TWICE member Tzuyu was reportedly approached about publicly supporting China’s political position on Taiwan in exchange for opportunities in the Chinese entertainment market, according to Taiwanese media reports. The manager involved in the discussions has denied that the proposal had any political purpose.
Taiwanese outlets including Mirror Media reported on August 31st that a Chinese organization involved in Taiwan affairs had identified Tzuyu as a potential target for recruitment and approached her family through veteran entertainment manager Zhao Shaowei.
Mirror Media reported that the proposal offered to connect Tzuyu with broadcasters, concert organizers and major entertainment companies in mainland China if she publicly endorsed the “One China” principle and stated that “Taiwanese people are Chinese.” The reported offer also included promotional and performance opportunities that can be difficult for artists from Taiwan and Hong Kong to secure in mainland China.
Zhao Shaowei said no formal contract has been signed and that discussions are currently on hold while Tzuyu and JYP Entertainment negotiate a contract renewal. He also denied that the discussions were politically motivated.
Zhao is the younger brother of Zhao Shaokang, a former chairman of Taiwan’s Broadcasting Corporation of China. Zhao Shaokang said he does not participate in his brother’s business, but also denied that the talks with Tzuyu were connected to political “United Front” activities, calling the reports misinformation.
Zhao Shaowei is known for helping Taiwanese pop star Jay Chou expand his career overseas. He founded Tianyi Weidong Music in Taiwan in September 2024, with a reported level of capital that was unusually high compared with other local entertainment agencies.
Tzuyu’s current contract with JYP Entertainment is set to expire at the end of this year.
JYP Entertainment said on August 14th that TWICE is currently in discussions over contract renewals and that the company would announce the results once they are finalized.
Tzuyu’s mother also established Weihai Entertainment in Taiwan in November 2025, leading local media to speculate that the company could become a base for Tzuyu’s future activities in Greater China.
This is not the first time Tzuyu has faced pressure over the Taiwan-China issue.
In December 2015, when Tzuyu was 16, she appeared on MBC’s variety show My Little Television holding a Taiwanese flag. The appearance sparked controversy in China, and on January 15, 2016, Tzuyu issued a public apology in which she said, “There is only one China,” and described mainland China and Taiwan as being on opposite sides of the Taiwan Strait but part of one China.
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