Dreamgirls, Coffee with Golf and Mike
Posted by Stuart at 02:53 PM on February 11, 2007Last night, Piyawat and I went to see Dreamgirls at Major Ekkamai. We both thought the film pretty good, even though he wasn't very familiar with the Motown story and characters that the movie was somewhat based on.
The thing that struck me the most about the movie was the reminder that the music industry is all about the "product". So much of what is considered pop music is watered-down to the Lowest Common Demoninator, because the LCD is what sells. It was true in the 50's when only clean-cut white people could hit the charts, and it's true today.
This morning, we headed to the True Coffee Shop on Thong Lo to use the Internet and relax. Upstairs in the computer area, there was some kind of photo shoot going on. Annoyed a bit, I sat down at one of the computers near the edge and tried to ignore the 20 people who were setting things up for the shoot.
At one point, I looked up to see what was actually going on, and who was looking right at me but Mike, of Golf and Mike. Of course my readers from outside Thailand will have no idea who Golf and Mike are, but anyone under the age of 30 in Thailand will know exactly who I am talking about. So, for those of you outside the Land of Smiles (and big hair), I will post a visual to help.
I know that Golf and Mike are singers and huge pop stars in Thailand, but not because I would actually know one of their songs if I heard it, but only because their picture is everywhere. I don't keep up much with Thai pop culture, but as far as face recognition goes, Golf and Mike are right up there with Tata, Bird, and Carabao in my book.
After the photo shoot was over, I headed back downstairs to have a coffee. The superstar boys sat at the table next to us and it was facinating to watch everyone fawn all over them. Even more interesting was the fact that they seemed very ambivilent to the whole scene. And as I sat there I was reminded of Dreamgirls, and all the work that goes into making a "product" like Golf and Mike.
What you didn't get their autographs??? (wink)
Charles... haha. Actually I guess I don't know how to say "Can I have your autograph" in Thai. I do know how to say "Please sign this business document", but that might not have the same effect...
Scott, it's not that I am "not into Thai pop culture", it's just that I don't know much about it. I wish I could name the singers of the songs on the radio or the stars in the soap operas on TV (I can't). I wish I knew why Face X has been paid big bucks to promote Product Y (I usually don't know).
A few times I have been out at dinner with friends and they will whisper "Oh, look, that's Khun Blah Blah, a very famous movie star!" Nine times out of ten I have no idea who they are talking about.
It's a bit strange to me to live in a place where I can only recognize a small percentage of the actors and musicians who are popular, and almost no one in the Government, other than the PM. I wish I knew more. But at the same time, I have gotten a little bit used to living with limited information about what is going on around me.
golf and mike we love your songs we have all your cds and vcds could you please send us a picture of you guys please thank you
youre so lucky im in america too but i know them, they're my most favorite singers you should listen to their songs they rock my favorite song is "yah len bap nee"
Yep, you must have my genes--pop culture is not my thing. It is amazing how few Oscar or Grammy or whatever nominees I have never heard of or wouldn't recognize in a Starbucks (if I went to Starbucks).
Love, Dad