‘Kob’ hits the ice
TV star will lace up skates for upcoming live shows
Bad news: Fans of superstar Suwanan “Kob” Kongying will not see her face on Channel 7 TV dramas for a long time.
Good news: The much-loved actress will charm her fans in person on ice over the next two months in Bangkok, Chiang Mai and Hat Yai.
“I’m so excited to join this international group. It’s my first-ever [professional] ice-skating show. I feel like it’s my first day in showbiz,” exclaimed the actress-cum-skater.
Dubbed the “Princess of TV Soaps”, Suwanan is known for her sweet nang-ek characters in many hit series over the past decade. She commands a loyal audience whenever a new TV drama hits the small screen.
The actress first skated when she entered show business a decade ago.
“But I fell down terribly during one of my practices and was so ashamed that I gave up,” recalled Kob.
A few years later (six years ago) she appeared on a game show where she told the host she would like to ice skate and buy a pair of skates if she won. She did, and the show gave her a membership to the rink at the World Trade Centre. She then rekindled her passion for ice-skating.
Since then, skating has become more than just a hobby, and she has surprised her fans as a star on skates. She took skating so seriously that she entered skating competitions and won five gold medals in Skate Asia 2001 in Hong Kong. She scored five more gold medals from Skate Asia 2002 held in Bangkok.
“Skating teaches me to be more patient and disciplined. You have to love it to excel. The more time I spend skating, the fewer mistakes I make,” she said proudly.
With her acting and skating talents, this show should be a piece of cake for her. Not so, she said.
“This is different,” she said, shaking her head. “I have to learn about choreography and moves while I am skating. It’s tough but fun.”
Kob will skate in five numbers in the two-hour Star On Ice show. She will take a lead role in a 15-minute Cinderella number.
“I’ve been practising for weeks — from 11pm to 2am. I’m giving it my all!” she said enthusiastically.
The show is specially designed to feature the Thai heart-throb.
“It’s a tailor-made show for Thai audiences,” said Vanida Wannasirikul, managing director of the show’s production company, Terminal Xtra Entertainment (formerly M-Line). The variety show will feature pop music ranging from Gloria Estefan and Michael Jackson to boy bands like the Backstreet Boys and N’Sync.
Working with the international skating team, Kob has gained a lot of experience and tips on figure skating.
“I felt petrified at first at their expertise. But they are very helpful and always teach me new tricks,” the actress said.
She added humbly that the show is not hers alone.
“It’s a collaborative effort of teamwork. I would love for all TV fans and skating fans to come and see our work,” she said.
- Maureen Paetkau , Bangkok Post
