First Kanaphan's Acting Highlights as Villain Dr Karn
One thing that bothers me no end in media or story-telling is when villains are lazily delivered (in writing and/or performance). Villains have the potential to be the most compelling forces when executed well, and sadly I've often found in BL they tend to lean towards the more one-dimensional or cartoonish. So when I see a great portrayal of a villain, I get very, very excited. I've been chomping at the bit to do a deep dive on First's performance as Dr Karn (in EP9 specifically).
I have to preface how well the entire confrontation is orchestrated between Jimmy and First. The twists and turns throughout the conversation, the varying degrees of abrasion before we get to the climatic blow-up.
Ideally villains need to feel human, and humanising your villains will only provide a more convincing sense of threat that they pose, and therefore elevate the conflict at play. One of the ways First does this is by conveying fear. Karn has mostly been cool and calculated. Precise and methodical. So what we're about to see is how fear unravels this man. First is very expressive when it comes to speaking with his eyes, and boy does he put that to good use here. He uses his eyes to provide that commentary of thought which is driving Karn's behaviour throughout this scene.
⬆️ When Karn first enters the room, he looks noticeably tentative and wary. He's treading carefully, still playing it cool at this point, but you start to see small glimmers of the mask slipping. He's genuinely cautious and on edge about how to navigate this without it blowing up in his face. When he feels uncomfortable, he tries to hide behind nonchalance, smiling as a means to disguise uneasiness. But it also translates as a sense of misplaced arrogance, of thinking he can continue pretending and Thap will buy it. You can see this every time First's gaze draws back towards Jimmy, his stare intensifies and genuine emotion trickles through, like he can't even consciously reign it all in anymore.
⬆️ As Thap purposely attempts to provoke him, you see First's acting get increasingly stiff and tense, his emotions more fractured, betraying the force of his increasing anger. In the midst of this, First also manages to convey a mixture of genuine disgust, resentment, contempt as Karn's real feelings rise to the surface. Like so many times before, Karn feels like he's being outplayed, outmanoeuvred and outsmarted by Thap yet again, and that hits a sore spot like nothing else, so he begins to lash out.
⬆️ Karn then stops all pretence and admits what's driving his jealousy and anger. Karn has always felt that Thap is in competition with him, and what's worse is he always seems to 'win', as if purposely rubbing it in his face. From Karn's perspective, he's completely justified in punishing someone whose been constantly screwing him over. The way First performs this really hits the conviction of that sentiment home, because his expression screams 'the audacity you have to say that to me', and you know that in Karn's twisted mind, he believes it.
⬆️ As tempers fray, Karn begins to spiral, quickly losing purchase over his composure. The way First paces makes Karn feel like an unpredictable animal that's on a trigger hair, but it's also a clear sign to us that Karn feels cornered. The mounting pressure and frustration at not getting his justice has taken it's toll and that's being released like a dam flooding open.
I love the tiny pause in the middle of this where First goes quiet and still, lets out a small laugh to himself in a self-deprecating way. As if he's thinking, 'what a sick and twisted joke, he really never cared about you'. The irony is not lost in that most villains do tend to feel like they're the victims of the situation. His blinding hatred comes from a source of real hurt that his best friend never gave him room to breathe, to shine, to fulfil his potential. Constantly overshadowed.
⬆️ Then we see the roles switch briefly as Thap proceeds to get very worked up. Karn doubles down, still maintains that Thap wronged him. Karn starts to taunt and gloat because he gets satisfaction in seeing Thap suffer that same betrayal he himself feels. To communicate the depravity of his need for revenge, First begins to display that more unhinged side to Karn. The smiling is now reflective of vindication but also that he doesn't give a damn anymore. He's giving himself over to his persistence in seeing this through.
⬆️ And it all comes to a head. First's performance leads to it's explosive climax as he fully leans into the madness of Karn's desperation. We now know just how hellbent he is on making Thap pay in any way possible.
Once again, First adds in these brilliant little breaks in between the heightened emotion his character is going through, by showing brief moments of inner conflict. He pauses again with his head down for a second, and it almost looks like he's letting out an agonised sob. As if it's all hit him and he hesitates, 'how on earth did it come to this?' or 'I have to do this or I can never be happy because you'll always be in the way'. A glimpse of Karn justifying his actions to himself all over again, in order to do what he needs to do, 'because you made me do this'. There's also a hint of madness and helplessness there, a sign of a man who perhaps doesn't like what and who he's become. 'I wouldn't be here if it weren't for you'.
⬆️ The final scene ties up his acting in this episode wonderfully. Unlike the Karn who was fighting with Thap earlier, this is a man who wasn't prepared to face consequences. There's an inclination of denial and remorse, but more so remorse from getting caught rather than over what he's done. In First's expression, you can detect real pain and disappointment, 'so this is how it's going to be, of course you win again', without forceful defiance but more quiet disbelief, as if he's thinking 'why have things got to be so unfair?'
You can see First's eyes actually darken and go a little distant and hollowed out right at the end. Like he's mentally steeling himself to accept he's lost, trying to dull the humanity of his hurt. He'll never win against Thap, and that's the hardest pill for him to swallow. What I find so impressive about this final scene, is how it made me feel bad for this man momentarily. The fall from grace, the plummet to rock bottom, having lost everything and now vulnerable. The question we ask a lot of villains - was it all worth it?
I personally love watching when actors play villains for a change. It's a fantastic opportunity for an actor to push themselves and First did not disappoint. The best result any actor can hope to achieve when playing a villain is making you feel empathy for them. Even if it's only for a split second.
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