Cover Story: Fern Nopjira Lerkkajornnamkul at the peak of self-discovery and love

"...Someone once said that when we see a person with a genuine passion for what they do, their aura and charm radiate in a way that we can truly feel. Fern Nopjira Lerkkajornnamkul, a rising star actress from Channel One 31, is a perfect example of this sentiment. Known for her memorable roles, including the tearful character in Heart of Stone and, most recently, Tanyong in the popular Netflix series Mae Bia, Fern is someone whose love for her craft becomes increasingly evident the more you speak with her..."

“Looking back at my first year in the industry, I honestly had no idea what acting truly was,” Fern Nopjira reflects. “Acting was something completely new and fascinating for me, especially as someone who came from a science background and studied engineering. After training with Channel One 31 for about a year, I started acting, and that’s when I realised just how intriguing the craft of acting is. It’s a field with endless opportunities for exploration, and I’ve been on this journey of discovery from my very first project to where I am today. I’ve gained a much deeper understanding of myself, almost to the point where I can say I know myself a hundred percent now.

The first moment I felt truly in love with acting was during my debut, Dokkaew Kahlong. That project brought together a group of new-generation actors who had just joined the industry, and it was such an exciting experience because we were growing together. There was one specific moment in my character Janwad’s storyline that really struck me. I remember playing a scene where I had to believe so strongly in the reality of what was happening in front of me, watching someone I loved have to leave me. I was so deeply immersed in it, and it felt so real. That moment was magical for me, and it was then that I realised acting was something I truly wanted to explore further.”

From her very first acting project, she has continuously developed her craft, leading to her latest work which has been widely talked about. In a role that is intense and involves a same-sex love scene in the series The Empress of Ayodhaya.

In the series "Heart of Stone", where I played the role of Mingta, that was the work that truly introduced me as an actress. As for the work that I feel challenged me the most, it would be "The Empress of Ayodhaya" with the character Phra Somon Tanyong. As an actress, opportunities to portray such a strong role are rare. Having been in this profession for a while, I felt that this was another step I wanted to take to truly prove myself as an actress. I really focused on this role and had high hopes for it. I wasn’t sure what the outcome would be because many people have always seen me as the tragic heroine, the one who gets hurt. But with the character of Tanyong, it was a complete shift from what everyone was used to seeing from me…The character’s attraction to women wasn’t something I worried about at all, because fundamentally, I believe that love is beautiful, and it doesn’t depend on whether a woman has to be with a man. I see love as something that depends on who you feel it for, and it can happen with anyone, regardless of gender. In the end, love is just love. What was more challenging was understanding the depth of the character, both emotionally and in terms of expression. I did a lot of research on this character. I spent almost half a year before shooting, taking acting lessons to prepare for this role. Tanyong is a character with strategy, planning, and tricks, she hides her thoughts and emotions. I had to study the character intensively to develop my performance, including reading books on strategy and playing chess and Go to help with the character's thought process and emotional foundation. As for the chemistry between me and Mai Davika, we never did a workshop together. In "The Empress of Ayodhaya,” Tanyong is a character who experiences unrequited love in a romantic sense, but ultimately, the relationship between the two characters evolves into a true friendship. It’s a pure connection, not just about wanting to possess each other. I was surprised that viewers enjoyed the relationship between Tanyong and Jinda.

Although she has already portrayed many roles, this actress is eager to challenge herself with a character that faces difficulties, which she is determined to convey in a way that resonates deeply with the audience.

"The charm of being an actress is that we are ready to be anything in this world. I feel like I don't have limits on how far I want to go. I want to see myself in the most villainous version possible, but not in a way that lacks reason because I feel like audiences are smart nowadays. They have so many channels to consume content from, so the roles or characters must be developed and aligned with what the viewers want to follow, making them feel that such people exist in the real world. I want to see myself as a complex villain or even in a full-fledged female-female series. Many people want to see me from a new perspective, and I'm open to challenging roles. Another role I’d love to play is one where the character’s life is truly tragic. Right now, I enjoy watching movies about real-life struggles, so I want to play a story about someone's fight for survival. It could even be a story that reflects society. Perhaps a role as a sex worker, looking at life from their perspective, or as a woman who is a single mother or homeless."

Her 'legend' in acting is the senior actors with master-level acting skills.

“The first person that comes to mind is Noon Siraphan. I’ve had the opportunity to work with her, and I’ve admired her work even before that. I feel she’s someone who acts with her whole self, both body and soul. She has such a charm, and she is so dedicated to her career. She’s honest in her role as an actress. There are many other actors I admire too, like Nok Sinjai, Nune Woranuch, and if we talk internationally, I really like the Korean actress Kong Hyo Jin. Another one is  Kim Go Eun, who is exceptional in every role she plays. No matter what character she takes on, I always feel a distinct difference in her acting…As for my dream as an actress, I want to see myself achieving the Best Leading Actress award. I hope to reach that point. Even though I don’t know when that will happen, my ultimate dream is to continue being an actress until I can no longer act."

Many know Fern through her characters, but few truly understand her real self. She is a woman full of determination and passion for what she loves.

"Fern believes that people change every year, but the core of who she is has never wavered. She is someone who constantly adapts, and when faced with problems, she doesn't dwell on them for long. She understands, learns from them, and keeps evolving. Over time, she has come to understand that happiness comes and goes just like suffering. Fern has learned to accept both her strengths and weaknesses, and she is proud that she can now embrace all aspects of herself. She loves spreading positive energy, especially when meeting her fans, as she wants to bring them happiness. With a high level of patience, once she sets a goal, no matter how difficult or tempting it may be to quit, she won't give up. She has recently discovered that she thrives on winning, especially when it involves something she's truly committed to. No matter how long it takes or what obstacles arise, she will pursue it until she achieves her goal…

As an actress constantly under the public's eye and subject to judgment, self-love has become something she prioritises. She defines true love as the kind that helps us recognize our own worth

"We can be the best version of ourselves when we truly love ourselves. Taking care of ourselves starts from a mental foundation. As an actress, we constantly need to take care of our appearance, but at the same time, we have to face the challenges of beauty standards. If we don't accept who we are, we'll constantly strive to be someone else, and we won’t be happy. In the end, our energy and expressions will not reflect who we truly are. I accept that I am petite and not someone with a perfect figure. I’ve worked hard on my body and reached a point where I truly love it for what it is. Even though I don’t have a slender waist or curvy hips, this is the body that allows me to do what I love, to meet people who love me, and to be in spaces that are good for me. I believe that having a healthy body, with all its 32 parts, and keeping it strong and ready for life and work is enough…A good kind of love, for me, is one that helps us love ourselves more. It's the kind of love that makes us feel valuable, where the other person accepts both our good and bad sides. The key to a long-lasting relationship is accepting each other at our worst and still being able to stay together. A good love should make us feel warm and safe, like a home for our hearts—where we can always return for comfort and be a support for each other."

Actress, who is about to turn 30, there is perhaps no greater love than the passion she has for her profession, a dedication she has given with all her heart.

"Acting is something that I can’t imagine myself doing anything else besides. I can see myself doing it until I’m old. There was a time when I took a break from work, and I felt really down. That made me realize that acting has become my soul. Being on set is my happiness. Valuing our worth through this work is the reason why I can’t really think of anything else I’d want to do besides acting. But there is one hobby that I feel like starting this year—becoming a DJ and mixing music. I love music so much, so maybe you’ll see me in the role of a DJ, as it’s another part of me that brings joy as well."

The petite actress responded with a sparkling gaze, full of determination and radiating joy that was clearly passed on to those around her.