From Pad Thai to Perfect Pairings: SHINE Cast and Thai Stars Light Up NYC
- K Fuse
- 4 days ago
- 7 min read
In the heart of Manhattan, where global cultures meet and the city never stops tasting something new, one evening transported guests straight to Thailand—no passport required. Timeless Thai Taste wasn’t just a celebration of cuisine; it was a tribute to the richness of Thai culture, flavor, and fandom.
Upstairs, the air was rich with a sweet aroma as guests sampled beloved Thai dishes—each bite a nostalgic reminder or an exciting first taste. But downstairs, the energy buzzed with a different kind of hunger: the anticipation of seeing beloved Thai stars take the stage. Plates were set aside, phones at the ready, as fans found their seats—waiting for the moment when the spotlight would shine on the cast of the upcoming BL series SHINE, along with Thai acting favorites First Chalongrat, Ohm Sarit, Toptap Jirakit, and Sunny Wannarat.
As the lights dimmed, the energy in the room turned electric. Conversations hushed, cameras came out, and all eyes were locked on the stage. Then—it happened. One by one, twelve familiar faces made their way into the spotlight: Ohm, First, Toptap, Sunny, Oab, Peter, JJAY, Son, Euro, Bump, Mile, and Apo.
And the crowd? Absolutely lost it!
Cheers exploded from every corner of the venue, echoing off the walls like a KCON-sized karaoke moment. It wasn’t just loud—it was love. As some fans waved to the actors as they made their way on stage, some shouted a simple ‘I LOVE YOU!’, and some held up hand hearts, but everyone had the same look on their face: pure joy. The actors smiled, laughed, and waved as they took their places on stage, clearly touched by the welcome. You could tell—even from a distance—they weren’t expecting the volume, the warmth, or the way the crowd made them feel right at home in a city thousands of miles away from Bangkok. For fans in the room, it felt like a long-awaited reunion. For the actors, maybe it felt like meeting family they never knew they had.
After the star-studded introductions, the event moved into its first interactive segment—one that was equal parts laughter, lighthearted competition, and a little cultural trivia. It was time to set sail with Ohm, First, Toptap, and Sunny, the first group of actors to take the stage for a mini Q&A and compatibility game that had the crowd leaning in, ready for chaos.
The host introduced the segment with a playful challenge: “Let’s test how well these guys really know each other—with a Thai food quiz.” Cue excited murmurs from the crowd. During the pre-show press conference, each actor had talked about their long-standing friendships through different pairings and past projects, but it was Toptap who said it best: “We’ve known each other for a while, but I feel like we only truly started forming first impressions and real connections during this trip.” And now, with everyone watching, it was time to put that bond to the test.
The host turned to the crowd: “Who here knows Thai food?”
For a moment, a hush fell over the venue—but not for long. A few enthusiastic fans broke the silence, shouting out their favorite dishes with pride. Their efforts paid off, as the host selected two dishes and challenged the actors, in their pairs—Sunny & Toptap, and Ohm & First—to choose the one they liked better. It was like a culinary version of the newlywed game, and the stakes? Bragging rights, of course.
Round one was a breeze. Both teams guessed in sync, earning cheers and a round of approving nods. Maybe they were truly in sync with each other. But round two? That’s when the real fun began.
Both teams fumbled—badly. With each actor choosing the opposite dish, the room burst into laughter. Ohm and Sunny buried their heads in playful embarrassment, while Toptap and First grinned through the chaos, clearly enjoying the moment just as much as the fans. It didn’t matter who got it “wrong”—what mattered was the joy of watching genuine friendships unfold, one delicious misstep at a time.
Of course, no Thai game segment is complete without a little punishment—and this one was just as sweet as the actors themselves. The losing pairs weren’t asked to do anything embarrassing or over-the-top. Instead, they had to give each other a Thai dessert nickname, and the results were adorable. With laughter still lingering in the air from the food quiz fumble, the mood turned playful and endearing as each actor took a moment to think. Then came the sweet declarations. The fans were living for the sweetness—and not just the kind you could eat. It was a moment that perfectly captured what makes events like this so special: the banter, the bonds, and those unexpected little interactions that stick with you long after the final applause.
As the first group of actors waved their goodbyes and stepped off stage, the excitement didn’t fade—it simply shifted. With cheers still echoing, it was time to welcome the spotlight onto something new: the heart and vision behind the upcoming Thai BL series, SHINE. Taking the stage next were the actors of SHINE, joined by the series’ screenwriter Pond Krisda and Jump Rojanaparnich, co-founder of Be On Cloud, the studio behind the project. The crowd leaned in again, this time not just to fangirl, but to dive deeper into the story, the inspiration, and the creative process behind a series that already feels like it’s going to be something unforgettable As the cast, director Pond Krisda, and Be On Cloud co-founder Jump Rojanaparnich settled into their seats, the atmosphere shifted from playful to thoughtful. The room quieted—not out of boredom, but out of curiosity. Everyone could feel it: this was the part where hearts and minds would be stirred. Together, they began to unpack the world of SHINE—a series set in 1969–1971 Thailand, during a time of political unrest and quiet resistance. It’s a time period rarely explored in mainstream BL storytelling, and from the start, it was clear that this wasn’t going to be a typical love story.
The team spoke about what it took to bring this vision to life—historical research, character study, and, perhaps most significantly, unlearning modern perspectives to step into a past filled with silence, stigma, and the quiet courage it took to simply be different. They talked about diving into history, learning about social movements, and even adjusting their body language, tone, and behavior to match the cultural norms of the era. We learned that Mile even bought a guitar to dive further into his role. For the audience, it became clear that SHINE isn’t just another love story—it’s a love letter to those who lived in the shadows, and a reminder of how far we’ve come... and how far we still have to go.
Just when the audience thought things couldn’t get any more fun (or tasty), the next segment brought the energy to a full boil—literally. It was time for a Thai culinary showdown, and the actors were ready to throw on their aprons and show off their kitchen skills. Armed with baskets of ingredients for two of Thailand’s most iconic dishes—the actors were split into their respective teams and given free rein to cook, dance, and, well, improvise.
Laughter filled the venue as music played and the teams got to work. Sunny & Toptap were all smiles, Their chemistry was undeniable, and their dish? A perfect balance of sweet, savory, and sassy. First & Ohm, who took a slightly more... subtle approach. With calm concentration and playful commentary, they crafted a Pad See Ew that leaned on the lighter side—gentle on the spice, easy on the heat. The segment hosts joked about it being less flavorful, pointing to the still-full bowl of chili flakes left behind. And then there was the cast of SHINE—who, true to their creative spirit, decided to embrace chaos in the most charming way possible. Every ingredient? Tossed in. Their table was a whirlwind of laughter, teamwork, and “wait, what did you just add?” confusion. The end result was... unconventional, but 100% entertaining.
No matter the outcome, the real win was watching the actors let loose, have fun, and share something as universal as food with their fans—making memories that were as flavorful as the dishes they made.
As the evening began to wind down, the excitement in the room didn’t fade—it mellowed into something deeper: gratitude. One by one, the actors returned to the stage, this time not for games or quizzes, but to look out into the crowd and say thank you. With smiles that said it all, each actor shared a few heartfelt words—thanking fans for showing up, for sharing in their culture, and for bringing so much love and energy to a night none of them would forget. There was sincerity in every voice, and you could feel it: this wasn’t just another overseas event. It was special. After the final goodbyes, the cast gathered close for group photos and short video reels to capture the joy of the night. Fans waved, cheered, and held their phones high to record every last moment. And just when it felt like things couldn’t get any more perfect, the cast of SHINE brought the house down with one last send-off.
Apo stepped forward with a grin and shouted, “WE—”
And without missing a beat, the room roared back: “SHINE!”
They repeated it again—and again—each round louder, more unified, more electric. It wasn’t just a chant, it was a spark of connection that lit up the room.
Don’t let the glow fade just yet—keep the love going! Follow the cast, creators, and series behind SHINE as they bring their story to life starting August 2nd. From behind-the-scenes laughs to powerful performances, the journey is only getting started. 🌟
📲 Stay up-to-date for Ohm, First, Sunny, and Toptap for Future Activities and More Fun: Ohm Sarit | First Chalongrat | Toptap Jirakit | Sunny Wannarat
🎬 Follow the creators: beoncloud — the studio bringing bold, beautiful Thai storytelling to the world. SHINE the series — for official updates, teasers, and exclusive content as the countdown to August 2 continues.
Comments