A new semester at 'AF'

Last year, six million viewers tuned into the weekly concert performances, another 30 million hit the online site and 20 million dedicated “AF” fans sent in their votes, says TrueVisions’ managing director Anat Mekpaiboonwattana.

“This reality show helps Thai youths get over their shyness about expressing themselves and pay attention to the skills they need to learn to be an artist in the future,” Anat says.

Auditions commenced last month in the Northeast with a fantastic turn out in Khon Kaen. Earlier this month, would-be superstars from the South and the North headed to Nakhon Sri Thammarat and Chiang Mai to try their luck.

Youngsters from Bangkok and nearby provinces are auditioning until tomorrow at House on RCA.

The judges will whittle down the candidates to 100, announcing the names on Monday, then pick 24 semi-finalists on May 31.

The 12 finalists will be announced on June 24.

Viewers will see some changes this season. Two new judges have been recruited – director Yuthana “Jaew” Lorpunpaiboon and Anond “Poo” Saisangchan, the frontman for the rock band Blackhead, join last year’s additions Tata Young and Jirasak “Maew” Panpoom as well as regulars Satha “Rak” Sathathip, Orawan “Poom” Yenpoonsuk and choreographer Vanessa “Kru Ped” Kansopon. 

“We felt we needed to be more cautious in selecting applicants,” says Chatree “Ohm” Kongsuwan, the music director. “The addition of Pa Jaew as a talent-scouting expert and Poo Blackhead as a rock musician will make the judging panel more powerful. Actually, all the judges, who have different characteristics and skills, help each other in deciding the overall selection of applicants. Maew is a rocker, guitarist, musician and producer, while Poom Orawan can tell after just a couple of notes if an applicant has the potential.

“The recruitment of Tata Young and Maew Jirasak last year was very helpful in selecting applicants who had singing skills. This year, we want to focus more on personality, hence the decision to bring two more judges to the panel. An applicant might have a good voice but zero personality or vice versa. We want to work on developing charm.”

Ohm has worked as music director since Season Four and has taken part in the selection of candidates since Season Six. 

“I think that most of the youngsters take time to prepare but stage fright can cripple them during the audition. Of course, most of them come because they’ve been dreaming of being part of the entertainment industry. Their problem, at least at the beginning, is that they don’t yet know what they really want to be. Some of them bounce back from stage fright. This reality show is like a door: they can cross the threshold and find their dream.”

The concept of “True Academy Fantasia” Season 9 is “9 Hai Kern Fun”.

“Dreams are beautiful,” says Nitipong “Dee” Hornak, director of artist management. “But before dreams come true, there is both sweat and tears.”