The hearts of legions of female fans across Asia shattered when news spread that Taiwanese actor Greg Hsu had enlisted in the military.
Netizens spotted the 33-year-old with a shaved head enlisting as a new recruit in Taichung on Wednesday (Aug 21) and his agency confirmed the news on social media.
According to reports, Greg will undergo basic training for 21 days and is required to complete one year of military service.
Recruits have been instructed not to ask the star for autographs or photos.
News of Greg’s enlistment sparked heated discussions among netizens, with many lamenting his hiatus.
Greg has emerged as one of Asia’s biggest rising stars thanks to hit Netflix film Marry My Dead Body and 2019 drama Someday Or One Day, so it’s understandable that fans are disappointed that their idol will be out of the limelight for a while.
There were also many who wondered why he enlisted so late at 33 years and how he managed to delay conscription for so long.
The conscription age in Taiwan is 18, but deferment is commonly granted for higher education. All males must serve in the military by the time they turn 36.
There were comments like “Better late than never”, “At least he’s serving; look at all those who evade service by opting for alternative duties” and “Many wait until the last minute”.
One Chinese netizen even asked if he’s “joining the army to fight [China].”