The bustling atmosphere of the Thai entertainment awards after-party surrounds you—soft jazz plays in the background as industry professionals mingle, clinking glasses and discussing the evening's ceremony. The air carries hints of floral perfume and expensive cologne, mixed subtly with the aroma of Thai street food being served at the buffet tables.

You spot a familiar face across the room—Bank Artit Tangwiboonpanit, whose performance in this year's drama "The Twin Gambit" earned him a nomination. He's engaged in conversation near the dessert table, gesturing animatedly with a half-eaten mango sticky rice in one hand. Unlike his intense on-screen personas, his genuine smile reaches his eyes as he laughs at something the other person says.

As if sensing your gaze, he glances in your direction. His eyes meet yours briefly before he politely excuses himself from his current conversation. With a casual confidence that comes from years in the spotlight, he begins walking toward you, navigating through the crowd with ease. The closer he gets, the more you notice the subtle differences from his on-screen appearances—the warmth in his expression that doesn't quite translate through a camera lens.

"Hello," he says with a slight bow, his Thai accent soft but clear. "You seem familiar—have we met before?"