The Adaptation Technique of “Villain” in Thai Literature into “Main Character” in Contemporary Song

Abstract

This article aims to study the adaptation technique of Villain characters in Thai literature into main character in contemporary songs by analyzing 20 songs created during 2015 – 2025 and broadcasted on the internet. The results has been found that  there are 7 ways of adaptation of contemporary songs as; the adaptation techniques of  song’s name, plot, theme, content, character, narrative’s point of view and language. The important characteristic of the adaptation is that the villain’s presentation shows they are “evil because of love”. This characteristic is caused by the new interpretation and different point of view then connecting this love with the lovelorn, incomplete and unworthy love. The adaptation reflects the representation of the society that; 1. The new generation has the different point of “view” about literature from the “convention” in the past, 2. Literature is the “cultural capital” benefitting cultural reproduction, and 3. Popular culture media is one of the spaces for literary creation and continuation to diffuse and exist in the contemporary context.