A rising male model with a growing online following has become the center of a major controversy after he was accused of sexual assault by a university student, sparking widespread concern on Taiwanese social media.
The defendant, Zhang Yuehe, 25, is known for his tall stature and striking appearance. Standing 180cm tall, he began modeling during his student years, played in amateur basketball leagues and worked at a well-known nightclub in Taipei’s Xinyi district. With more than 20,000 followers on Instagram, Zhang has gained popularity through photos taken at games and work events. He also appeared on the variety show earlier this year The young lady is not so inactivewhere an on-air skit with host Dee Hsu (Little S) gained attention after an embarrassing physical incident that was initially dismissed as part of the show’s spin.
However, Mirror Media has now received allegations that suggest a much darker reality behind the public image.
According to the report, a university student identified as A came forward alleging that she was sexually assaulted by Zhang after she was tricked into coming to his house. The two reportedly met in September via Instagram, then connected professionally when A helped introduce Zhang to a photographer friend for a modeling job. Their first in-person meeting took place on October 4th.
A stated that Zhang accompanied her to a studio in Xizhi, New Taipei City, and acted normally during the day, often talking about himself and referring to himself as the “Vampire of Xinyi District.” His friendly demeanor lowered my guard. After the shoot, they had dinner with the photographer. Zhang said he forgot his wallet, and A reportedly covered NT$600 in meal and parking expenses.
After dinner, Zhang offered to take A to the MRT station. During the trip, he said his behavior had changed significantly: his physical contact had become inappropriate and the conversation had become explicitly sexual. Zhang allegedly asked invasive questions about her sexual boundaries and needs, leaving her uncomfortable and unsure how to respond.
Zhang later told A that he was tired and needed to take a short rest before going to work in Xinyi District, suggesting they stop at her house first and promising to then accompany her to the MRT. Believing that Zhang, as a semi-public figure appearing on television and in advertising, would not behave inappropriately, A reluctantly agreed.
According to A’s story, once inside the residence, Zhang raped her despite her resistance. “I kept resisting, but he went through with it. I didn’t know what to do,” he said, adding it the incident left her deeply traumatized and unable to trust men.
After the alleged assault, A requested a medical examination and reported the incident to the police. The case has since attracted intense public attention, with netizens revisiting Zhang’s past on-screen controversy and questioning whether warning signs had been overlooked.
At this time, Zhang Yuehe has not issued a detailed public response regarding the specific allegations. The case remains under investigation.
Sources: Yahoo News
