According to Sina, Alec Su appeared on the program Backstage, where he shared stories behind the fame of celebrities. The actor revealed that he had to grow up early to support his family, describing himself as having “become a father before the age of 15.” The pressure to be perfect left him physically and mentally exhausted, and he eventually broke down in tears, forcing the interview to pause.
Alec Su shared that he had been an outstanding student since childhood, always scoring perfect marks in math, which made him the “ideal child” in the eyes of others. However, his parents’ strict expectations led him to believe that he had to be exceptional in order to receive their love.
He constantly worked hard in his studies and was more independent than his younger brother, but this also resulted in a lack of attention from his family, who assumed he could take care of himself. “No matter how well I did, my mother wouldn’t pay attention or truly see me,” he confessed.
His mother even signed him up for auditions, leading him into the entertainment industry at just 15 years old as part of the group Little Tigers. Under the pressure of being an idol, Alec Su had to balance academics, dance training, and earning money to support his family.
When he took his university entrance exam, dozens of reporters gathered outside the exam hall to broadcast the moment live. Despite the immense pressure, he still managed to gain admission to one of Taiwan’s top universities, ranking fifth overall.
Due to his father’s frequent absence and financial difficulties caused by failed investments, Alec Su took on the responsibility of supporting the family while also caring for his mother and younger brother. He became the family’s “lifeline.” When host Zhang Lingquan asked, “So you became the father of the family at 15?” Alec replied, “No, even earlier.”
Carrying such heavy responsibilities, Alec Su never allowed himself to slow down in his career. He continuously challenged himself in various roles—as a singer, actor, director, and entertainer—to avoid being forgotten in the industry. Despite this, deep down he always felt abandoned, saying, “Even my family overlooked my emotions,” as he broke down while revealing long-suppressed pain.
Now at the age of 52, Alec Su has chosen not to marry or have children, still carrying the emotional wounds of his past. Once a “perfect child,” he never had the chance to choose his own path, instead bearing heavy responsibilities from a young age. He tearfully admitted, “I didn’t even have the right to rebel during my teenage years.”
After dedicating his youth entirely to work, Alec Su realized in his 40s that “life shouldn’t be spent only working.” For a period, he nearly disappeared from the entertainment industry, appearing in only one or two shows a year while focusing on self-reflection and meditation retreats in the mountains.
Now, having passed the midpoint of his life, the actor firmly states, “I no longer want to be a perfect person.”
Sources: kenh14