Taiwanese Actor Allegedly Molested Air Stewardess While Flying To S’pore

Honestly speaking, fame isn’t exactly a novel concept to Taiwanese actor Tuo Chung-hua.

After all, the 56-year-old actor, who’s known as To Tsung-Hua on the Internet Movie Database (IMDb) has graced the front covers for a multitude of reasons:

• Winner of the 2005 Golden Bell Award for Best Actor
• Acted in popular movie series Yes, Sir!
• Appeared in 2007 film Lust, Caution (yes that film)

Yet, while the actor has established himself as a seasoned veteran in the industry, bad publicity has also found a real liking for him. In 2006, Mr Tuo made a scene after landing at Taoyuan airport, having had too much to drink. In 2012, his ex-wife reported him to the police after he reportedly slapped her and wrung her neck while intoxicated. And in 2019…

He has once again succumbed to his alcoholic demons.

Arrest at Changi Airport

According to The New Paper, the actor was arrested on Friday evening (1 Feb) after he allegedly molested a flight attendant while on board China Airlines flight from Taipei to Singapore. He had also spat and hurled vulgarities at fellow passengers and cabin crew, causing a drunken ruckus that lasted roughly an hour.

Taiwanese media reported that Mr Tuo was actually flying business class to Singapore, in order to shoot a local project.

Halfway through, he had entertained himself with alcohol, though he took it just a little too far. Intoxicated, he began yelling at the people around him. When a male passenger confronted him, Mr Tuo then retaliated, not with fists but vulgarities.

Incidentally, the actor’s outbursts were captured on video, and at one point he seemed to spit at a passenger sitting across the aisle to his left. The aggrieved passenger then threw a blanket at him, a gesture which Mr Tuo reciprocated.

Broke down

According to Satellite cable news channel EBC News, another passenger on the flight testified that at one point, Mr Tuo took to the cabin crew’s work area and continued indulging in his alcoholic urges.

It was also at this instant that Mr Tuo allegedly touched the buttocks of an attendant, though the actor has denied the claims.

The attendant reportedly broke down, covering her face while she sobbed.

Outrage of modesty

According to The New Paper, the police have confirmed the incident, stating that they were alerted at around 7:00 p.m. on Friday to a case of outrage of modesty aboard a flight bound for Singapore. When the plane landed at Changi Airport, a 56-year-old man was subsequently arrested.

Investigations are currently ongoing.

Apple Daily later reported that China Airlines confirmed the incident as well, expressing that a passenger had been drunk on the flight and that the captain had reported the situation to the authorities in Singapore for security reasons.

Apologetic

While it’s not clear whether the actor has been released on bail, he recorded two apology videos on Saturday (2 Feb).

In one 50-second video, he admitted doing things that might have affected other passengers, but explained that it was because of the approaching festivities (Chinese New Year).

(Wait, where’s the connection?!)

Mr Tuo said in Mandarin: “I may have had a little too much to drink. This behaviour is really unacceptable.

“I hereby apologise to those I have affected. I am really sorry. I did not have any ill intention of harassing you all. I hope she can forgive me.”

However, seeing how the video garnered over 75% dislikes and an influx of derogatory comments… we have a feeling that forgiveness would have to take a while.

Or maybe…is it because he is a Chinese?