Taiwanese TV host Nono sentenced to 2.5 years in prison for attempted rape

Taiwanese television personality Chen Hsuan-yu, better known as Nono, has been sentenced to two years and six months in prison after being found guilty of attempted rape.

The Shilin District Court delivered its verdict on Tuesday, 13 May 2025, convicting Chen on one count but acquitting him of six other charges, including rape and indecent assault.

The 54-year-old entertainer became a prominent figure in Taiwan’s MeToo reckoning when multiple allegations against him surfaced in June 2023. At least 20 women publicly accused him of sexual harassment, forcing his career into suspension.

Details of the conviction

The conviction relates to an incident in February 2011, when Chen allegedly exploited his influence in the entertainment industry.

According to prosecutors, Chen offered a female colleague a ride home after a late-night television recording. Instead of taking her home, he drove to a riverside park, where he attempted to rape her.

The court determined the victim’s testimony to be credible. Judges noted that she had shared the traumatic experience with friends and family soon after the incident, and the ordeal left lasting emotional scars.

She chose to come forward only in 2023, inspired by the MeToo movement that encouraged women across Taiwan to speak out.

The judges stated that Chen showed no remorse throughout proceedings. He denied knowing the victim, offered no apology, and took no steps toward reconciliation. As a result, the court imposed a custodial sentence.

Other charges dismissed

Chen was originally indicted in May 2024 on seven charges: three counts of rape, two of attempted rape, and two of indecent assault, spanning six victims.

However, the Shilin District Court acquitted him of the remaining six charges, citing insufficient supporting evidence. Judges also pointed to contradictions in parts of the plaintiffs’ testimonies, which undermined the prosecution’s case.

Both Chen and the prosecution retain the right to appeal the ruling.

Victims and activists react

The outcome has sparked disappointment among victims and activists who helped bring the allegations to public attention.

Taiwanese influencer Anissa, who played a central role in amplifying the women’s voices in June 2023, expressed frustration in a Facebook post on 13 May.

“We find it very difficult to accept the court verdict. It is really unexpected,” she wrote. “This is really outrageous.”

She added that victims would consult lawyers and urge prosecutors to appeal the decision.

Career downfall and public impact

Chen was a popular figure in Taiwan’s entertainment industry, rising to fame in the early 2000s. He appeared in variety shows such as Jacky Go Go Go, alongside veteran host Jacky Wu.

His public persona, often associated with humour and family-friendly television, crumbled after allegations emerged. Sponsorships and appearances were suspended, and he has remained absent from the entertainment scene since mid-2023.

Chen has been married to Taiwanese singer Angel Chu since 2013. The couple have an 11-year-old daughter.

Broader MeToo context in Taiwan

Taiwan’s MeToo movement gained momentum in mid-2023, when women across the entertainment, academic, and political sectors began sharing accounts of harassment and assault.

Chen’s case was among the most high-profile, with the large number of accusations drawing attention to systemic issues within the entertainment industry.

While the court ruling marks a legal milestone, activists argue that the relatively short sentence may discourage victims from coming forward.

Legal outlook

Under Taiwanese law, attempted rape is punishable by up to seven years in prison. In this case, the court weighed aggravating and mitigating factors before handing down the two-and-a-half-year sentence.

Legal experts note that the decision to acquit Chen on six charges demonstrates the evidentiary challenges in sexual assault cases, particularly when incidents occurred many years prior.

The case remains open to appeal, which could see either a harsher penalty or further acquittals depending on the higher court’s judgment.