Rome had plenty of reasons to be loud that weekend, and JIB DREAM FANMEET 7 added a few more. Two days, some very excited fans and a line-up of much-loved Thai stars – the event certainly gave the city something to shout about, and yes, there was a lot of shouting. Joong Archen and Dunk Natachai were greeted with a very warm Roman welcome every time they appeared.

Joong and Dunk are also very good at having fun with all of it. Put them together in front of an audience and there is laughter and the feeling that neither quite knows where the other might take the conversation next. That easy dynamic has become a familiar part of JoongDunk, but their work together has changed considerably since Star in My Mind first introduced them as an on-screen pair in 2022.

They have grown up, and so have the stories they are choosing to tell. Hidden Agenda gave them another chance to develop their partnership, while The Heart Killers took things in a braver direction, especially with Dunk’s wonderfully chaotic Style. With each project, they have pushed themselves a little further, taken on different challenges and shown how much they have grown as actors since they first started working together.

Now comes Dare You to Death, and this time things are getting considerably more dangerous. Joong steps into the role of Captain Jade, while Dunk plays police inspector Kamin, with the pair swapping campus life for crime, action, mystery and two characters who don’t exactly start out on friendly terms. For actors who have spent years building familiarity on screen, playing men who clash before learning how to work together offers a rather different kind of chemistry to explore.

Their ambitions are growing beyond acting too. Joong has found another creative outlet through JASP.ER, performing alongside Aou, Pond and Santa, while Dunk speaks openly about discovering parts of his own personality through the increasingly different characters he plays.

Following a very lively weekend at JIB DREAM FANMEET 7 in Rome, we caught up with Joong and Dunk about their time in Italy, how years of working together have changed them, stepping into the darker world of Dare You to Death, music, acting and what they still want to achieve next.

I want to become a truly global artist. I want to be recognized and accepted around the world, and I want people to see that we are capable and talented. I promise that I’ll keep practicing, keep improving myself, and never stop learning – Joong

View of the Arts: Joong, you recently returned to Rome for JIB DREAM FANMEET. What did you enjoy most about being back in the city, and what made meeting your fans there in person such a special experience?

Joong: I was really looking forward to meeting the fans and experiencing the local culture, sightseeing, and food there. Being able to meet everyone in person and see their smiles with my own eyes made me really happy. It was a very special feeling to be able to connect with the fans face-to-face.

VOA: Dunk, you also recently met fans at JIB DREAM FANMEET in Rome. What was it like experiencing their energy again, and did you manage to enjoy any of the city or its food while you were there?

Dunk: I was really looking forward to seeing the fans and feeling the same amazing energy they had before. I still remember how incredible their energy was, and every time I come here, I can really feel how much love and support they have for us. I was also hoping to have some free time to enjoy Rome and, of course, try some of the food. I wanted to explore everything from street food to fine dining and maybe even take a few ideas back with me. Who knows, perhaps one day I could create something that brings Italian and Thai flavours together.

VOA: Joong, you and Dunk have now worked together across several very different projects, from university romances to darker and more mature stories. Looking back, what do you think has changed most about the way you work together as actors?

Joong: I feel like I’ve been given new opportunities, bigger projects, and more chances to challenge myself. With every job I do, I feel more responsible and more mature. I’m also learning and growing as a person through each new experience.

VOA: Dunk, from your perspective, what qualities does Joong bring to a scene partner that make working together so rewarding?

Dunk: His passion and energy make me feel like every experience is something fun and exciting. I think when you’re surrounded by someone who has that kind of energy, even challenging moments can become enjoyable and something you can learn from.

VOA: Joong, Dare You to Death moves into a much darker world, with mystery, crime and tension at its centre. What attracted you to the role of Captain Jade, and how did this project challenge you differently from your previous work?

Joong: The story is really interesting, and I get to play a role that I’ve never played before. There are also many new things for me to try in this series, such as action scenes. It’s been a great opportunity to step outside my comfort zone and challenge myself.

My first feeling was that I was really happy to be offered the role of Kamin. I knew that he was a more mature, calmer, and cooler character compared to the roles I’ve played before – Dunk

VOA: Dunk, in Dare You to Death, Kamin is a police inspector dealing with a case that becomes increasingly complicated. What was your first reaction when you read the script, and what interested you most about portraying Kamin?

Dunk: My first feeling was that I was really happy to be offered the role of Kamin. I knew that he was a more mature, calmer and cooler character compared to the roles I’ve played before. What really attracted me to this role was the contrast in his personality and the new dynamic it created. It felt like a different kind of character for me, so I really wanted to challenge myself with it.

VOA: Joong, one of the most interesting aspects of Dare You to Death is that Jade and Kamin begin as adversaries who are forced to work together. As an actor, what do you enjoy most about portraying conflict and tension rather than immediate romance?

Joong: I feel like this kind of relationship gives the audience something to look forward to and keeps them wondering what will happen next. I think it’s exciting for viewers to see how the characters’ relationship gradually develops.

VOA: Dunk, because Dare You to Death centres on two characters who begin as rivals, how did you and Joong approach building that relationship on screen? Did portraying conflict require a different kind of trust between you as actors?

Dunk: I think the most important thing is to really understand the character. We also had quite intensive workshops to help us understand the characters, their emotions, and their relationships more deeply. That preparation was really important in making the characters feel natural on screen.

VOA: Joong, alongside acting, you’ve also been working with JASP.ER alongside Aou, Pond and Santa. How has performing as part of a music group influenced your perspective as an actor, and have you discovered anything new about yourself through that experience?

Joong: I feel very happy and grateful to have the opportunity to do this, to sing and dance, and it has also helped me discover how much I truly love it. When I meet people who share the same passion and want to grow together, and when we can see a future that we want to build together, it makes me feel more confident and secure about the path I’ve chosen.

VOA: Dunk, looking back at your work from Star in My Mind to your most recent projects, what do you feel has changed most about you as an actor and performer?

Dunk: For me, it was about exploring new sides of myself that I didn’t even know existed. For example, Style from The Heart Killers has a very playful, mischievous, and unique personality. I had never really explored that side of myself before, so playing him made me realize that I actually have that side too. It was really fun to discover something new about myself through the character.

I feel very happy and grateful to have the opportunity to do this, to sing and dance, and it has also helped me discover how much I truly love it – Joong

VOA: Joong, you’ve been in the industry for several years now and have explored acting, music and live performances. Looking ahead, what kind of artist do you hope to become over the next five years?

Joong: I want to become a truly global artist. I want to be recognized and accepted around the world, and I want people to see that we are capable and talented. I promise that I’ll keep practicing, keep improving myself, and never stop learning. I’ll keep pushing myself forward and do my best to make everyone proud.

VOA: Dunk, we have to finish with something a little lighter. If you and Joong had one completely free day in Rome, no schedules, rehearsals or cameras, who would be more likely to spend it exploring historical landmarks, and who would end up searching for the perfect pasta or gelato?

Dunk: Of course, Joong would probably go for something related to history, while I’d go for pasta! I’d love to explore different kinds of pasta and maybe discover some new recipes or flavours that we could bring back to Navori. Who knows, maybe we could even create a savory-inspired flavour, like a pesto fettuccine flavour! That could be really interesting.

Written and interviewed by Maggie Gogler

Image © Alessia Belloti for View of the Arts

_{A big thank you to Jus in Bello and JIB DREAM FANMEET for helping us with this interview, and to the GMMTV team for accommodating us. And, of course, a huge thank you to Joong and Dunk for taking the time to answer our questions!}

_{View of the Arts is an online publication dedicated to film, music, and the arts, with a strong focus on the Asian entertainment industry. As we continue to grow, we aim to deepen our coverage of Asian music while remaining committed to exploring and celebrating creativity across the global arts landscape.}