| Leadership
By Clifford Olanday
Oct 11, 2024
Cover Arunosha Panupan, managing director, Broadcast Thai Television
Arunosha Panupan, managing director, Broadcast Thai Television
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These prolific producers are behind award-winning, blockbuster TV series and films that have captivated audiences worldwide
The powerhouse producers of Asia’s Most Influential not only captivate audiences with blockbuster movies and TV series, but also propel the growth of the entertainment industry, pushing the boundaries of storytelling and creativity with each release. In Thailand, Arunosha Panupan, managing director of Broadcast Thai Television, is behind some of the most successful series in the country, including the Love Destiny franchise, which spans TV and film. In Taiwan, Jayde Lin, founder of DaMou Entertainment, promotes a gentle revolution through entertainment, offering acclaimed dramas such as the socio-political series The World Between Us. Meanwhile, Hollywood’s James Wan, the renowned director and CEO of Atomic Monster, extends his influence across the globe, building a universe of thrillers that includes The Conjuring, Saw and M3GAN. Together, these visionary entertainment leaders are redefining film and TV as dynamic platforms for entertainment, while also shaping the zeitgeist.
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James Wan, founder and CEO, Atomic Monster (Malaysia)
Above James Wan, founder and CEO, Atomic Monster
James Wan, founder and CEO, Atomic Monster
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James Wan was born in Sarawak, grew up in Australia and now conquers Hollywood with a list of blockbuster movies, two of which—Furious 7 and Aquaman—have earned over US$1 billion globally. After directing a string of horror hits, including Saw, Insidious and The Conjuring, the director established Atomic Monster, the production house that expands Wan’s successes with follow-ups to The Conjuring (Annabelle, The Nun), Saw (an 11th film is scheduled for 2025), as well as TV series for HBO Max, Amazon Prime and Netflix.
In 2024, Wan’s Atomic Monster merged with Blumhouse, another independent production house, which it had previously collaborated with on the AI doll thriller M3GAN. Up next for Wan’s horror machine: more thrills with a Creature from the Black Lagoon film and a Robocop series in development, as well as two more movies from the M3GAN universe, M3GAN 2.0 and the spin-off SOULM8TE.
Read James Wan’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential
Arunosha Panupan, managing director, Broadcast Thai Television (Thailand)
Above Arunosha Panupan, managing director, Broadcast Thai Television
Arunosha Panupan, managing director, Broadcast Thai Television
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Arunosha Panupan is instrumental in shaping Thailand’s entertainment industry as managing director of Broadcast Thai Television, one of the most prominent providers of entertainment and news programming in the country. The producer is behind many popular and critically acclaimed Thai series, including Love Destiny, the historical drama that became such a sensation it led to both a sequel and a feature film. Its spin-off, Love Destiny The Movie, enjoyed a huge opening weekend, earning US$4.9 million, when it premiered in 2022.
In addition to the Love Destiny franchise, Arunosha has also produced the anthology series The Cupids, the BL comedy I Will Knock You and the classic drama Madam Dun. Her work has not gone unnoticed, with Arunosha receiving honours from the Woman in Leadership Forum Asia and the ASEAN Women Entrepreneurs Network. Broadcast Thai Television has also expanded its content, creating a Japanese travel show to attract wider audiences and engaging in digital asset investment through the Destiny Token.
Read Arunosha Panupan’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential
Jayde Lin, CEO, DaMou Entertainment (Taiwan)
Above Jayde Lin, CEO, DaMou Entertainment (Photo: Fang Wei Kuo)
Jayde Lin, CEO, DaMou Entertainment (Photo: Fang Wei Kuo)
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With a keen understanding of market trends, Jayde Lin, the founder and CEO of DaMou Entertainment, has produced critically acclaimed Taiwanese dramas and films, including the hit political series The World Between Us and the award-winning film Wave Makers. The World Between Us, in particular, set a new standard for Taiwanese television, receiving 14 nominations and winning six awards at the Golden Bell Awards. Lin began her career as a talent manager and investor and later transitioned to production. Since then, her work has contributed to the international recognition of Taiwanese content, leading to collaborations with global entities.
In 2023, Damou Entertainment partnered with HBO Asia for Fired Up!, an iteration of the Korean webtoon Itaewon Class, and a follow-up to The World Between Us. Damou and HBO also collaborated on Workers, which won four major awards at the Golden Bell Awards, including Best Miniseries or Television Film. In addition to her successful projects, the CEO is dedicated to promoting cultural narratives through entertainment, aiming to inspire a gentle revolution in the industry.
Read Jayde Lin’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential
Tatler Asia’s Most Influential is the definitive list of people shaping our world today. Asia’s Most Influential brings together the region's most innovative changemakers, industry titans and thought leaders who are driving positive impact in Asia and beyond. View the full list here.
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Topics
Asia’s Most Influential Asia’s Most Influential 2023 James Wan Jayde Lin Arunosha Panupan