If you’ve been keeping up with the latest Chinese dramas, chances are you’re tuning in or have already binge-watched the historical romance drama Pursuit of Jade. While Zhang Linghe’s portrayal of the Marquis of Wuan is undoubtedly the crowd favourite, a certain fresh-faced actor might have also caught your eye. Thai actor and singer “Nine” Kornchid Boonsathitpakdee plays Fan Chang Yu’s (portrayed by Tian Xi Wei) loyal friend Man Di, who is devoted to caring for his sick younger sister.
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Nine is no stranger to the acting scene. He made his official debut with a leading role in a Thai boys’ love drama 2 Moons 2 (2019). The main cast was later revealed to debut as the boy group OXQ in the following year. Members of the boy group include now-prominent actors “Pavel” Naret Promphaopun and “Joong” Archen Aydin. However, the group's tenure was short-lived, and they disbanded in the same year with only one digital single in their discography.
In 2021, Nine continued to pursue his dream of becoming an idol through the Chinese idol survival show Chuang 2021. Despite only learning Mandarin three months before the competition, Nine quickly charmed the audience with his sweet vocals and endearing personality. His efforts paid off when he secured fifth place in the final lineup, debuting as the lead vocalist of the multi-national boy group INTO1. Joining other talents like singer-songwriter Mika Hashizume, this milestone marked the start of Nine’s foray into the Chinese entertainment industry.
The 11-member project group made their debut that same year, building a solid domestic fan base and earning titles like New Trending Group of the Year at Tencent Music Entertainment Awards 2021 and Breakthrough Group of the Year at Weibo Music Awards 2022. After a successful two-year stint, INTO1 concluded activities in April 2023. Nine chose to stay and promote himself in China—steadily building his acting career with supporting roles in dramas such as The Shiny Group (2023) and The Rise of Ning (2024). He also continued demonstrating his evolution as an artiste through the release of his solo EP Fine.
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This was far from the end of Nine’s musical endeavours. In 2024, he joined the fourth season of Call Me By Fire, a singing reality television show where industry veterans and rising stars compete for a spot in the top 17 performance group. Nine earned praise for his performances and placed seventh overall. Following his success, the Thai star made his return in the fifth season, further solidifying his reputation as a versatile artiste. Nine has also proven his growing influence in the industry with his recent appointment as the star promoter for Edifier, a Chinese brand specialising in audio equipment.
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Fans are eagerly awaiting Nine’s supporting role in the upcoming drama Veil of Flames, while the artist has also hinted at new music on the horizon. Building a career in a foreign country is an incredible feat in itself, yet for Nine, it’s clear he has only just begun to scratch the surface.