Singer Cheng Hsiu-yue Dies at 69; Family Background Under Scrutiny

Veteran Taiwanese singer Cheng Hsiu-yue has died at the age of 69, her close friend and actress Yang Kuei-mei confirmed late on June 1. The news has saddened many fans who remember Cheng's contributions to the music industry.

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The saying of 'underworld' has always been a misunderstanding...

As tributes pour in, attention has turned to Cheng's family history, specifically the controversial legacy of her father-in-law, Ho Mao-chi. Ho was once infamously labeled "Taiwan's last heavyweight godfather of the underworld" by some media outlets, a description his family has consistently denied for years.

Ho Mao-chi, who was born in Tucheng, Taipei, reportedly worked in Hainan Island during World War II. Upon returning to Taiwan, he became involved in social disputes, leading him to reside in Japan for an extended period. He passed away in 2008 at the age of 90 due to liver cancer. Due to his extensive network in Japan, including alleged connections with the Yakuza and Inagawa-kai, Ho was given titles such as "underground representative in Japan" and "Taiwan's last heavyweight godfather."

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She emphasized that her grandfather was just broad in his friendships, righteous, and happy to help others, so he was respected by many and did not join any gang organization.

However, Ho's granddaughter and Cheng's daughter, singer Ho Yi-chi, has publicly refuted these claims. She stated that her grandfather was simply a well-connected, loyal, and helpful individual who earned respect, rather than being involved in any gang. Ho Yi-chi's father, Ho Ying-che, also defended his father, emphasizing his long-term involvement in volunteer firefighting for over 30 years and his dedication to public service. He asserted that his father never used drugs or joined any gangs, and during his time in Japan, he even served jail time for advocating for Taiwanese citizens' rights.

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My grandfather was dedicated to public welfare work for many years and served as a volunteer firefighter for over 30 years. He never used drugs and did not join any gangs.