bible Wichapas Is driven to dream

Even after soaring into stardom with the celebrated series KinnPorsche and, most recently, 4Minutes, Thai actor Bible Wichapas Sumettikul still keeps his feet on the ground, and his eyes and ears peeled for his next big break.

- Charmaine Tan

In a no-holds barred conversation with Men’s Folio, the 26-year-old romantic gets candid about how his memories serve as treasured anchors amidst a life of hustle and where acting, action, and activity meet in the middle.

WHAT ROLE DOES FRAGRANCE PLAY IN BIBLE SUMETTIKUL’S LIFE?

In a work context, I feel fragrance is the cherry on top; it announces your presence even before people see you. But if it’s fragrance in general, I’d say it’s nostalgia. Scents can take you places or make you remember certain things about them.

ON THAT NOTE, COULD YOU DESCRIBE A SMELL YOU IMAGINE WITH YOUR EYES CLOSED?

[Deep inhales] The smell of old books. Is it parchment? I guess you could say it’s old paper. I like to buy second-hand books, and there used to be a secondhand bookstore near one of my friend’s apartments. I would walk down from the BTS station and pass it whenever I go home. Sometimes, I’d stop by, and that familiar scent would always hit me. It’s kind of hard to describe.

IS THERE A SPECIFIC REASON YOU LIKE TO GET SECOND-HAND BOOKS?

Besides the cheaper price, I like the fact that these books contain knowledge that has already been shared with someone else. Someone got use out of it, and now it’s my turn, so it feels like the knowledge is literally being passed down. In fact, I like it more when these books have notes. Second-hand books with writings on them usually sell for even cheaper, and it’s especially great when I come across self-help books on finance or psychology with shorthand notes. It shows me the past readers’ insights — almost a foreword by them. It’s cool to share experiences with a stranger.

YOU REALLY HAVE NO IDEA HOW MANY HANDS THESE BOOKS HAVE PASSED THROUGH.