Entertainment

Everything to Know About How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies Star Putthipong “Billkin” Assaratanakul

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4m ago

Jun 28, 2024 / 4008 Views

Evan Walker

The lead star of How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies — one of the highest-grossing Thai films of the year is more than just an actor, as he recently also became a Gucci muse. Meet Putthipong “Billkin” Assaratanakul, the 24-year-old sensation who is taking Thailand by storm.

Putthipong Assaratanakul, better known to fans as “Billkin”, reigns supreme in 2024. He’s been appointed Gucci’s newest brand ambassador – the third Thai Celebrity following Kanawut ‘Gulf’ Traipipattanapong and Davika Hoorne – as well as having the lead role in this year’s highest-grossing Thai film, How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies. Since his debut in the Entertainment industry in 2016, the 24-year-old multi-talent shows no signs of slowing down, captivating audiences with an illustrious repertoire of projects.

Buckle up for a behind-the-scenes look at the man behind the music and movies. Follow Billkin’s remarkable journey and his meteoric rise to fame.

Everything You Need to Know about Putthipong “Billkin” Assaratanakul

Background

Born on October 8, 1999 in Bangkok, Billkin received a different nickname in his childhood. Inspired by Disney films, his father initially intended to name him “Eeyore”, following the theme used for his siblings “Mickey” and “Winnie”. However, this was changed to “Bill” before his brother began calling him “Billkin”, a nickname that ultimately became permanent.

In 2018, Billkin enrolled in ThaMMAsat University’s Faculty of Commerce and Accountancy, studying Business administration in the international programme and majoring in marketing. He graduated in November 2023, but prior to this he was already prominent in the Entertainment industry, from as early as 2016.

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A post shared by Putthipong Assaratanakul (@bbillkin)

Breakthrough Role in My Ambulance

Billkin started his prominent acting career under the now-defunct Nadao Bangkok media company, and had his first stint as one of the hosts in the online show Love Missions. He also did modeling work and had support acting roles in the series Please… Siang Riak Winyan (2017) and One Year (2019), as well as the film Brother of the Year (2019).

However, it was his role as Doctor Tao in the 2019 drama series My Ambulance that catapulted him into popularity. In the show, directed by Naruebet Kuno (who was a co-director and writer of the hit series Hormones), Billkin was paired with fellow actor and singer (and close friend) Krit “PP” Amnuaydechkorn, who played the role of Tewkao. Although they are just supporting characters in the show, they amassed a following, with fans “shipping” the two across social media with the hashtag #บิวกิ้นพีพี (#BillkinPP).

Lead Role in I Told Sunset About You / I Promised You the Moon

Following the end of the show plans to pair Billkin and his co-star Krit PP as lead actors in their series went into plan. The project, tentatively known as BKPP: The Series, was announced in February 2020 and was due to have its premiere later in July. Covid-19 delayed the series until October of that year, which then premiered as I Told Sunset About You.

Also directed by Naruebet Kuno, I Told Sunset About You is a coming-of-age drama starring Billkin and Krit PP as Teh and Oh-aew, respectively. The two are high school teenagers living in Phuket; childhood friends who have fallen out over the years, as they prepare for college admissions. Beginning as rivals, Teh begins tutoring Oh-aew for an upcoming exam, as they rekindle their relationship and explore sexual identity, teenage angst, and love.

The five-episode series was a smash hit, becoming the most-watched series on Line TV in November 2020, and gained critical acclaim in the LGBTQ+ cinema space for its cinematography, chemistry between the two leads, and exploration of sexuality. It was also a success in neighbouring countries including Indonesia, Malaysia, Myanmar, Japan, and Vietnam, catapulting Billkin and Krit PP to international stardom. The series was also incredibly popular in China, becoming one of the top-rated shows on review website Douban. The series was also screened in London at the Queer East Film Festival.

The series earned numerous awards in Thailand, China, and South Korea, including International Drama of the Year at the Seoul International Drama Awards 2021. Billkin won ‘Best Actor’ at the Komchadluek Awards, Nataraja Awards, 2020 Yniverse Awards, and shared the honour of being one half of the ‘Best Couple’ at the 2021 Line TV Awards.

Phuket also experienced a surge in tourism during the Covid-19 pandemic thanks to the popularity of the show and was acknowledged by the Tourism Authority of Thailand’s Phuket office.

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A post shared by Putthipong Assaratanakul (@bbillkin)

The series spawned a 14-minute short film, Last Twilight in Phuket, which premiered on May 20, 2021. It bridges the series and its second season, which is titled I Promised You the Moon.

I Promised You the Moon, directed by Tossaphon Rianthong, premiered on May 27, 2021, with five episodes that deal with Teh and Oh-aew navigating college life in Bangkok. The second season earned a spot in Teen Vogue’s Best BL (Boys’ Love) dramas of 2021 list.

In 2024, Billkin starred in the leading role in the drama film How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies in which he plays as M, a college dropout who has decided to take care of his ailing grandmother in the hopes that he can earn her inheritance.

As of publication date, the film has become the highest grossing Thai film of 2024, earning THB 169 million at the box office in Bangkok, and THB 320 million nationwide.

Music Career

Billkin has also had a distinguished musical career. He sang multiple songs for the soundtrack of My Ambulance, I Told Sunset About You, I Promised You the Moon, and How to Make Millions Before Grandma Dies, some of which have won awards. Songs include “You Are My Everything”, “Skyline”, “Can’t Translate”, as well as multiple singles with Krit PP such as “Safe Zone” and “Coming of Age”.

He’s also released a five-track EP titled Love’s Apprentice, and has collaborated with other artists such as Jaylerr (“Hug in Mind”), Zack Tabudlo (“Give Me Your Forever”), F.Hero, Tiger JK and Yoon Mi-rae (“Self Love”).

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A post shared by Putthipong Assaratanakul (@bbillkin)

Brand Associations

Most recently, Billkin was appointed brand ambassador for Italian fashion house Gucci, a dream come true for the star as he attended several events in Thailand including the Gucci Ancora screening for the Spring/Summer 2024 collection in Bangkok and the grand opening of the new Gucci store in Phuket.