Photos by Varuth Hirunyatheb and courtesy of BNK48 Office

For fans of Asian pop music, Japanese idol girl group AKB48 are one of the biggest. Indeed, in terms of personnel, they are the biggest, with well over a hundred members. Across Asia, AKB48 now has several sister bands, including right here in Thailand with BNK48.

Across Asia, AKB48 now has several sister bands, including right here in Thailand with BNK48.

BNK48 are now ready to release their debut singles — “Aitakatta: Yak Cha Dai Phop Thoe (I Wanna Meet You),” “Oogoe Diamond: Kor Chop Hai Ru Wa Chop (I Want You to Know I Like You)” and “365 Nichi No Kamihikoki: Sam Roi Hoksip Ha Wan Kap Khrueangbin Kradat (365 Days and a Paper Airplane)” — all AKB48 originals which have been translated into Thai.

S Weekly met up with three of the girls —Cherprang Areekul, 21, Jennis Oprasert and Punsikorn Tiyakorn (Pun), both 16 — to talk about life in BNK48.

Why did you decide to audition for BNK48?

Cherprang: I'm a fan of AKB48. I wanted to know what my idols went through to become famous. Now I realise how tiring it is. It made me admire them and appreciate their hard work even more.



Pun: I want to work in the entertainment industry. I've been taking singing and dancing lessons for many years. So I thought it was worth trying.

Jennis: I'm a fan of AKB48 like Cherprang. And like Pun, I've been dancing since I was young.



What was it like to practise every day?

Cherprang: During the first week, I felt aches all over my body until I didn’t want to move. But after a while, I got used to it. When we felt down, our instructors gave us encouragement and did other activities to lighten the atmosphere.

How about working in a record studio for the first time?

Cherprang: It took us a couple of days to finish the songs. Each member sang a different part. Before we went into the studio, we had to build up our emotions, so we could express the feeling naturally.



Can you give us your impressions of your first public performance as BNK48?

Cherprang: I was so impressed when fans held up cards saying “congratulations” in Thai and Japanese. They also shouted our names during the show.

Pun: I was especially impressed with Izuta Rina. She will transfer from AKB48 to become the 30th member — and 2nd Japanese member — of BNK48. She performed with us on the day and was very friendly. She even remembered my name.



Can you tell us a bit more about Izuta?

Jennis: She has lots of experience, and is a very natural and charismatic performer. She's been studying Thai and tries to communicate with everybody by talking about what we have in common.

There's a rule that fans can’t take a photo with members of BNK48 if they meet you by chance. Does that contradict the concept of "idols you can meet"?

Cherprang: I don’t think so. The original idea in Japan was to have a theatre where fans can meet their favourite idols on the days they have their shows. With BNK48, it's a little different. Thai fans can chat with us when they run into us. And we'll be at The EmQuartier every day. Our fans can get up close to us there.

Pun: We’ve just released our latest photo set. When you purchase three sets, you'll get a chance to take photos with us at an event called 2shot.

Among the activities you do at your shows, which is your favourite?

Pun: I like the handshaking event. Most of the time, we thank our fans over the Internet. But when we shake hands, we can look into their eyes while we thank them. It's more sincere.



Cherprang: I like that one too. It's face-to-face interaction with our fans, which is what the concept of "idols you can meet" is all about.



Jennis: I like the rock-paper-scissors event because it's all about luck.