SHANGHAI — A highly anticipated collaborative concert featuring Mayday frontman Ashin and three members of the iconic Taiwanese boyband F4 took an unexpected turn Thursday evening in Shanghai when Ashin momentarily fell from the stage. The incident occurred during the final performance of the “F✦FOREVER Star City” concert series, co-headlined by Ashin and F4 members Jerry Yan, Vanness Wu, and Vic Chou, much to the delight of fans of the hit drama Meteor Garden.
The unsettling moment gripped the audience at the finale. While performing Mayday’s high-energy track “Party Animal,” the 48-year-old singer inadvertently stepped over the edge of the proscenium. Sources indicate Ashin fell approximately two meters to the ground below. The performance immediately halted as the venue erupted in gasps, and the three former F4 members—often dubbed F3—rushed to check on their collaborator.
Following a brief but tense intermission, Ashin quickly returned to the stage, easing the palpable worry among concertgoers. He rejoined Yan, Wu, and Chou to perform another Mayday hit, “Leaving the Surface of the Earth.” After the song, Ashin addressed the crowd to assure them of his well-being. Despite his reassuring words, fans noted visible abrasions on his hands, which were bleeding, sparking further concern about potential injuries.
In an immediate statement issued by the management firm B’in Music, which represents Mayday, the group confirmed the singer’s status. “Mayday’s Ashin is currently in good condition,” the statement read. “A detailed medical examination by professional healthcare personnel will be conducted after the performance concludes. We thank everyone for their concern.”
Demonstrating characteristic resilience and humor, Ashin later made light of the situation, embracing the unique circumstances of the joint performance. He cheekily claimed to be “the first man in history to collect kisses from all the F3 members” after successfully soliciting a celebratory peck from each of the former F4 members backstage. He further guaranteed the audience that despite the fall, his “mind was not broken, and [the audience’s] era remains intact,” referencing the enduring legacy of both Mayday and F4.
The “F✦FOREVER Star City” series proved to be a major cultural event, fusing the enduring popularity of F4, stemming from the early 2000s drama Meteor Garden, with the massive appeal of Mayday, one of Asia’s most influential rock bands. The concert series succeeded in bringing together a cross-generational audience celebrating two monumental forces in regional Mandopop music.
The incident serves as a stark reminder of the inherent risks associated with high-production live concerts, where stage design, lighting, and passionate performance combine. While Ashin’s rapid return to the stage underscored his professionalism, artists and production teams consistently review safety protocols to mitigate such hazards, especially concerning elevated platforms and performance dynamics. Post-event medical reviews are standard procedure to ensure no underlying injuries were sustained. Fans await further updates on Ashin’s recovery following the post-show examination.
