The popularity of BL (boys’ love) series or dramas has exploded in recent years, especially during the pandemic, around the world, catering to both men and women.
GagaOOLala, the popular LGBTQ+ video content streaming service, has seen the rise in the number of its subscribers and more BL titles being churned out from countries such as Thailand, Taiwan and South Korea.
Its new 14-episode Thai BL series, “Playboyy,” a directed by Cheewin Thanamin Wongskulphat, has become a hot topic among fans for its daring and steamy scenes featuring a cast of hunky and cute men.
The stars of the GagaOOLala BL series "Playboyy" (GagaOOLala)
Manila Bulletin interviewed two of the stars of “Playboyy” ("เล่นจนเป็นเรื่อง"), Kaowoat Supasin Singhapan, who plays the role of Teena, and Korn Palat Chayutnitiroj, who plays Zouey, about the series, their sexy scenes and rising popularity.
Kaowoat, 28, and Korn, 25, both under the Thai agency Copy A Bangkok owned by Wongskulphat, made their acting debut in “Playboyy.” The two are paired as a couple in the BL series.
“When sex brings mysteries needed to be solved, a group of friends go explore the wicked world of young adults, expose shady business and discover their deepest darkest desires through chaotic sex and relationships,” according to the storyline on GagaOOLala.
Thai actor Kaowoat Supasin Singhapan, star of the "Playboyy" BL series (GagaOOLala)
Thai actor Korn Palat Chayutnitiroj, star of the "Playboyy" BL series (GagaOOLala)
"Playboyy" BL series stars Kaowoat Supasin Singhapan (right) and and Korn Palat Chayutnitiroj (GagaOOLala)
In the series, Kaowoat plays the role of Teena, who works as a nude model. Korn is Zouey, a student majoring in painting and who is a virgin.
Kaowoat, in particular, garnered the attention of fans when he appeared naked in the first episode of “Playboyy.” In a scene, Kaowoat posed naked like the famous The Thinker sculpture by Auguste Rodin in a drawing class that included Korn.
“Playboyy” also stars actors Dech Narongdet Rungarun, Shell Thakrit Chaiwut, Chat Wasutha Phromchainun, Jack Jaktrin Giacomo Piazza, Vivit Pharunrit Sarutsitphon, Boat Pakorn Tochuensakul, Fay Chintub Duangkaew, Jeffy Chutipon Limsirithong, Parm Pawarate Pakdeelakakul, Aun Warit Lertjaruvong, View Thanathorn Bunsong and Win Jirapat Uttayananon.
Kaowoat and Korn in the nude drawing art class scene in "Playboyy" (GagaOOLala)
Here are Kaowoat and Korn’s answers in the interview:
“Playboyy” premiered on Nov. 16 and set a new record for the most viewed series in the first week of release ever in GagaOOLala’s history. Your reaction to this.
Kaowoat: “I was surprised and happy to hear that my performance and the series went on to garner No. 1 in many countries. I’m really, really thankful. I’ve been working hard for this [series].”
Korn: “Before the series’ launch on GagaOOLala, I was kinda worried. It’s a platform with a diverse content, not just boys’ love series but also straight love series and many kinds of love series. And when it came out as a hit, I was really, really surprised and unexpected to see it skyrocket,” said Korn.
What was your first reaction when you learned that you will be starring in “Playboyy”?
Besides being an actor, the tall and hunky Kaowoat also works as a model.
Kaowoat: “When I came for the casting, I really, really wanted to play this one because the show is different and looked very exciting. It made me feel that it was a dream come true to get the job. The more I went into it, I really wanted to play [the role]. Another thing is the issues portrayed in the series kinda express the social taboo. It’s really hard to talk about it in society.”
Korn: “When I first read the script, I was a little bit nervous and was kind of afraid. The character that I play in the series is kinda far from his real life but the more I got into the role, it was really fun and pleasurable to play.”
How did you prepare for your roles in “Playboyy”?
Kaowoat: “When I got the job [role], I had to prepare my mind and my body, spending a lot of time, losing about 10 kilos in getting this role. After that I went to the workshop with the other cast members. When I knew I would be pairing up with Korn, we tried to learn about each other more, to gain each other’s trust and to make each other more comfortable. The more we stepped into the roles, the more we kept trusting each other.”
Korn: “Because this is my first performance on a series and start of my acting career, I put a lot of effort into acting. When we did the workshop, we saw many new faces that we needed to get to know each other and tried to learn more about each other. Kaowoat and I talked a lot about the series, about our roles to gain a lot of comfort and trust.”
"Playboyy" BL series (GagaOOLala)
How is the chemistry between the two of you on the set and off the set?
Kaowoat: “My chemistry with Korn is like when we first met, Korn was quite shy about it. Korn was the first person I was sitting next to. And then I found out that Korn is a very, very lovely person. Korn may be a little quiet but actually, he is one that I can talk about anything. Even though we have different habits, different personalities, the comfort and trust that we have for each other is quite strong.”
Korn: “I feel like it is similar to the feelings of the journey on set and off the set. In the series, our characters are starting as the same thing as they started in real life. We are starting to know each other, hiding some feelings and when we got more comfortable with each other, we started to show more of ourselves. This is like an ongoing journey for us.”
How do you feel about getting naked and showing your body in Playboyy?
The first episode of “Playboyy” already featured steamy scenes including Kaowoat baring his body.
Kaowoat: “I feel like my body is an art piece and this is a work of art with the professionalism of the cast and the crew.”
How do you take care of your body? What is your diet routine?
Korn: “I am very strict on my diet. From 60s (kilos), I went down to 57 (kilos). I stopped going for buffets like shabu-shabu [hot pot] thing. When I started this, I felt good about my body. This is good for me and it has become my habit.”
Kaowoat: “Before getting the role, I didn’t really take care of myself well. I didn’t have the strict routine for exercising and diet. After I got the role, I stopped my bad eating habits because I liked to eat bakery (items) so much. But now, I need to turn into protein and even that I took the egg whites to the set. I’m exercising four days a week. In the first weeks of shooting, I needed to eat a lot of protein with no carbs at all. There was one day that I didn’t have any energy to lift weights. I sat down and cried in the gym. I thought of that day and I felt amazing now because I can get through all those things to become what I am today.”
What do you think is the sexiest part of your body?
Kaowoat: “The part of my body I think is the sexiest is my chest. It’s like quite a strong chest. It looks tempting for my character in the show.”
Korn: “For me, I think my belly muscle is the sexiest part of my body.”
Through “Playboyy,” you have achieved instant fame. How are you handling the sudden popularity?
Kaowoat: “I’m far from famous. As for work, I trust my studio [Copy A Bangkok] to take care when someone wants to hire me for events.”
Korn: “I feel the same as Kaowoat. I don’t feel that famous at the moment. There are some people who know me now because of the show that makes me behave when I go out in public.”
How do you feel about being admired by both men and women?
Kaowoat: “I’m really thankful regardless of men or women. I’m just thankful for people who admire me.”
Korn: “I’m happy and thankful to people for supporting and liking me for my character and true self.”
Is there a chance for you to visit Manila for a fan meeting?
Kaowoat: “We are really happy to go to Manila if there is a chance. It would be our honor to go to Manila. The Philippines is a country we want to go to and travel to and meet fans as well. I’m not only speaking for myself but for the other cast members as well.”
What is your message to your fans not only in the Philippines but all over Asia and the world?
Kaowoat: “I would like to thank all the fans for supporting me and supporting the show. One day if it happens, I would like to go to every country where my fans are.”
Korn: “I would like to thank my fans all over the world. I never thought that one day I would have fans for this. I would like to thank GagaOOLala for having the show and making me known to people worldwide. I would like to thank fans for supporting him by leaving comments or tagging me on Instagram stories. I and the rest of the cast read all of it, like messages for support or messages for improvement. We will continue to improve.”
“Playboyy” is streamed on GagaOOLala with new episodes every Thursday.