Taiwanese actress Wu Xiong involved in Japanese national treasure controversy

Taiwanese actress "Wu Xiong," whose real name is Tsai Yi-chen, is facing backlash after allegations surfaced that she poured oil on a Japanese national treasure, the "Buddha's Foot Stone." The incident has ignited heated discussions among Taiwanese and Japanese netizens, prompting an apology from her agent.

Wu Xiong, 39, began her entertainment career at 15, appearing on the variety show "Guess Guess Guess" and later gaining fame through the "The Graduate" series. She also had a successful career as a host, winning the Golden Bell Award for Best Children's and Youth Program Host in 2015 for her work on "Rumor Has It."

Her role as "Cai Wu Xiong" in "The Graduate," a character raised by apes with incredible strength, became her signature. She also starred in "Summer of Bubbles" alongside Joe Cheng. Wu Xiong, who married a non-celebrity in 2020 and has one child, has largely stepped back from the spotlight in recent years, focusing primarily on commercial endorsements.

The controversy has resurfaced memories of her journey from "The Graduate" to her Golden Bell win and subsequent reduced public presence. Some netizens have ironically dubbed her and TV host Jacky Wu as the "twin demons of ancient sites," referencing past incidents.

Wu Xiong has previously spoken about the instability of income in the entertainment industry, admitting that her monthly earnings once dropped to a few thousand New Taiwan dollars, forcing her to work part-time jobs to make ends meet. It was only after securing regular hosting gigs that she achieved a stable income.