Prominent TV Host Huang Zi Jiao Admits to Sexual Harassment Amidst Scandal, Subsequent Self-Harm Attempt Raises Concerns
Prominent TV host, Mickey Huang, has publicly admitted to sexual harassment charges following allegations made against him. Huang was accused of forcibly kissing a girl when she was 19 and taking explicit photos of her (@新浪娱乐). In a live stream, he accepted the accusations and apologized, stating, "First, I must of course apologize, I am sorry to have let down so many people's trust and expectations" (@新浪娱乐).
18 June 2023
Some netizens voiced their disbelief and dissatisfaction with Huang's responses (@中影小水, @呆若木一). One Weibo user summarized Huang's logic as, "I am rotten, but it's all the women around me who are to blame; I'm just a baby with no subjective initiative or rationality" (@呆若木一).
There were revelations during Huang's confession that sparked further controversies and discussions. He reportedly hinted at other celebrities' involvement in similar activities, sparking speculations and rumors (@扒圈小记). He referenced certain parties, large electricity bills at Wang Xiaofei's home, Da S being carried to the restroom, epilepsy, poor health, reluctance to come to Beijing, as well as everyone's guesses about Da S's tattoo (@扒圈小记).
Taiwanese media reported that following his admission and apology, Huang was taken to the hospital by his wife, Mermaid Cheng (@康熙万事屋). He appeared despondent and there were concerns about his wellbeing, as he suggested his child will forget such a father existed, pleaded for the care of his wife, and appeared weary with dark circles under his eyes (@康熙万事屋).
Weibo users continued to discuss and dissect his confession. Some criticized him for blaming his mother and friends for his actions (@补课老师今正疯, @李铃铛哒, @林黛玉智取威虎山). Others accused Huang of using shocking revelations about other celebrities to deflect attention from his own actions (@好飒的小姐姐, @李铃铛哒).
As the scandal unfolded, some users were fascinated by the dramatic revelations, while others expressed disappointment with the entertainment industry and its values (@做个美梦噻, @听一耳朵, @皇嘉主意的甜香菇, @沁毅-cy). Some even speculated that the sudden surfacing of this old incident was an attempt to cover up even more sensational news (@从今往后发点有意义的东西).
The incident has undeniably left a significant impact on the Taiwanese entertainment industry, with netizens calling for more revelations (@二案邵翔, @Oh_y2ah, @壹本映社老彪). Amidst all the controversy, however, a few users opted to remain neutral or even humorous (@毛小喵猫猫健康).
The incident, the reactions, and Huang's subsequent hospitalization underline the profound and complex impact of #MeToo allegations on individuals and the society. In the wake of the recent #MeToo wave in Taiwan, catalyzed by the Netflix series "Wave Makers", the issue of sexual harassment has been firmly placed in the public eye.
Note: The allegations and public response to this case highlight the growing conversation about sexual harassment in Taiwan, a topic that has recently been in the spotlight.
Since late May, over a dozen real-life #MeToo accusations involving political figures in Taiwan have surfaced, coinciding with the island's own upcoming presidential election in January1. The allegations have significantly affected both the ruling Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) and the opposition Kuomintang (KMT) party, leading to resignations and public apologies from major figures, including President Tsai Ing-wen of the DPP.
The impact of the series and the subsequent #MeToo wave have extended beyond politics, with allegations surfacing in academia, sports, cultural circles, and the exiled mainland Chinese dissident community.
The show's creators expressed surprise at the real-life impact, noting that many incidents like these had previously been unable to be discussed or told.
"Wave Makers" has provided a common language for discussions about sexual harassment and a rallying point for victims who have come forward, allowing them to gain support and strengthen solidarity. A central rallying point for Taiwan's #MeToo reckoning is a powerful line from a scene in the show where a senior party member promises to seek redress for a junior staffer who had been groped by a colleague, despite pressure from higher up to hush up.
A Facebook post that referenced this line kick-started the whole #MeToo storm in Taiwan, with a former DPP staffer claiming that her workplace sexual harassment complaints were dismissed and she was discouraged from reporting the incident formally. This post drew a significant amount of online support, leading to further resignations within the DPP, and inspired dozens of others to come forward with their own stories, including allegations against high-profile figures like Wang Dan, an exiled leader of the 1989 Tiananmen protests.
The show seems to have inspired many victims of sexual harassment to not "just let it go," leading to a wave of social media posts and official sexual harassment complaints.
