“Two” Popetorn Soonthornyanakij, 33, released his debut single with Boyd Kosiyabong in 2006. Nearly a decade on, his good looks are intact and his new hit, “Pueng Gan Tuk Tee” (“Just Friends?”), proves his popularity is too. 

Your family’s love can help you get through storms in life. Love can give you the strength to move on no matter what you’re facing.

My mom had a breakdown after she broke up with my dad. She fell into serious depression, and couldn’t take care of simple things like cooking for us. I was nine then. I went to my neighbors and asked them if they could talk to her. When she saw what I’d done, I think she realized how much her kids really loved her. She picked herself up and moved us all to the US.

Hardship made me grow up fast. I used to be a self-centered kid who would get everything I wanted. But seeing my mom and my sister work so hard to earn a living in the US, it made me realize that our lives weren’t the same as when we were in Thailand. So I started working part-time with them.

I feel for students who work part-time in Thailand. The minimum wage here is so low compared to the work. They won’t be able to send themselves to school or college like those who work in the US. I sent myself to college and I graduated in animation. But here, it’s nearly impossible.

Singing wasn’t my thing at the beginning. I just sang for fun at my friend’s restaurant until it became a job. 

I love R&B from the Motown era. I love to listen to old songs. Those songs are really charming and sincere. It’s the base of every musical genre that exists today.

Life is a rollercoaster, not a space rocket. It’s impossible for your life to get higher and higher and more successful all the time. I always remind myself of this fact to stay humble, sane and happy no matter where I am today.

The highest peak of my existence was when I was chosen to sing with Boyd Kosiyabong in Los Angeles, where he arranged a Christian concert. He then asked me to sing for him on “What Will I Do” on the album Rhythm & Boyd E1EVEN1H in Thailand. I jumped at the opportunity right away. 

I nearly gave up on music. I had no job for months after I worked with Boyd. I was so stresssed out, I even thought of going back to the US. I’d go for long walks to clear my thoughts. One time I ended up walking from BTS Phra Khanong to Rama 9 Road.

Don’t let yourself be buried in fear. You must put yourself up to what you want to do, and do it to the end. If you don’t give up, it will happen someday. 

Never stop improving. Don’t let yourself be flattered with compliments saying you’re already good at what you do. If you keep doing the same thing, people will eventually pass you by. 

I love performing. It’s lucky that my work isn’t really work. It fulfills me every time. It’s a natural high.

Touring is dangerous for artists in Thailand. We need to go everywhere by van and everything depends on the driver. There was a night that we finished a concert at 3am and had to come back to Bangkok. Our driver was nodding off, his head dropping several times, so I asked him to stop. 

Once, I was on stage when I hit the microphone so hard, one of my front teeth cracked into small pieces. I ran to the dentist the next morning but I’m still afraid of bringing a microphone too close to my mouth!

I cherish honesty in friendships. I don’t have many friends here with whom I can talk openly. So I always cherish those I have as they always stand by me every time I need someone to talk to.

Guys must be the one to yield in relationship. I heard that from a pastor I met at a wedding. I think it’s true, but to be honest, I’m still trying to be that kind of guy.

Making something worth being remembered for is exceptional. I wish I could do something like that, even if it’s on a small scale. 

Life is short. Don’t work too hard to the point where you have no time to enjoy your beautiful life with the ones you love, especially your parents. You don’t want to look up one day and realize they’re gone.

Spending money alone is useless. Sharing it with others and giving it away will make your life meaningful. 

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