He was once a Y2K-era superstar who exploded in popularity, with about 20 presenter jobs per year. "Film Rattapoom Tokongsap" But his fame was short-lived, lasting only five years before ending due to scandal. Recently, Film opened up on the "Kon Lom Look" show, hosted by Aun Phuwanat Khunpolin, revisiting the major storm that transformed him from a singer with over 20 endorsements into a social pariah overnight, along with the phrase "DNA is on the face."
Aun: "At that time, you were a hugely famous superstar. How many jobs and presenter deals did you have in a day?"
Film: "Wow, in a year, no less than 20 presenter deals, from head to toe—shampoo, facial foam, toothpaste, everything I could use. I shot all alone, everything possible. It was an era when only one person came at a time. It was so much fun that sometimes I was confused waking up to find people already waiting outside my house."
Aun: "That peak period, was it long or short? Did you feel it was short?"
Film: "I felt it was short, about five years. Then the storm hit."
Aun: "One day you woke up to shocking news like a thunderbolt. Did you know beforehand that this news was coming?"
Film: "I really knew. To explain, if I was going to be a father, I was very happy. I didn’t feel anything bad. I felt shocked, surprised, but also strangely happy. I had to tell my mother first because she is my heart. She was a bit shocked but happy since she wanted grandchildren. So I was okay, mom was okay, and we talked normally. Time passed, I took care of everything with my mom, dad, my team, and staff who supported me. But it got intense when the news broke. At the time I knew, the news hadn't come out yet."
Aun: "How long was it from when you knew something was happening until the news was released?"
Film: "About nine months until the baby was born. As soon as the baby was born, the news came out."
Aun: "As a superstar back then, preparing to announce something so sensitive, how did you feel?"
Film: "As I said, I accepted it. Those I owe and love most—my parents, my manager and his wife, and P’Poj—I told them everything about how I was. Everyone was okay and happy, no problems."
Everyone aware was happy, but the problem was that the news story was different from what we knew. Many others suffered like me, so it was confusing. I talked to my mom about why it was like this. My parents were upset. We love the child."
Aun: "To summarize for peace of mind, how did this end?"
Film: "I won, and it turned out the child wasn’t mine. They removed my name as the father, but still refused a DNA test. I even asked in court to test, but they wouldn’t. Everyone said it was okay since the truth was clear. But I was taught by my elders not to speak ill of anyone."
Aun: "That day there was a phrase that became iconic for the decade: 'DNA is on the face.' Without blaming anyone, it highlighted the key point in Film’s life. What impact did it have?"
Film: "That phrase upset me because I can guarantee my parents raised me well. I never wanted to hurt or slander anyone. My manager taught me well when I was about 22-23: to say only one thing that wouldn’t hurt anyone—that I wanted a test."
I knew the whole story but couldn’t talk about it. I only said I wanted a DNA test to let society know. But instead, I was criticized harshly for speaking up, even though nowadays people are open about requesting tests. I wonder why back then I was torn apart."
Aun: "At that time, although you were in the industry, you also felt like an ordinary viewer or citizen. The truth didn’t even matter yet. Film Rattapoom was like being executed by the media. This superstar was subjected to rumors and gossip."
Film: "Yes, even though I never talked about anyone else. From age 18 to now, 41, I have never spoken ill of anyone."
Aun: "Why didn’t you speak in more detail back then?"
Film: "It’s just my personality, my parents’ and my manager’s as well. We never talk badly about others. My manager told me: if you’re wrong, accept it as a man. Don’t try to justify yourself. I accepted my fault."
He said I should do what’s right for my parents, who were there, and speak respectfully about the woman and society. I just said I wanted the test. At that time, only RS-affiliated media were kind, but others tore me apart."
Aun: "Everything seemed to fall apart in an instant."
Film: "Yes, it collapsed."
Aun: "How did you handle or feel about this at the time?"
Film: "I was shocked why the backlash was so strong and why no one listened. I felt like I was dead while still alive. I tried my best but was just a normal person. A mistake happened, but why like this? I lost all endorsements, everything. As things worsened, my company had to respond by suspending me."
I was hit again. Korea invited me to release an album and build a reputation for Thailand. I was invited to perform in Korea, preparing a big project to be the first Thai singer with a major Korean label, but I was suspended."
Aun: "How badly did you feel broken that day? Did you cry?"
Film: "Yes, I cried. The worst was people insulting my parents, how they raised me well, yet it was my mistake. I’m sensitive about my parents and never wanted to disappoint anyone. Throughout my career, I tried to give back to society to show gratitude for being Film Rattapoom, from a poor kid given many chances. I helped society whenever I could. But now, it’s all gone, completely destroyed."
Aun: "How did you cope after that?"
Film: "I returned to myself, talked with family and parents, stayed mindful. After the worst passed, I focused on myself, regrouped, ordained as a monk, and studied languages to improve myself. I talked with my manager about ordaining and studying abroad."
Aun: "Watch the full clip."
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