Karen Klongtruadroke was born in Cosenza, Italy, in 1982. The youngest of three girls of a Thai-Italian family, she had her first experience in the entertainment field when, at the age of four, she participated in and won the regional selection for the “Zecchino D’oro”—Europe’s most prestigious singing festival for children.
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After moving to Thailand at the age of six, Karen started modeling for children’s wear such as Wacoal, Pena House, Esprit, Sisley, and Body Glove. She continued her modeling career posing for magazines (“Maeladek”, “MediaDelight”, “Preaw”, “Angel”, “Sister”, “Tur Kab Chan”, and “The Boy”). At the same time, she also appeared in several TV commercials for Cornae, Coprico, Washington Apple, and Fresh and Dry. As Karen appeared in more advertising campaigns such as Acuvue, Mistine, and Sea Breeze, she was discovered by movie producer Nopporn Wartin, who signed the then-11-year-old and launched her acting career with the famed Thai movie company Five Stars Production.
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As an actress, Karen took on several roles as a leading lady, such as 1994’s “Tua Keng Teng Nueng”, 1995’s “Ko Khor Ko Rongrian Nok”, 1996’s “Dek Se Ple”, 1997’s “Wai Ra Reung”. Karen also took up acting on television, starring in popular local Thai Channel 3 soap operas, such as “Kwa Ja Tueng Wan Nan” in 1994, “Lita Lita Ma Jak Nai” in 1995, “Na Kah Na Khrap” in 1996, and “2 Crop Pen 1 Crua” and Yung Nak Rak Saleoi in 1997. At the peak of her career, Karen received many accolades, including the highly prestigious Naksadaeng Di Den Puea Yawachon 1996 award, for being an exceptional role model/actress for the youth of Thailand. Karen also appeared as the presenter of the Thai Ministry of Transportation’s campaign promoting safety.
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But despite working mostly as an actress over the years, Karen has always continued singing professionally throughout, appearing as a guest singer in various albums and compilations and performing the main theme for the 1996 movie “Majurat Tam la Kar Mai Son”, in which she also starred in. In 2002, Karen appeared as a guest vocalist on pop Christian albums “Footprints 2” and “Bongkote 2”. She also performed the song “Ro Koi Nai Praong” for the album “Grace 7” and made vocal contributions to older sister Debbie K’s debut solo Thai album in 2004. 2004 was also the year Karen released her first own solo album, “Season Of Love”. Produced by CBN Siam, the album accompanies the network’s “Kid’s Only” television program. The following year, Karen sang again on Debbie’s debut solo Italian album, “Angolo di Cuore” and even collaborated on the New Year’s song “Brighter Life” with her sister for television program “From Heart To Heart”. Following their duet, Karen and Debbie released a Christmas/New Year’s album in 2006, again produced by CBN. In 2007, Karen explored a different facet of her musicality by appearing on SmallRoom electro artist Cyndi Seui’s sophomore album “My Name Is DOS”, exploring the vivaciousness of eighties-tinged pop/dance tracks such as “Vanilla Walk” and the title track. Later that year, Karen collaborated again with Cyndi Seui for a tribute album to Japanese punk/rock-ish pop band Flipper. The song “Coffee Milk Crazy” appears on SmallRoom’s “006 Flipper’s Players” compilation.
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Over the years, Karen has also continually performed on special concerts and ceremonies, joining the line-up for “We Are The Reason” in 2001, Anchalee Jonkadikit’s 2002 Channel 5 Christmas concert “Kham Tob Chiwit”, and the Grace Journey 14th Anniversary in 2003. In 2006 and 2007, Karen joined her sisters, Debbie and Monique, for the “Love Concert”. The events, held both years at the Thailand Cultural Centre and organized by the “Giving the Gift of Life” Foundation, helped raise funds for stem cells donations.
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A graduate of Ruamrudee International School and Mahidol University International College, Karen holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Biomedical Science, another passions of hers. Currently, Karen K is hosting “1Cubed”, a music program on Channel 5 aired every Saturday night at 2:30 a.m.
There exists a great legend regarding the origin of the guitar. It deals with one of the Greek Gods, Apollo. The story tells how Apollo one day found himself running in pursuit of a beautiful nymph. When he did succeed in taking her into his arms, she called out for help to her semi-divine father. Instantly, the nymph was turned into a laurel tree. Feeling so disappointed, Apollo carved the first guitar from the wood of this tree. It was he who gave it graceful form and curved contours that forever reveal its feminine origin. That is why the guitar is so reserved and changeable in nature, even sometimes historical; but that is also why it is sweet and smooth, harmonious, and delicate. When played with a combination of love and skills, there issues from its melancholy sounds a rapture that holds us fast to it...
In a world full of chaos and uncertainties, music is a way of life which can make dreams cry... It's a reclamation of rights; joy, passion, pride, and challenge... In music, there is something so real that speaks to all of us that cannot be utter, but only feel...
Thank you for your blessings. I haven't got any songs of my own but I'm still praying for someone to write me some songs coz I have a passion in singing worship songs. My favorite ablums is the Hillsongs and I'm hoping I could someday be like that in Thailand. So is your Sister Debbie and family fine? And do you go to CBN ChaingMai again. Coz I saw some pics of you there. I fell I'm truely bless after knowing God and here I am married and back in my home where I never ever thought I'll have an chance to come back to the US. God is Great and I love him with all my heart. Have a very blessed day, Everyday and if you have any other blog your useing and you don't mind telling me I could add you there coz I don't check myspace that often.
