BNK48

BNK48 (short for BaNgKok48) is a Thai idol group and the third international sister group of AKB48, after Indonesia's JKT48 and China's SNH48.

After the first audition in mid-2016, the first generation of the group was announced in early 2017, comprising a total of 30 members, being 29 local members and one overseas transferred member. The group officially debuted on 2 June 2017 and released the debut single, "Aitakatta", on 8 August 2017.

The group is named after Bangkok, the capital city of Thailand. Orchid, a popular flower in the country, serves as both the colour and motif of the group.^[2]

History

2016

On 26 March 2016, the formation of BNK48, MNL48, and TPE48 was announced.^[3]

The first BNK48 audition was held from 29 July to 31 August 2016, attracting a total of 1,357 applicants, of whom 330 were selected on 5 September. The initial election of the first generation members was later held on 17 and 18 September 2016. On 23 September 2016, the election result was declared, stating that 80 candidates would pass into the final election. However, due to the death of King Bhumibol Adulyadej on 13 October 2016, the final election was postponed until 18 December, on which a number of candidates were selected as the first generation of the group.^[4]

2017

On 12 February 2017, the first generation of the group was officially announced, consisting of 29 members.^[5][6] They made their first appearance at the AKB48 show during the 12th Japan Festa in Bangkok on the same day.^[7]

It was later revealed on 13 April 2017 that AKB48 Team 4 member Rina Izuta would be transferred to the group on 2 July 2017, totalling the members of the group to 30.^[8][9]

On 2 June 2017, the group made its official debut with the single "Aitakatta".^[10] The single was officially released on 8 August 2017 and was available for purchase for a limited period of time only, during which it sold 13,500 copies. In addition, no official music video has been released for the single.^[11]

Members

First generation

The first generation consists of 30 members, being 29 local members and one overseas transferred member, as follows:

Local members

• Can (Thai: แคน; rtgs: Khaen), born (1997-11-10) 10 November 1997 in Bangkok as Nayika Srinian (Thai: นายิกา ศรีเนียน; rtgs: Nayika Si-nian).^[12]
• Cherprang (Thai: เฌอปราง; rtgs: Choeprang), born (1996-05-02) 2 May 1996 in Bangkok as Cherprang Areekul (Thai: เฌอปราง อารีย์กุล; rtgs: Choeprang Arikun), is the captain of the group (since June 2017).^[13][14] She currently studies at the Mahidol University International College, where she majors in chemistry.^[14]
• Cincin (Thai: ซินซิน; rtgs: Sinsin), born (2000-11-07) 7 November 2000 in Bangkok as Irada Tavachphongsri (Thai: ไอรดา ธวัชผ่องศรี; rtgs: Airada Thawatphongsi).^[15]
• Jaa (Thai: จ๋า; rtgs: Cha), born (2003-01-20) 20 January 2003 in Bangkok as Napaphat Worraphuttanon (Thai: ณปภัช วรพฤทธานนท์; rtgs: Napaphat Woraphruetthanon).^[16]
• Jan (Thai: แจน; rtgs: Chaen), born (1994-04-08) 8 April 1994 in Sing Buri as Jetsupa Kruetang (Thai: เจตสุภา เครือแตง; rtgs: Chetsupha Khruea-taeng).^[17]
• Jane (Thai: เจน; rtgs: Chen), born (2000-03-09) 9 March 2000 in Nonthaburi as Kunjiranut Intarasin (Thai: กุลจิราณัฐ อินทรศิลป์; rtgs: Kunchiranat Intharasin).^[18]
• Jennis (Thai: เจนนิส; rtgs: Chennit), born (2000-07-04) 4 July 2000 in Phetchaburi as Jennis Oprasert (Thai: เจนนิษฐ์ โอ่ประเสริฐ; rtgs: Chennit O-prasoet), is half Chinese and half Lao.^[19][20]
• Jib (Thai: จิ๊บ; rtgs: Chip), born (2002-07-04) 4 July 2002 in Lop Buri as Suchaya Saenkhot (Thai: สุชญา แสนโคต).^[21]
• Kaew (Thai: แก้ว; rtgs: Kaeo), born (1994-03-31) 31 March 1994 in Chon Buri as Natruja Chutiwansopon (Thai: ณัฐรุจา ชุติวรรณโสภณ; rtgs: Natrucha Chutiwansophon).^[22]
• Kaimook (Thai: ไข่มุก; rtgs: Khaimuk), born (1997-08-27) 27 August 1997 in Bangkok as Warattaya Deesomlert (Thai: วรัทยา ดีสมเลิศ; rtgs: Waratthaya Disomloet).^[23]
• Kate (Thai: เคท; rtgs: Khet), born (2001-06-09) 9 June 2001 in Phayao as Korapat Nilprapa (Thai: กรภัทร์ นิลประภา; rtgs: Koraphat Ninprapha).^[24]
• Kidcat (Thai: คิตแคต; rtgs: Khitkhaet), born (2001-11-01) 1 November 2001 in Bangkok as Watsamon Phongwanit (Thai: วรรษมณฑ์ พงษ์วานิช).^[25]
• Korn (Thai: ก่อน; rtgs: Kon), born (1999-01-21) 21 January 1999 in Bangkok as Vathusiri Phuwapunyasiri (Thai: วฑูศิริ ภูวปัญญาสิริ; rtgs: Wathusiri Phuwapanyasiri).^[26]
• Maysa (Thai: เมษา; rtgs: Mesa), born (1999-04-08) 8 April 1999 in Bangkok as Mesa Chinavicharana (Thai: เมษา จีนะวิจารณะ; rtgs: Mesa Chinawicharana).^[27]
• Mind (Thai: มาย; rtgs: Mai), born (2001-09-06) 6 September 2001 in Nakhon Ratchasima as Panisa Srilaloeng (Thai: ปณิศา ศรีละเลิง; rtgs: Panisa Silaloeng).^[28]
• Miori Ohkubo (Japanese: 大久保美織, Hepburn: Ōkubo Miori), born (1998-09-30) 30 September 1998 in Ibaraki, Japan.^[29]
• Mobile (Thai: โมบาย; rtgs: Mobai), born (2002-06-09) 9 June 2002 in Bangkok as Pimrapat Phadungwatanachok (Thai: พิมรภัส ผดุงวัฒนะโชค; rtgs: Phimraphat Phadungwatthanachok).^[30]
• Music (Thai: มิวสิค; rtgs: Miusik), born (2001-02-24) 24 February 2001 in Bangkok as Praewa Suthamphong (Thai: แพรวา สุธรรมพงษ์; rtgs: Phraewa Suthamphong).^[31]
• Namhom (Thai: น้ำหอม), born (2002-06-17) 17 June 2002 in Sisaket as Christin Larsen (Thai: คริสติน ลาร์เซ่น).^[32]
• Nam-Neung (Thai: น้ำหนึ่ง; rtgs: Namnueng), born (1996-11-11) 11 November 1996 in Sing Buri as Milin Dokthian (Thai: มิลิน ดอกเทียน).^[33]
• Namsai (Thai: น้ำใส), born (1999-10-26) 26 October 1999 in Bangkok as Pichayapa Natha (Thai: พิชญาภา นาถา; rtgs: Phitchayapha Natha).^[34]
• Nink (Thai: นิ้ง; rtgs: Ning), born (2000-02-03) 3 February 2000 in Samut Prakan as Mananya Kaoju (Thai: มนัญญา เกาะจู; rtgs: Mananya Kochu).^[35]
• Noey (Thai: เนย; rtgs: Noei), born (1997-04-09) 9 April 1997 in Samut Prakan as Kanteera Wadcharathadsanakul (Thai: กานต์ธีรา วัชรทัศนกุล; rtgs: Kanthira Watcharathatsanakun).^[36]
• Orn (Thai: อร; rtgs: On), born (1997-02-03) 3 February 1997 in Bangkok as Patchanan Jiajirachote (Thai: พัศชนันท์ เจียจิรโชติ; rtgs: Phatchanan Chiachirachot).^[37]
• Piam (Thai: เปี่ยม), born (2003-06-04) 4 June 2003 in Saraburi as Rinrada Inthaisong (Thai: รินรดา อินทร์ไธสง).^[38]
• Pun (Thai: ปัญ; rtgs: Pan), born (2000-11-09) 9 November 2000 in Bangkok as Punsikorn Tiyakorn (Thai: ปัญสิกรณ์ ติยะกร; rtgs: Pansikon Tiyakon).^[39]
• Pupe (Thai: ปูเป้; from French poupée), born (1998-01-18) 18 January 1998 in Chiang Rai as Jiradapa Intajak (Thai: จิรดาภา อินทจักร; rtgs: Chiradapha Inthachak).^[40]
• Satchan (Japanese: さっちゃん), born (2003-12-13) 13 December 2003 to a Japanese mother and a Thai father in Bangkok as Sachiya Hanami (Japanese: 花見咲知弥) or Sawitchaya Kajonrungsilp (Thai: สวิชญา ขจรรุ่งศิลป์; rtgs: Sawitchaya Khachonrungsin).^[41][42][43]
• Tarwaan (Thai: ตาหวาน; rtgs: Tawan), born (1996-12-18) 18 December 1996 in Nakhon Pathom as Isarapa Thawatpakdee (Thai: อิสราภา ธวัชภักดี; rtgs: Itsarapha Thawatphakdi).^[44]

Overseas transfer

• Rina Izuta (Japanese: 伊豆田 莉奈, Hepburn: Izuta Rina), born (1995-11-26) 26 November 1995 in Saitama, Japan, was transferred from AKB48 Team 4 (10th generation) on 2 July 2017.^[9][45]

Management

The group is managed by a specifically established company called BNK48 Office, in which Rose Media holds 90% of the total shares and AKB48's company AKS holds the rest of the shares.^[1][10][46]

Each member of the group is subject to a six-year contract that can be renewed.^[47]

Promotion

According to BNK48 Office chief executive officer Jirath Pavaravadhana, the company would invest ฿200,000,000 for the group during the years 2017–18 and expects to regain the invested capital by 2019.^[1][48] Jirath said the group would mainly be promoted through social media and its primary sources of revenue would be commercial products, appearances at commercial events, and sponsors.^[48] The group is also financed by the Cool Japan Fund.^[49]

The group has its own digital studio at The EmQuartier, where its members conduct a live appearance on Facebook and YouTube every day holding discussions on various topics.^[48] Each member of the group also appears live through the broadcasting application VOOV every night.^[50]

The group has launched two television shows on Channel 3: BNK48 Senpai, a 13-episode-long documentary aired every Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, from 1 March 2017, and BNK48 Show, a 26-episode-long variety show aired every Sunday from 9 July 2017.^[51]

Since 1 July 2017, the group has held roadshows every weekend at The Mall Group shopping malls.^[50][51] During the roadshow in the beach town Hua Hin on 6 August 2017, eight autographed photos of members were auctioned off to raise money for flood victims in Northeastern Thailand. The photo of Cherprang alone fetched ฿77,000.^[52]

To support its first single "Aitakatta", the group will also hold a handshake event in Bangkok on 27 August 2017.^[53]

Additionally, the group said it will do theatrical shows every week like its sister group, AKB48. A permanent theatre accommodating 300 people is being constructed in Bangkok and is expected to open in late 2017.^[48][51]

Criticism

The announcement of the first generation members led to controversies because some members, as Cherprang and Maysa, were openly dating boyfriends, which was against AKB48's notorious no-dating policy,^[54][55] whilst some members, such as Music, had to drop out of school in order to join the group.^[56]

Moreover, BNK48 Office's poor management of the group and lack of clear future plans have prompted many to raise doubts and questions as to its aim to achieve mass market.^[11] Critic Nutthapong Chaiwanitphon viewed that the company is "unready" for business, citing its weak media planning and production and its inability to plan activities or announce their details beforehand due to its desire to ascertain the number of visitors first. He also pointed out that the total amount of sales of the group's first single, "Aitakatta", that is, 13,500 copies, is a low figure and commercial events that are deemed one of the key sources of income of the group have been very limited. According to Nutthapong, the heavy risk that arises from the company's burden to simultaneously take care of as many as thirty artists will prevent the company from surviving in the competitive business world for more than two years.^[11]

Discography

Singles

• "Aitakatta" – released 8 August 2017

Filmography

References

Further reading

• Srimaneekulroj, Kanin (2017-06-22). "Sisters are doin' it for themselves". Bangkok Post. Bangkok: Bangkok Post. Retrieved 2017-06-22. 

External links

Wikimedia Commons has media related to BNK48.

• Official website
• BNK48 on Facebook
• BNK48 on Instagram
• BNK48 on Twitter
• BNK48's channel on YouTube