On The Cover: The World Is Khunpol's Oyster

Lifestyle, Cover Issue

On The Cover: The World Is Khunpol’s Oyster

Ask any 22-year-old if they would listen to someone else’s unsolicited advice when it comes to finding their footing? Thai actor Khunpol Pongpol Panyamit keeps a clear view of the present as well as leans on his intuition to guide him forward. You can leave your expectations at the door.

By LingJie Tuang

June 02, 2025

Who are you at 22? Most everyday folk would probably be getting their first taste of adulthood — fresh out of college, crippled by the idea of infinite possibilities, and overestimating the impact of their decisions. “Could it change the trajectory of my life forever if I go with this job, in ways that won’t allow me to shift lanes later?” Spoiler alert: you can shift lanes. Take it from Khunpol Pongpol Panyamit. Led by the thrill of the unknown and a spirit of defiance, the rising actor-turned-boy band member made his mark with his acting debut in I Told Sunset About You (2020), the obvious choice was to delve deeper into the world of acting by lining up other roles. However, in a decision led by curiosity, Khunpol found himself in 789 SURVIVAL, a reality television competition show, ultimately winning a spot for himself in the debuting group BUS. It is clear that he leads life asking “why not?” instead of “why?”.

“While I’ve always been curious about music, I never had the opportunity to seriously pursue it, especially when I was already known as an actor,” Khunpol recalls. Under the eyes of a sceptical father who had doubts about the entertainment industry as a stable source of income, the decision to join the show was more than a pursuit of passion. “I wanted to show my dad that I had the courage to take a leap of faith and face the challenges and consequences that come with my decisions.” He was fully charged and ready to go. In a lesser-known trajectory — shifting from acting to music — versus the opposite, he found that his ability to convey emotions and tell stories authentically was a major advantage on the stage. “Being on set has given me the experience of performing under pressure, understanding the importance of teamwork and staying in the zone when tensions rise,” Khunpol shares. The mounting pressure from being in a reality television series that required him to learn his numbers quickly and perform for a live audience has become second nature to him. “While the music industry is a different world, the discipline and mentality I’ve adopted through acting gave me a good foundation to build on.”

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Clear-eyed that the end of 2025 would mark the two-year debut of BUS, the 12-member boy band has been serving up a dynamic range of saccharine sweet pop bangers like Bow Wow and the soulful stylings of No Matter What. What Khunpol has found most fruitful from his experience on the show was immersing himself in every moment. “Early on, I found myself being hyper-focused on ways I could improve that I ended up losing sight of the process and those around me,” he reflects. Then, he had a revelation. “Because I was surrounded by different people from all walks of life, I learnt to open up, connect and just be in the present. I realised it was all right to slow down, laugh and try something new even if it is beyond my comfort zone.” For casual audiences who are quick to generalise the work of idol groups as one-note and formulaic, Khunpol urges them to listen more closely. “While we are inspired by K-pop, we do not exact ourselves to how they showcase their artistry. What makes BUS special is the natural chemistry between us — all because we are a group of easygoing, supportive and genuinely connected individuals.” This kinship is palpable, even across the screens and stages where their fans witness them. “In the process of growing as a group, we discover our sound by merging our tastes and influences, incorporating elements of hip-hop, R&B and beyond,” he shares.

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Like any other 22-year-old, Khunpol is eager to take notes from his idols, acknowledging how these inspirations shape his artistry. “Lately, I’ve been really into indie music. I watched Phum Viphurit perform recently — the storytelling, the freedom in his performances and the overall vibe stuck with me.” He cites other artists like pop duo HYBS and V from BTS, who also challenge him to be more experimental with his work. “The one time V brought his dog on stage to perform was such a cool moment that I hope to emulate in terms of boldness and creativity.” Anything goes for Khunpol as he embraces the boundless future ahead, whether these opportunities look like solo projects or being more involved with production. Fans of BUS, known as BEUS, can already expect new music from the group, promising something fresh, sound- and concept-wise. This promise comes as a form of gratitude Khunpol has for BEUS, recalling the energy he felt on stage, “Seeing their faces, hearing them sing along during live shows, especially during our first big show titled ‘BUS: Light the World The First Concert’, are moments I will always remember.”

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A full-circle moment came after reuniting with I Told Sunset About You castmate PP Krit last year in his music video friend to friend. “It was so nice to see PP Krit again. I had a blast exploring Paris with him, coupled with the fact that this was my first time abroad for a project like this.” He acknowledges that there is still much to learn in his soft return to acting. “I hadn’t performed like this in a very long time, so it took a bit of getting used to — but I enjoyed every moment. It was a great reminder of my love for acting, and doing this with PP once again does outline our growth since 2020. We have taken separate paths and faced different challenges, yet the bond we share has made it natural for us to be on the same set together once again.”

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In a world that favours youth by default, it feels easy to float passively with the tides — convenient to be complacent, timely to be indifferent. But in Khunpol’s world, the eloquence and curiosity he demonstrates signal a different strategy, positioning him as an active player in this path he has chosen to take. Through his actions, you can observe a spirit of defiance in blazing his path, one that isn’t dictated by others’ expectations but fuelled by a mission to pursue a myriad of curiosities that come his way.