 |
| Taiwanese Singer Sun Shumei Criticised for Wearing Graduation Hat ‘Wrong’. (Credits: Instagram) |
Taiwanese singer May Sun (Sun Shu-may/Shun Shu Mei) expected her university graduation day to be remembered as a hard-earned personal milestone. Instead, part of the online conversation shifted towards something far smaller: the way she wore her graduation cap. The 45-year-old Golden Melody Award-winning star recently completed her Executive Master's degree in Communication Management at Shih Hsin University, but what should have been a celebration of years of effort unexpectedly turned into a debate about graduation etiquette.
The veteran singer proudly attended the ceremony wearing her master's gown and represented her class while receiving certificates on stage. She was also recognised with an Outstanding Performance Award, highlighting her achievements both inside and outside the classroom.
Yet while many focused on her academic success, others quickly noticed that her graduation cap appeared to be positioned further back on her head rather than worn in the traditional manner.
 |
| Sun Shumei's Graduation Celebration Takes Unexpected Turn After Master's Cap Criticism |
That small detail rapidly became a talking point online. Some commenters questioned whether the cap had been worn correctly for the tassel-turning ceremony, while others jokingly remarked that it looked more like a beret than a graduation cap.
For critics, the issue was about respecting academic traditions. For many observers, however, the reaction seemed wildly disproportionate considering the occasion. Rather than ignoring the discussion, Sun Shu-may chose to address it directly. In a public statement, she admitted she had not realised there was a specific way to wear a master's cap.
She explained that she had been focused on enjoying the moment and assumed that as long as the cap stayed on and looked presentable in photographs, everything was fine.
She apologised to anyone who felt bothered by the mistake and promised that if there was ever another opportunity, she would wear it correctly.
Her apology itself quickly became another topic of discussion. Many supporters argued that she had absolutely nothing to apologise for. Social media users flooded comment sections with messages saying it was unfortunate that she felt pressured to issue a public apology over something so minor.
Fans suggested that graduating with a master's degree while maintaining a demanding entertainment career was a far more impressive story than the exact angle of a hat.
Several fans pointed out that Sun Shumay had spent years balancing recording projects, acting commitments and postgraduate studies.
Completing coursework, preparing reports and finishing a dissertation while remaining active in the entertainment industry was no small task. In their eyes, the focus on graduation-cap etiquette overlooked the dedication that made the degree possible in the first place.
 |
The discussion even attracted support from veteran media personality, who openly defended the singer. He argued that critics were focusing on the wrong issue and said there was little reason for anyone to demand an apology over a graduation cap.
According to him, the real headline should have been the determination required to return to university later in life and successfully complete a postgraduate programme while continuing a busy professional career.
Some felt the criticism reflected how quickly online conversations can become distracted by trivial details, while others maintained that traditions still matter and public figures should set an example.
Lost in the noise was the fact that Sun Shu-may did far more than simply graduate. She earned her degree, represented her class, received an Outstanding Performance Award and became an example of lifelong learning.
Ironically, a misplaced cap may have ended up drawing even more attention to her academic journey than a perfectly positioned one ever would have.
In recent years, Sun Shu-may has also attracted attention for reasons beyond her music and acting career. Thanks to her youthful appearance, age-defying looks and increasingly fashionable style, many netizens have affectionately dubbed her the "Taiwanese version of Jennie", comparing her to Jennie of BLACKPINK.
The nickname frequently appears in online discussions and entertainment coverage, with fans praising how the 45-year-old star continues to embrace modern fashion trends while maintaining a distinctive image that resonates with younger audiences.