Singing it softly

She’s sold out her three full-length solo shows, appeared as a judge of the popular talent show “The Voice” and is one of Thailand’s top gay icons, yet diva Jennifer Kim doesn’t consider herself a successful singer. Quite the contrary in fact.

“I’d love to know how many people would actually bother coming to my concert if I was going to perform solo and without any guests,” says Kim, who’s now rehearsing for two upcoming shows that celebrate her 45th birthday.

“I’ve always believed my earlier concerts sold out because of the popularity of my guests,” she continues, referring to “Snow Kim”, “Kim Raider vs X-Men” and “My Name Is Kim” held between 2007 and 2009. 

“My career is different from artists who can add Grammy, or RS, or LoveIs to their names, because I have my feet firmly on the ground. That’s why I work hard to make my life better and to sing better every day” she adds.

Kim, who was born Pornparn “Kai” Chunhachai, became interested in music as a child, the result, she says, of being regularly taken to the cinema by her Chinese father and Isaan mother.

“My father was a professional gambler and a real fan of the movies. He watched Western and Chinese films while my mother preferred the Indian movies that were shown at the Cathay and Queen cinemas in Chinatown. So I also became crazy about the movies, especially the soundtracks. We also used to watch the Chinese series shown on channels 3 and 7 like ‘Chu Liu Xiang’, ‘Rit Dab Wong Phrachan’ and ‘Mangkorn Yok’, as well as music videos by several Chinese artists. 

“I really liked Teresa Teng. She had a beautiful melancholy voice and I used to feel very sad when she sang ‘Goodbye My Love’. My father explained the meaning of the lyrics and I felt sadder still! Teng had a wonderful talent for expressing her emotions and that inspired me to try and do the same. It was only later I understood that such emotions were generated by thinking of disappointing experiences.

“Kob [singer and actor Songsit Roongnophakunsri] once told me that he never thought of his own sad stories but those of others, as he didn’t want to convey the same feelings every time. He also said that singing a song is rather like reading the script of a character in a drama.”

Kim decided to test her singing prowess while in her second year at srinakharinwirot University, putting on shows in pubs and restaurants. In 1993, she took part in the Nissan Awards but failed to place. But Kim wasn’t discouraged, signing up again for the singing contest the following two years.

“I didn’t win anything but my participation gave me lots of experience and allowed me to compare myself with the other women in terms of looks. In fact, I’d been doing that going to the market with my mother in my teens and hearing a vendor tell her that I hadn’t inherited her beauty. I felt like that at school too. I knew I’d never be beautiful with a round flat face that resembled a sarapao [steamed stuffed bun],” she says

“Entering those contests was important because I wanted to prove my abilities and improve my chances of getting somewhere. I reasoned that if I won an award and appeared on TV, I would earn more money. While my family wasn’t poor, the gambling made me feel insecure and I desperately wanted stability. I soon learned that the singing contests have more to do with good looks and personality than the ability to sing.” 

In 1996, a small independent agency Stone Entertainment offered Kim the chance to record her debut album, “JFK: Muay Yai”, but it failed to make waves. She continued singing on the pub circuit and made a name for herself six years later when her song, “Khid Thueng Ther Thuk Thee (Thi Yoo Khon Diew)”, was featured on Koh Mr Saxman’s 2002 self-titled debut album on GMM Grammy.

“I’ve known Koh since he was 18 and studying at Chulalongkorn University. We’ve always kept in touch,” says Kim. “Ironically, I almost didn’t get to sing the track because lyricist Nim Seefa wanted Rose Sirinthip to cover it. Koh convinced her to give me a chance and my name became known. I’m still very grateful to Somchai Khamlertkul, Nim and Koh for helping me out,” says Kim.

In 2005, she released her second album, “Nothing to Lose” on Fatboystaff, the music label founded by musician Sobchai “Ford” Kraiyoonsen. She was also invited to take part in GMM Media’s first “Devils & Divas Comedy Concert”.

“Again, I’m very grateful to [A-Time Media’s chief executive] Saithip Montrikul na Ayudhaya for convincing me to take part. That led to Nim offering me the chance to appear in her ‘Seefa 2 concert the following year. And even though I was sharing the stage with many superstars, I was so pleased to received a round of applause from the audience,” says Kim.

Since then, Kim has gone on to sing several on the soundtracks of popular TV series. “Mai Yom Mod Wang” from the drama “Muang Maya” became her second real hit. In 2009, she was named Best Female Singer at the Nine Entertainment awards and in 2012 won the nod for Best TV Soundtrack for “Phid Mai” at the Nataraja Awards.

So what are her goals for the future, other than selling out her concerts?

“To be rich,” she replies without hesitation, harking back to her need for stability. “Fame doesn’t last long and singers today are little more than a brand. Some artists I know have set up businesses. I think I’d like to do that.”

 

 

Sultry sounds

_ “45 Years: Concert Khrang Sudthai Korn Wai Thong” is being staged at Royal Paragon Hall on July 27 and 28.

_ Tickets are Bt1,200 to Bt3,000. Call (02) 262 3456 or visit www.ThaiTicketMajor.com.