Entertainer Shieh Hsiao-shun Recounts Battle With Pain, Career Struggles

Taiwanese entertainer Shieh Hsiao-shun, 65, revealed a more introspective side on the YouTube program "T TALK," hosted by Yang Chi-feng. Known for his comedic performances, Shieh shared his private sanctuary in an old house in Taipei's Dihua Street, where he finds solace with tea and stones, embodying a life philosophy of adapting to challenges.

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God doesn't want me to go too far in this life; bumps and bruises are normal.

Behind his on-stage persona, Shieh has battled significant physical pain, particularly from severe knee problems. He underwent bilateral knee surgery at age 60 due to extensively damaged meniscus. He recounted a difficult period before the surgery, where pain was so intense he would cry backstage and needed painkillers every half hour. "God doesn't want me to go too far in this life; bumps and bruises are normal," he reflected, viewing these hardships as lessons.

Shieh's 38-year career has not been without its trials. Early in his career, he earned only NT$300 a day and resorted to performing at construction sites with fellow actor Kuo Tzu-chien to make ends meet. A profound setback once led him to consider quitting show business entirely. His perspective shifted after finding a stone resembling a Buddha statue on a beach, which he interpreted as a message about the resilience of life, inspiring him to persevere.

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You can only live this life once, but I have lain here for tens of thousands of years. What is there to be sad about?

This dedication to his craft and life philosophy has also led to international recognition. Shieh was appointed a cultural and tourism ambassador for Kyoto, Japan, in 2016, becoming the first Taiwanese artist to receive such an honor. His renewed appointment marks a decade-long relationship with the city. He likens life's journey to a stone being smoothed by river currents, aspiring to achieve a similar roundedness and acceptance, even from adversaries.

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When stones are stripped from the vein, they are angular. After being polished by river water, they eventually become smooth. I hope to polish my own sharp edges into this roundness in this life.