Bo Goes

Pae plays cupid

By Suwitcha Chaiyong
Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb
and courtesy of M Pictures

Film director Wasin Pokpong became well known with the release of his 2010 romantic comedy blockbuster, A Little Thing Called Love. This year, Wasin has created a fantasy comedy called Kao Riak Pom Wa Kam Rak (My Name Is Love), which revisits the same ugly duckling theme of his previous film.

In My Name Is Love, newcomer Thunyasupan Jiraprechnont (Bo) plays Goe, an awkward girl who has a crush on Q (Pae Arak), the popular guy in school. Q often plays mean pranks on Goe, until she vows that she’ll never have feelings for Q again. Many years later, Goe has become a beautiful and successful woman, while Q is a failed salesperson. Q is also playing cupid for a matchmaking club, and finds to his dismay that he has to try to match Goe with another man.

Before My Name Is Love hits theatres on October 11, Student Weekly met up with Bo at a TV studio. The 22-year-old rising star enthusiastically told us about her first movie and about her experience studying in Japan.

Student Weekly: How did you become involved with this movie?

Bo: When I returned from Japan and was waiting for my diploma from Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, a talent scout met me and asked if I wanted to go to an audition. I’d never dreamed of working in showbiz, but I had a lot of free time, so I went to the audition.

Student Weekly: Is it true that you’re similar to the character you play in the film?

Bo: Yes. When I was in junior high school, I wore braces and thick glasses. I looked like a nerd. I found that when I took my braces off and wore contact lenses, people treated me differently. They thought I was a new student! On Valentine’s Day, I received 102 flowers, whereas before I’d never been given any.

Student Weekly: What was it like working with Pae Arak?

Bo: I learned a lot from him. We worked very long hours, but Pae maintained his energy by taking a nap every time we had a break. At night, he’d always stay active by chatting and joking with everybody.

Student Weekly: Which scene did you enjoy filming the most?

Bo: I like the scene where I slap Pae! The director told me to make it a real slap. I was a bit worried because Pae and I had only done a few scenes together, but I slapped his face hard enough to make him yell. The director was satisfied.

Student Weekly: What was it like studying for your Bachelor’s degree in Japan?

Bo: It helped me to become more mature. I had to cook and clean by myself as well as learn about financial management. Studying was hard because some of the classes and textbooks were in Japanese language. I had to learn Japanese for two years before enrolling those classes.

Student Weekly: Did you have any particularly interesting experiences in Japan?

Bo: During my first week there, some Japanese friends took me to an Onsen, which is a public hot spring bath. Everybody walked to the hot tub naked, but I felt uncomfortable because Thai people aren’t familiar with that type of custom. It took me half an hour to do it, but after that I was addicted to the Onsen!

Student Weekly: Why should everybody check out this movie?

Bo: I used to think a cupid was just a mythical boy with wings, but it can be anybody who tries to get two people together for a date. This film’s story includes teen couples, adult couples and gay couples, so everybody should be able to relate to it.

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