Win Metawin Is Unlike Anything That Came Before

RIMOWA’s Original Bag pictured on the cover alongside Win Metawin is unlike anything that came before it. Crafted with the same sensibilities as the suitcases in the house’s Original collection, its compact and on-the-go form is a step ahead for disruptors in their own field. Like Win the lexicon of his generation it is only human for him to yearn for more, and that is what sets him apart from his peers. In an exclusive digital cover for September 2024, Men's Folio speaks to the actor on being more than just the moment.

- Manfred Lu

Lately, Metawin Opas-iamkajorn — or as the world affectionately remembers him by the single syllable “Win” — has doubled his English lessons. “It has always been my dream to work internationally,” says the 25-year-old. But his urge to hone a language at a pace faster than most would inflict on themselves is not some irrational quest to improve his skills by simply attempting daily challenges on Duolingo; it is strategic. It is very much a skill for survival as well.

Win’s latest work for Under Parallel Skies — a romantic comedy set in Hong Kong and produced by a Manila-based production — meant he had to read his lines completely in English. While that might shun off most Thai actors who may not be as proficient, Win — having only learnt the basics of the language in school — took it upon himself to improve his understanding of the language, its nuances and the gravity of what each word he spoke on screen meant. “It was definitely one the biggest challenges I faced as an actor since almost everything had to be in English,” he explains.

Yet, there is genuine confidence in his voice when he says, “Every time an opportunity arises, I’ll always try to give it my all.”

When it comes down to making sense of how Thai celebrities have peaked in popularity, there is no way to describe its trajectory without mentioning Win. The actor, singer, and songwriter was one of the first names to truly make an impression on a scene that had initially been in its own bubble when the Thai language lacked global accessibility and had hardly any readily available translations. Despite that, he had his breakthrough in the Thai series 2gether — released in the thick of the 2020 pandemic — which eventually helped pave the way for the opportunities he has today.