ZOLAR is a group of many talents, a 13-member group from Thailand that brings everything you want in a group. Good vocals? Check. Choreography that is so good that it makes you want to attempt to dance along? Check. And of course, stylistically they are a burst of colour that makes them a joy to watch.

The members – Blue, Joker, Mann, Fum, Paul, Euro, Fogus, Graphic, Pann, Krit, Khupt, Tae, and Deenan – came together through the survival show Star Search Idol. From there, the only way has been up – rising beyond the sky and into the solar system itself. Their name reflects that cosmic inspiration nicely symbolising the connected system from which they’ve built together as a team. For a group that has been around for a relatively short time, they’ve explored various concepts from light to dark, and covered all avenues when it comes to matters of the heart. 

Debuting in 2023 with the single GIRL-FRIEND and the most recent release Move It, the group  strives to incorporate traditional Thai instruments and cultural elements into their music and performances as much as possible. This, without a doubt, has helped elevate Thai pop (T-pop) out to international audiences. How could they not gain that attention when there are 13 members full of such energy, determination, and already wise beyond their years knowing their strengths and weaknesses. 

ZOLAR’s enthusiasm is not only encouraging but motivational to anyone regardless of age or profession. The sub-unit Jupiter – staying true to the group’s solar system theme – have recently released their latest single Undeletable. We spoke with the boys about their musical journey so far, the challenges and rewards of working in a large group, discovering their strengths and their proudest moments to date.

View of The Arts: The reality survival show Star Search Idol brought you all together. How do you think that experience helped shape you all as artists?

DEENAN: For all of us, being Star Search Idol trainees was an intense learning experience that helped us grow not just as artists but also as individuals. We learned how to work together as a team,faced many challenges,and improved our skills in singing, dancing, performing, and acting. It was really exhausting, but it was absolutely worth it because, in the end, it shaped us into the best versions of ourselves that everyone sees today and brought us together as a family.

VOA: Having debuted with the single Girl-Friend back in 2023, it has a light, summery sound. What did you hope to introduce to new listeners and fans with this track?

PANN: For our debut song, we wanted to present the brightness of each of our personalities. Through the lyrics, we aimed to bring happiness and the excitement of love. We also wanted everyone to get a peak of our individual personalities in ZOLAR, in general.

VOA: With your latest single, Move It, the chorus is incredibly catchy. How much did you experiment with new production techniques or sounds in comparison to Girl-Friend? 

GRAP: In this song, we were involved not only in writing the lyrics, but also in creating the chorus. It was something new that we tried, collaborating and working together.

VOA: Together you wrote the lyrics to Move It. What was the writing process like? Do you find it easy to create lyrics, and how do you typically start writing?Do you start with the chorus?

KHUPT: One of the most difficult parts of songwriting is actually coming up with a pre-hook that creates a meaningful transition into the hook. It’s quite a challenge for me, but ironically, I ended up thinking of the lyrics while sitting in a restaurant [laughs].

VOA: The accompanying music video is very bright and colourful. What inspired the visuals for the video?

KRIT: The music video for MOVE IT tells the story of inviting others to have fun in ZOLAR Land, encouraging them to get up and dance or simply do what they enjoy. The inspiration came from the fact that it was the end of the year, and we wanted everyone who listened to our song to let loose, release their stress and exhaustion, and experience lasting happiness.

VOA: You’ve explored both light and dark visual concepts, from Girl-friend to MVP. But out of the two styles, which do you prefer, and what style would you love to explore next?

TAE: I prefer a light visual concept because I feel like I connect more with that concept. Also, I, including all the members of ZOLAR, are mostly outgoing and shining. I feel like songs with a light concept suit us better. For the next song, maybe we could try something different, like a fully hip-hop or even traditional Thai style.

VOA: Paul, since you already know how to play traditional instruments like the dulcimer and zither, I’m curious – what inspired you to learn these unique instruments, and how important is it for you personally, and perhaps as a group, to preserve and incorporate elements of traditional Thai music and culture into your work? How do you see this mixing of traditional and contemporary sound influencing your music and connecting with the listeners?

PAUL: I love the unique sound of Thai instruments like the Khim and Jakhe, and I wanted to bring them into modern music. For us, mixing traditional and contemporary music makes our sound special and helps keep our culture alive. It also helps more people to connect with Thai music in a fresh way.

VOA: Following that, how important is it to you all that you include parts of your culture in your music?

BLUE: For sure, our goal is not to just be artists and create music, but we also try to introduce and adapt Thai culture to every element of our performance as much as possible. For example, we included Thai instruments into our previous song MOVE IT, and used Thai lyrics to introduce the language through the song. Moreover, our outfits mostly come from Thai designers. This means that we’re trying to promote Thai culture to be known globally.

VOA: With three singles released in 2024, which one do you feel was the most impactful?

FUM: I think the song MVP is influential. At first, I didn’t know that people were familiar with this song, but later on, international fans told me that it’s very popular in their countries. So, I believe this song is the most influential among the three songs released in 2024.

VOA: What drew you to a career in the music industry? Was there a particular person growing up that you looked up to?

TAE: I first got into music by playing in a band, which was something I really enjoyed. At the time, I wasn’t familiar with the music industry, nor did I have a particular person I looked up to. However, when the opportunity came for me to join a T-POP boy group, I decided to give it a try. My growing passion for music naturally led me further into the industry, and that’s how my journey began.

VOA: How do you find the experience of working in a large group? Are there particular challenges or benefits you’ve encountered?

DEENAN: Working in a group with many members is both challenging and a lot of fun. The challenge lies in communication and keeping everyone on the same page, since each person has their own working style and personality. But the great thing is that we get to learn from one another, and when we’re together, we’re like a big family that always supports each other. 

During practice, there might be times when we don’t fully understand each other, but in the end, we always try to resolve things through open and honest communication while respecting one another. If there’s ever a misunderstanding, we talk it out with an open mind and try to find the best solution for everyone. And in the end, the results always turn out great. In the end, we’re like brothers. Even if we have disagreements sometimes, we know that we all share the same goal and want to keep moving forward together as a team.

VOA: While some of you take inspiration from K-pop idols like BTS and GOT7’s BamBam, who in the Thai music industry inspires you, and why?

JOKER: P’Jeff Satur is an inspiration because he has all-around abilities, from singing and songwriting to carrying himself and living life. He inspires us to follow our dreams.

VOA: So much has happened in a short space of time, but what has been the one thing that has really stood out during your debut?

MANN: I’ve discovered both my strengths and weaknesses in ways I never expected – which is both a challenge and something I genuinely enjoy. Being in a large group isn’t just about teamwork; it’s about navigating life with 12 completely different personalities. And what surprises me the most? I’m actually really good at reading people and understanding the group’s dynamics. It feels like a psychological game I have to play every day, and honestly, I think I’m starting to win. 

Another thing – I used to believe I had to control everything, that things had to be perfect all the time. But being here, I’ve learned that sometimes, letting things happen on their own – or even allowing myself to make mistakes – isn’t the worst thing. In fact, mistakes can be the push that leads to something even more creative and unexpected. But the biggest realisation? I’m stronger than I ever thought – not just as an artist, but as a person who can stand in the middle of chaos, pressure, and expectations and still remain completely myself.

VOA: Have you learnt something unexpected about yourself during your time in the group?

FOGUS: One thing I’ve realised is that I can work well with strong, capable men. Working with a large group in both singing and dancing has helped me become more confident in expressing my opinions and trying things I’ve never done before.

VOA: What has been the most meaningful piece of feedback you’ve received so far?

DEENAN: There have been many valuable pieces of advice and feedback we’ve received, but one of the most meaningful ones is about being ourselves. Many people have told us that we don’t need to try to be like anyone else; we should focus on developing our own skills and identity. Hearing that gave us more confidence and pushed us to grow in our own way.

Another really important piece of advice is about communicating with our fans. Someone once told us that our fans are like family; they’re always there to support us. So, what we do isn’t just about music; it’s also about the positive energy we share with each other. Thinking about it that way makes us want to create the best work possible. And the piece of criticism that made us think the most? “Please clean up the practice room!” We hear that all the time.

VOA: You are 13 in the group, so thirteen different personalities. How do you handle each other’s personalities?

JOKER: Use understanding as the starting point. When it comes to adapting, it means we will live together, like having meals, travelling together, knowing what each other likes or dislikes, and if there are any problems, we will consult each other and help solve them.

VOA: When you don’t work, what do you like to do in your free time?

BLUE: I normally spend time with my friends and my family, such as shopping, watching movies, and eating. They can bring me energy to practice the next day. 

JOKER: In my free time, I listen to music, draw, and sometimes go out to travel or do activities to relax.

MANN: For me, free time is all about recharging – physically, mentally, and spiritually. I love just lying down and having self-talk, reflecting on life, setting intentions, or simply letting my thoughts wander. It’s my way of staying grounded and in tune with myself. I also make time to visit temples and make merit. Spirituality plays a big role in my life, so I often go to seek blessings from sacred figures, like Chao Mae Tubtim at Saphan Luang. There’s something about being in those spaces that brings me peace and strength.

And of course, nothing beats catching up over a good meal with my old close friends. Spending time with them, sharing stories, and just enjoying the moment is one of the best ways to recharge my energy. It reminds me of where I came from and keeps me balanced in the midst of everything. So, in my free time, I focus on self-reflection, spirituality, and reconnecting with the people who truly matter to me. It’s my way of keeping my mind clear, my heart full, and my energy strong. 

FUM: I really enjoy listening to music. Sometimes, when I have free time, I also dance. And on days when I’m feeling really bored, I like to go out and take a walk by myself.

PAUL: My hobbies include songwriting, singing, and gaming.

EURO: Recently, besides just liking to sleep and play games, I’ve really gotten into driving and have been enjoying it a lot. I feel that when I’m driving, I can just relax and live in the moment without thinking about anything. It’s really nice – just driving along the road makes me happy.

FOGUS: I watch series, listen to music, clean my room, and go out for a walk.

GRAPHIC: I like making music, playing games, and playing sports.

PANN: My hobbies are playing sports, singing, dancing, watching cartoons, and what I love the most is listening to music.

KRIT: Right now, I’m preparing for university entrance exams. During my free time, I mostly watch video courses to study. But my real hobby is sleeping.

KHUPT: I enjoy watching movies.

TAE: Playing basketball, badminton, and guitar.

DEENAN: I like rock climbing and working out. Sometimes I train in callisthenics and do gaming for fun.

VOA: Soon, you’ll be releasing new music. Without revealing too much, what can we expect from you in terms of sound and concept?

TAE: The concept of the song revolves around heartbreak – wanting to forget someone but finding it really difficult. However, instead of a slow, emotional ballad, the sound takes a different approach. It’s a fun, upbeat pop track, creating a contrast between the melancholic lyrics and the energetic music. The producer wanted to play with this contrast to bring a unique feeling to the song, making it both emotional and enjoyable at the same time.

VOA: We’re just two months into the new year; what does 2025 hold for you?

EURO: Of course, in 2025, we will continue to work even harder to create great work and bring happiness to all our fans as a way to give back for all the love and support you have given to us, ZOLAR, all 13 of us. In 2024, our goal was already considered somewhat successful in making Thai music, or T-POP, more recognised internationally. In 2025, we will continue to pursue this goal with full dedication, just as we did before. If possible, by the end of 2025, aside from continuing to create great work for all our Sunflowers, we also hope to have our first full-scale concert.

Written and interviewed by Kirsty Bright

Featured image courtesy of ZOLAROFFICALTH

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to film, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. While we already offer rich content to our readers, we aim to expand our reach and grow alongside our audience by exploring Asian music in greater depth. At the same time, we remain committed to presenting the vibrant and ever-evolving global landscape of film, music, and the arts, celebrating the immense talent and creativity that shape these industries worldwide.}