The familiar chime of a video call signals the start of the Bollywood Hungama interview. Effervescent energy practically radiates through the screen as Prim Chanikarn and Dew Jirawat, Thailand actors greet us with wide smiles. Their excitement for their Thai drama is palpable – the highly anticipated Thai adaptation of the heartwarming drama, A Love So Beautiful. Based on the popular Chinese web novel, A Love So Beautiful has already captured hearts with its Chinese and Korean iterations. Now, Thailand has gotten its version, from GMMTV and Prim and Dew stealing the show as Som-O and Chadjen, childhood friends whose lives become intricately intertwined.
EXCLUSIVE: Dew Jirawat and Prim Chanikarn on reimagining A Love So Beautiful for Thailand, global appeal of Thai lakorns and watching Indian movies: “Remember watching Gangubai Kathiawadi”
“Hi there! Thanks for joining us today,” Prim beamed, her bright eyes sparkling. Dew leaned in with a friendly nod, “We’re so excited to chat about A Love So Beautiful.”
The excitement is contagious. Prim, a rising star known for her captivating performances in F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers and Enigma, has brought her signature innocence and talent to Som-O. Dew, who has impressed audiences in dramas like F4 Thailand: Boys Over Flowers and Home School, is equally poised to portray the multifaceted character of Chadjen.
“The story follows Som-O and Chadjen, who’ve practically grown up together,” Dew explained in his voice warm. “They live next door, share the same bus rides, even study in the same room – their bond is almost telepathic.” Prim elaborated, “But things take a turn when Chadjen experiences a personal tragedy. His world is shaken, and with his mother remarrying and moving to France, he faces a difficult choice.”
When asked what drew them to the characters, both Dew and Prim light up. “We were fascinated with the bonding of these characters,” Dew said. “The relationship, the foundation, and the kind of grooming [these two had] from the beginning. That’s what attracted us.”
Stepping into the shoes of a well-established character like Som-O, who exists across a novel, a Chinese drama, and a Korean adaptation, presents a unique challenge for any actor. Prim acknowledged this, but assured, “I have been a fan of this [character] since the beginning. To prepare for the role, I went through workshops and did extensive preparations. This process helped me understand the character and really get into her skin.”
In the episodes aired so far, Chadjen is grappling with personal challenges. To understand the emotional arch of the character, Dew took a method approach. “I basically put myself in Chadjen’s shoes,” he explained. “The fact that he has all these feelings he can’t express, bottled up inside, comes out through his eyes. I learned to navigate those [feelings] by expressing them through subtle nuances. I kind of blended all of these emotions [and turmoil] as the character seems similar [to me] to understand him on a deeper level.”
While pre-existing interpretations can be a double-edged sword, Dew and Prim embraced the challenge, crafting their own unique visions of the characters. When asked if they saw it as a positive or a challenge, they both replied enthusiastically, “Of course, it’s a positive advantage! This adaptation has romance and comedy, and we chose to go all out on it. It’s something our audience has never seen before. It’s a great way for people to get to know these characters in different layers.”
“We’re both huge fans of the original story,” Dew confessed, a smile lighting up his face. “The chance to breathe life into these characters and share this heartwarming tale with a Thai audience is truly special.”
Prim nods in enthusiastic agreement. “We want to capture the essence of first love, the joys and challenges of friendship, and the importance of family,” she explained. “We hope viewers will connect with the characters and their journey.”
Prim elaborates, “I also found it easier because Som-o is very close to my age in the series. We treat each other with respect and with love.” They add, “In the beginning, we got along very well and the fact that we have had open conversations with each other, that approach did break the ice and kind of transcended the synergy very well.”
This open communication and mutual trust extend to their working relationship with the director, Kungfu Nitivat Cholvanichsiri. “The director gave us creative freedom to improvise and put ourselves in the character’s shoes and think of it as if it were us in that situation,” Dew explains. “He told us to imagine how we would react in certain situations. For most of it, we got a lot of creative liberty from our director.”
This freedom allowed them to explore the nuances of their characters, breathing life into their portrayals. Prim, a familiar face in Thai entertainment since childhood, has honed her craft through a diverse range of roles. When asked about her approach to embodying unique and believable characters, she reveals, “The way I have strongly approached [characters] is by being a good listener. To listen and to feel [these roles] of different ages and have different kinds of characteristics and surroundings, I have been able to apply those learnings to her characters whether it is an ordinary character, or I needed to add a spin to it. Being a good listener has really helped me learn a lot of things about myself and the roles I have played.”
As the interview progressed, the conversation shifted to Dew’s aspirations for the future. “I would like to do more of life hustling kind of roles or action-packed characters,” he shares, a glint of excitement in his eyes. However, his vision extends beyond acting. “In 10 years,” he continues, “I would like to be a successful person. I am 24 now and would, turn 34 [in 10 years]. I hope to become a successful person in terms of being an entrepreneur and in different fields. I would also like to track back to my history of learning arts and explore more of that. I would like to explore arts and bond with my father [on it]. So, you know, I want to kind of bring that on the realm of creative fields.”
Prim echoes this sentiment, expressing her desire for continued growth. “For me, I hope to continue being accepted as a professional actress, and grow in other fields of creative too,” she said, her voice filled with determination. “I want to also take on opportunities, no matter how challenging it is, I want to explore them.”
Laughter fills the zoom call as Dew ponders a question about advice for his high school self. “I would like to tell my high-school self that when you grow up you will look great,” he declared with a chuckle. “You’ll look handsome. Don’t worry about it. Yeah.” His playful response left both Prim, his co-star and interviewer, and the translator in stitches.
Prim takes a more introspective approach. “Do as your heart says without any hesitation,” she advises her younger self. “Because there’s only one chance to be in that journey. So might as well give it a go.”
The conversation delves deeper, touching upon the surging popularity of Thai dramas worldwide. “We watch Indian content too,” Dew revealed, sparking a discussion about the cultural exchange fostered by the global entertainment landscape. Prim elaborated, “This is how you see the diverse cultures around the world and the love around the world is a foundation to bridge the gap between varied cultures.”
Their enthusiasm for international entertainment translates to specific recommendations. “Gangubai Kathiawadi,” Dew enthused, referring to the widely acclaimed 2022 Indian film starring Alia Bhatt and helmed Gangubai Kathiawadi. “It was so famous in Thailand. It was viral a couple of years ago.”
As the interview neared its end, Prim’s radiant smile spoke volumes. “We can’t wait for everyone to see A Love So Beautiful,” she beams, her excitement palpable. Dew echoed her sentiment with a warm smile, “We hope you’ll fall in love with Som-O and Chadjen’s journey as much as we have.”
The infectious enthusiasm of Prim and Dew is undeniable. As A Love So Beautiful captures attention, Prim and Dew turn into the perfect blossoms to capture its essence.
Interview Thai Interpreter/Translator: [Roc Chyarop Burapat]
[This interview has been edited for length and clarity]
ALSO READ: After Korean remake, A Love So Beautiful set for Thai adaptation with Prim Chanikarn and Dew Jirawat; set to premiere on June 3, watch trailer
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