Is Shen Boyang's Private Image Very Different? Hsu Chiao-hsin's 'Past Comment' Sparks Online Backlash – Summary and Latest Response

With the 2026 Taipei mayoral election approaching, media personality Huang Kuang-chin interviewed DPP Taipei mayoral candidate Shen Boyang on the 10th, stating that KMT legislator Hsu Chiao-hsin had previously said Shen is communicative and easy to get along with in private. Huang added that her own interview reinforced this impression, suggesting the general public rarely sees the 'real Shen Boyang'. However, Huang later clarified on Facebook that Hsu denied ever saying Shen was 'easy to get along with'. Hsu admitted that during a May 2024 discussion on legislative violence, she may have described Shen as 'polite' and less ideologically charged off-camera, unlike his TV persona, but emphasized they have no personal relationship and have never contacted each other privately. Huang acknowledged her misquotation based on memory caused online backlash against Hsu and apologized for the misunderstanding.

Hsu responded under Huang's post, noting that Huang's remark was merely a passing comment and should not have been amplified, but malicious actors exploited it. Hsu reiterated that Shen indeed appears more moderate and less ideological when not on camera, calling him 'polite', but stressed there is no 'private interaction' between them. In response on the 11th, Shen Boyang said it was a difficult question to answer but expressed gratitude for Hsu's acknowledgment, whether it was about being 'easy to get along with' or 'polite in private'.

DPP legislator Chen Pei-yu added that Huang has already apologized and urged Hsu not to dwell on it. She emphasized that Shen is genuinely easygoing and invited Hsu to engage in dialogue. Regarding Taipei Mayor Chiang Wan-an's recent campaign activities across regions, Shen stated it was a personal choice but hoped Chiang would focus more on city governance, citing unresolved issues like budgets, tree preservation, and child abuse. On Chiang's campaign team recently appointing a journalist as spokesperson, Shen said they respect how the team is formed and offered their best wishes.