Under the warm glow of the studio lights, William (who is also in a T-pop boy group LYKN, which is set for a world tour next year) and Est settle into their seats the way people do when they’ve known each other long enough to predict the other’s breathing patterns. There is an ease between them. Five minutes into the conversation, they’re already laughing, nudging, finishing each other’s thoughts without trying. It’s no wonder their on-screen chemistry translates so effortlessly – their bond is real.

Both actors debuted in ThamePo (Thame and Po), a gentle, coming-of-age romance that captured the audience’s hearts. The series introduced viewers to Po’s hidden gentleness and Thame’s perceptive heart – and it introduced Thailand to two promising actors at the start of something big. Now, with their second series, Me and Thee, the pair steps into a livelier, brighter, more fun universe, one that pulls from their own personalities as much as it challenges them. Growth is visible in every detail: body language, emotional command, and even the confidence in their voices when they talk about their work.

Their journey, however, is about to take its biggest leap yet: Rome. The upcoming JIB Dream Fanmeet is their first European appearance together. As they tell it, they’re equal parts excited performers, curious travelers, and grateful storytellers. And so, with the help of the wonderful JIB team, whose support made this interview possible, we sat down with William and Est to trace their beginnings and all the unforgettable moments in between.

Honestly, both of us can’t wait to meet our fans in Rome. I’m sure that there will be some fun activities that will help us get to know each other even more. I promise everyone is going to feel less lonely after seeing us. See you there! – William

View of the Arts: William, how do you feel about playing the role of Thame? What were the challenges, and in what ways do you relate to the character?

William: It was all quite challenging because it was my first series, and everything was completely new to me. I had to adjust to many things, like memorising lines and preparing before shooting days. Another challenge was that Thame is a very calm person, while I’m much more energetic. We think quite differently, too. But if there’s something we share, it’s that we both care deeply about our friends and the people around us, and we’re both good listeners, something like that.

VOA: Est, in the story, Po first gets to know Thame through work, and their relationship gradually develops into love. How did you prepare for this role?

Est: I would say I had a lot of workshops with P’Mui, the director of ThamePo. We practiced many scenes together, and I spent a lot of time studying the script to understand Po’s mindset and personality. After going through the workshops and continuous practice, which I found extremely helpful, I began to understand Po much better. I think that really helped me portray him more naturally in ThamePo.

VOA: In Me and Thee, you’re once again acting alongside Est. How did you prepare for this role?

William: This role feels much closer to who I am. He’s more playful, almost like a kid who isn’t fully aware of what’s happening behind the scenes. He studied abroad and doesn’t carry many emotional layers. In preparing for the role, I asked the crew, the director, and the main cast whenever I had questions about the main storyline. I also felt that things started off much better this time because I already have some on-set experience, and I’ve begun to understand what I need to do before shooting days.

VOA: Est, how is your role in Me and Thee different from your role in ThamePo?

Est: It’s very different, almost the complete opposite in terms of vibe, character, background, and plot. It feels like these two characters live in two completely different worlds. Mog is a mafia secretary. He’s mature, intimidating at times, always surrounded by his men, carries a gun, and is prepared to face death at any moment because that’s how he was raised. But in ThamePo, the atmosphere is completely different. It’s soft, cute, and coming-of-age. Playing Po required me to be small, shy, and innocent. I often had many thoughts in my head that I couldn’t express, because Po is someone who holds back and feels embarrassed easily. So, the way of thinking, the mindset, and the overall energy are totally different. In every aspect, really.

I’m very happy that we’re going to the JIB fanmeet in Rome together, as it will be our first time in Europe together and also the first time in my career. What I’m most excited about is performing the songs for the fans, especially the ones related to the “ThamePo” series. – Est

VOA: Est, you’ve portrayed care, respect, and subtle emotional shifts in ThamePo. What scene or moment do you think fans will remember the most about Po, and why?

Est: Well, I think people will obviously remember the good parts, so I’ll focus on the part I actually remember most, Episode 9, the breakup scene. Apart from the 5CM scene, I think the breakup scene is also iconic and a milestone moment for Po. From the first day I read the plot, I knew this scene would be challenging, and I had been looking forward to it. For Po, it’s a moment of sacrifice; he gives up the love of his life, Thame, who was everything to him back then. He’s willing to sacrifice his dream, his job, and even himself for the person he loves. It was incredibly heartbreaking, and the scene carries a mix of intense emotions. We shot that scene at 2 a.m. on a rooftop, which made it even more memorable for me. I think it’s a scene that audiences will remember as well.

VOA: You two have shared many scenes together – what was one moment on set (funny, unexpected, or touching) that neither of you will ever forget?

William: It was something I really didn’t expect. I was filming a scene where I had to actually cry, and I never thought my tears would really come out. It was the breakup scene with Po, and I had to play a song that I personally felt really related to the situation in the story. And then I just ended up crying a lot. It was really intense.

Est: For me, I’d say two scenes stand out. The funny moment was the sumo scene in Episode 5. I remember all five members were on set while I was waiting in a tent, just walking around to pass the time. I ran over to the set, but I slipped and fell right in front of everyone, injuring my knee and getting a wound on my hand. Everyone on set saw me fall, and it was really funny. The other memorable scene was the love scene at Po’s condo. We shot all the love scenes in one day, and it was our first love scene. We had to act at a different level of intimacy and desire, which was very memorable for both of us since it was our first time performing that kind of scene, so overall, it was unforgettable.

VOA: How has your working relationship evolved from ThamePo to Me and Thee? Have you discovered new ways to support each other or push each other as actors?

William: I would say it’s gotten a lot easier since I already have some experience now, and it’s not as new to me as it was in my first series. For this project, I kept asking P’X, director of Me and Thee, for guidance, for any advice, like how I should approach certain scenes and what they would recommend, something like that.

Est: I think our working relationship has improved a lot over time. After ThamePo, we worked together on many projects, which gave us the chance to get to know each other better, both professionally and personally. We understand each other more now, and we care about each other. We also know what to do and what not to do, so we don’t frustrate or upset each other. It’s a healthy working relationship. We support each other in our work as well. As actors, every time we’re in a scene together, we practice together, even before going on set. We ask each other questions and help solve any uncertainties about the characters or the scene: what a character is thinking, what happened before this moment, and what emotions to bring into the scene. We do this “homework” together, which really improves our acting. Another important point is that acting with someone you’re close to makes it easier to perform. When you act with people you’re not close to, it can create a kind of judgmental mindset. In acting class, you’re taught to stay non-judgmental, so the fact that we’re close now makes it easier and braver to fully immerse ourselves in the scenes together.

VOA: You’ll soon be meeting fans in Rome at the JIB Fanmeet. What are you most looking forward to showing them (moments, stories, performances)?

William: Honestly, both of us can’t wait to meet our fans in Rome. I’m sure that there will be some fun activities that will help us get to know each other even more. I promise everyone is going to feel less lonely after seeing us. See you there!

Est: I’m very happy that we’re going to the JIB fanmeet in Rome together, as it will be our first time in Europe together and also the first time in my career. What I’m most excited about is performing the songs for the fans, especially the ones related to the ThamePo series. Every time we go to a fanmeet, we like to sing these songs because I know many of you have watched Thamepo and must miss Thame and Po. These songs are for you. Another thing I enjoy about fanmeet is talking with fans about the series, sharing our experiences, discussing scenes, and answering questions. I’m really looking forward to spending time with the fans in Rome because we already love connecting with them so much.

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Featured image courtesy of GMMTV and JIB Dream Fanmeet

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to films, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. With rich content already available to our readers, we aim to expand our reach and grow alongside our audience by delving deeper into emerging platforms such as K-pop and Asian music more broadly. At the same time, we remain committed to exploring the vibrant and ever-evolving global landscape of film, music, and the arts, celebrating the immense talent and creativity that define these industries worldwide.}