Praew wants to play different roles
Success can come in many ways. Some people have to work their way to the top. Others catch a lucky break. Actress Chermawee Suwanpanuchoke (Praew) got her lucky break when she performed with her school dance club on the popular luk thung TV competition Chingcha Sawan (Ferris Wheel).
One talent scout was so impressed with her performance that he offered her a small role in the 2009 comedy Sassy Player. Since then, she has appeared in many music videos and TV dramas. Last month, she played a reporter in the action drama Leb Krut (The Final of Six Elements). And in the coming months, we’ll see her in the fantasy show, Pormod Jao Sanae (Charming Wizard).
S Weekly met up with the 25-year-old actress at Channel 7 to chat about her acting career.
What did you learn from your time in the dance club?
Praew: I learned a lot of things. I learned how to do my own make-up and hair. And I learned good manners and how to behave when I’m working with others. I also learned about camera angles and how to pose.
Why did you decide to become an actress?
Praew: To make money for my family. I was able to pay my own tuition fees. I’ve worked since I was very young and I saw how hard my father worked. I quickly learned the value of money. I’ve never been extravagant.
Is life in showbiz different from what you expected?
Praew: Not really. Being in the dance club could be tough at times. It required hard work. So I was prepared. I’m ready for anything. I always try my best.
You were in the video for Pang Nakarin’s “Poompae Krungthep [Bangkok Allergy].” What was that like?
Praew: It was really stressful because the director didn’t want me to put any make-up on. I’d never shown my natural face in the media. I secretly asked a make-up artist to draw my eyebrows. I was worried about my pale skin. But when I saw the video, I was happy with the results.
Which kind of role do you find most difficult to play?
Praew: Dramatic roles are the hardest. Being dramatic is the opposite of how I am in real life. In reality, I’m cheerful and like to have fun. I often find dramatic scenes stressful and I sometimes have nightmares afterwards. What I really want to do is comedy.
What are the challenges of playing your character in Charming Wizard?
Praew: My character Marisa has two personalities - one good, one bad. She’s an ordinary person who is well-mannered. But she is possessed by a witch from time to time. The role is challenging because she has to express several emotions in the same scene. One minute, she’s an evil witch. The next minute, she’s a nice girl again.
Do you ever read comments about you?
Praew: Not very often. Criticism annoys me. I let my friends read them. They tell me what people say.
How do you handle criticism?
Praew: I try to build up my confidence by taking compliments and developing my acting skills. If I’m upset by negative feedback, I’ll do meditation, read books or play with my dogs.
What's your career goal?
Praew: I want to keep performing and challenging myself by taking roles that I’ve never done before.
Is it true that you want to be a writer?
Praew: Yes. I want to be a travel writer. I’d like to thank S Kantapong, my co-star in The Final of Six Elements, who encouraged me to start writing. I post my writings on Facebook and Instagram under the name @praewpanbycher. I usually write about the ideas I have and my feelings on the way to and from work.
