A rising male model with a growing online following has become the center of a major controversy after being accused of sexual assault by a female college student, sparking widespread concern across Taiwanese social media.
The accused, 25-year-old Zhang Yuehe, is known for his tall stature and striking looks. Standing at 180 cm, 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 Instagram followers, Zhang gained popularity through photos taken at games and work events. Earlier this year, he also appeared on the variety show Miss Not So Idle, where an on-air skit with host Dee Hsu (Little S) drew attention after an awkward physical mishap that was initially dismissed as part of the show’s effect.
However, Mirror Media has now received allegations suggesting a much darker reality behind the public image.
According to the report, a female college student identified as A came forward claiming she was sexually assaulted by Zhang after being deceived into going to his home. The two reportedly met in September through Instagram, later connecting professionally when A helped introduce Zhang to a photographer friend for a modeling job. Their first in-person meeting took place on October 4.
A stated that Zhang drove her to a studio in Xizhi, New Taipei City, and behaved normally throughout the day, frequently talking about himself and referring to himself as the “Xinyi District vampire.” His friendly demeanor lowered her guard. After the shoot, they had dinner with the photographer. Zhang claimed he forgot his wallet, and A reportedly covered NT$600 in meal and parking expenses.
Following dinner, Zhang offered to drive A to the MRT station. During the ride, she alleged that his behavior changed significantly—his physical contact became inappropriate, and the conversation turned explicitly sexual. Zhang allegedly asked intrusive 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 rest briefly before heading to work in Xinyi District, suggesting they stop by his residence first and promising to drive her to the MRT afterward. Believing that Zhang, as a semi-public figure who had appeared on television and in advertisements, would not act improperly, A reluctantly agreed.
According to A’s account, once inside the residence, Zhang allegedly forced himself on her despite her resistance. “I kept resisting, but he still went through with it. I didn’t know what to do,” she said, adding that the incident left her deeply traumatized and unable to trust men.
After the alleged assault, A sought medical examination and reported the incident to police. The case has since drawn intense public attention, with netizens revisiting Zhang’s past on-screen controversy and questioning whether warning signs had been overlooked.
As of now, Zhang Yuehe has not issued a detailed public response regarding the specific allegations. The case remains under investigation.
Sources: Yahoo News