Taiwanese Star Chris Wang Apologizes Amidst Sweeping Sexual Harassment Allegations
Another Sexual Harassment allegation arises from the Taiwanese Entertainment Industry
20 June 2023
In a developing story that has ignited public conversation on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, prominent Taiwanese actor, Chris Wang, has been embroiled in a scandal involving multiple allegations of sexual harassment.
Two posts went viral on Facebook accusing a male celebrity, later identified as Chris Wang, of sexual harassment. The posts did not initially name him directly, but the details provided led netizens to identify him as the alleged perpetrator. Chris Wang has since publicly apologized on his Facebook page for the hurt and trauma his past actions have caused.
One woman shared her experience of working with Chris Wang during her early career at a talent agency. She reported that after a meal together, she was driving everyone home, and when she was left alone with Chris Wang in the car, he allegedly made advances on her, groping her chest. Despite her initial rejection, Chris Wang reportedly made a second attempt until she yelled at him to stop. The following day, he sent her a message apologizing for his inappropriate behavior, attributing it to being drunk.
A second woman, referring to Chris Wang as "W", accused him of entering her home under the pretext of using the bathroom, making unwanted sexual advances, attempting to kiss her, licking her ear, and attempting to remove her bra. She managed to dissuade him, and the incident did not progress further. Despite this, she was warned by others to be careful around "W". The woman admitted to initially disregarding these warnings, a decision she later regretted.
An array of Weibo users have commented on the recent revelations, expressing both disbelief and indignation. "It's too chaotic, too chaotic, is there any normal person left in the Taiwanese entertainment industry?" posted @君若潇, reflecting the feelings of shock prevalent among many netizens.
Several users, such as @夏日海湾, @文娱探长, and @上帝之鹰_5zn, drew attention to the complexity of the scandal. They specifically pointed to additional allegations surfacing around another Taiwanese entertainer, Huang Zi Jiao, accused of sexually harassing underage girls and Chris Wang's alleged harassment of Huang Zi Jiao's wife.
"Chris Wang issued an apology, stating he would not evade. He was accused by multiple former colleagues of sexual harassment, from grabbing chests in the car and blowing air at female colleagues in the office to attempted sexual assault at a female colleague's house. The insinuations are very clear," said @賣勾靠杯.
On the other hand, @笑點低的魚哈哈哈哈 questioned if an apology would be enough, implying a need for legal action: "Is an apology good enough? Shouldn't he be taken into custody?"
Although most of the public's attention is currently focused on the allegations against Chris Wang and Huang Zi Jiao, the wider context suggests a broader problem. "@霹雳时光机: Taiwan's entertainment circle is experiencing a major earthquake! Recently, a #MeToo storm has swept the Taiwan entertainment industry, with many artists being exposed for sexual harassment,"
This scandal has also opened up discussions on regional discrimination, with several posts hinting at dismissive attitudes towards the Taiwanese entertainment industry. User @紅綾貓 asked, "Who is Chris Wang? Can we expose the mainland entertainment industry after the Taiwanese one is finished?", suggesting a perceived inferiority or chaotic nature of the Taiwanese industry compared to its mainland counterpart.
Furthermore, @爱说啥说啥pp suggested, "Sina should create a separate section for Taiwanese artists, as it seems the Taiwanese entertainment industry will not be peaceful for a while." This comment might be seen as another reflection of the sentiment that the Taiwanese industry is uniquely troubled.
As this situation unfolds, the Taiwanese entertainment industry is under the spotlight, with netizens scrutinizing the industry's response to the allegations and debating the appropriate consequences for those involved. The stories of the alleged victims, as well as the reactions of the celebrities and the public, promise to shape a significant chapter in the history of the industry.