so surprised, shocked, angry, etc.
odd (adj): strange or unusual
interviewee (n): the person who answers the questions in an interview
bare (adj): not covered by any clothes
depth (n): the strength and power of feelings
migraine (n): a very severe type of headache which often makes people feel sick and have trouble seeing
weepy (adj): sad and tending to cry easily
hyperactive (adj): too active and only able to keep quiet and still for short periods of time
