“I wanted to find a way to use the things we love, like art and culture, to create dialogue on the environmental issues that we’re experiencing,” said Pranitan Phornprapha to Tatler about the beginnings of Wonderfruit. In 2014, the CEO co-founded the cultural celebration that has now become one of the most anticipated festivals in the world.

Its latest edition, held in December 2024, featured over 100 immersive experiences, including a contemplation ritual by the Five Buddha Families, a curated selection of artisan-made festival fashion from YoshiZen and a culinary journey with grilled Laotian delicacies by Sud Daeng. Its Molam World experience, in particular, celebrated Isaan culture through music, food, drinks, workshops and musical performances, including DJs spinning world beats.

Phornprapha also underscores his commitment to the environment, with Wonderfruit setting sustainability milestones for itself. The festival continues its Rewilding Project, planting over 30,000 saplings since 2022 and setting aside 1,000 additional trees for attendees to plant during the 2024 event. “[T]he thing that keeps us going, is that our intention has always been pure. And that intention has always been to do things for a greater purpose beyond ourselves…,” he added.

Read Pranitan Phornprapha’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

Bonnie Chan Woo is behind Complex China, the entertainment company at the forefront of youth culture, covering everything from pop culture and trends to music, style and sneakers. Beyond its editorial, audio and original video content, featuring high-profile names like Stephen Curry and Jackson Wang, Complex China is also the force behind ComplexCon, one of the region’s most electrifying celebrations of culture.  

This year, ComplexCon Hong Kong is set to reach new heights with K-pop girl group NJZ (formerly New Jeans) as its headliners. Their inclusion is a milestone for the festival, as Minji, Hanni, Danielle, Haerin and Hyein will take the stage for the first time under their new name, premiering brand-new music.

“From their early days, NJZ has captivated audiences with their distinct Y2K sound and nostalgic style that set them apart as trailblazers in the K-pop landscape. Their approach has redefined what it means to be an international girl group, bringing a fresh, unique energy to the scene. This stage marks a pivotal new chapter in their artistic evolution, and hosting their iconic debut as NJZ is a true honour for us,” said Chan Woo in a statement.

Adding to the star-studded lineup, the event—set to kick off in March at AsiaWorld-Expo—will showcase performances by Zico, Metro Boomin, Quavo and B.I., with renowned visual artist Daniel Arsham leading as its creative director.

Beyond Complex China, Chan Woo has left her mark on various creative industries. She co-founded Studio SV with Grammy-winning hip-hop artist Lupe Fiasco to produce original content across TV, digital and film, and leads Icicle Group, the Hong Kong-based firm specialising in cross-media branding and marketing.

Read Bonnie Chan Woo’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

Indonesia’s nightlife pioneer Christian Rijanto is behind We The Fest, Jakarta’s annual summer festival that celebrates music, art, fashion and food. The festival, which is part of the serial entrepreneur’s company, Ismaya Group, has attracted the world’s biggest acts such as Dua Lipa, Lorde, SZA, The Strokes and A$AP Ferg.

In 2024, We The Fest celebrated its 10th anniversary at Jakarta’s Gelora Bung Karno Sports Complex. The milestone event featured an eclectic lineup of artists, headlined by J Balvin, Joji and DJ Peggy Gou, as well as showcased emerging and local talents like Guu, Jo Soegono, Jordan Susanto and Rrag.

Outside of events, the founder is responsible for some of the coolest restaurants, bars and lifestyle concepts in Indonesia, Southeast Asia and beyond. His brands span Japanese (Sushigroove), Italian (Gia in Dubai), destination eating (Manarai Beach House in Bali) and of course a nightclub (Dragonfly).

Read Christian Rijanto’s full profile on Asia’s Most Influential

Tim Yap has long been the mastermind behind some of the Philippines’ most exclusive and unforgettable events. From a lavish 16-hands degustation dinner for 100 guests to the New Year’s Eve festivities of ultra-exclusive resort Amanpulo, the Pink Ball for Estée Lauder Philippines and his highly anticipated annual Halloween Ball, Yap has defined the country’s party scene—earning him the moniker “eventologist”.

In an interview with Tatler, Yap explained what it takes to be an eventologist, sharing, “It’s somebody who is in charge of making things happen. It’s making events a science, an execution, and everything about bringing people together.”

Indeed, Yap is a master of celebrations, extending his influence beyond event production as host for after-parties of celebrities like Katy Perry, Adam Levine and Mariah Carey, as well as founder of iconic clubs such as Republic, Opus and The Palace Manila.

On the evolution of the events industry, Yap emphasised the need for constant reinvention: “The challenge is to make sure we do not become repetitive. The industry needs to focus on creativity and take things to the next level… We need to have more fun and not be stuck in old ways of thinking.”

Read Tim Yap’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.

NOW READ

Asia’s big tech giants spearheading the next digital wave

Meet the innovative chocolatiers behind Asia’s finest chocolate creations

Asian changemakers improving access to quality learning opportunities