Nadech and Yaya's Fantasy Love

Chapter 7 Switched Bodies and Becoming a Princess

Working together again on two lakorns was heaps of fun and they savoured every moment of it, recording and posting updates on social media. At the back of their minds, they knew they would probably not be co-stars on the same set for another few years.

In the lakorn "Switched", Yaya and Barry had to observe each other's mannerisms carefully and imitate each other as closely as possible. It gave them a fuller appreciation of each other and working together again, they fell into the same easy rhythm they used to have with each other. Because they were acting roles where they had to switch genders, they had to be hyper masculine or feminine before they switched. Fun and laughter on set made the tiring nature of the roles bearable and they continued to challenge each other to do their best. Barry's ability to play a woman trapped in a man's body was superb, comical and intentionally toyed with traditional gender roles. Being metrosexual, Barry was confident enough to explore and exploit his feminine side in a way few Thai actors had ever done. 

Similarly, Yaya had to stretch her acting abilities. Having to kiss Barry on the neck multiple times in an assault scene, was one of her biggest challenges. She blushed and became tongue tied in interviews after the rape segment was shot and it brought home the difference between being a Tom boy and the difficulties of being a "real" man. Unconsciously, between laughs it brought to the forefront the negatives of rape culture perpetuated partly by popular "slap-kiss-rape" Thai lakorns. When the lines between male and female blurred, fused and merged, this lakorn allowed the audience to imagine new ways of being and relating across gender. 

By the time they were filming "The Crown Princess", Yaya turned on her charm and Barry was surprised at how she hugged him so readily and initiated physical contact. In the past, she used to call him a pervert even when he was doing what the script demanded; she was definitely more body confident. How things had changed!

Being with her on set, travelling and gently teasing her as they acted out their roles as romantic leads kindled a fire in him which he thought had long died. She had grown from a cheeky studious teenager into a stylish sensual woman whom he could relate to comfortably as a good friend. He was thoroughly enjoying himself which was dangerous. He knew he had to keep his emotions in check again otherwise he would fall head over heels for her again and this time he might not be able to distract himself.

In Switzerland, Barry dressed in a smart overcoat looked dashingly handsome. As a couple, they had attracted admiring looks from random strangers as they combed the shops and tourist destinations. Switzerland was a different world from Thailand. In the snow, everything was covered with a layer of white and churches marked the landscape the way temples did in Thailand. There were no spirit houses or statues of Buddha, only fairy lights as the city prepared itself for the coming of Christmas. Barry felt a peace and fearlessness here. A kind elderly lady gave him a pamphlet and told him that if he allowed the Holy Spirit into his heart, no evil spirit could possess him or interfere with his life. On the trip, Yaya and him talked late into the night about dreams and desires. She told him that people built castles with their fears and live in them like kings and queens. He responded by quoting from the song "The Dark Sea". "Or we could keep each other company and let the controller of the stars guide our path," he said to her earnestly before singing the song. Softly, they began to sing the theme song "Talay See Dum" together, holding hands and resting their heads on each other.