productioninterview
Somching “King” Srisupap
Love wins Upcoming prime-time Thai drama, Are We Alright?, deals with love across age lines. “We would like to show that love is beautiful regardless of age or gender,” say programmers from Thailand’s Channel 3. ContentAsia speaks to producer/director Somching “King” Srisupap and BEC World’s president of TV business unit, Surin Krittayaphongphun about the new series. An older woman. A younger man, with a mother who is less than
old owner of a bookstore recently dumped by her lover of 30 years.
impressed at her son’s romantic choice. As a vein of comic situations to
Refusing to succumb to the reality of aging, she embarks on a mission to
tap and recreate on screen, what could go wrong?
regain the look she had when she was 20. Along the way, she develops
“The story makes you feel happy... gives you hope,” says veteran
a crush on a young table tennis player old enough to be her son.
producer/director, Somching “King” Srisupap, who was also behind
May-December Romance followed Dare to Love, starring Bella
Thai dramas Toong Sanaeha (2020), love triangle fantasy drama Plerng
Ranee as an enthusiastic lawyer who works 24/7 to become her law
Prang Tian (Candle in the Sun, 2019) and Duang Jai Nai Fai Nhao (Cold
firm’s first female partner, and new actor, Kongthap Peak, who plays a
Heart, 2018).
young intern at the firm.
The new series, Are We Alright? (Carat Ruk), premieres on Thai free TV channel, Channel 3, in November. Anne Thongprasom, who says she is much more familiar starring
Channel 3 says while themes that highlight love regardless of gender are popular, the older-woman-younger-man theme is under-exploited in Thailand.
opposite actors her own age, plays a successful businesswoman.
“Are We Alright? is a love story crossing social boundaries set by
James Jirayu is an intern with a crush on her and the nerve to act on
society. We want to tell a love story regardless of sex or age. More
it. The furthest thought in his mind is that he’s too young. She first meets
Boy Love (BL) stories are being told in Thailand, but there aren’t many
him when her clothes get caught in a car door, rain is pouring and he
love stories between an older woman and a younger man,” says BEC
appears with an umbrella.
World’s president of TV business unit, Surin Krittayaphongphun.
The Are We Alright? story was created by Ploychuen & Good Feeling,
“Society often frowns upon it, but we would like to show that love is
and the screenplay was written by Ping Lumpraplerng and the Good
beautiful regardless of age or gender. We design each character to
Feeling team.
reflect a cross-section of today’s society. We want it to be relatable. The
The older-woman-younger-man situation is not a first for Channel 3 or its owner, listed entertainment company BEC World. Are We Alright? is the third show this year that involves a romance between an older woman and a younger man. Currently airing is May-December Romance, about the 52-year-
8
female lead is intelligent but not annoying. While the male lead, though young, knows what he wants and is not afraid to go for it,” he adds. Srisupap says Are We Alright? was not derailed in a major way by Covid-19 production pauses or protocols. “We were fortunate that we managed to finish shooting before
contentasia october 2021