F.HERO, or Nattawut Srimhok if you’re feeling formal, isn’t just another name in the crowded world of Thai music. Nope, this guy’s something else entirely. Imagine being known by names as varied as Fukking Hero, Fucking Hero, and Fuckling Hero—because why stick to one when you can keep everyone guessing? He’s the kind of artist who’d make the cool kids in school feel like they’re trying too hard.

And lately, he’s been on a tear through the J-pop scene, crashing into 2024 with a rock anthem that had BODYSLAM and BABYMETAL by his side. Yeah, those are the kinds of cross-cultural ventures that make you sit up and wonder, “What’s next?” But while J-pop might be his current playground, it’s his foray into K-pop that’s been making the biggest waves—and here’s where it gets interesting.

F.HERO’s been around, sure, but what sets him apart? 

It’s his uncanny ability to waltz into the K-pop industry, rub elbows with its biggest stars, and walk out still wearing his own Thai swagger. Collaborating with names including BamBam, Changbin, Minnie (G)I-DLE, Tiger JK, and Yoonmirae, he’s rewriting the rules. Who says you need to be a K-pop star to play in their sandbox? F.HERO sure doesn’t.

The story starts with the Gancore Club, where F.HERO began building his reputation as the big man in Thai hip-hop. Fast forward a few years, and he’s hopped over to What The Duck, before eventually founding his own label, High Cloud Entertainment.

Remember 2019? It was the year F.HERO teamed up with BamBam of GOT7 fame to drop “Do You,” a track that was a meeting of two rappers from different generations and diverse musical worlds. BamBam lent his voice to the track and also co-wrote the lyrics and contributed to the melody, making it a true partnership.

By 2021, F.HERO was making it clear that he had staying power. “Mirror Mirror” was the track that saw F.HERO team up with Changbin from Stray Kids and Thailand’s rap star MILLI—a collaboration that felt like an Avengers-style crossover for the Asian music scene. The track is a statement that F.HERO could stand shoulder-to-shoulder with K-pop’s finest and still bring something new to the table.

If “Mirror Mirror” was the blockbuster, then “MONEY HONEY” was the indie hit that tugged at your heartstrings. F.HERO teamed up with Thai rapper TJ and Minnie from (G)I-DLE to drop a track about love that transcends material wealth, emphasising that having someone by your side is more valuable than money or assets. F.HERO showed once again that he could mix different styles and cultures into something both good and universal.

By the time December 2022 rolled around, F.HERO was ready to take things up a notch. “Self-Love” is a movement. He brought together Tiger JK, the South Korean rap legend, Yoonmirae, the queen of hip-hop, and Billkin, a rising star from Thailand, to create a track that was recorded in English, Thai, and Korean. It was a multilingual anthem of unity and self-empowerment—something the world needed right then. He was making a point, showing that music could bring together legends from different cultures to create something powerful.

F.HERO proving that you don’t have to be part of the genre to make an impact. He’s one of the most exciting artists to watch across the globe. So, what’s next? Whatever it is, you can bet it’ll be big.