Ken Chu breaks silence on being left out of F4 reunion concert tour

Ken Chu revealed why he won't be part of F4's upcoming reunion concert tour.

In a video posted on his official Instagram page on Monday, Dec. 8, he denied being kicked out of the project for talking about the concert online ahead of the official announcement. He noted that he and the concert organizer, Taiwan-based recording company B'in Music, have no existing contract with the former Taiwanese boy group that prevents him from doing certain things.

"We have always been talking in a way of expressing intentions," Chu said, describing his partnership with the company. "What I shared online with everyone a while ago was also me discussing the intentions we have been discussing from several months ago."

He said the company cut ties with him after disagreeing with three demands he did not disclose. "Actually, I'm the same as everyone else. I also only realized through these things (social media) that I was excluded from this matter."

Chu then announced that he will not be performing with the boy group. "So to say, for this activity, for this time, I definitely won't participate. There's some regret, but I must make it clear to everyone here. Hoping that everyone can understand this matter."

The actor also clarified that F4 is not bound by contract and has no existing rules on performance.

"F4 is a group that carries the memories of a generation," he said. "Symbols, but it has never been a group defined by contracts. There actually never existed anything between us, who must be tied up with whom in order to do things and perform in such a situation."

Chu said he respects the individuality of each group member in making decisions for the concert. 

"I think everyone now has their own choice about their own life, so we allow others to be others and allow oneself to be oneself. I understand this, and I also offer my blessings. I also hope their performance this time will go smoothly."

Chu also added that he's anticipating a reunion of the group where everyone is present.

"Well, I also hope there will be a day when the intentions of all four of us can be consistent. Then we can truly bring everyone a great event. I hope everyone still looks forward to it, because I'm quite looking forward to it, too."

He then addressed a certain ''Ai" of B'in Music, who is involved in bringing the boy group together for the tour.

"Finally, it's like this, believe in the love of music, Sister Ai. I don't quite understand what you're doing now. That is to say, if you don't like me, or you think I'm not suitable for this performance, I think you could have told me directly," Chu said. "Then we can have a collaboration. Meaning you don't need to resort to smear tactics. One way to throw dirty water. I don't quite understand what you want me to do."

Chu reportedly cried mid-performance in his concert on Nov. 15 due to the news that B'in Music dropped him off the then-rumored reunion concert project for allegedly leaking information about it online. 

On Dec. 7, B’in Music officially announced the group's reunion tour titled “F Forever Star City World Tour," from Dec. 19-22 at the Shanghai Mercedes-Benz Arena, without Chu. The boys will be accompanied by singer-actor Jay Chou and rock band Mayday frontman Ashin.

F4, also known as Flower Four, debuted as a boy group in 2001 following the success of Taiwanese drama series Meteor Garden.

Other members include Jerry Yan, Vic Chou, and Vanness Wu. The group disbanded in 2009, "reunited" in pre-recorded performances in 2020, and officially went out together for a surprise performance in July this year, which was also organized by B'in Music.

They are famous for popular songs from their show, Meteor Rain and Can't Lose You. They have three albums together: Meteor Rain (2001), Fantasy 4ever (2002), and Waiting for You (2007).