Riser Music’s LYKN celebrated its first year since debuting as a group, and it has been a year marked with significant milestones after they won GMMTV Records idol survival show Project Alpha.
The five-member group, whose name is a play on the word ‘Lycan’, comprises ‘William’ Jakrapatr Kaewpanpong, ‘Lego’ Rapeepong Supatineekitdecha, ‘Tui’ Chayatorn Trairattanapradit, ‘Nut’
Thanat Danjesda, as well as ‘Hong’ Pichetpong Chiradatesakunvong.
‘YOU ARE THE FUTURE OF T-POP’
The five boys were individual contestants on Project Alpha, which aired at the end of 2023. Right off the bat, several members impressed both judges and viewers with their talent, like William for his vocal prowress; Lego with his jaw-dropping dance moves; and Tui with his ability to beatbox – while pulling off the high notes and dancing.
At the show’s final episode, judge ‘Dan’ Worrawech Danuwong noted the five boys had “the talent, the charisma and the mindset for success”.
Calling them “the future of T-Pop”, he added: “Your real life as an artiste is about to begin after this.”
NEW MUSIC, AND INTERNATIONAL GROWTH
And begin it did for the five boys, who in April 2023 were introduced as LYKN, under newly-formed label Riser Music.
A month later on 5 May 2023, LYKN roared their way into the T-Pop world, with the release of their single เลิกกับเขาเดี๋ยวเหงาเป็นเพื่อน (MAY I?).
Barely weeks after their debut, the group would make their first international debut, at the Thai Festival Tokyo 2023, which took place on 20-21 May 2023. Two months later, the group would return to the Japanese capital, this time with other GMMTV artistes like ‘Nanon’ Korapat and ‘Krist’ Perawat.
In August, LYKN released their second single เปิดดูตรงไหน (Umm Umm), another upbeat danceable track, but not before they held their first fan-meeting, LYKN feel LYKYOU, at Iconsiam in Bangkok.
The group capped off 2023 with a new single – the ballad ‘No Worries’ – as well as their debut at Big Mountain Music Festival.
CHARM-ING THEIR WAY TO SCREENS
LYKN made a splash in their comeback for 2024, returning with ฉ่ำ (Charm) featuring GMMTV stars ‘Joong’ Archen and ‘Pond’ Naravit.
The sizzling single (plenty of barebodies and lots of water) gained critical success with the fans, and even saw the group hold a flashmob outside Bangkok’s Siam Paragon mall.
The group is also due to make their acting debut: the group will act in Thame – Po (เธม-โป้) Heart That Skips A Beat, with ‘William’ Jakrapatr starring in the lead role opposite GMMTV’s ‘Est’ Supha Sangaworawong.
As part of their first anniversary, LYKN put out a special video for their fandom (known as LYKYOU) on 5 May.
This was hours after they wrapped up their first performance in Malaysia as part of the Banyak Bagus Festival, and perhaps a fitting occasion to show how far they have come. Fans at the event penned letters to the group, wishing them well on their anniversary.
It has indeed been an unforgettable first year for the group, and its international presence is only set to grow: LYKN will return to Japan (their third time in a year) for the 2024 edition of the Thai Festival Tokyo.
