The legal battle between WeTV (Tencent Video) and Thai actor Smart Chisanupong Puangmanee has moved to the courtroom. Following months of public disputes, the Chinese streaming giant filed lawsuits in Beijing, Guangzhou, and international courts. This move marks a definitive end to mediation and a shift toward a high-stakes legal confrontation.
The Lawsuit: Allegations of Bad Faith and Unfair Competition
According to an official statement released on WeTV’s Weibo account and later amplified by Tailai Entertainment, the platform is seeking legal accountability for what it describes as a “unilateral termination” of a valid agreement.
The core of WeTV’s claim rests on its role as Smart Chisanupong’s primary developer. The company asserts that it:
- Invested heavily in Smart’s professional training from the earliest stages of his career.
- Promoted his growth by casting him in lead roles in high-priority television projects (notably the hit BL series Top Form).
- Maintains exclusive management and agency rights over the actor’s professional activities.
WeTV alleges that Smart breached this agreement by suddenly ending the relationship to pursue commercial activities with third parties without authorization. Furthermore, the lawsuit targets Grand Ivory Record Company Limited (GIR) and other entities, accusing them of “unfair competition” for collaborating with the actor despite having full knowledge of his existing exclusive contract with WeTV.
Comparison of Conflicting Claims
The following table breaks down the core disagreements between the two parties based on recent official statements:
| Issue | WeTV / Tailai Entertainment Position | Grand Ivory Records (GIR) Position |
| Primary Management | Claims exclusive 5-year management and agency rights. | Claims Smart was signed in 2020 and they remain his primary managers. |
| Contract Status | Alleges a unilateral and illegal breach of a valid contract. | Argues the WeTV agreement was a special deal only for Top Form. |
| SmartBoom Activities | Claims GIR/Smart blocked joint events like the June 1 livestream. | Denies blocking CP work; blames Headliner TH for mismanagement. |
| Career Development | Asserts they “built” Smart’s career through training and lead roles. | Claims Smart’s solo project was 70% done before Top Form began. |
A Recap of the “SmartBoom” Fallout
To understand this escalation, we must look at the timeline of the conflict:
- May 12, 2025: GIR suddenly declared exclusive management of Smart, cutting ties with WeTV’s agency, Headliner TH.
- June 2025: Reports emerged that Smart Chisanupong refused multiple joint activities with co-star Boom.
- The GIR Defense: GIR raised concerns regarding Smart’s privacy and fan harassment as reasons for his reduced schedule.
- Failed Mediation: After weeks of silence, WeTV suspended support for Smart’s solo career, shifting focus to other cast members.
The Global Legal Stage
The attachment of a “court acceptance notice” to WeTV’s statement confirms that this is no longer just a war of words. By filing in both Beijing and Guangzhou, as well as international courts, WeTV is signaling a zero-tolerance policy toward contract breaches.
This move targets the growing Thai-Chinese co-production market. WeTV reiterated its stance, stating that “respect for contracts is the foundation upon which the entire industry is built.” As of now, the courts have accepted the filings for review, but a final judgment has not yet been rendered.
Industry Impact and the Future of “Top Form”
The SmartBoom partnership remains the most significant casualty of this legal war. With the court now reviewing WeTV’s claims, the future of Top Form Season 2 is in serious jeopardy. The planned filming arc in Spain may face total cancellation or a complete recast of the character “Jin.”
If the court rules in favor of WeTV, Smart Chisanupong could face a professional “freeze.” This would prevent him from taking new roles or deals outside the platform. While the legal process unfolds, WeTV has already shifted its promotional focus toward other cast members like Boom, Peanut, and Euro.
