Yin and War chat about their self-produced Thai drama, Jack & Joker
Jack & Joker: U Steal My Heart! may have come to an end but fans and its cast will treasure its memories. The Thai drama marks the return of co-stars Yin Anan Wong and War Wanarat Ratsameerat after their 2022 hit BL, Love Mechanics. This time, we get a dark and realistic crime comedy that will have fans falling in love with YinWar all over again.
Directed by Tee Bundit Sintanaparadee who is known for satires and rom-coms like Lovely Writer and TharnType, Jack & Joker is a refreshing addition to the world of Thai dramas. It begins with the optimistic Jack who dreams of joining the national Taekwondo dream, paying off his family debts and living happily with his grandmother.
On top of that, he strikes up a friendship with the smug and earnest Joke who takes an instant liking to him and tries to help him achieve his dreams. However, Jack is arrested for the crimes of the Joker who is none other than Joke. It forces him to become a loan shark and he vows never to forgive Joke. But fate has other plans as Joke hopes to make it up to him even if it means working with his worst enemy.
Well, TheReviewGeek had a chance to talk to the main cast of Jack & Joker, Yin and War who get deep as they explore their characters with us and everything they learned while portraying Jack and Joke. In an exclusive interview with TheReviewGeek, Yin and War also share their thoughts on getting rid of BL labels, future projects and a certain Northern Lights promise.
We would like to congratulate you guys on the success of Jack & Joker! It’s been a wild ride and we were sad to see it end so soon. How does it feel?
Yin: I’m glad that this series has made so many people happy. I’m both excited and a little sad because I’ve been focused on this series all year. Now that it’s come to an end, it’s time to add it to the library of series I’ve worked on.
War: I’m a little sad that the project we’ve been working on all year has come to an end. Time has passed so quickly. I want to thank the team and all my friends who put in so much effort to make this project a success, and to all the viewers who supported us so much. This will always be a great memory for me.
What is something new that you have learned about yourself while filming this series?
Yin: The main focus has been on action acting and developing new acting techniques.
War: Many things have improved. This series has helped develop my experience and skills in this profession in almost every aspect. I’ve learned techniques in both acting and production, and gained valuable perspectives and insights through the characters in the story.
Personally, Grandma Jen is our favourite, she is so sweet and funny. So, we wanted to ask you both, who is your favourite from the show apart from the character you play.
Yin: I like Ama as well. She’s a character that makes the viewers feel safe when they watch her, and her scenes are really heartwarming.
War: The character of Toi Ting. Despite being born into a family and society that weren’t ready, she still has a brightness, strength, and courage.
Jack and Joke are such complicated characters. What is the most difficult part of playing such a character?
Yin: For Jack, the challenging part was imagining the timeline before he became who he is. What was his life like when he worked with his boss? How dark did things get for him? What level of hardship did he face? Did he ever kill someone? What’s the worst thing he’s done?
These questions affect how he uses his gaze, his cold demeanour, and his reactions. It’s about figuring out how to express these elements. Personally, I interpret that he hasn’t done anything truly severe, other than acting in self-defence.
War: Disguising.
The last few episodes were so full of angst and drama that it had all of us crying. Can you share what your reactions were to shooting the final episode?
Yin: It’s really intense. I feel like for viewers looking for romance between the main characters, you’ve come to the wrong place. This series places hardships on almost every character, barely touching any love lines. It’s all about the main story. I believe the pressure continues almost to 90% of the final episode.
War: I might have cried. However, I feel like the ending is warm and comforting.
If you guys could meet Jack and Joke in real life, what would you like to tell them?
Yin: You don’t have to try to be a hero like that. If you look at it from a broader perspective, the world you’re in is already too crazy to control. Just live the way you want to.
War: I’ll stay out of it. I’ll just walk by. It’s too dangerous.
Jack & Joker feels more than a BL with themes of friendship, found family, second chances and greed. Was that a conscious effort, to break away from the usual BL stories?
Yin: The intention was to create a series without labels, just a regular series. If people are questioning how it’s different from other BL series, that means viewers are seeing BL series in a certain light. For me, I wanted to break down that barrier. Even if I can’t fully do it, at least I want to be part of the first steps. So, this series might feel new and different to BL fans.
War: Personally, I believe that shows should be categorized by their storyline and narrative style, rather than by labels. Even series with male and female leads don’t need to be categorized as ‘heterosexual series.’ They are categorized by their content instead. That’s why I removed the label ‘BL’—so we can discover that a series can be anything. We can freely and broadly express the ideas we want to communicate with the audience.
If you guys get a chance to work again on a series, what kind of genre would you like to pick?
Yin: I want to perform in plots like this—more serious, even more intense. Where main characters can die, and those who do wrong have to face the consequences of their actions in a powerful way. It’s more challenging as an actor.
War: I’d like to try acting in a series that can be a soft power for the country—showcasing the good things Thailand has to offer, like the beautiful beaches, culture, and food. I want to let the audience see the beauty of Thailand, and hopefully, it will encourage more people to visit our country.
Jack & Joker is such a hit and it has been since Day 1 actually! So, can fans expect selfies of you guys with the Northern Lights soon?
Yin: You’ll definitely see it. Keep an eye out!
War: Soon!
Finally, any last words for your fans?
Yin: We’ve reached the end of Jack & Joker, and I want to thank everyone for their support. But this series made me realize that there are so many wonderful fans out there who were hiding. When we set the rule that we had to be number one in the world, I stepped out of my comfort zone to engage on social media. It feels bittersweet, knowing I might have to say goodbye to the introverted fans as well. But I want to thank all the fans, everywhere in the world.
War: Thank you for all the support in everything. Thank you for always being my source of encouragement. Thank you for telling me how happy you are watching what I do—it gives me a sense of purpose in life. I will continue creating work to bring joy and inspiration to many. Thank you for helping me become a better person every day.
Watch Yin and War in the Thai drama Jack & Joker on iQIYI.