Generation Happy: how GMMTV is building its next chapter

A Thai-language Broadway musical, a Japanese action franchise rebuilt in Bangkok and a world of characters fans can collect, play with and even run alongside. The studio’s latest showcase shows an entertainment brand that no longer stops at the screen.

On 3 November, Union Hall at Union Mall in Bangkok filled with actors, press, partners and fans for GMMTVNEXT: Generation Happy, the annual event where GMMTV reveals what comes next. This year the title carried no date. The studio spoke instead of 2027 and the years that follow, a sign that its plans now stretch well past a single season. During the broadcast, according to the company, #GMMTVNEXT climbed to the top of X trends worldwide and in Thailand.

The stage opened with the 21 leading contestants of PROJECT ALPHA NEW CLAN, GMMTV’s survival reality show, before the studio’s mascots, the GMMTV Fandom Characters, took over with the song “Happy Family”. Chief executive Sataporn Panichraksapong then set out the direction for the years ahead and confirmed that the production company Wabi-Sabi is joining the GMMTV group to increase its output.

The company is also looking at the next generation behind the camera. Together with Bangkok Christian College, GMMTV is launching E3, a curriculum built on Education, Expertise (Entertainment) and Emotional Well-being, which will prepare secondary school students for careers in the industry, on screen and off.

A world of characters

The mascots are becoming a business of their own. In early 2027 fans will be able to play GMMTV FANARIUM, a game in which they care for the characters, decorate their rooms and take them to school. Pre-orders for a first limited set of the GEMM QUEST trading card game open in December, with the full game arriving in April 2027. March 2027 brings World of Wonders Fan Fest, a live show starring the characters, and late 2027 GMMTV Characters Happy Runderland, a fun run that will donate part of its proceeds to the Ramathibodi Foundation. A collectible collaboration with TOYZERO, starting with the character POLCASAN, is also planned for 2027.

From Broadway to Bangkok

Theatre is the newest stage for the studio. With The Showhopper, GMMTV is producing DEAR EVAN HANSEN THAILAND, a Thai-language version of the Broadway musical by Steven Levenson, Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, with William Jakrapatr of the group LYKN in the title role.

The studio is also working with MDA Entertainment, the company of actor and singer Mike Angelo, on VAMP. Mike Angelo directs the series and stars in it with Prim Chanikarn and Ohm Pawat.

Stories from abroad, stories from home

International formats play a bigger part than ever. Shooting Stars is a new take on the Korean drama “Sh**ting Stars”, set in the backstage world of entertainment. ITAEWON CLASS THAI EDITION, directed by Aof Noppharnach Chaiwimol with Sky Wongravee in the lead, brings the well-known Korean series to a Thai setting. Pie and the 7 Witches adapts Miki Yoshikawa’s manga “Yamada-kun and the Seven Witches”, published by Kodansha. The most ambitious project of the night is HiGH & LOW Born to be High, the Thai version of the Japanese action franchise, made with HI-AX and Parbdee Tawesuk and featuring 24 GMMTV actors, among them Tay Tawan, Off Jumpol and Win Metawin.

Closer to home, Pineapple Leaf Blade, directed by Nuchie Anucha Boonyawatana, tells the true story of Thai workers in Hawaii and their struggle to survive, giving Tay Tawan and New Thitipoom roles unlike any they have played before. A Season to Remember is a period drama about three heirs of a powerful family, Stalemate turns the business world into a game of chess, and Saran Wants You! brings Off Jumpol and Gun Atthaphan together in a comedy. The night ended with The HALO, an original fantasy about four cursed angels, carried by eight of the studio’s most popular actors.

Series, theatre, games, characters and live events now sit side by side in GMMTV’s plans, with one stated goal: taking Thai entertainment to audiences around the world.

The series presented at GMMTVNEXT

A SEASON TO REMEMBER (ตรีวัชรกาล): Earth Pirapat, Mix Sahaphap, Boun Noppanut, Prem Warut, First Kanaphan, Khaotung Thanawat

Love After Class (มัธยมพบรัก): Almond Poomsuwan, Progress Passawish

Beyond You (เพียงคุณที่อยู่เหนือกว่า): View Benyapa, Mim Rattanawadee, Jan Ployshompoo

Starscope (เขตเคียงดาว): Sea Dechchart, Keen Suvijak

The Spooky Love Tale (เขียนผีให้เธอรัก): Mark Pakin, Ohm Thipakorn

Above Her Class (ขอให้รักลงจอดอย่างปลอดภัย): Waifha Chanitsiri

Shooting Stars: Gemini Norawit, Tu Tontawan

Pit Stop (จุดพักใจ): Ohm Pawat, Ing Asavanund

Love’s Echoes (ให้รักกังวานในใจ): Jaoying Krongkwan, Mewnich Nannaphas

Saran Wants You! (คุณสราญหาคู่): Off Jumpol, Gun Atthaphan

Shrimply Mine (อย่ามาอยู่กับกุ้ง): Barcode Tinnasit, Kin Thanachai

Kiss Me, Stranger (เธอแปลกหน้า): Pahn Pathitta, Fond Natticha

Billionaire Biker (พี่วินร้อยล้านกับหวานใจเกลือสมุทร): Save Saisawat, Franc Naruth

Pineapple Leaf Blade (คมใบสัปปะรด): Tay Tawan, New Thitipoom

Our Melodies (ทำนองนั้น): Satang Kittiphop, Joong Archen

Cherish (วันที่ฟ้ามีเฌอ): Milk Pansa, Love Pattranite

Cinematch (หมี่ซีนีม่า): Teshow Promsakha, Ping Krittanun

HiGH & LOW Born to be High (ท้าตายแต่เกิด): Tay Tawan, Off Jumpol, Win Metawin, Nanon Korapat, Pond Naravit, Bright Rapheephong and others

Pie and the 7 Witches (พายยกกำลังเจ็ด): Fourth Nattawat, Mim Rattanawadee

The Gentlemen’s Blood (เลือดสุภาพบุรุษ): Surf Patchara, Java Bhobdhama, Chokun Puttipong, Aston Ratiphat

MY BEAUTIFUL ENEMY (ที่ร้ายที่รัก): Jan Ployshompoo, Jingjing Yu

Your Eyes, My Ears (สื่อรักสองสัมผัส): Krist Perawat, Singto Prachaya

The Jigsoul (ยินดีด้วยรักได้ไปต่อ): Win Metawin, Nani Hirunkit

Lost in Your Eyes (คนเดียวในสายตา): Namtan Tipnaree, Film Rachanun

Stalemate (เกมรักหมากสุดท้าย): Great Sapol, Bright Rapheephong

Blueprint: Dew Jirawat, Tee Teeradech

Be Mine (รักนี้เป็นของเธอ): Emi Thasorn, Bonnie Pattraphus

FAKE BOSS, REAL BOYFRIEND (จริงๆ แล้วแฟนเราเป็นยามบริษัท): Aou Thanaboon, Third Lapat

Our Lyrics (บทเพลงของความไม่จริงใจ): Anthony Buisseret

Safety Flirt (ห้ามเข้าใกล้หัวใจกำลังทำงาน): Nycha Nuttanicha, Prim Chanikarn

I Wanna Hold Your Hand (อยากให้เราอยู่ตรงนี้): Nut Thanat, Hong Pichetpong

52Hz (สองฝันสัญญาณเดียว): Nanon Korapat, Jackie Jackrin

Boys 4 Moms (ลูกเพื่อนแม่): Tay Tawan, New Thitipoom, Jimmy Jitaraphol, Sea Tawinan, Force Jiratchapong, Book Kasidet

ITAEWON CLASS THAI EDITION: Sky Wongravee, Nycha Nuttanicha, Film Rachanun

The HALO (เทวดามาขอพร): Pond Naravit, Phuwin Tangsakyuen, Gemini Norawit, Fourth Nattawat, William Jakrapatr, Est Supha, Perth Tanapon, Santa Pongsapak