Ploychompoo keeps busy
By Suwitcha Chaiyong, photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb
Jannine Parawie Weigel (Ploychompoo) is one of the busiest YouTube sensations and pop idols right now. The German-Thai singer has been promoting her first ballad, “Piew (Away),” and was recently in Los Angeles to record two English-language songs after the success of her debut English-language EP Genesis.
As well as her music career, the 15-year-old singer has roles in two upcoming TV series, U-Prince The Series and Love Song Love Stories.
Student Weekly met up with Ploychompoo at the end of her busy day but still welcomed us with a big smile. She told us about how music is important to her and gives a message for people who leave harsh comments on the Internet.
Student Weekly: How important is music to you?
Ploychompoo: If I had to choose, I’d rather be blind than deaf because I can’t live without music. There’s music everywhere, even in our speech. I listen to music every day and in several languages such as English, Korean, French and Thai.
Student Weekly: What inspired you to want to be a world-class singer?
Ploychompoo: I saw many singers achieve their dreams and would like to be at that level. I set my goals high, give my all and try my best.
Student Weekly: Can you tell us more about your new English-language singles?
Ploychompoo: I worked with the same producer who worked on Genesis. The singles will be dance and hip-hop tracks. I told the team what kind of sound and rhythms I wanted.
Student Weekly: What was it like to work with Tor Thanapob in the video for “Away”?
Ploychompoo: I used to watch him on Hormones the Series. His character on the show matches his personality because in person he’s nice and funny.
Student Weekly: What do you do if you have a crush on somebody like in “Away”?
Ploychompoo: If I like a singer, I follow their work. I often have a crush on Korean artists.
Student Weekly: How do you improve your singing?
Ploychompoo: I listen to lots of songs. If I find techniques that I like, I practice them and add my style.
Student Weekly: What was the best thing about working on the successful movie, Roonpee (Senior Student), last year?
Ploychompoo: I learned a lot. I tried a lot of things that I couldn’t do in my normal life such as doing stunts. I was impressed by the great crew. Everybody was very nice.
Student Weekly: How was working on the star-studded TV series, The Cloud Throne?
Ploychompoo: I found working on TV more difficult than movies. I admit that I didn’t completely understand my character, Wirin. I didn’t have much time to prepare since I usually received a script only a week before filming.
Student Weekly: Why did you choose to cover BTS’s “I Need You”?
Ploychompoo: I love BTS’s hip-hop style. I chose to sing the song a cappella because I haven’t heard any Thai singers do that.
Student Weekly: What would you like to tell people who criticise your voice and your cover songs so harshly on the Internet?
Ploychompoo: A lot of people feel like they can say anything on the Internet because their comments are anonymous. If somebody who isn’t as strong as me has to face those kind of comments, they may decide to do something negative. I wish everybody would think carefully about what they type. A comment can affect other people’s lives.
Student Weekly: Will you give up covering K-pop songs after the negative feedback?
Ploychompoo: Never!
harsh (adj): cruel, severe and unkind
deaf (adj): unable to hear
achieve (v): to succeed in finishing something or reaching an aim, especially after a lot of work or effort
crush (on somebody) (n): a strong feeling of love, that usually does not last very long, that a young person has for somebody
a cappella (adj): for singing voices alone, without musical instruments
anonymous (n): made or done by somebody whose name is not known or not made public
stunt (n): a dangerous and difficult action that somebody does to entertain people, especially as part of a film
star-studded (adj): including many famous performers
