TAIPEI/SHANGHAI—Singer and actor Ken Chu of the iconic Taiwanese boyband F4 issued a public apology late Tuesday, retracting incendiary claims against former bandmates and promoters after weeks of controversy surrounding the group’s partial reunion concerts. Chu, who did not participate in the recent shows, cited emotional distress and ongoing cyberbullying as catalysts for what he termed “inappropriate remarks” made across social media and private messages. The apology seeks to de-escalate a public feud that focused on the nature of the concerts, allegations of ticket scalping, and claims of pre-recorded vocals.
Missing Member’s Claims Spark Controversy
The dispute began when surviving members Jerry Yan, Vanness Wu, and Vic Chou collaborated with Mayday frontman Ashin to perform four sold-out concerts in Shanghai, with plans for additional dates in Chengdu in January. The absence of Chu, a founding member, was immediately noted.
Chu began airing grievances publicly, stating his primary reason for not performing was a sustained noise-induced ear injury causing persistent tinnitus, which he said affected his vocal pitch. He also ignited significant debate by describing his experience with pre-recorded vocals, or “lip-syncing,” during past major concerts such as those held at Taipei’s Dome and Beijing’s Bird’s Nest. He claimed organizers required him to record vocals beforehand for playback during the live show.
Further intensifying the conflict, Chu reportedly accused his former bandmates in private fan groups of “making a fortune in silence” while he faced online vitriol. He also publicly targeted record companies and Chinese ticketing agencies, alleging collusion with ticket scalpers, popularly known as huangniu. These accusations prompted a swift denial from a major ticketing platform, which stressed a “zero tolerance” policy for scalping and stated ticket prices were set by the organizer, not the vendor. The platform also announced intentions to pursue legal action against purveyors of false claims.
Rationale for the Public Retraction
The widespread public criticism and personal attack attempts led Chu to reverse course. In the detailed statement, the celebrity explained the intense cyberbullying since September had severely impacted his work and family life.
“Following sustained malicious private messages, I lost emotional control and made inappropriate remarks during private communication with others,” Chu admitted. He acknowledged that those statements fueled unnecessary speculation and consumed public resources, for which he offered a sincere apology.
Addressing the core of the retraction, Chu stated he “profoundly reflected” on his actions and regretted his failure to respond to difficulties with a rational mindset, setting a “poor example.” Critically, he clarified that previous references made to the Taiwan Affairs Office (Kuomintang Affairs Office) were factually incorrect and apologized for the fabrication.
Path Forward for Public Figures
The incident underscores the intense pressure and scrutiny faced by high-profile public figures, particularly when navigating complicated professional reunions and rapidly shifting fan expectations. Chu concluded his statement by appealing for privacy for both himself and his family, urging the public to maintain a “clear and bright online environment.”
While the reunion concerts proceed, with the new quartet planning their Chengdu dates, the controversy serves as a stark reminder of the volatile nature of celebrity disputes that unfold rapidly across social media platforms, often requiring extensive public damage control to mitigate professional repercussions.
