Celebrity's Son Recounts Difficult Childhood, Violent Attack, and Fatherly Reconciliation

Eric Tseng, son of the late Taiwanese showman Ho Yih-hang, has opened up about the profound difficulties of growing up in the shadow of a famous parent. Tseng, appearing on the program "Shocking Words," described how the lives of "second-generation stars" are constantly scrutinized, with their successes often attributed to their parents' fame and their failures seen as reflections of their lineage.

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If life could start over, I would want to be my father's father, to protect some things for him and not let him spend carelessly.

Tseng recounted a childhood marked by distance from his father, who was frequently away for performances. He lived with his grandmother and aunt, rarely seeing his father and often feeling like an outsider in his own home. His grandmother even played recordings of his father's shows to help him recognize the singer. This lack of paternal connection, coupled with the pressures of his father's celebrity status, led to feelings of isolation and a yearning for a normal family life.

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Growing up, I always wished my father wasn't a celebrity. It's exhausting to be a family member. I barely saw him a few times a year; this wasn't the childhood I wanted.

The challenges extended into his teenage years. Tseng admitted to acting out, once spray-painting "hate" on a wall and damaging furniture in a fit of rebellion. More alarmingly, during high school, he was brutally attacked by assailants who slashed him 12 times with a knife, severing tendons in his left hand. He was hospitalized in critical condition, receiving two emergency notices. His father rushed to his side, overcome with guilt for not being present in his son's life.

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I didn't know my father was the wrong person they hit. After beating me, the assailants fled, saying 'We hit the wrong person.'

This near-death experience became a turning point, fostering a deeper connection between father and son. Tseng described caring for his father in his final days, assisting with basic needs. In a moment of profound tenderness, Ho Yih-hang embraced his son, expressing gratitude for his efforts. This final exchange provided Tseng with a sense of closure, allowing him to feel he had fulfilled his role as a son and leaving no regrets.

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Son, you've worked hard, thank you.