Ma Kuo-pi juggles multiple jobs to repay massive debt, reveals health concerns

Taiwanese entertainer Ma Kuo-pi is diligently working to clear the last 5 million yuan of a staggering 50 million yuan debt incurred from illegal sports betting in 2013. He recently appeared on the TVBS program "11 O'Clock Hot Discussion," sharing updates on his fried chicken business and his ongoing efforts to repay his creditors.

Ma has pursued a multifaceted approach to his debt repayment, taking on diverse roles beyond his acting career. He has worked as a delivery driver, a mover, and in a breakfast shop, and has also engaged in livestream sales. In addition to acting, he works in sales for a printing company and co-invested in a fried chicken restaurant with friends, investing 1.2 million yuan. He personally tastes dishes, adjusts seasoning, and often works at the restaurant until the early hours of the morning, relying on sheer hard work to chip away at his debt.

Reflecting on his past struggles with sleep deprivation during filming, Ma now prioritizes his health. The recent deaths of his friends Fu Tzu-chun and Wang Kai have deeply affected him, reminding him of actor Hong Mao's near-fatal experience with extreme overwork that sent his liver enzymes soaring. "Health is truly more important than work," Ma stated, emphasizing his commitment to annual health check-ups. Last year, he discovered a polyp in his stomach, which, after further examination, was deemed non-threatening and requires only regular monitoring.