Oct 30, 2026 6:26pm IST
William Jakrapatr and Est Supha on Tackling Intimacy in ‘You Maniac,’ Debuting Young and Visiting India (EXCLUSIVE)
When Jakrapatr Kaewpanpong (William) and Supha Sangaworawong (Est) were announced as a couple pairing (CP) in April 2024, it surprised many. It’s not every day that a former Olympic swimmer for the Thai national team and the frontman of a T-Pop group join a boys’ love (BL) show as its leads. But the two built their fanbase and have steadily become one of the most popular in the business.
Following their appearance in the romance series “ThamePo: Heart That Skips a Beat,” which grabbed millions of views and became their shot to fame, the two appeared in “Me and Thee” as well as its sequel, “Peach and Me”. Reuniting once again, the two joined Variety India for an exclusive conversation, talking about whether their four-year age gap has ever affected their choices and how they prepped for intimate scenes in their latest, “You Maniac”.
How involved are you in selecting your projects? What kind of scripts do you usually avoid?
William: Usually, before we take on a series, the team invites us to sit down and talk about the plot they feel would be suitable for us. We discuss whether we feel comfortable with the story. At the very least, we want to make sure that the role will challenge us, allow our fans to see our growth, and give us the opportunity to present the character in the best way we can.
Est: I don't really have any particular genre that I rule out. I tend to look more at what the story is trying to tell and whether I'm ready to do it justice. For “You Maniac,” what interested me was how different it was from what I had done before. It was also a role that challenged me in ways I hadn't experienced before.
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William, you were very young when you were cast in “Thame Po”. Did age ever affect the role you were going for?
I was quite young at the time, but I was very fortunate that “Thame Po” was about a boy band, so I was able to draw from my own experience as a member of LYKN. Being young may have meant that I had less life experience than some others, but I also think it helped me stay open and learn quickly. I prepared as much as possible and asked questions. Starting to work at that age helped me grow a lot.
Est, being paired with someone who’s four years younger while being a senior in showbiz is not easy. How did that contradiction contribute to your experience?
I think we helped each other a lot. I may have had more life experience, but when it comes to performance, William has travelled around the world doing concerts. I've gradually learned from him how to sing and perform on stage and how to engage the audience and make sure they have a great time with us, all from him.
The increased intimacy in “You Maniac” sets it apart from “Thame Po”. What kind of prep did you have to undergo for this change in dynamic?
William: “You Maniac” is a series that allows audiences to see how much we've grown as actors, while also introducing newer and more distinctive characters. During filming, we talked in detail with the director and the team before each [intimate] scene to understand what it is trying to communicate.
Est: And because we've been working together for some time now, talking through and understanding scenes that involve more intimacy has become much easier than before. We already understand the characters we are portraying and how they communicate with each other.
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What was it like working alongside Pond and Phuwin in “Me and Thee” and “Peach and Me”?
William: Working with Pond and Phuwin was a great opportunity for me to see how they prepared for their roles, how they approached each scene, and how they worked with the director and the team. I also got to see their professionalism and the way they helped create a positive atmosphere on set.
Est: I think working with Pond and Phuwin was a very valuable experience because I had the opportunity to observe how experienced actors approach their work, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes.
William, you visited India last year. What was that experience like?
My experience visiting India was really wonderful. I got to experience the culture, try the food, and meet so many warm and friendly people. What impressed me the most was the energy of the fans who came to welcome me. I never expected that there would be people who knew and followed me from so far away. I definitely want to go back to India again.
Est, would you hold a fan concert in India?
I would love that very much. I've heard that there are fans in India who have been following and supporting us, and I'm genuinely very happy and grateful to everyone there. I'd love to have the chance to thank everyone in person for following us and supporting us all this time.
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