TAIPEI, Oct 22 — Four well-known Taiwanese actors and singers, including Chen Bolin and Hsiu Jie-kai, have been released on bail after admitting to paying for fake medical documents to avoid compulsory military service, Focus Taiwan reported.
According to the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office, the case is part of a wider investigation that previously saw actor Darren Wang indicted alongside 27 others for similar offences.
Chen Bolin, 42, who rose to fame through popular dramas like In Time with You and won the Golden Bell Award for Best Actor in 2012, admitted to paying NT$100,000 (RM14,000) for falsified records.
He was released on NT$500,000 bail and later expressed remorse, calling it an “absurd choice” he made in his youth.
Actor Hsiu Jie-kai, also 42, paid NT$150,000 for forged documents and was released on NT$500,000 bail.
Two other entertainers — Chang Shu-wei, 44, of boyband Energy, and Liao Yun-chieh, 39, known as Liljay from Lollipop — were also released on bail after admitting to paying between NT$150,000 and NT$300,000.
Authorities said the group had paid a middleman to obtain fake high blood pressure reports used to claim military exemptions.
Police also revealed that Hsieh Kunda, another Energy member, did not appear for questioning as he is currently working in Canada.
Through his management agency, Hsieh apologised to fans, admitting he had “mistakenly” applied for a military exemption 15 years ago.
He has since cancelled his overseas work and plans to return to Taiwan to cooperate with the investigation.
Under Taiwanese law, all eligible men must complete mandatory military service, typically around the age of 18.
