Gun Atthaphan Global Interview: Thai Superstar Dishes On “The Trainee” Series, OFFGUN Chemistry & More | EXCLUSIVE

Making waves on a global scale with his extraordinary talent, stunning visuals, and iconic fashion, Gun Atthaphan Phunsawat is the man of the hour. His journey from a child actor to an award-winning pillar of the Thai entertainment industry is not only commendable but also inspiring. You may remember Gun from films like “The Blue Hour” or TV shows like “Senior Secret Love: Puppy Honey”, “Our Skyy”, “Not Me”, and “Theory of Love”.

Gun starred in all of the above shows alongside Off Jumpol Adulkittiporn, giving rise to the duo name “OFFGUN”, which has gained immense popularity worldwide. Their chemistry and dynamic on and off the screen have made fans fall in love with them. It is no surprise, therefore, that the OFFGUN fandom is incredibly loyal, supportive, and dedicated to the well-being and promotion of their favorite stars.

Gun has most recently appeared in “Midnight Museum” and another OFFGUN BL series called “Cooking Crush”, has co-hosted a TV show called “OFFGUN Fun Night” with Off Jumpol, and has even released music! If that wasn’t impressive enough, Gun has his own fashion brands — one that he owns solely and designs for called GENTE and one called “Too Cute To Be Cool” that he co-owns with Alice Tsoi and Nichaphat Chatchaipholrat.

Gun’s Instagram account is filled with “boyfriend material” photos, stylish OOTDs, and snapshots of his life. Off Jumpol is also featured in many of his posts. Gun leaves no chance to show his love for fans and fans return his affections manifold.

Proof of this came recently when fans put their all into voting for Gun Atthaphan to make him win the “Outstanding Asian Star” award at the 2024 Seoul International Drama Awards. Gun was the winner of this award in 2023, and he came all the way to Korea to receive it, delivering a touching speech on stage. Korean fans and media showered him with love and the actor was all smiles during the event. With Gun having expressed his desire to have a “K-Drama moment” before, it was truly fulfilling to see him enjoy himself at the Korean award show. Perhaps, one day, Gun will star in a Korean film or drama!

Gun Atthaphan returned to Seoul to meet Korean fans for the “GMMTV FANDAY 11 IN SEOUL” event and evidently had a fantastic time, as seen on his Instagram. He’s eager to return to Korea once more and shared his thoughts about the SDA 2024 with Kpopmap.

Before you read our interview with Gun, check out his special message for fans all over the world!

Then, without further ado, let’s get into our very special EXCLUSIVE interview with the one and only Gun Atthaphan! The actor opens up about his latest new show with Off Jumpol, “The Trainee”, his experience in Seoul with Korean fans, artists he wants to collaborate with, and much more!

 

First of all, it’s such an honor to interview you. How have you been? Please tell us about 3 things that have made you happy lately.

The first thing is work, especially going to Fan Meetings abroad. But I still have free time to meet friends. The second thing is something I’m currently working on, which I’ve wanted for a long time. It’s something that brings happiness to both myself and my family. If I can share more details, I will. The third thing is shopping, both domestically and when traveling abroad for work, but it’s less than before.

You were recently in Seoul for the “GMMTV FANDAY 11 IN SEOUL”. You have a huge fandom in Korea who love you. How did you feel meeting so many Korean fans? Were there any memorable moments with fans?

I was very happy to meet fans in Korea. Korea is a country I like to visit. If I have the opportunity, I would love to go there to relax, travel, and shop because the weather in Korea is very nice. Also, it’s always a great feeling to meet fans after a while; the fans are very supportive. Korean fans are very lovely. It was a very memorable time.

 

What were 3 things that you enjoyed the most in Seoul?

It would probably be the food, the shopping, and the people. I think the people there are very lovely.

You’ve mentioned before that you want your own K-Drama moment. If you could appear in a K-Drama, what genre would you like to act in? Also, do you have any Korean actors or actresses that you want to work with?

First of all, I want to act in a light-hearted romance genre. As for my favorite Korean actors, I like Jun JiHyun as an actress and Gong Yoo as an actor.

 

Do you watch a lot of K-Dramas? Have you watched any recently that you liked?

I haven’t been watching series much lately, but I used to watch them before. The last series I watched a long time ago was “Crash Landing on You.” I really liked it.

You are truly a multi-talented star, juggling both acting and your music career. Do you have any K-Pop artists you want to collaborate with?

That’s a tough one. Actually, I like many groups. If I had the opportunity to work with them, I’d want to collaborate with all of them.

 

In addition to acting and music, you are also a fashion icon! How do you create your own unique style? Do you have any fashion influences?

Actually, I get fashion inspiration from various sources, both international and from people I admire. Mostly, I look on Instagram and save a lot of styles from different people. I then adjust and try out the ones that I feel like trying or wearing and that I feel confident in.

 

We’ve noticed you like Korean fashion brands like NOKO and Gentle Monster. What do you love about K-Fashion? Do you have any other favourite Korean brands?

Oh, I actually like many Korean brands! NOKO is one brand I like because the designs are cute and very comfortable to wear. Gentle Monster is another favorite, with its wide variety of stylish glasses. I really like them a lot. Currently, I’m also into OPEN YY and ADER ERROR from Korea. There are many Korean brands that I like.

It’s been over 20 years since you started acting. You’ve always been brilliant but you keep getting more and more impressive and your range is superb. What is it that you love the most about acting? And after 20 years in the industry, have you ever struggled with slumps? If so, how did you overcome it?

Honestly, it all starts with myself enjoying what I love. I think everyone, when they truly love something, they focus on it and intend to pursue it. I feel that acting is another art form. Different roles allow me to embody many different people with various personalities and to do things I haven’t done before, which helps me continuously develop my acting skills. It feels like a challenge, a way to test myself with something new. Over the past 20 years in the industry, I wouldn’t say there were no tough times, of course, there were. But I feel that every problem can be overcome. It doesn’t make me say “Oh, it’s bad,” or, “Oh, I can’t handle it,” but rather, when the time comes, I know I can get through it.

 

Gun Atthaphan is a huge inspiration to fans all over the world. You bring love and light to fans’ lives.

Honestly, when we work in the entertainment industry, we have people who love and support us. I know that today I’m going to an event, where I’ll have fans and Papi (Off Jumpol) supporting me, cheering me on. Just knowing this makes me feel very good. Even if they send messages through various online channels, it’s like a driving force. And every comment from fans who admire and love me is what pushes me to feel that I can overcome anything.

Your upcoming show “The Trainee” with long-term collaborator Off Jumpol is a hot topic all over the world. After doing so many different projects with Off Jumpol, what is your favorite thing about working together with him?

Actually, Papi (Off Jumpol) has been a partner with whom I’ve been working since the beginning. I feel comfortable working with him. Every project we’ve done together, I feel like he understands me. Our chemistry clicks, and we can work together smoothly. Papi is a very good person, very caring. Working with Papi makes me feel very comfortable.

Fans absolutely love your chemistry with Off Jumpol and it keeps getting better and better with every show you do together. What is your secret to constantly upgrading your chemistry with Off Jumpol?

Well, there aren’t really any secrets. Actually, because we’ve been working together for about 8 or 9 years, we feel very close and have gotten to know each other better. It makes everything flow smoothly, and our chemistry is good. This understanding helps us know exactly how to do things together.

It has been 8 years since you first met Off Jumpol on a project. Are you still discovering new things about your co-actor as you work together? Were there any moments on the set of “The Trainee” where Off Jumpol surprised you?

I think Papi (Off Jumpol) has developed in many aspects. Whether it’s acting, which he wasn’t initially skilled at, he can now do it. And wow, he can also sing and dance. Now he has improved in many different ways.

We cannot forget that you and Off Jumpol are both extremely good-looking. In your eyes, when do you think you look the coolest/most handsome and when do you think Off Jumpol looks the coolest/most handsome?

I like Papi (Off Jumpol) with short hair. Papi looks cool and clean with a short haircut. He looks really stylish when he has short hair. I prefer Papi with a short haircut.

 

Finally, last year, you won the “Outstanding Asian Star” award at the SDA 2023. This year too, fans are voting passionately for you to win and you’re receiving hot attention worldwide. So, it was amazing to interview you. Do you have anything you want to say to your fans all over the world who are supporting you?

Thank you so much to all the fans from around the world for all the support you’ve given me. Thank you for always supporting me. I am very happy to have all of you. You are very important people who have pushed and helped me reach where I am today. I never expected to receive the Outstanding Asian Star award last year. I have to thank the fans who voted for me and helped me have the opportunity to travel to Korea to receive the award. I was very happy. If I have the chance, I would love to visit everyone, meet all the fans in Korea, and all the fans around the world. Thank you very much.

And there we have it! Did you enjoy our exclusive interview with Gun Atthaphan? What was your favorite part? Tell us in the comments section down below!