Cover Story: Walk on the Wild Side with Win Metawin
Thai superstar, Win Metawin is the perfect picture of polished yet audacious for L’OFFICIEL SINGAPORE’s September issue. On our set, which can be described as “workplace gone wild”, the actor talks about his upcoming projects Enigma 2 and Scarlet Heart Thailand and his serious love of gelato.
On social media, images and clips of Win Metawin have been inescapable in recent months. Not that anyone is complaining, really. It’s clear that the universe only wants more of the Thai superstar. The actor finished the June 2024 menswear leg of Milan Fashion Week as the number two influencer in the world, racking up an Earned Media Value of US$5.3M with nine Instagram posts. Later that month, the Prada Ambassador sent his Malaysian fans into a mini meltdown as he attended the grand opening of Prada Beauty’s first boutique in Malaysia, at the Pavilion KL.
Naturally, L’OFFICIEL SINGAPORE was there to catch up with the star on both occasions. As for our third encounter in just two months, it’s a bit of a calm after the storm. It is a public holiday in Thailand, and an unusually quiet Monday morning in Bangkok when Metawin arrives at the Soi Lad Phrao studio, all ready to talk to us about his recent adventures.
Hi Win! We last caught you at Prada’s menswear show in Milan, followed by a Prada Beauty event in Kuala Lumpur. What else have you been busy with?
This year, I had the opportunity to travel to various countries for Prada shows and Prada beauty events. I always look forward to experiencing Prada’s events and am equally delighted to meet fans wherever I go.
Audiences recently saw you in the film, Under Parallel Skies, and in the television series, Beauty Newbie. Looking back at these projects, what did you learn from them?
I’ve learnt a lot, including language skills. For Under Parallel Skies, I had to act entirely in English and work with talents from overseas. This experience taught me how international actors work professionally.
Tell us about your upcoming television projects, Enigma 2 and Scarlet Heart Thailand.
We’re about to start filming Enigma 2 soon this year, so please look forward to it. Scarlet Heart Thailand is another exciting and major project that I need to prepare a lot for.
Since entering the entertainment industry in 2019, you’ve landed on Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia, won the AFA Rising Star Award at the 17th Asian Film Awards, and emerged as one of the Thai celebrities generating the highest Earned Media Value at fashion week. What are some achievements that you are proudest of?
I value and am proud of each achievement. They motivate and encourage me to keep pushing myself for greater improvement in the future.
Since you debuted to great success, the T-wave has really taken off. How do you feel about the incredible journey and the progress you’ve made since day one?
This journey has flown by and everything’s happened so fast that I need to quickly improve myself to keep up. Working with so many different people has also taught me a lot about empathy and the importance of connecting with others.
With the popularity of Thai talents and productions around the world now, would you say it’s easier, more exciting or more stressful to work on a production?
It’s more of excitement for me. Every new project brings new things for me to explore.
“I value AND AM proud OF EACH ACHIEVEMENT. THEY MOTIVATE AND encourage ME TO KEEP PUSHING MYSELF FOR GREATER IMPROVEMENT IN THE FUTURE.”
In recent months, you’ve been travelling a lot, particularly with Prada for events including the brand’s fashion week shows. What do you enjoy most about going for the shows, and is there something that you always need to do or eat while you’re in Milan?
I always make it a point to grab some gelato, as there are so many great flavours and shops. I also enjoy experiencing the show — the runway, the setup, and the people are always exciting.
In terms of music singles or soundtrack contributions, can your fans look forward to anything from you for the rest of the year?
This year, I’m all about acting and won’t be dropping any new music singles.
With your busy schedule, what’s your idea of the perfect day off?
A day off with family.
It’s the start of a new fashion season. What’s one item you’ve recently been unable to live without?
It always a pair of Prada shoes.
What would you like to accomplish next?
I want to build my business and make it successful. (Win has developed businesses, including his own brand, Velence, and a confectionery business, Souri, that he operates with his sister.)
Creative Direction IAN LEE
Photography THANAPAT KHAMNOI
Styling MILE SUPAKASEM
Hair SUKWASA KHADPHAB
Makeup YOTHIN CHUAYSRI
Production GOY VARALUK
Photography assistants WIROON WUTTIPHONGDECHA, CHATURON CHANNIAM, and POSAWAT SAKLAM
Styling assistants SIRIWAT WORAWONG and MAETAVUT WANGYO
