Post by jane on May 2, 2016 1:22:48 GMT 9
Photos to be added later
BANG BANG
BAM BAM
Before we started shooting for this fashion set, we had a chance to talk with BamBam’s mother who came along to take care of his son before he flew back to South Korea that same night. That makes us see him from the view of the mother of the 19-year-old superstar who is very popular in South Korea as a member of GOT7, the hip-hop boy band who JYP is determined to make them the stars of the new K-pop era. His mom told us that it wasn’t easy for him to become who he is today. The family faced through both business problems during Thai economic bubble and the tragedy of his father who passed away not long after the 4th child was born. At the time, she had to do her duties to continue managing everything. Taking care of 4 children during that kind of economy is not an easy task and the decision to send her 13-year-old son to face the new world is the decision which needs both the mother’s and son’s courage.
Today, BamBam at the age of 19 became the name which Thai people talk about the most on Twitter. This year, GOT7 is going to have their world tour from America to Europe and Australia.
GOT7 has 7 members consisting of artists from JJ Project and other trainees which are BamBam, Jackson, Mark, Yugyeom, and Youngjae. It is our good opportunity to get to work with BamBam, we have no wonder why ‘go camping’ (like what BamBam’s mother told us) for 4 years makes this 19-year-old boy be able to do many things more than we think.
ELLEMEN: Was being abroad since you were 13 a hard work to you?
BB: Not much. I've actually been coming back to Thailand so often that I don’t even have enough time to be homesick before I get another chance to come home again. Anyways, I miss home all the time. I feel relaxed when I’m home.
BB: Not much. I've actually been coming back to Thailand so often that I don’t even have enough time to be homesick before I get another chance to come home again. Anyways, I miss home all the time. I feel relaxed when I’m home.
ELLEMEN: Does the difference in culture between Thai and Korean make you uncomfortable when you lived there, your mom even used the word ‘go camping’? Did it really give you that feel?
BB: Was it that hard? The answer may be yes in some perspective because it was exhausting, but it wasn’t tiring for the mind. When I first started living in South Korea, I experienced some culture shock, but it wasn’t so much that I can’t stay there. Many cultures are similar to ours. Their cultures are sibling-like, besides the time I got there, there weren’t only Koreans, there were trainees coming from China and America. So, I felt at ease, we can communicate, and I wasn’t stressed out or felt lonely. To sum it up, the 4 years of training were both tiring and enjoyable at the same time.
BB: Was it that hard? The answer may be yes in some perspective because it was exhausting, but it wasn’t tiring for the mind. When I first started living in South Korea, I experienced some culture shock, but it wasn’t so much that I can’t stay there. Many cultures are similar to ours. Their cultures are sibling-like, besides the time I got there, there weren’t only Koreans, there were trainees coming from China and America. So, I felt at ease, we can communicate, and I wasn’t stressed out or felt lonely. To sum it up, the 4 years of training were both tiring and enjoyable at the same time.
ELLEMEN: But it had high competition between friends?
BB: Yes. We were trainees. The competition was quite high at the time, nonetheless, we are close friends. But deep inside, everyone had the goal to debut so the competition happened naturally. However, we are friends. No matter how much we competed, in the end, everyone is friends. During the time many people competed with each other, some left and went to other companies, some debuted together. Many people in GOT7 who started at the very same time, we fought, we competed, but in the end, we debuted in the same group.
BB: Yes. We were trainees. The competition was quite high at the time, nonetheless, we are close friends. But deep inside, everyone had the goal to debut so the competition happened naturally. However, we are friends. No matter how much we competed, in the end, everyone is friends. During the time many people competed with each other, some left and went to other companies, some debuted together. Many people in GOT7 who started at the very same time, we fought, we competed, but in the end, we debuted in the same group.
ELLEMEN: How did you feel when your friends left the company?
BB: I felt pity for them because I know it isn’t one bit easy, they were at that point, but they couldn’t do it and had to leave the company. It’s sad but most of them who left went to other companies, many got to debut with their new companies. Mostly, we met on the stages, it isn’t like we wouldn’t meet again.
BB: I felt pity for them because I know it isn’t one bit easy, they were at that point, but they couldn’t do it and had to leave the company. It’s sad but most of them who left went to other companies, many got to debut with their new companies. Mostly, we met on the stages, it isn’t like we wouldn’t meet again.
ELLEMEN: At the age of only 13, don’t you think it was a bit too early to start working? Why did you choose to go there?
BB: To be frank at that time, I didn’t think that much about working. I just wanted to try something new and my mom gave me the freedom to make my decision. My mom took care of 4 children on her own for many years so I thought if I can be successful here, I can help make her much less tired since it isn’t easy to take care of 4 children on her own. Besides, if I go, I can get many new opportunities. Even though I can’t reach the goal, I still can learn many things. And deep inside, I like dancing. Beforehand, Grammy had contacted me about being an artist, but at last, I chose to go to Korea. I wanted to give it a try. That’s all I thought. I made the decision but I never knew I’d have made it this far to these days.
BB: To be frank at that time, I didn’t think that much about working. I just wanted to try something new and my mom gave me the freedom to make my decision. My mom took care of 4 children on her own for many years so I thought if I can be successful here, I can help make her much less tired since it isn’t easy to take care of 4 children on her own. Besides, if I go, I can get many new opportunities. Even though I can’t reach the goal, I still can learn many things. And deep inside, I like dancing. Beforehand, Grammy had contacted me about being an artist, but at last, I chose to go to Korea. I wanted to give it a try. That’s all I thought. I made the decision but I never knew I’d have made it this far to these days.
ELLEMEN: Weren’t you scared?
BB: No, I wasn’t. I was more worried, because I have to drop my studies, I had never been to anywhere far alone. I was worried about the language and friends also. Once I used to have many friends in Thailand, but I had to leave them.
BB: No, I wasn’t. I was more worried, because I have to drop my studies, I had never been to anywhere far alone. I was worried about the language and friends also. Once I used to have many friends in Thailand, but I had to leave them.
ELLEMEN: Your mom said you have your own background of determination to be successful. It’s like since when your dad passed away, you wanted to do something better for the family.
BB: That’s how my family is originally. It wasn’t only me, but also both of my 2 brothers. Family comes first. This becomes our top family’s basis. For giving up or not giving up, honestly, when I’d already gotten there, I’d regret if I couldn’t make it because I’d talked big a lot to my friends (laugh) So then, whenever I was tired, I would think like if I was so tired and decided to fly back home, I’d lose face for sure. (laugh) Moreover, there were lots of people who expected from me. So, I always tell myself I can feel tired, can't give up. But it wasn't stressful. Because I like it, so it was ok.
BB: That’s how my family is originally. It wasn’t only me, but also both of my 2 brothers. Family comes first. This becomes our top family’s basis. For giving up or not giving up, honestly, when I’d already gotten there, I’d regret if I couldn’t make it because I’d talked big a lot to my friends (laugh) So then, whenever I was tired, I would think like if I was so tired and decided to fly back home, I’d lose face for sure. (laugh) Moreover, there were lots of people who expected from me. So, I always tell myself I can feel tired, can't give up. But it wasn't stressful. Because I like it, so it was ok.
ELLEMEN: Have you ever thought what would you be doing if you hadn't gone to Korea?
BB: I have, of course. Before I went to Korea, I'd shot 8-9 commercials in Thailand. Because most of the commercial producers I had worked with were from GTH at the time, so, I think, if I hadn't chosen to go to Korea, I might have been working with GTH or Grammy. Or else, I might just be a normal student. Life has changed a lot, but not that much. My surrounding people or friends are still the same.
BB: I have, of course. Before I went to Korea, I'd shot 8-9 commercials in Thailand. Because most of the commercial producers I had worked with were from GTH at the time, so, I think, if I hadn't chosen to go to Korea, I might have been working with GTH or Grammy. Or else, I might just be a normal student. Life has changed a lot, but not that much. My surrounding people or friends are still the same.
ELLEMEN: Personally, do you think Korean people and Thai people around your age are much different?
BB: It's more up to the culture. Just the aspect of life, theirs and ours aren't even the same. Korean give rather importance to friends. 70% of Korean students at my age spend their time with friends. But for Thailand, from what I observed, they probably stay home because the landscape of Thailand is rather wider than Korea. The houses are far from each other and it uses a long time to get into the city. It's up to the environment and culture. This is my guess because I didn't spend my teenage life in Thailand.
BB: It's more up to the culture. Just the aspect of life, theirs and ours aren't even the same. Korean give rather importance to friends. 70% of Korean students at my age spend their time with friends. But for Thailand, from what I observed, they probably stay home because the landscape of Thailand is rather wider than Korea. The houses are far from each other and it uses a long time to get into the city. It's up to the environment and culture. This is my guess because I didn't spend my teenage life in Thailand.
ELLEMEN: Why do you use the name BamBam in entertainment world?
BB: Oh, it's my real name, not the name I use in entertainment world. My mom gave me this name, BamBam comes from the character in The Flintstones. He is a strong kid and my mom wants me to be strong, so she named me 'BamBam. ' She said it took her only 5 minutes to think of the name.
BB: Oh, it's my real name, not the name I use in entertainment world. My mom gave me this name, BamBam comes from the character in The Flintstones. He is a strong kid and my mom wants me to be strong, so she named me 'BamBam. ' She said it took her only 5 minutes to think of the name.
ELLEMEN: GOT7 has debut for 3 years and seems to go higher. We heard your team is going to have a world tour and album promoting, so you have to travel and have a flexible schedule for eating and sleeping, are you stressed having to work this hard?
BB: Yes, it's very good thing that fans welcome us. Am I stressed out working in this condition? I am both stressed and not stressed out repeatedly. Mostly, my body is tired due to lack of resting. Sometimes, I don't even feel like eating but sleeping. The thing I'm worried more about is health. I think I have done my best for the job. I have fun doing it except when I have to do something I feel like I can't do it well such as acting, the scene where I have to cry. I'll be a bit stressed for that because I'm the one who rarely cries in real life. Like when we are on stage and fans make a surprise for us, every teammate will cry. I'm the only one who doesn't cry. I feel like hey! We should smile and laugh when we are happy, shouldn't we? We shouldn't cry. When we are tired, we should be angry, shout and scream our feelings out, not cry. So, the crying scene is quite hard for me.
BB: Yes, it's very good thing that fans welcome us. Am I stressed out working in this condition? I am both stressed and not stressed out repeatedly. Mostly, my body is tired due to lack of resting. Sometimes, I don't even feel like eating but sleeping. The thing I'm worried more about is health. I think I have done my best for the job. I have fun doing it except when I have to do something I feel like I can't do it well such as acting, the scene where I have to cry. I'll be a bit stressed for that because I'm the one who rarely cries in real life. Like when we are on stage and fans make a surprise for us, every teammate will cry. I'm the only one who doesn't cry. I feel like hey! We should smile and laugh when we are happy, shouldn't we? We shouldn't cry. When we are tired, we should be angry, shout and scream our feelings out, not cry. So, the crying scene is quite hard for me.
ELLEMEN: Have you ever thought about your future about how long can you keep doing your job?
BB: This is the thing I always think about. (Laugh) I’m stressed about it too, so I think of many backup plans. The thing I’m thinking about now is I want to open a restaurant, or to try something I like. For example, now, I’m a singer, and for me, I like acting. It’ll be nice if I get the chance to play a series or a movie.
BB: This is the thing I always think about. (Laugh) I’m stressed about it too, so I think of many backup plans. The thing I’m thinking about now is I want to open a restaurant, or to try something I like. For example, now, I’m a singer, and for me, I like acting. It’ll be nice if I get the chance to play a series or a movie.
ELLEMEN: Have you ever tried acting for real?
BB: Yes, I have. Recently, I shot a commercial with 3 Thai stars which the producer from GTH and his crews came to Korea for the shooting. It’s a short film-like commercial. I play the main actor who is bullied which there’s scene where I have to cry. The staff came to help me build up the emotion, but after an hour, I still couldn’t really cry and they had to use artificial tears in the end.
BB: Yes, I have. Recently, I shot a commercial with 3 Thai stars which the producer from GTH and his crews came to Korea for the shooting. It’s a short film-like commercial. I play the main actor who is bullied which there’s scene where I have to cry. The staff came to help me build up the emotion, but after an hour, I still couldn’t really cry and they had to use artificial tears in the end.
ELLEMEN: Do you think your life has come to its highest point, do you think you have succeeded yet?
BB: That will be a long way to go. Like now… yes! It may seem like I have come further than I’d expected but while we’re growing up, our mountaintop of determination is also higher, and its peak is lifting and lifting up. I think, naturally, no one is satisfied with his achievement at the age of 19. Now, who doesn’t have interest in K-pop may not know GOT7’s BamBam. They might just know that there is another Thai boy going to Korea, or they might know the boy’s name ‘BamBam’ but they never know what BamBam looks like. The achievement, I think it’s still a long way to go. To put it simply, just going to the level of Nichkhun (Nichkhun Horvejkul) isn’t easy. The graph of my life may goes up now, but it doesn’t mean it’ll keep going up.
BB: That will be a long way to go. Like now… yes! It may seem like I have come further than I’d expected but while we’re growing up, our mountaintop of determination is also higher, and its peak is lifting and lifting up. I think, naturally, no one is satisfied with his achievement at the age of 19. Now, who doesn’t have interest in K-pop may not know GOT7’s BamBam. They might just know that there is another Thai boy going to Korea, or they might know the boy’s name ‘BamBam’ but they never know what BamBam looks like. The achievement, I think it’s still a long way to go. To put it simply, just going to the level of Nichkhun (Nichkhun Horvejkul) isn’t easy. The graph of my life may goes up now, but it doesn’t mean it’ll keep going up.
ELLEMEN: Do you think it’s hard to come to this point?
BB: It’s hard but it must be because I spend my life being so busy with my goal every day that I don’t have time to consider whether it’s hard or not. I’m just diligently doing it every day more. When there’s work to do, I have to focus on the work. I work every day which is a good thing because having time to rest is terrifying for us rather than pleasing.
BB: It’s hard but it must be because I spend my life being so busy with my goal every day that I don’t have time to consider whether it’s hard or not. I’m just diligently doing it every day more. When there’s work to do, I have to focus on the work. I work every day which is a good thing because having time to rest is terrifying for us rather than pleasing.
ELLEMEN: How proud of yourself are you?
BB: There’s time for that. However sometimes I’m not sure if I did well enough or not, I’ll think if I keep working hard, it’ll get good eventually.
BB: There’s time for that. However sometimes I’m not sure if I did well enough or not, I’ll think if I keep working hard, it’ll get good eventually.
ELLEMEN: How do you think about your fans?
BB: I’m glad that someone sees what we did and always supports our work.
BB: I’m glad that someone sees what we did and always supports our work.
ELLEMEN: Have you ever lost your own self? We don’t mean your own personal life, we mean to ask if you ever indulged yourself with your own fame?
BB: The world changes every day. To say we never change won’t be right. My thoughts change every day as well. Having more working hours, for sure, makes us have more confidence in ourselves for seeing and learning more things. Nevertheless, that’s different from how you behave around people. One thing I think I can keep it remains the same from pre-debut until now is how I behave myself. I’m still BamBam who can enjoy everything, who’s barely stressed, but at the same time when we grow up, meet more people, we get to view everything more thoroughly. Sometimes it isn’t like we are choosy, it’s just that we need to think deeper. It’s like it’s the way we learn to survive. It’s like how I learn how to live my life realistically, off the book. If I don’t learn about this, I might be fooled. Becoming an artist, getting to travel around the world, working with muti-national people, meeting different kinds of people, these help me learn to adjust myself.
BB: The world changes every day. To say we never change won’t be right. My thoughts change every day as well. Having more working hours, for sure, makes us have more confidence in ourselves for seeing and learning more things. Nevertheless, that’s different from how you behave around people. One thing I think I can keep it remains the same from pre-debut until now is how I behave myself. I’m still BamBam who can enjoy everything, who’s barely stressed, but at the same time when we grow up, meet more people, we get to view everything more thoroughly. Sometimes it isn’t like we are choosy, it’s just that we need to think deeper. It’s like it’s the way we learn to survive. It’s like how I learn how to live my life realistically, off the book. If I don’t learn about this, I might be fooled. Becoming an artist, getting to travel around the world, working with muti-national people, meeting different kinds of people, these help me learn to adjust myself.
ELLEMEN: Do you get to meet Nichkhun?
BB: The last time we met was at the hospital. Not that we got sick or what. (Laugh) Our JYP has a tradition of singing-to-patient activity 2 times a year. We met and greeted. He said he’d start to get rest this year, spending time in Thailand and Los Angeles. He said he’d get old a little bit because he’s kept doing only work for so long.
BB: The last time we met was at the hospital. Not that we got sick or what. (Laugh) Our JYP has a tradition of singing-to-patient activity 2 times a year. We met and greeted. He said he’d start to get rest this year, spending time in Thailand and Los Angeles. He said he’d get old a little bit because he’s kept doing only work for so long.
ELLEMEN: You mean slow down?
BB: Ah, yes, yes, I’m sorry. (Laugh) Slow it down a bit. I’ve stayed in Korea for too long and started to get confused over Thai words. These days when I think of a word, I’ll think of it in Korean first. Because there are some words Korean has but Thai doesn’t and it makes me confused sometimes.
BB: Ah, yes, yes, I’m sorry. (Laugh) Slow it down a bit. I’ve stayed in Korea for too long and started to get confused over Thai words. These days when I think of a word, I’ll think of it in Korean first. Because there are some words Korean has but Thai doesn’t and it makes me confused sometimes.
ELLEMEN: The people in your generation grow up with Internet and you also use social media to promote yourself, which advantages and disadvantages it has to your life?
BB: There are a lot of disadvantages because everything is spreading very quickly. If we make a mistake, it’s impossible to recall it back. We can’t stop or fix it. But it also has advantages, I can communicate with fans due to it.
BB: There are a lot of disadvantages because everything is spreading very quickly. If we make a mistake, it’s impossible to recall it back. We can’t stop or fix it. But it also has advantages, I can communicate with fans due to it.
ELLEMEN: Is your personal life cut out much?
BB: There’s still some left. When I come to Thailand, mom has time to go here and there with me. Besides, there’s my private time when I stay in my house. So, I just won’t leave the house, if I want to have my own privacy.
BB: There’s still some left. When I come to Thailand, mom has time to go here and there with me. Besides, there’s my private time when I stay in my house. So, I just won’t leave the house, if I want to have my own privacy.
ELLEMEN: Have you ever thought about yourself at the age of 30, what will you be like?
BB: I think at that time, I would have my own 2-3 restaurants in Thailand. I also like designing and decorating, I like art, I like to eat. (Laugh) I like fashion. These things make us be able to try new things all the time because I don’t like to stay still.
BB: I think at that time, I would have my own 2-3 restaurants in Thailand. I also like designing and decorating, I like art, I like to eat. (Laugh) I like fashion. These things make us be able to try new things all the time because I don’t like to stay still.
ELLEMEN: Do you think you have done well enough as for your duty as a son?
BB: I think it’s probably ok. (Laugh) There may be the time when I was addicted to games at young age but it’s my luck that I got to know dancing because my mom send me to study it. For other things, it’s ok. I’m not quite stubborn. Our family doesn’t have anyone who’s stubborn. Overall, my mom was tired of me only for being a shopaholic which I think it’s too much sometimes.
BB: I think it’s probably ok. (Laugh) There may be the time when I was addicted to games at young age but it’s my luck that I got to know dancing because my mom send me to study it. For other things, it’s ok. I’m not quite stubborn. Our family doesn’t have anyone who’s stubborn. Overall, my mom was tired of me only for being a shopaholic which I think it’s too much sometimes.
ELLEMEN: Were you 2 brothers surprised that you got this far?
BB: I don’t think so. My family rarely got excited by things like this. As much they would say ‘Oh, you’re famous now? Oh, okay, you’re famous.’ Just that and it’s done.
BB: I don’t think so. My family rarely got excited by things like this. As much they would say ‘Oh, you’re famous now? Oh, okay, you’re famous.’ Just that and it’s done.
ELLEMEN: When you become more famous, you definitely need to be more cautious, was there any time when you feel like you almost slipped out?
BB: Often. Not that I slipped out a bad thing, just that when I have an interview, I use inappropriate words or wear unsuitable outfit sometimes. In Korea there is the show which includes all of the artists in the country, we'll say hi, hello, or things like that, but for girl group, only to give them high five, you need to be careful because K-pop has a very sensitive culture about this. It's possible that it becomes a bigger problem and make a misunderstanding.
It comes to that I have to take special care into this thing, even though we are close to each other, we need to be careful and behave ourselves on the stage.
BB: Often. Not that I slipped out a bad thing, just that when I have an interview, I use inappropriate words or wear unsuitable outfit sometimes. In Korea there is the show which includes all of the artists in the country, we'll say hi, hello, or things like that, but for girl group, only to give them high five, you need to be careful because K-pop has a very sensitive culture about this. It's possible that it becomes a bigger problem and make a misunderstanding.
It comes to that I have to take special care into this thing, even though we are close to each other, we need to be careful and behave ourselves on the stage.
ELLEMEN: You're already 19, do girls come to you?
BB: No, mostly they are fans which I'm happy to be with fans. For example if I go to Thailand and no one follows me, I'll check my rating by going to places where fans can find me. It's my way of checking my own rating. (Laugh)
BB: No, mostly they are fans which I'm happy to be with fans. For example if I go to Thailand and no one follows me, I'll check my rating by going to places where fans can find me. It's my way of checking my own rating. (Laugh)
ELLEMEN: What do you about this work today?
BB: It's fun. It's my 2nd time I got to shoot for a Thai magazine, got my makeup done by Thai staff, got my hair done by Thai also. I feel relaxed when I work in Thailand. It's nice to work with my hometown people. I'm a person who goes abroad and stays in the hotels rather often. The hotels are different in each country, but I like hotel (Metropolitan by COMO, Bangkok) here the best. Everything here seems to fit in together perfectly. Today, I got to change my look, working with Elle Men is another step of my career path.
BB: It's fun. It's my 2nd time I got to shoot for a Thai magazine, got my makeup done by Thai staff, got my hair done by Thai also. I feel relaxed when I work in Thailand. It's nice to work with my hometown people. I'm a person who goes abroad and stays in the hotels rather often. The hotels are different in each country, but I like hotel (Metropolitan by COMO, Bangkok) here the best. Everything here seems to fit in together perfectly. Today, I got to change my look, working with Elle Men is another step of my career path.
ELLEMEN: For today's shooting, which picture do you like the best?
BB: I like the picture where I wore a suit and lay down on the bed. I feel like I had rebelled myself, but the picture came out cool and fun. This shot is a very good one.
BB: I like the picture where I wore a suit and lay down on the bed. I feel like I had rebelled myself, but the picture came out cool and fun. This shot is a very good one.
Source : ELLE MEN Magazine
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