TAIPEI • Taiwanes Singer Elva Hsiao is focused on work now that her romance with Singapore businessman Elroy Cheo has fizzled out, it was reported.

Apple Daily cited an unnamed buddy of Hsiao's as saying the two ended their year-long romance around last July.

Their relationship had been in question after Cheo reportedly unfollowed her on Instagram in July following a spat, but they patched up shortly, said the friend.

However, character differences finally ended things between them, said the pal, according to Apple.

Hsiao was first romantically linked with Cheo in July 2014, following her split from actor Kai Ko.

In December that year, Cheo - whose sister, Arissa, is the wife of United States-born Taiwanese singer Van Ness Wu - made public a photo of himself cuddling Hsiao.

Hsiao, 36, has now turned to projects that had been on the backburner over the past year, Apple said.

These include setting up her entertainment company, which is due to produce films this year, and expanding her fashion brand, Carry Me, into China.

She performed at a fashion event last Friday and was at her company's year-end party the day after.

Asked why Cheo was not by her side, she replied: "Yes, right." She would not say if they had split up.