Kunpimook Bhuwakul, known professionally as BamBam, is a prominent Thai-born K-pop idol whose journey from Bangkok to global stardom is both unique and inspiring. His stage name, BamBam, draws inspiration from Bamm-Bamm Rubble in the animated series The Flintstones, a character noted for superhuman strength. As the third of four siblings, he humorously speculates his mother may have hoped for a strong third son, observing that in Thailand, it is a common name, though more often used for girls. BamBam began his K-pop dream at just 14, moving from Bangkok to Seoul in 2010 to commence trainee life at JYP Entertainment, the company responsible for 2PM, which included Nichkhun – the first Thai-born K-pop idol.

Following years of rigorous training, BamBam debuted in 2014 as a member of GOT7, a truly multinational seven-member group that featured BamBam alongside Jackson Wang from Hong Kong and Mark Tuan, who is Taiwanese-American. This inherent diversity swiftly helped GOT7 build a global fandom, leading to world tours that extended beyond Asia to North and South America, Australia, and Europe – a trajectory faster than many K-pop groups that debuted around the same period. Their 2018 “Eyes on You Tour” impressively secured a spot at No. 9 on Billboard’s monthly top 10 Hot Tours list.

Since January 2021, all members of GOT7 have left JYP Entertainment, yet they have consistently reunited for their enduring fanbase. BamBam, in particular, has been exceptionally active in his solo career, launching with the EP riBBon in summer 2021, subsequently releasing two more EPs and a full-length album titled Sour & Sweet in 2023. He successfully completed a solo world tour spanning 14 countries, though a planned North American tour across six cities was unfortunately canceled due to an ankle injury.

Beyond his musical endeavors, BamBam has achieved significant recognition in other spheres. He made history as the first K-pop artist to be appointed as a global ambassador for the NBA’s Golden State Warriors and also earned distinction as a House Ambassador for Louis Vuitton. His impact extends to Korean variety shows, with his own online variety show, Bam’s House, running for two seasons through 2024 and consistently attracting impressive viewership, with episodes often surpassing 2 million views.

Now, BamBam is poised to release his first album entirely in his native Thai language, titled HOMETOWN, on October 10. This album comprises five tracks, all of which he actively participated in writing and composing. The pre-released highlight medley video masterfully evokes Thailand’s breathtaking landscapes through the nostalgic lens of an old-school analog TV screen. Every frame feels like a profound love letter to his homeland, showcasing Bangkok’s skyline, rooftop bars, vibrant tuk-tuks navigating narrow backstreets, roaming cats, the sparkling sea, lush flowers and foliage under the warm sun, bustling night markets, crowded streets, and the Chao Phraya River flowing past Wat Arun temple. One fan aptly commented that it is “so beautiful it could easily serve as a promotional video for the Tourism Authority of Thailand.”

The inspiration for HOMETOWN struck BamBam during the encore show of his solo tour ‘AREA 52’ at Rajamangala Stadium. Passing through the area where he was born – a route he hadn’t taken in years – led to a deeply meaningful moment where “everything suddenly clicked,” solidifying his vision for the album. He expressed a desire to convey the authentic life of real Thai people and how they perceive their own country, rather than presenting Thailand from an outsider’s perspective, believing this is something only Thais can truly convey.

The album’s title track, “WONDERING,” is notable for its warm tone and dreamy synths, offering a much more relaxed and at-ease feel compared to “LAST PARADE,” the title track from his 2024 EP BAEMSIS. BamBam notes that “WONDERING” reminds him of his first solo song, “riBBon,” in its ability to make listeners feel good. He humorously reflected that his solo work had grown progressively “darker,” even leading him to “practically turn into a devil” by “LAST PARADE.” HOMETOWN, following his first solo world tour, signifies a new chapter where he felt no need for overly conceptual themes, simply wanting to present “the real BamBam.” This is reflected in the “WONDERING” music video, which features scenes that could have been filmed at an actual Thai night market.

The five tracks on HOMETOWN include collaborations with several Thai artists, all personally chosen by BamBam for their shared mindset and talent. TIMETHAI is featured on the pre-release single “Dancing by myself,” while Jeff Satur, known as the “gifted” in Thailand for his versatility across genres, mixing, mastering, and acting skills, joins him on “More Than Friend.” INK WARUNTORN, one of Thailand’s most beloved female singers, lends her pure Thai-pop charm to “Greenlight.” The album also features “Angel in Disguise (Prod. Pharrell Williams).” For lyric writing in Thai, BamBam received substantial assistance from TYTAN, SMEW, and Jeaniich.

For BamBam, releasing a full album in his native language more than 11 years after leaving home at 14 to debut as a K-pop idol feels like a profound full-circle moment. Having achieved his goal of being accepted by people in Korea and completing a solo world tour, a Thai-language album felt like a natural next step. He deeply appreciates the unwavering support from Thai people, who champion him as they would a national athlete. Alongside other Thai K-pop idols like Lisa, Minnie, and Nichkhun, he views himself as a “national representative” in the music world, inspiring him to showcase Thai culture in a manner worthy of that title.

The passionate support from his homeland never feels like a burden, as BamBam asserts his certainty of being a good person. He finds his greatest happiness in simply living each day authentically, often alongside his cats and enjoying activities like bowling. Among his countless performances, several stand out: the 2022 NBA Halftime Show during the Golden State Warriors vs. LA Lakers game, which had “unreal” energy; the unforgettable solo encore of his “AREA 52” tour at Rajamangala Stadium, a dream he wasn’t sure could materialize; and the ‘Grace for the World’ concert at the Vatican, a truly special and deeply honored experience given its sacred nature. There, he shared the stage with artists like John Legend, Andrea Bocelli, Karol G, and Pharrell, and even met and shook hands with Pope Leo XIV, an experience he describes as once-in-a-lifetime.

Regarding the definition of K-pop, BamBam believes nationality is not the determining factor, but stresses that the “K” signifies Korea and must be respected. He believes anyone in the industry should honor the Korean entertainment scene and genuinely understand its culture and people. His musical direction became clearest during the ‘AREA 52’ tour. He realized his unique style was consistently present across genres, evident when fans recognized his distinct sound in GOT7’s comeback title track “PYTHON” even before his involvement was revealed. This recognition solidified his artistic path.

BamBam’s definition of “hometown” is nuanced. While born in Thailand, Korea sometimes feels like home, as he has now spent more years there since moving at fourteen. Yet, Thailand evokes a distinct energy and comfort that remains unchanged regardless of absence. He views Thailand as his birthplace/hometown and Korea as the place that raised him. His decision to continue building his career based in Seoul is natural, given his company and cats are there. He links K-pop to a “beginner’s mindset” – staying true to one’s origins, which for him are Korea and GOT7.

The camaraderie among Thai K-pop idols, including BLACKPINK’s Lisa, i-dle’s Minnie, CLC’s Sorn, NCT’s Ten, and Kiss of Life’s Natty, is strong, though their conversations primarily revolve around personal matters rather than work. BamBam has observed Thailand’s growing influence in the entertainment industry, noting a significant shift since his debut in 2014, with K-pop empowering Thai artists and the industry to become bolder and more confident globally, particularly in styling and performance.

At 28, BamBam harbors many goals but now approaches them with a gentler pace, aiming to integrate them into his life rather than sacrificing himself to reach them. He aspires for a deeper, more collaborative relationship with his fans, moving beyond a mere artist-audience dynamic. Through HOMETOWN, he hopes listeners will connect with his beginnings, experiencing the “pure BamBam” before his current success and circumstances.