Actors Chen Bo-lin, Hsiu Chieh-kai facing over 2 years in jail for conscription evasion

TAIPEI – Taiwanese actors Chen Bo-lin and Hsiu Chieh-kai were among 12 people who were charged on Nov 14 as part of an investigation into military draft dodgers.

Two of the defendants – suspected ringleader Chen Chih-ming and an accomplice with the surname Lee – allegedly helped the others fake their blood pressure results by holding their breath or arranging for others to take the test for them, the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office said in a statement.

Chen Bo-lin and Hsiu, both 42, and three other celebrities could spend up to two years and eight months in jail for evading military service, the prosecutors said.

The other three celebrities are Hsieh Kun-da, 43, and Chang Shu-wei, 45,

from Taiwanese boy band Energy;

as well as Liao Yun-chieh, 39, of boy band Lollipop.

Five other people face jail terms of up to two years and two months.

The celebrity defendants “enjoy the social benefits of high media attention and fame, and wield considerable influence and exemplary influence over the younger generation”, the prosecutors said.

“Yet, they deliberately evaded military service, severely deviating from societal expectations of public figures and their civic responsibilities.”

Chen gained regional fame after he starred in the hit Taiwanese idol drama In Time With You (2011) that was popular in China, Japan, South Korea and Thailand.

Hsiu is famous for starring in Taiwanese TV series such as Friends (2003), Black & White (2009) and Amour Et Patisserie (2013). He recently acted in Mediacorp’s blockbuster series Emerald Hill – The Little Nyonya Story (2025).

Taiwan faces the threat of invasion by China, which claims the island is part of its territory, and Taipei has struggled to recruit and retain troops.

Military service has been mandatory for men aged 18 and over for decades, but the obligatory period has changed under different governments. It is currently one year.

Deferment can be granted for higher education, although all men are required to serve by the time they turn 36.

This is the second wave of indictment of celebrities in a widening conscription evasion probe in Taiwan, after 28 people were charged in June,

including actor Wang Ta-lu

. The 34-year-old has been doing his alternative military service since March after he was arrested in February. AFP