Ice Sarunyu Opens Up About 20 Years in the Music Industry: Never Felt Good Enough Despite Nationwide Hit Songs
Veteran Thai singer Ice Sarunyu has revealed that despite two decades of hit songs, she has struggled with feelings of inadequacy, attributing the battle to industry pressures and evolving personal expectations.
In an interview on Let's Talk, Ice Sarunyu opened up about her 20-year career in the music industry, revealing that she has never felt adequate despite her nationwide hit songs. She acknowledges that no one stays famous forever and has now matured in her thinking, choosing to create a new balance in her life.
Reflecting on her childhood, Sarunyu explained that she was drawn to singing from a young age, captivated by the sound of music. While other children had varied career aspirations, she had one unwavering dream: to become a singer. As she grew older, she briefly considered other careers like being a flight attendant or pilot, but music remained the central pillar of her life. By second grade, she was already volunteering to sing at school events—from flag ceremonies to Christmas celebrations and teacher appreciation days.
When asked what music gave her as a child, Sarunyu reflected that it provided every emotion. Even during difficult moments—when scolded or beaten by her father—songs would spontaneously come to mind. She grew up listening to diverse genres: her grandmother enjoyed traditional Thai music, her neighbors played country songs, and her parents favored classic hits like "Yesterday Once More."
Comparing her childhood vision of being an artist to the reality, Sarunyu noted similarities and differences. As a child, she imagined standing on stage entertaining people, making them sing and dance along. However, she hadn't anticipated the industry's pressures, expectations, or the unseen challenges. The dream of performing has come true, but the reality includes pressure from expectations—both from fans and herself—concerns about whether releases will succeed, competition for visibility, and the disappointment when new work doesn't match previous successes.
On the pressures of professional performance, she explained that being in this industry means dealing with expectations beyond oneself. The work behind each release is extensive, with numerous uncertainties: whether it will succeed, meeting audience expectations, ensuring the work meets her standards, dealing with release delays, and experiencing visibility barriers. She has experienced both emotional strength and vulnerability, with periods where casual encounters with people asking what she's been working on become reminders of her presence.
