Ko Chen-tung

Kai Ko Chen-tung (; born Ko Chia-kai on 18 June 1991) is a Taiwanese actor, singer and film director.

Career Ko rose to fame with You Are the Apple of My Eye (2011), for which he won Best New Actor at the 48th Golden Horse Awards and 12th Chinese Film Media Awards. He released his debut studio album, Be Yourself, the same year.

Following the success of the Tiny Times film series, his career was disrupted in 2014 when he was arrested in Beijing for marijuana possession, along with Jaycee Chan, leading to their blacklisting in mainland China. Ko's scenes in the Chinese films Monster Hunt and Tiny Times 4 were removed. His advertisement deals and his variety show engagements were also cancelled.

In 2021, Ko worked with Giddens Ko again in Till We Meet Again. In 2022, Ko won Best Actor at the 24th Taipei Film Awards for his role in the film.

Personal life

Relationships Ko dated Cherry (黃慶宜), a TV showgirl, before he became famous for You Are the Apple of My Eye. He made headlines when his romance with pop singer Elva Hsiao, who is 12 years senior to him and a bigger star, broke in 2012. Ko then has an on-and-off relationship with singer Tia Lee since 2014.

Drug use Ko had appeared in a 2012 anti-drug advertisement in Taiwan in which he and other celebrities declared, "I don't use drugs".

On 18 August 2014, Ko was arrested along with Jaycee Chan by the Beijing Police for drug use, amid a broad anti-drug crackdown on the Chinese celebrities. Police said both actors tested positive for marijuana and admitted using the drug. Ko was placed in administrative detention for 14 days.

On 29 June 2018, NARS invited Ko to a promotional event in Taipei. After backlash on Weibo, NARS China issued a statement on 1 July expressing regret over the Taiwan team’s decision and apologizing; Ko deleted his social media posts of the event the same day.

Filmography Film

Discography TitleAlbum detailsTrack listingBe Yourself 有話直說 Released: November 11, 2011 Format: CD, streaming, download Label: Star Ritz, Sony Music Taiwan

Awards and nominations Year Award Category Nominated work Result 2011 48th Golden Horse Awards Best New Performer You Are the Apple of My Eye2012 12th Chinese Film Media Awards Best New Performer 6th Asian Film Awards Best Newcomer Changchun Film Festival Best Actor 2016 53rd Golden Horse Awards Best Leading Actor The Road to Mandalay 2017 Youth Film Handbook Awards Male Actor of the Year 8th To Ten Chinese Films Festival Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role 58th Asia-Pacific Film Festival Best Actor 2021 58th Golden Horse Awards Best Leading Actor Moneyboys 2022 24th Taipei Film Awards Best Actor Till We Meet Again Best Supporting Actor Miss Shampoo 6th Asia Contents Awards & Global OTT Awards Best Supporting Actor Imperfect Us 59th Golden Bell Awards Best Supporting Actor in a Miniseries or TV Film