Taiwan boy band Energy suspend activities after allegations of military service evasion

Taiwanese boy band Energy will be suspending their group activities for about eight months after members Shuwei and Kunda were suspected of evading military service.

The band, formed in 2002, also comprise Milk, Edy and Toro. They made their comeback in 2024 after going on hiatus in 2009.

Their agency, B’in Music, shared a statement on Energy’s suspension on Oct 23. The statement was shared on Facebook and Energy’s other social media accounts.

“Regarding the recent incident involving Kunda and Shuwei, both members have admitted to making the wrong choices about 15 years ago and expressed deep regret,” said the statement. “They are currently cooperating fully with the authorities and the company will take appropriate actions based on the progress and results of the investigation.”

B’in Music said it was aware of the impact and disappointment this incident has caused to the public and fans.

“We hereby announce that Energy will suspend all public performances from now until June 30, 2026,” it said. “During this period, the group will continue fulfilling previously committed public service and charity engagements. The January (10 and 11) 2026 concerts at the Taipei Arena will proceed as scheduled to honour our commitment to fans.”

According to Taiwanese media, the following are unlikely to take place: Energy as guest performers for Japanese dance group Avantgardey’s show in Taipei on Oct 31; the group playing on the first day of the Nine One One Lanpaliroad music festival in Taichung on Nov 15; and their concerts in Shenzhen on Nov 28 and Chengdu on Nov 30.

The band were in the news this week after Shuwei, 44, and Kunda, 43, were detained by the Taiwanese police on Oct 21 and 22 respectively for allegedly using forged medical reports to dodge the draft.

Other celebrities who were detained in the round-up on Oct 21 were actors Hsiu Chieh-kai and Chen Bo-lin, as well as singer Liao Yun-chieh of boy band Lollipop.