It can be said that “Aem-Sanpetch Kunakorn”, the handsome son of “Doo Sanya”, is a chip off the old block, who opened up in-depth on the WOODY FM program about his childhood and his entry into the entertainment industry. He also talked about the pressures of being Doo’s son, revealing that he used to be a shy nerd who didn’t dare socialize. He revealed that he was someone who would focus on whatever he did and devote himself to doing his best.
After graduating from college in Los Angeles, what kind of work do you hope to pursue?
Aem Sanpetch: At first, I planned to study for another year and then go study veterinary medicine. When I graduated, I would take a gap year because my whole life I’ve been studying only; I haven’t used any life experience, haven’t socialized, haven’t done anything. So I’ll take a gap year and test out what paths I’m able to take, what I’m able to do, if there’s any passion I’ve always wanted to try and now have the chance to, go ahead and try it, like acting.
Why did you want to pursue this career? Have you always thought about it? When you were a child, did you ever think about following in your father’s footsteps into the industry?
Aem Sanpetch: Never. Because I was a very shy child. I didn’t like to talk much. I didn’t like to be with anyone either. I liked spending time alone. But it might be because my father is an actor. Another reason is that when I was alone, I would watch movies and series. Then I got hooked. I imagined it in my head. I had a crush on the character for a long time. But as a shy child, I didn’t think that one day I would be brave enough to step out of my comfort zone.
But it has been accumulating in me all along?
Em Sarapetch: Yes, I’ve always liked it, but I don’t really talk to my parents about it. I keep to myself a lot.
Has your father ever asked if you’re interested in trying it out?
Aem Sarapetch: Not really. But when there was a program that offered me a job, they said that there was a drama that interested me, there was a photoshoot that they were interested in. But at that time, I was going to focus on my studies first, so I rejected a lot of them.
What sparked your desire to enter the industry?
Aem Sarapetch: When I was studying in LA, they had a free course where we could do anything. And it turned out that there was an acting course, so I went to study because I had a dream that I liked it. And it turned out that when I could speak English, I wasn’t afraid. So I realized that what I was really stuck on wasn’t acting, but language. So I thought that we had this opportunity, we were this lucky, and we liked it too. But we were just afraid because our language skills might not be up to par, so we couldn’t do it and had to accept it.
Does that mean you’re afraid of not being able to communicate in Thai?
Aem Sarapetch: Yes, I couldn’t read the script as fast as he did. I was speechless.
How did you get into the industry?
Aem Sarapetch: The first thing is to come back and try to practice Thai. Change my environment to be more Thai. Start watching TV. Start listening to all kinds of Thai songs. It will be catchy.
Do you have a favorite band that you like listening to right now?
Aem Sarapetch: I’ve known them since I was a kid. I like the band Bodyslam.
So when did you tell your parents?
Aem Sarapetch: I told him when I had more confidence in the language, when I could read books at a fairly acceptable standard, I started telling my father if there were any dramas that he had offered. He was confused, thinking that I was going to be a veterinarian, thinking that it would be another path. But when I explained to him that this was something that I had really liked for a long time, he fully supported me.
What does your father look like?
Aem Sarapetch: He was really confused because at first he saw my image as a quiet kid, a bit of a nerd, shy, science student, not creative. But he was happy.
What is your first project?
Aem Sarapetch: Right now, we’re preparing to start filming. We’re about to start. When I tried the workshop, I liked it just as I thought. As someone who’s introverted and doesn’t like to talk much, being able to be someone else can be a release for us. We don’t have to be ourselves. We can use our imagination to think of ourselves as that person or that person.
Phi Du Sanya, how do you raise your children?
Aem Sanpetch: My father is a person who cannot be called a direct raiser. He is a person who sets an example. He is a person who always shows, never tells me. So when I followed my father’s example, I became a person who is very similar to my father in terms of personality. When I got like that, it was like he let me go. Both my father and mother let me do things by myself, make decisions by myself, let me be responsible by myself, let me take care of and manage my own life. My father emphasized gaining experience.
Do you have a goal in mind for how you want to perform? Should you go back to school or should you stop for now?
Em Sarapetch: Right now, I’m putting it on hold because I’m a little bit determined. When I do something, I focus and give it my all, otherwise, I shouldn’t do it.
Being the child of a celebrity, does it affect you in any way?
Aem Sanpetch: I might not feel that pressured because my father is a very free person. He’s very lenient. But I might feel a little guilty, that we have to do well because I don’t want to be like a celebrity’s child who enters the industry, like that. Not a Nepo Baby like that. I understand that my father’s name helps, but the decision and the fact that we get to act in a drama, we act ourselves. I feel that we have to prove that we’re really skilled, not just like our big brother Du Sanya can act.
Besides being an actor, your father is also a host. Will you follow that path as well?
Aem Sarapetch: This is also interesting. But if it’s in English, I’m comfortable doing this. But if it’s in Thai, I have to practice because being a host is very difficult.
Your dad was a great questioner and created a lot of content talking to people. Did he share any life lessons with us when we had the chance to talk?
Aem Sarapetch: All the time. But it’s a pity that in the past, as a teenager, I didn’t really listen. We were like, Dad, talk a lot, I don’t know what. Now I understand that what they share is that they talk to the top people in every industry. It’s like Woody. The host becomes like a sponge, something that absorbs everything. And I think that’s really cool.
Your father has done so many cool things for the industry, whether it’s acting or hosting shows. He’s an idol to many people, and someone I’ve always looked up to. You’re so lucky to be born as Doo Sanya’s son. When did you realize that your father was cool?
Aem Sarapetch: It was probably during COVID. That is, when I went to study at university and was separated from my family, I got to experience new things with new people, and then I came back to live with my parents again. I knew right away that my father was like that. I don’t think he was smart, but he was someone who knew himself and knew a lot. I understood that he was someone I respected a lot. I consider myself very lucky to have been born as his son.
