Former Democratic Progressive Party (DPP) legislator Yu Tian (余天), a singer-turned--politician, on Tuesday announced his return to show business after his failed bid to secure a legislator-at-large seat in the Jan. 14 elections.
In the legislative election, the DPP garnered 13 legislator-at-large seats in the Legislative Yuan, which meant Yu was left out, as he only ranked 14th on the party’s nomination list.
Months after his unexpected loss in the election, the 65-year-old Yu, who said he had piled up a NT$20 million (US$677,000) debt over the past four years as a lawmaker, had decided to leave the political arena to relaunch his singing career.
Photo: Sung Chih-hsiung, Taipei Times
To celebrate the 48 years since he launched his music career, Yu plans to stage a live concert at Greater Kaohsiung’s K-Arena on June 30.
Yu’s return to the entertainment industry drew mixed responses.
Senior TV host He Yi-hang (賀一航) ridiculed Yu for having gone into politics in the first place, saying he was like an “old rabbit mistakenly barging into the political jungle.”
However, another popular stand-up comedian and TV host, Chu Ke Liang (豬哥亮), who has also been weighed down by massive debt, voiced support for Yu’s comeback.
“Do you know how ecstatic I was to see you lose the election?” Chu asked Yu, adding that he would make an appearance at Yu’s concert to show his support.
Yu denied that he had only decided to resume his music career to pay off his debts.
“There is no such thing as retirement for entertainers — only if audiences no longer want to see you perform,” said Lee Ya-ping (李亞萍), Yu’s wife, who is also a singer.
Saying show business is a world of cruelty, Yu added: “The political world is even crueler.”
Translated by Stacy Hsu, Staff Writer
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