NEW TAIPEI (TVBS News) — Internet celebrity Lien Chien-i reported to prison on Thursday (June 1), drawing widespread attention due to his notorious behavior and raising concerns about the prevalence of gangster culture in Taiwan.
Lien's notoriety stems from a series of shootings and threats in Kaohsiung in 2019, resulting in multiple criminal charges. He was sentenced to a seven-year prison term on May 25.
On June 1, Lien arrived at the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office to commence his sentence. Sporting a casual ensemble consisting of a white tank top, black shorts, and blue and white flip-flops, he made a grand entrance in a Rolls-Royce. Accompanied by friends and family, who also arrived in luxurious vehicles such as Mercedes-Benz and BMW, Lien's arrival was hard to miss.
Initially gaining fame on Facebook through live-streaming luxury brand products, Lien's reputation suffered a blow in 2018 when the media reported that some of the products he sold were counterfeit. Additionally, he was implicated in an alleged NFT fraud.
The conflict between Lien and a pet shop owner named Zheng You-ren in September 2019 escalated into store vandalism and gun violence on the streets of Kaohsiung, leading to what the media dubbed the "Livestreamer Chaos" at the time.
Taiwan has faced a turbulent period in terms of public security, characterized by several notable incidents. Alongside the "Livestreamer Chaos" in 2019 and the 2020 shooting incident targeting popular streamer Chen Chih-han, there has been a recent case involving homemade explosive devices being thrown into a hotel in Taipei. These incidents have been traced back to major criminal organizations operating in Taiwan.
Lien's grand farewell before entering prison has thrust him into the spotlight as one of the most prominent convicts in recent memory. However, instead of fixating solely on his highly publicized actions, the public must reflect on issues such as Taiwan's gang culture and the social responsibility of internet celebrities. These are weighty matters that warrant thoughtful contemplation.
