From survival shows to sold-out fan meetings, Daou and Offroad are now among the biggest names in the Thai entertainment scene, and not just in the world of BL. Thanks to their first European fan meet in Rome last week, organized by the Jus in Bello, we had the opportunity to see them live and also ask them a few questions about their shared beginnings, the trust that underpins their success, and what they’re taking away from their first encounter with Europe.
Some stories begin on a film set. Others on a music stage. The story of Daou Pittaya and Offroad Kantapon began in 2021 during the survival show LAZ iCON, where they met as two contestants with the same dream. From their first training sessions through their debut in the group LAZ1 to their successful acting and music careers, they gradually built a partnership that fans around the world now know as DaouOffroad.
Following the success of the series Love in Translation and Century of Love, both have established themselves not only as actors but also as singers. In recent years, their careers have gained significant momentum, and their names are appearing more and more frequently outside of Asia. Most recently, they drew attention with the drama series The Wicked Game, and fans are eagerly awaiting the upcoming historical project Mon Mern Mang, in which they will take on roles unlike anything they’ve played before.
We would like to thank Jus in Bello and Open Label for making it possible to bring our readers an exclusive interview with the duo during their European stop in Rome.
Your journey together began during the survival show LAZ iCON, long before the series and the massive fandom. When you look back on that period today, what do you think shaped your bond the most—both professionally and personally?
Daou: For me, it actually started with concern. There was a point during the competition when I felt worried about him, and that made it hard for me to just walk away. I think what really brought us together was how similar our backgrounds were. We both came from humble families and had to fight hard for our dreams. We understood each other’s struggles, and that naturally created a strong connection between us.
Offroad: I think what shaped our bond the most was going through difficult moments together. Back during LAZ iCON, we were still young people chasing our dreams without really knowing where the journey would take us. There was a lot of pressure, uncertainty, and expectations that we had to deal with every day.
We saw each other at our best and at our worst—on days when we felt confident, and on days when we felt exhausted or disappointed. Going through all of those experiences together helped us gradually understand each other more and more. Professionally, we grew side by side. Personally, I think we built a strong sense of trust and became people who genuinely support one another no matter what.
You both started out as singers and remain active in both music and acting to this day. How do these two worlds influence each other?
Daou: They influence each other a lot. Honestly, acting has helped me tremendously as an artist and performer. As singers, we often perform the same songs over and over again, but acting allows me to approach those songs differently every time. The emotions change depending on the place, the audience, and the moment. It keeps every performance fresh, exciting, and enjoyable because no two experiences feel exactly the same.
Offroad: For me, music and acting have something very important in common—they are both ways of communicating emotions and stories to people. When we sing, we tell stories through melodies, lyrics, and performance. When we act, we tell stories through characters and their experiences. I don’t feel like I’m a completely different person on stage and in front of the camera. The emotions are still real. The only difference is the way they are expressed.
Being a singer has helped me understand rhythm, emotion, and emotional delivery in acting. At the same time, acting has helped me understand the emotions behind songs on a much deeper level. In many ways, both worlds continue to help me grow as an artist.
Your projects often balance very emotional scenes with natural chemistry that fans immediately sense. How do you build trust during scenes that are mentally or emotionally demanding?
Daou: As an actor, what really matters when you’re in a scene is understanding your character’s objective. Once you know what your character wants, you have to let the scene guide you naturally. To be honest, I’m not sure trust has as much impact on acting as people might think. In the end, I believe it depends more on the context of the story and the characters you’re playing. Those factors often shape the scene more than anything else.
Offroad: I think trust is the most important thing. We’ve known each other for a long time and have gone through many experiences together, so we can communicate honestly with one another, whether it’s about work or our personal feelings. When a scene requires a lot of emotional energy, it’s important that both people feel safe and supported. Once you know the other person is there to catch you emotionally, you’re able to fully commit yourself to the scene. I believe the chemistry that audiences see isn’t something that can be forced. It’s the result of trust that has been built over time.
What do you think you bring to each other as partners—both creatively and personally?
Daou: We complement each other in many ways, both in work and in real life. Offroad is a very detail oriented person, while I tend to focus more on the bigger picture. If we talk about it from a business perspective, I’m usually the one who sees broader possibilities and opportunities. Offroad is the one who makes sure those possibilities can actually become reality without losing sight of the important details. I think that’s why we work well together.
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Offroad: I don’t think anyone needs to be good at everything or have every strength within themselves. For me, having space for another person to fill in the things we don’t have is actually something very beautiful. It allows us to keep learning and discovering new perspectives. Daou and I share many similarities, but we’re also very different in certain ways. Sometimes he sees things that I don’t see. Sometimes I can contribute something that he may not have considered.
I think a good partnership isn’t about two perfect people coming together. It’s about helping each other grow and become better versions of ourselves. In the end, what we gain from each other isn’t just better work. It’s also new ways of seeing the world that we may never have discovered on our own.
Your popularity today extends far beyond Thailand’s borders, and you have fans all over the world. How do you feel when you realize that your story and your work resonate with people across different cultures and countries?
Daou: Like I’ve said many times, I truly appreciate our fans everywhere. Their support gives meaning to everything I do. The more I get the opportunity to travel and meet people from different countries, the more I realize that art doesn’t have a language barrier—and neither does love. I’ve received so much warmth and support from people all around the world, and it honestly makes me very happy. I want to sincerely thank everyone who continues to support and love us.
Offroad: I’m incredibly grateful. One of my favorite things about traveling to different countries isn’t just seeing new places — it’s meeting people, learning about different cultures, hearing different languages, and experiencing different ways of life. Sometimes we may not speak the same language, and we may come from completely different backgrounds, but one thing I’ve learned is that kindness, love, and sincerity don’t always need words.
I can genuinely feel the love, support, and positive energy that fans give us, no matter where they’re from. Even without speaking the same language, I can still understand how much love they’re sending our way. That’s why I’m always thankful for the opportunity to travel, exchange cultures, learn from one another, and discover that some feelings are universal. Love and sincerity are things that people can understand without translation.
Is there a type of character or genre you’d still like to play in the future — something your fans might not expect from you at all?
Daou: Honestly, if the role is interesting, I’d love to try many different kinds of characters. (laughs) I want to keep myself open to new opportunities. Anything that feels different from what I’ve done before would be exciting. I just want to continue exploring and having fun with acting.
Offroad: There are actually many types of roles that interest me. I think acting is a very special profession because it allows us to understand people from different perspectives and experience lives that we may never get to live ourselves. If I had to choose one right now, I’d love to work on a mystery, detective, or supernatural project. I’ve always enjoyed those genres in my personal life, so it would be exciting to explore them as an actor.
I love stories that slowly uncover hidden truths, solve mysteries, or explore things that cannot be easily explained. If there were action elements involved as well, I think it would be even more fun because it’s something I haven’t had many opportunities to do yet. I think it would be both challenging and exciting, and it would allow audiences to see a completely different side of me.
Rome is currently introducing you to a completely new environment — not only as actors, but also as figures associated with fashion and music. What has surprised or intrigued you most about Europe so far, aside from the fan meetings themselves?
Daou: Europe’s history has impressed me the most. Being surrounded by ancient cities and seeing masterpieces created by some of the world’s greatest artists helped me understand why they’re so highly respected. What amazes me is the level of dedication behind every detail. Back then, they had so many limitations compared to what we have today, yet they were still able to create works that are beautiful, meaningful, and full of emotion. I find that incredibly inspiring.
Offroad: I think one of the most exciting things about traveling is that you never know what you’re going to discover. Of course, I love food, so getting to try local dishes from different countries is always a highlight for me. Food tells you so much about a culture and the way people live. I also enjoy walking around cities, observing people, looking at architecture, and simply watching everyday life unfold. Every country has its own charm, personality, and energy.
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Some places are rich in art, some are filled with fascinating history, and some leave a lasting impression because of the warmth of the people you meet. For me, traveling isn’t just about visiting a destination. It’s about meeting new people, hearing new stories, experiencing different perspectives, and expanding the way I see the world. Every trip leaves me with new inspiration and a different kind of energy that I can carry with me long after I return home.
When you look back on your journey today — from your trainee days to the present— what would you like people to think of first when they hear the name DaouOffroad?
Daou: Perseverance. I hope people think of hard work, determination, and the effort we’ve put into getting where we are today.
Offroad: I think throughout this journey, we’ve never been perfect. We’ve made mistakes, faced challenges, doubted ourselves at times, and continued learning and growing through every experience. But one thing we’ve always tried to hold onto is sincerity—toward our work, toward the people who support us, and toward each other. Honestly, I don’t expect people to remember us as something extraordinary.
But if one day people hear the name DaouOffroad and think of two people who genuinely love what they do, who work hard, and who always try to share happiness and positive energy with others, I think that would mean a lot to us. Because in the end, what matters most to me isn’t just success. It’s knowing that something we’ve created was able to make someone smile, give them strength, or become a meaningful memory in their life.
Source: Interview with Daou&Offroad, Open Label, Jus in Bello
