By Honorary Reporter Marie Line El Haddad from France
Photo = Abyss Company

GOT7 member BamBam on X, 2023, performs at his first solo concert in Seoul.

In the vibrant landscape of K-pop, BamBam is an established star, first with the boy band GOT7 and more recently as a solo artist. Making his solo debut in 2021, the Thai-born celebrity has seen huge success with over 500 million streams online of his songs. 

Born Kunpimook Bhuwakul in Bangkok, Thailand, BamBam at age 13 passed the JYP World Tour Audition in Thailand and moved to Korea to start life as a K-pop trainee. In 2014, GOT7 made its official debut with BamBam as a member.

He has also been active in other pursuits. He was named in 2021 one of Thailand's top 100 fashion influencers by Vogue Thailand and has performed charity work for UNICEF in his homeland.

Now on his European tour, he made his first stop in Paris on March 22. 

The following are excerpts from a March 13 written interview with BamBam, 

How would you describe yourself and your music?
I would describe myself as a genuinely honest and chill person, qualities reflected in my music. I strive to stay true to my feelings at the moment, resulting in a diverse range of musical styles.

You've visited Europe several times in recent years but mostly for fashion events. How does it feel to visit this time to perform?
I find myself more excited now than when I attended fashion weeks. I'm really looking forward to enjoying different cities and connecting with my fans.

Why choose the tour name "Area 52" and what should your fans expect from it?
I've always loved talking about aliens and UFOs and knew of Area 51 in the U.S. So I wondered what if we name our show "Area 52" using my birthday May 2? I love this unique title for my show. Be ready to party because this is the perfect place for nonstop fun.

How did you prepare for your first tour as a solo artist?
Personally, I aim to infuse my unique touch into every aspect of the show. Because I dedicated my all to this performance, I hold this tour in high regard.

What do you remember from GOT7's first tour of Europe in June 2018?
I have so many memories, but one I can never forget is the incredible energy of European fans at our first performance in June 2018. The fans' enthusiasm made the show exceptionally enjoyable for us, and everything about the performance was fantastic.

What have been the pros and cons of living in Korea?
I've been living in Korea for half of my life now, so it's really hard to pick one among my many ups and downs. However, I've really gotten used to everything in Korea, so I have few challenges living here.

K-pop has been popular in Asia for a while but is now surging worldwide. As a non-Korean K-pop artist, how do you explain the genre's global success?
In my opinion, the key to success lies in being honest and true to oneself. By staying true to who I am, people in Korea began to appreciate that aspect of me. Building on that foundation, I've grown internationally but will never forget the love I received from Korea. I believe that consistently returning to where I started is another element of success.

What advice do you have for youth dreaming of joining a K-pop act?
As someone from Thailand, I never imagined myself getting this far. You'll never know how life unfolds, so pursue what you love, follow your heart and never give up.

Any concluding message to your fans?
I've eagerly awaited my European tour for a long time, and it's finally happening. I know some might be unsure about attending my show, not knowing what to expect from my first tour. But I can confidently say it'll be a concert you'll remember for a lifetime, so trust me on this. See you soon, Europe.

msjeon22@korea.kr

*This article is written by a Korea.net Honorary Reporter. Our group of Honorary Reporters are from all around the world, and they share with Korea.net their love and passion for all things Korean.