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| Ken Chu Declares Chinese Identity, Faces Backlash from Taiwanese Netizens |
Just days after that much-talked-about F4 reunion, Taiwanese actor and singer Ken Chu a.k.a Zhu Xiaotian is back in the headlines—but this time, not for nostalgia or music. On 16 July, he jumped on a livestream to clear the air after netizens questioned his national identity, and his straight-up answer has sparked a whole storm online.
“I didn’t grow up in Mainland China, but I am Chinese,” said Ken, cool and direct during the broadcast. He then shared a bit about his roots: his grandparents on his dad’s side were from Nanjing, while his maternal grandfather hailed from Kaifeng, Henan, and his maternal grandmother was from Hubei.
“Since I was little, both my parents made sure I understood—I’m Chinese,” he added, firmly.
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But while some fans applauded his honesty, not everyone was impressed. The statement immediately ignited heated debate across social media, especially among netizens in Taiwan, where identity is a deeply sensitive topic.
Some critics didn’t hold back, leaving scathing comments like:
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“If you think you’re Chinese, go live in China and give up your Taiwanese citizenship,”
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“Hope he becomes an actual Chinese citizen soon,”
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“All this just for the money and Mainland market,”
Meanwhile, over on Chinese platforms, reactions were equally complicated. While some appreciated his stance, others were sceptical of the timing.
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“When he needs cash, he’s Chinese. When he doesn’t, he’s Taiwanese.”
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“Ever since he married a woman from the Mainland, his tune changed. Fair enough if it’s for work—but his motives are obvious.”
So far, Ken Chu hasn’t responded to the backlash, but his comments have definitely thrown him into the middle of the always-sensitive Taiwan–China identity discussion.
Some fans are even interpreting his words as a quiet stand against the Taiwan independence movement, though Ken himself didn’t touch on that topic directly.
Regardless of where one stands politically, the situation’s got everyone talking—from F4 die-hards to political commentators. For now, Ken Chu’s declaration has reignited an age-old debate that continues to divide opinion on both sides of the strait.