I'm sorry I couldn't finish it tonight. It's 1:30 AM already where I am at and I have to go to work tomorrow at 6 am hahaha. Well anyway, here's the first part of the 2nd TV Groove Interview, as requested by
@meredo. I will try to continue it tomorrow:
Direct hit (straight) interview with Thai Young Superstar, James Jirayu, who had his Japanese Debut just now! His technique for overcoming Super difficult Japanese word song lyrics…?
Thai young Super Star, James Jirayu, loves and keeps revisitng Japan. James Jirayu had a big break in his debut as an actor in the 2013 TV Drama “Suparburoot Jutathep” in his country of origin, Thailand. In September of the same year, he had his first starring role in the movie “First Love” and his subsequent appearance in the dorama “Tong Neu Gao” established his position as a popular young actor. He has been an endorser in the CM of Japanese companies such as Toyota and Uniqlo.
On September 2015, while he was studying singing and dancing in Japan for two months, he likewise had a guest appearance in the “21st Tokyo Girls Collection (TGC) 2015 Autumn/Winter. In the same year, he had his first convention Live in Japan which attracted around 600 people which included fans and media.
Moreover, earlier this year, his Japan Debut Single, “Loving You too Much” was released on June 29. Afterwards, his 1st Photobook, “Kimi Dake I Love You” was released immediately thereafter, on July 8. In his single, “Loving you too much”, he took on the challenge of singing, with his sweet singing voice, the song lyrics in Japanese language, thus beginning his full-fledged activities in Japan.
James, who was forceful enough to knock down birds in flight (figuratively means: “With tremendous energy or great vigor”) gave TV Groove, for the second time, an exclusive interview. Smiling from beginning to end, relaxed all throughout, talked about many things such as level of difficultly in singing in Japanese language, Japanese fans and hobby with cameras, etc.
Now that you have been studying the Japanese Language, what is the most recent thing you remember (learning)?
Umm… “Tanoshimini…?” Uh… “Otanoshimini” (“Please look forward to it!” Usually said by character at the end of an episode to ask viewers to see them next time)
Have you used “Otanoshimini” recently?
Yes! I have been using it! Otanoshimini!
Last June 29, Loving you Too much, your CD Debut and your First Photobook “Kimi Dake I love you” was launched in the market in Japan, how are you feeling now?
The CD is not just the first. Photobook was also sold on top of that. I am really happy whenever the person who had purchased it say “Kawai” (“Cute”).
With regard to “Loving you too much” and “Kimi Dake I love You”, the two songs in your debut single, they are both sung in the Japanese language, was the Japanese language not difficult?
Pronunciation in the Japanese and Thai language are a bit different and the way of pronouncing words in Thai is not like in Japanese so it was very difficult.
What is difficult to pronounce in the Japanese Language?
The “Shi” in “Sushi” and the “chi” of “Kimochi” (feelings). I initially could not grasp the distinction between “shi” and “chi”. At the time I was recording also, I was told “this pronunciation is no good”, it was very difficult.
At the time before recording you had to practice a lot?
I was given a demo to listen to every day. “this way right?” and practiced. The Japanese Staff gave me tips on single words, a few words and exerted time to make me grasp it. But then I enjoyed it (time spent with them learning) very much.
*Note that James referred to the Japanese Staff as “Nihonjin no staffu-san” and added the respective “san” after the word “Japanese staff” though it’s not normally done. It’s like saying “Mr. Guard.” Or “Mr. Staff” – shows his respect for them.
In your first Photobook “Kimi dake I love you” – if you could pick just one favorite photo, what would it be?
That’s very difficult (Note: In the text, “muzukashi” is written in Katakana, which probably means that James said the Japanese word “muzukashii” when he was asked, while the rest was translated) I personally like all the photos. But the other day, during the fan event, the fan asked me to sign a particular photo and said “Please sign this page”, I wonder if this picture is popular. Please check it out as there are a lot of good photos.