ComingSoon Thai Drama Writer Shriya Swami spoke to Up Poompat Iam-samang and Poom Phuripan Sapsangsawat about starring in the new BL drama My Stand-In.
My Stand-In premiered on Friday, April 26, 2024, on iQIYI. The storyline follows the struggles of a stuntman named Joe (Poom). He works as a stand-in for famous actor Tong. Joe’s life gets complicated when he gets involved with Ming (Up). However, the former’s heart is shattered when he discovers that Joe is only Tong’s replacement for Ming.
Along with his love life, Joe also encounters problems in his professional life. As a result, the stuntman is forced to work at a dangerous filming set, where he gets into a tragic accident and dies. Things take a dramatic turn when Joe finds himself in the body of another boy, who is also named Joe.
Shriya Swami: My Stand-In follows a mysterious and intriguing storyline. What made you choose this new project?
Poom: The story is captivating, and the professional team left a strong impression on me. The characters’ deep emotions and complex relationships also add significant depth to the project.
Up: The storyline had me hooked from the very beginning! It was absolutely captivating and entertaining when I first laid eyes on the synopsis. And let me tell you, after diving into the backgrounds of the characters, I couldn’t help but feel an overwhelming sense of excitement. This project is like a breath of fresh air for me, something completely different and new. There are so many thrilling aspects to this storyline, and as an actor, taking on the role of Ming presents me with an incredible challenge. But that’s exactly why I jumped at the opportunity to be a part of this project.
Did the creators and their portfolio play a part in your decision to star in My Stand-In?
Poom: It was very effective because I was already familiar with the creator’s previous work, which made me eager to join this project.
Up: They played a really important role too. I have seen works from YYDS and our director – they’re all super talented and dedicated to their craft, which is why this project was able to attract some top-notch professional players from our country to be part of it too. It’s like they all came together to create something that’s never been seen before in Thailand.
How did you prepare to step into the shoes of Ming and Joe?
Poom: Before starting this series, we conducted extensive workshops focusing on both the emotional aspects of the characters and Joe’s stuntman skills. We held emotional workshops with the actors to help us capture the characters’ emotions as accurately as possible.
Up: I have been working hard for the role of Ming, going through endless acting workshops with our amazing coach. I also skimmed the original novel, which helped me navigate through the story and understand all the dialogues and the storyline. Ming’s emotions can be a rollercoaster as he can be really happy in one scene and dramatic in another. After a while, I finally got a complete grasp of Ming’s character, and when we kicked off the filming process, everything just fell into place like magic.
What are some of the challenges you faced while playing your respective characters?
Poom: The challenge lies in capturing the emotional depth of the characters and portraying roles that require representing others in the story while performing realistic stunt scenes.
Up: I would say the very intense emotional and dramatic scenes. As I told you earlier, Ming can be so dramatic in the first half of the scene and very happy about something in the second half. This emotional rollercoaster is something I would say is a big challenge for this character.
The series includes a lot of heartbreaking moments. Was there any scene that was particularly difficult to film?
Poom: Filming every scene is challenging because each one involves numerous responsibilities. However, the scene I find most challenging and enjoyable to film is in episode 4, which features an intense emotional confrontation between two characters who can no longer agree with each other.
Up: There were scenes that proved to be quite challenging to film. The incorporation of various special effects throughout the project necessitated significant time and resources to bring the dramatic moments to life. There was also a scene that required a whole day dedicated to filming a single scene.
Fans cannot get enough of your incredible chemistry. How did you flawlessly portray it?
Poom: Before filming this series, we conducted numerous workshops to ensure the script was as understandable as possible. I want to thank Up for always being a great partner.
Up: From the start of our journey in the acting workshop classes, I could feel the spark between us. Poom is a great actor, and one thing I noticed ever since we first met was that he is a person who will give a hundred percent in doing anything. To meet a partner who shares the same passion for acting has truly been a blessing to me.
As the storyline revolves around the filming world, did any parts of the series feel similar to your real-life experiences?
Poom: In terms of similarities, the age difference is not significant, and Joe is also an easy-going person who doesn’t overthink things. However, unlike me, Joe lets love guide him too much, which has negative effects on his life.
Up: I found various elements in the story that resonated with my real-life work experiences. Firstly, how the filming industry in Thailand works. I think My Stand-In really portrayed how this industry works and its dark sides. Secondly, in My Stand-In, certain dialogues deeply affected me as an actor.
What are some of your memorable moments from the set while working together?
Poom: There are many memorable moments on set because everyone is so kind and makes us feel close to one another. It feels more like meeting friends and family than going to work, and I truly love this set. I want to thank everyone on set because none of this would have been possible without them.
Up: There were a lot of memorable moments throughout the filming process. One thing I would like to share with you guys is that Poom and I have this pre-film ritual. Think of a golfer with a pre-shot ritual where he or she just air-swings a couple of times and looks at the target and things. We were just like that. Before intense or dramatic scenes, we would hold hands or hug each other before the filming would start to share our energy and emotions. This really helped us throughout the filming process.
Can fans expect to see you on another project together in the future?
Poom: Currently, there are no series projects, but there are other projects such as shows on YouTube. If given the chance, I would love to work on another project with Up because he is both a talented and easy-going person. Hopefully, we will have the opportunity to collaborate on future projects.
Up: We were hoping for this. To be working with such a great partner would be a blessing to me. We talked about this too, and we would love to take up any challenges and opportunities in the future.
Lastly, please share a message with your fans.
Poom: Thank you to all the fans for their support. Without you, my work would feel meaningless. I am glad my work is appreciated by so many, as it greatly motivates me. Thank you for your continued support.
Up: Hey everyone! I just wanted to take a moment to express my heartfelt gratitude to each and every one of you amazing fans out there. I can’t even begin to put into words how much your unwavering support and love mean to us. It is truly overwhelming and fills our hearts with so much joy. We feel incredibly lucky to have such incredible fans like you. Thank you from the bottom of our hearts. Thank you for being a part of this journey with us. Lots of love to each and every one of you, and stay tuned for My Stand-In!
Meanwhile, fans can stay tuned to Up and Poom‘s projects on their Instagram.
