11 Facts You Might Have Not Heard About Thai Drama Actor, Nadech Kugimiya

In recent years, Lakorns (Thai drama) have raised the bar of telenovelas in Southeast Asia and began competing with K-drama and C-drama in Asian drama market. Its rising popularity allows drama fans to get to know more about Thai celebrities. 

Nadech Kugimiya is one of Thailand's most popular actors and highest-paid drama celebrities. 

Nadech in Switzerland! Photo credit: Kugimiyas IG

Nadech with his mother taking pride of their mango harvest 😄 

Nadech was born on December 17, 1991, in Khon Kaen, Thailand, to a Thai mother and an Austrian father. He goes by the nickname Barry, a variation of his original nickname, Brand. 

Nadech with his adoptive parents, Sudarat Kugimiya and Yoshio Kugimiya.

He started his modeling career at the age of 16 and made his acting debut in 2010. He rose to popularity when he starred in "Duang Jai Akkanee" in 2010 alongside Urassaya "Yaya" Sperbund. In 2011, Nadech and Yaya became an item. 

Photo credit: Kugimiyas instagram

He was a member of the group, "4+1 Channel 3 Superstar" with good friends, Mario Maurer, Mark Prin Suparat, Phupoom Pongpanu, and Pakorn Chatborirak. He has an exclusive contract with Channel 3 in Thailand.

Nadech is one of the most decorated actors in Thailand receiving numerous acting awards, recognitions, and citations, he is also one of the most valuable brand endorsers in the country.

Nadech and Yaya. Images credit: Urassayas and Kugimiyas Instagram

He is in a long-term relationship with Yaya Sperbund, a Thai-Norwegian actress and model. They were last seen together in the 2018 Thai drama, "The Crown Princess". But despite his immense popularity, there are still things drama fans have not heard about Nadech.

Here are 11 things you might have not heard about Barry:

1. His original/birth name was Chonlathit Yodprathum.

2. When he was still a child he was adopted by his maternal aunt Sudarat Kugimiya who married a Japanese national, Yoshio Kugimiya.

3. He obtained his Communication Arts degree major in Film and Cinematography from Rangsit University, in Thani District, Pathum Thani, Thailand. He also earned his master's degree in May 2020.

4. He is a singer. He sang most of the Original Soundtrack of his television series. Most notably in "Hidden Love", "Rising Sun", "The Crown Princess", and "My Love From Another Star".

5. Apart from television and film, Nadech is also popular in Thailand's concert scene. His last concert was held in 2019, "The Real Nadech Concert".

6. In his past interviews, he often claimed he is half-Japanese, which confused fans because he has no Japanese blood. He later explained that he is close to his adoptive father, Yoshio Kugimiya, and he always paid tribute to him and their closeness by claiming he is half-Japanese. 

7. In Thailand he is known as the "King of Presenters" because he has numerous brand endorsements. 

8. He was the first-ever brand ambassador of Thai Air Asia. In 2014, he surprised Thai Air Asia passengers by guesting as a flight attendant and serving snacks to delighted passengers. 😲

9. When he was still in college, he made a short film, "Mr. Peter's Project", as part of his thesis to complete his degree in Film and Cinematography. The focus of his short film was to spread forest deforestation awareness.

10. He portrayed a Japanese national in his film debut "Sunset in Chaophraya" in 2013, known as "Khu Kam" in Thai, an adaptation of the classic novel by Thai national artist, Tommayanti. 

He played the role of Kobori, a Japanese engineer who falls in love with a nationalistic Thai beauty, Angsumalin, played by Oranate "Richy" Caballes. He won a Best Actor award for this film.

The role of Kobori is considered iconic in Thai literature. Thus, Nadech felt nervous on accepting the role, and plus the fact it was his film debut. During the interview, he described the character:

"One thing that I have in common with Kobori is youth. I think we are both stubborn and cheeky. I am quite stubborn so I can relate to how focused and relentless Kobori in his love for Angsumalin. For Kobori, this love is intangible. He's almost delusional and determined to the point of being overly stubborn. He's very sensitive also".

11. Nadech's first year in college coincided with his entry in showbiz, but he was determined to finish school and earn a degree. He said during an interview with the Bangkok Post on April 3, 2013:

"It's my duty (to finish school). It's something people my age must do. Showbiz is more like a secondary priority, an extracurricular activity per se. I will finish school, and then I can devote myself to my career fully. Also, I think what I'm studying in school will help me greatly in behind the scene careers that I hope to be doing in the future". Source: Bangkok Post 

Nadech and Yaya in Switzerland

Drama projects of Nadech worth checking:

Television series:
1. To Me, It's Simply You (Monrak Nong Phak Kayaeng) - 2021

2. My Love From Another Star (K-drama adaptation) - 2019
3. The Crown Princess - 2018 (with Yaya Sperbund)
4. Leh Lub Salub Rarng - 2017 (with Yaya Sperbund)
5. Hidden Love (Lom Sorn Ruk) - 2015(with Taew Natapohn)
6. The Rising Sun season 1 and 2 - 2014 (with Mario Maurer and Yaya Sperbund)
7. The Desire (Rang Pratana) - 2013 (with Kimberly Ann Woltemas)
8. Game Rai Game Rak - 2011 (with Yaya Sperbund)
10. Torranee Ni Nee Krai Krong - 2011 (with Yaya Sperbund)
11. Duang Jai Akkanee - 2010 (with Yaya Sperbund)

Films:

1. Sunset at Chaophraya - 2013

2. Nakee 2 - 2018 (with Yaya and Taew Natapohn)

3. The Con-Heartist - 2020

Related article: Thai powercouple, Nadech and Yaya: A Love That Endures

Photos from Nadech's instagram @kugimiyas

Verified social media account of Nadech: Kugimiyas instagram

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