One pretty boy is cool. Nine cuties are simply irresistible. These perfectly coiffed, stylishly clad young men are the fruit of 9x9, what was probably Thailand’s biggest, most exciting entertainment project in years. And, yes, they’re about to take Thailand—and probably Asia—by storm.
Launched earlier this year by Thailand’s leading entertainment conglomerate 4NOLOGUE, 9x9 is a special year-long project to celebrate the company’s 11th anniversary. The project scooped up 4 artists from 4NOLOGUE’s own stable and 5 artists from leading talent agency Nadao Bangkok (whose kids are best known for starring in popular teen series and movies like Hormones and Bad Genius) to form a branded boy group and explore new opportunities in entertainment. For 12 months, these youngsters will work together on various projects, which include releasing music singles, performing gigs across the country and starring together in a high-budget TV drama.
This month witnesses the launch of 9x9’s kickoff project, a TV drama called In Family We Trust. Directed by Songyos “Yong” Sugmakanan, this suspense drama revolves around a complicated Thai-Chinese family where the boys play brothers and cousins.
Sereechai Puttes/Time Out Bangkok
“The Jira-anans are a big Thai-Chinese family whose members seem to bond well until a mysterious death of a family member leads to complications involving business conflicts, fights over inheritance and murders,” explains Teeradon "Jamyjamess" Supapunpinyo. “The family then starts to split up into smaller units. [As the elders fight] the younger generation— meaning us—tries to find out what’s going on. And the more we dig, more shady secrets surface. This drama is all about the so-called ‘gray area’ in a big family, and the dark side of every human being.”
“I come from a big family myself,” Krissanapoom "Jaylerr" Pibulsonggram relates. “We are happy when we see each other—cousins, uncles and aunts. On the other hand, when our parents would fight, it would affect us, too. We would automatically be biased and judge a person. All along, I had never known the actual reasons for their actions. Not until now when the drama gives me a chance to kind of step into their shoes. I guess I now know why our parents did this and that.”
Another 9x9 member Thanapob "Tor" Leeratanakachorn weighs in. “Coming from a big family, I’ve learned that when people live together, there will always be problems and disagreements. They’re unavoidable. What really matters is how you deal with them. In Family We Trust illustrates a big, over-the-top kind of problem that could possibly happen in a family. So big that you can go back and fix your own problems from what you’ve learned from watching it. The drama can possibly change your perspective on family and might help bond your family better.”
In Family We Trust airs on One 31 every Friday at 20:45, and Saturday at 20:10
Sereechai Puttes/Time Out Bangkok
Sereechai Puttes/Time Out Bangkok
