■ “(To Kento Nakajima) Which is more fun, being an idol or an actor?” (Poonpat Ian-Saman, aka Up)
The 5th episode of WOWOW’s “Kento Nakajima: Eiga no Tabijin”, in which Kento Nakajima travels around the world mainly through movies, will be broadcast from midnight on December 8th. Advance distribution will start on WOWOW On Demand from midnight on December 1st.
The theme of this program is “Movie x Travel,” in which Kento Nakajima touches on the unique film culture that exists in each country around the world, and listens to the film people who represent each country. A new type of movie information program.
The setting for this trip is Thailand, which has undergone remarkable evolution in recent years and shines uniquely in the Asian film industry. Thai movies began to receive a lot of attention in the 2000s. “Attack Number Half” (2000) is based on a true story from Thailand in which a gay and transgender volleyball team overcomes discrimination and prejudice to win the national tournament. In addition, movies that strongly reflected Thailand’s unique culture became a hot topic, such as “Mach!!!!!!!!” (2003), which astounded the world with its intense action without stunts performed by a Muay Thai master.
A major turning point came in the 2010s. Apichatpong Weerasethakul’s “Uncle Boonmi’s Forest” (2010) won the Palme d’Or, the highest award in Thai film history, at the 63rd Cannes Film Festival. Furthermore, director Nawapon Tamronratanarit won the Busan International Film Festival’s New Current Award for new directors for his debut feature film “36 Scenes” (2012). Talents that are attracting worldwide attention are beginning to emerge one after another. In the 2020s, the momentum will further accelerate. The thrilling horror “Inheritance of the Goddess” (2021), which depicts the tragedy that befalls a family of shamans in Thailand, was a huge hit in various countries, making Thai horror popular worldwide.
This time, Nakajima visits a young actor whose popularity is rapidly increasing. He achieved a worldwide break through the Thai BL drama, and was selected to play the lead role in the movie “Hunpayon: The Darkness Hidden in the Curse” (2023), which was released in Japan in the summer of 2024. For the first time in the program’s history, the program will have a discussion about movies from the same generation with 29-year-old Poonpat Ian-Saman (nickname: Up), one of Thailand’s brightest actors.
Up, who loves Japan so much that he visits Japan frequently, and has been greatly influenced by Japanese entertainment, learned that the anime he recently watched and fell in love with was “[Oshinoko],” and decided to write the theme song for it. Nakajima, who is in charge, is excited. UP was also happy to meet Nakajima. Nakajima, who was listening to questions about how to prepare for a role and the differences between Japanese and Thai film culture, was asked by Upload, “Which is more fun, being an idol or an actor?” What is the future of the film industry that these two people of the same generation see?
They then visited famous spots such as Wat Pho and Wat Pak Nam, and went to popular spots that Nakajima had always wanted to visit. Night markets are a must-see when traveling to Thailand. Among them, Jod Fairs is the most popular in Bangkok, with more than 700 food stalls lined up in a crowded space filled with exquisite local gourmet food that will whet your appetite. What is the amazing Bangkok specialty food that Nakajima experiences for the first time?
The preview video for the 5th episode is also being released. Furthermore, WOWOW On Demand is currently distributing unreleased footage from the 4th episode as well as the preview video for the 5th episode, so be sure to check that out as well.
■Kento Nakajima comment
Q. What are your thoughts on interviewing Up, a popular young actor who is on the rise?
I was excited about the first conversation from the same generation in the program’s history. Up-kun was a very kind person, and during our conversation he asked me, “Aren’t you hot?” He treated me like a guest even though he was supposed to welcome me, so I got the impression that he was a gentle person. I received it. I was really happy to make friends in Thailand for the first time.Q. Delicious Thai food
I have loved gapao since I was a child, so I was very excited to be able to eat local gapao.Q. What are your impressions of Thailand and what did you feel throughout the Thailand edition?
Thailand has a warm climate, and I was impressed by the warm personality of the local people. Horror movies are booming in Thailand, and as a horror movie fan, there were a lot of them that I was hooked on.
Program information
WOWOW“Kento Nakajima Traveler of Movies”
No. 5 “Bangkok, Thailand/Popular actors and conversation with the same generation”
12/01 (Sunday) 0:00~ Advance distribution on WOWOW On Demand
12/08 (Sunday) 0:00~ Delivered on WOWOW Prime
* Advance distribution starts on the 1st of every month, broadcast from 0:00 on the 2nd Sunday of the month
MC: Kento Nakajima
Guest: Poonpat Ian-Saman
Narration: Kenjiro Tsuda
“Kento Nakajima Eiga no Tabijin” distribution page
https://wod.wowow.co.jp/program/199574
“Kento Nakajima Eiga no Tabijin” program site
https://www.wowow.co.jp/detail/199574
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