The success of a Thai BL series can hinge not just on chemistry and plot—but on the business machinery behind it. In the case of Top Form, the offscreen drama involving rising star Smart Chisanupong Paungmanee, his co-star Boom Raveewit Jirapongkanon, and their management teams has turned into a public feud with deeper industry implications.
📌 From Love Story to Legal Tension
It all began on May 12, when Grand Ivory Record Co. Ltd announced it was the sole official representative of Smart Chisanupong. This came as a surprise to fans and industry insiders alike—especially since Smart had already been actively promoted by WeTV Thailand, Headliner Artists, and Tailai Entertainment.
Shortly after, Headliner/WeTV/Imagine Future (Thailand) Ltd issued a joint rebuttal, clarifying that Smart remained under co-management, with Tailai Entertainment playing a key role in the development of Top Form. They emphasized the significant financial and production investment, indicating long-term plans.
A brief moment of peace came when WeTV revealed the couple fandom name “Auralis“ for Boom and Smart—usually a signal of official endorsement for fans to rally behind. But just a few weeks later, on June 12, Tailai returned with a forceful public statement.
They accused Grand Ivory and Smart of:
- Violating co-management agreements
- Booking unsanctioned solo fan events in China
- Refusing to engage in any joint promotions for Top Form
They reiterated that Grand Ivory only had rights over Smart’s music career, and that Tailai, as a producer and co-owner of Top Form, had the rest.
🧩 Grand Ivory Fights Back
That night, Grand Ivory posted a rebuttal, denying any wrongdoing. They stated:
- Tailai has no direct contract with them
- They are still involved in joint promotions planned for October
- Headliner had restricted Smart’s social media access
- The team lacked transparency and empathy
- And finally, the show cannot continue without the artist
In other words, Grand Ivory positioned Smart not just as a cast member—but as an irreplaceable asset.
💼 What’s Behind the Power Struggle?
This isn’t just about a single actor. The fight reveals bigger trends in the Thai and pan-Asian entertainment industry:
🏢 Tailai: New Player, Big Ambitions
Tailai Entertainment (泰莱娱乐), officially registered as 北京泰莱娱乐服务有限公司, appears to be a new entrant into the entertainment world, having previously operated in advertising under the name 北京泰无. Top Form may be their debut production, a major swing into the Thai BL market with plans for three seasons.
That makes their high level of investment understandable—but also risky. Losing the lead actor or losing control over marketing could jeopardize their entire business model.
🌐 Tencent’s Shadow
Headliner Artists and WeTV Thailand are connected to Tencent, one of China’s largest tech and media giants. Their involvement raises the stakes—not just financially, but politically. Tencent’s role adds pressure for orderly promotion, cross-border reach, and brand control.
📉 Fan Frustration in China
Chinese fans have voiced concerns over the lack of promotions and couple events for Boom and Smart—standard fare in the BL world. Many expected more livestreams, interviews, or even merchandise—none of which materialized at the scale typical of Tencent-backed series.
🗞️ A Personal Media Observation
In previous WeTV campaigns, it was easy to schedule interviews with cast members. But for Top Form, we were told the artists were unavailable, then later told interviews might be arranged after the “making of” documentary. That’s highly unusual, especially for a BL series that thrives on real-time fan engagement.
This delayed promotional strategy may be a tactic to extend buzz across seasons, but the lack of communication has made it difficult for media outlets to support the series or feature its stars properly.
To date, no follow-up interviews or media contact has been offered—not even for other WeTV shows, a noticeable shift from their previous approach.
🔮 What Happens Next?
At its core, this dispute raises key questions:
- Who owns an artist’s image?
- What happens when multiple companies co-invest in a star?
- Can a series survive if its offscreen partnerships collapse?
As Top Form floats in uncertainty, it’s unclear whether fans will see Boom and Smart on screen again. But one thing is certain: the industry is watching closely—and the next move could redefine artist management norms across Thailand, China, and beyond.
beeloveentertainment.com 
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