A Star Is Born: Kanyawee Songmuang (AKA Thanaerngnin)
If you think that bright-eyed Thai actress Kanyawee Songmuang (AKA @Thanaerngin on IG) got her start through one of her homeland’s typical romance dramas, you’re wrong. Instead, the 23-year-old shot to fame after starring in “Hormones”, a “Skins”-inspired teen series that boldly tackled heavy issues that often go under the radar. And she continues to surprise, recently undertaking a role in a gripping murder mystery. For Thanaerng’s rise as a screen queen, there is only one rule: expect the unexpected.
Why did you decide to become an actress?
It wasn’t my dream job, but I got into it because my mother wanted me to join an audition and try my best.
Who do you look up to as an actress?
Zendaya. After I watched Spider-Man, I followed all her movies, shows and music.
You starred in the show “Hormones”. Was it challenging for you to make your acting debut in a show that wasn’t like a typical Thai drama series?
The most challenging thing was flying to New York to shoot without acting coaches while time was running out. I said to myself, “I have to do my best!” The feedback from my first session was very good and it really put a lot of pressure on me.
Like the characters in the show, you were a teenager yourself when you filmed “Hormones”. Could you relate to your character Jane and what she went through?
Some things we have in common are that we were both sent to study in a place that was really far from home, and we both felt like our families love our brothers more (laughs). That’s it. I did learn many things from Jane through what she experienced.
Read the full story in the August 2019 issue of L'Officiel Singapore.
