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| Ken Chu Sparks Debate After Saying Taiwan “Was Always a Province” |
The former F4 star opens up about his roots, unexpected political views, and hints at a potential reunion track.
It’s not every day an early-2000s heartthrob suddenly finds himself at the centre of a geopolitical storm — but that’s exactly what happened to Meteor Garden’s Ken Chu (aka Zhu Xiaotian) this week, after the Taiwanese actor candidly spoke about his long-standing wish to see Taiwan and China reunited.
During a recent livestream with fans, the 45-year-old actor didn’t shy away from touchy topics. Reflecting on his childhood growing up in Taiwan, Ken shared that he was raised with the understanding that Taiwan was simply “Taiwan Province” — a part of a single, unified nation. “That’s always how I saw it,” he said plainly.
Since moving to Beijing after marrying Chinese actress Han Wenwen in 2016, Ken admitted his views have shifted further. “Back then, everything we knew about mainland China came from schoolbooks or the news — and it wasn't always fair. But after I actually lived there, met people, ate amazing food, saw the culture… I started to question things. Did I grow up being misled?”
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He added, “A lot of what you fear turns out to be just noise. You have to experience it for yourself. Personally, I do hope for reunification — and soon.”
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The comment, of course, hit a nerve — particularly with netizens in Taiwan, where any statement that leans anti-independence tends to get called out. One user shot back, “You go call your house Taiwan Province if you like — but don’t speak for all of us.”
Others said his position is influenced by where he earns his income now. Still, there was support too, with some mainland fans praising him for being “brave” and “honest in a time when silence is easier.”
Interestingly, this isn’t the first time Ken’s made his position known. Back in 2021, he told reporters, “I don’t have a political stance — I go wherever the audience wants me.” Later on Weibo, he doubled down: “If I had to choose, I’d say I really do hope both sides reunite during my lifetime.” He even mentioned wanting to travel with his wife on the same ID document and joked about skipping the pet quarantine hassle between borders.
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That would’ve been enough drama for one week — but the former F4 member wasn’t done.
Fans were still recovering from seeing the legendary boyband (Ken Chu, Jerry Yan, Vanness Wu, and Vic Chou) briefly reunite at Mayday’s concert recently, when Ken casually dropped another bombshell in a livestream: “I’ve already tried recording two new songs for F4… but I can’t say much yet.” Cue instant chaos from viewers — and a quick interruption from someone offscreen: “Don’t leak spoilers again!”
Since F4 disbanded in 2009, Ken’s career path has been a bit of a rollercoaster. While the other members pursued steady acting or music gigs, Ken quietly pivoted to e-commerce, carving out a new niche on Xiaohongshu (China’s answer to Instagram-meets-Amazon) selling lifestyle products via livestream.
But it’s clear that despite the years, Ken still knows how to command attention — whether it’s by teasing a comeback track or airing out his take on one of Asia’s most sensitive topics.
Love him or hate him, Ken Chu’s voice isn’t going quiet anytime soon.
TL;DR:
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Ken Chu (Meteor Garden’s Xi Men) recently shared on livestream that he hopes for Taiwan and China to reunify soon.
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He says he grew up seeing Taiwan as a province and that his time living in mainland China changed his perspectives.
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Comments sparked backlash in Taiwan but found support in mainland China.
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He also hinted that F4 might be working on new music after reuniting at Mayday’s concert.
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Ken, now based in Beijing, has shifted from acting to livestream e-commerce in recent years.