TAIPEI - So are they now officially a couple?

Singapore businessman Elroy Cheo, 30, posted a photo of himself cuddling Taiwan singer Elva Hsiao, 35, on Instagram on Thursday in their first couple picture made public by them, Apple Daily Taiwan reported.

She is pictured in a short skirt, with her bare legs resting on his thighs, and he also tagged her in the post, which means she knew about the release.

The post made at 2am follows Mandopop singer Jay Chou's release on Nov 17 of his first photos with his bride-to-be Hannah Quinlivan on Weibo, a rare move by the singer who usually keeps his love life private.

Chou's post at 3am in the morning was followed by Mayday rocker Masa's post close to dawn a few days later on Facebook, which announced his marriage to designer Vicky Hsieh.

Apple said Hsiao and Cheo's picture was taken at a party celebrating the December birthdays of actress Cheryl Yang and her other friends.

Also present were Taiwan singer Van Ness Wu and his wife Arissa, who is Cheo's sister.

Hsiao had complained about tired legs, and decided to rest them on her boyfriend's lap, said Apple.

A friend then snapped the picture. As reported by Apple, Cheo and Hsiao then exchanged knowing glances that it was time to make things public. Cheo then uploaded the photo on his Instagram account.

So is marriage on the cards? Apple quoted Hsiao as saying the China-based Cheo has not proposed yet.

The couple have been linked since the middle of the year but have never openly confirmed that they are dating.