Danson Tang
Danson Tang (Chinese: 唐禹哲; pinyin: Táng Yǔzhé; born 2 September 1984) is a Taiwanese actor, singer, and model known for his work in Mandopop music and idol dramas.[1][2] Tang began his entertainment career as a model before entering acting, achieving early prominence with supporting roles in popular Taiwanese series such as KO One (2005), where he portrayed Lei Ke Si, and Hana Kimi (2006), in which he played Liang Si-Nan.[1][3] In 2007, he signed with Avex Taiwan and released his debut album Love Me (Ai Wo), marking his entry into music with subsequent releases like D's New Attraction.[3][2] A notable aspect of Tang's public profile involves personal disclosures; he admitted in 2024 to being the father of two sons—one aged 11 from a prior relationship and a younger son with his current partner—having previously kept these family details private amid his career.[4]Early life
Family background and childhood
Danson Tang was born on September 2, 1984, in Keelung, Taiwan, the youngest of two children in a family that later relocated there from Taipei due to his father's employment.[5][6] He has an older sister, four years his senior.[7] Tang's father died in a construction accident when he was around 13 years old, leaving his mother as the sole provider for the family.[3][8] To support her children and cover expenses including his sister's education, his mother worked outside the home, at times leaving adolescent Tang to fend for himself domestically.[8] This early independence shaped his formative years in Keelung, amid financial challenges following the loss of his father.[7]Education and early influences
Tang attended Keelung Municipal Zhongzheng Junior High School and graduated from Keelung Private Erh Shin Senior High School.[9] He subsequently enrolled at Asia Eastern Institute of Technology but dropped out around 2006 to pursue other opportunities.[3] Later, he transferred to Hsing Wu University of Science and Technology, majoring in the applied English program at the junior college level, though he also withdrew without completing his degree to focus on his emerging entertainment career.[3][9] During his high school and early university years, Tang developed proficiency in hip-hop dancing, which became a personal interest and skill that aligned with his later pursuits in performance and modeling.[6] His entry into the industry was catalyzed by being scouted by a manager while working part-time at a Japanese restaurant amid his college studies, marking a pivotal shift from academic to professional entertainment paths.[6] These experiences, combined with his self-reliance following family challenges in adolescence, fostered an early adaptability that influenced his transition to modeling and acting.[10]Career
Modeling and pre-debut activities
Tang was discovered by a talent scout while working part-time at a Japanese restaurant during his university years, leading to his entry into the entertainment industry as a model.[6] His pre-debut activities primarily consisted of commercial modeling, where he appeared in advertisements for brands including Payeasy, a Taiwanese electronic payment service.[11] These early modeling gigs involved filming multiple well-known commercials, providing him with initial exposure without any formal acting training.[6] In addition to print and television ads, Tang featured in music videos for established artists, which further built his visibility in the Taiwanese media landscape.[7] Such appearances capitalized on his youthful appearance and charisma, aligning with the demand for fresh faces in promotional content during the early 2000s.[10] This phase of modeling and endorsements preceded his transition to scripted roles, marking the foundational step in his professional trajectory before debuting in the 2004 drama Nine Ball.[6]Acting breakthrough and television roles
Tang's entry into acting followed his modeling career, with an early supporting role as Tang Yun Shen in the 2004 drama Blazing Courage. His breakthrough came in 2005 with the role of Lei Ke Si, a key antagonist known as "Lex," in the superhero-themed idol drama KO One, which aired from November 2005 to January 2006 and marked his rise to prominence alongside emerging boy band Fahrenheit members.[12][13] This performance in the high-rated series, produced by Comic International Productions, established Tang within Taiwan's idol drama landscape, emphasizing his ability to portray complex antagonistic characters in youth-oriented narratives.[14] Building on this momentum, Tang took on the supporting role of Liang Si Nan in the 2006 adaptation of Hana Kimi, a comedy-romance drama that adapted the Japanese manga and featured cross-dressing themes, airing from August to December 2006 on GTV.[15] His character contributed to the ensemble dynamic at the all-boys school setting, enhancing his visibility in comedic and romantic subplots. Subsequent television appearances included Xia Yu (also known as Gui Feng) in The X-Family (2007), a sequel to KO One that continued the supernatural family intrigue from August to October 2007.[16] In late 2007, Tang portrayed Ouyang Gan (nicknamed "Gan Gan") in They Kiss Again, the sequel to It Started with a Kiss, which focused on comedic romantic entanglements and aired from November 2007 to March 2008, further solidifying his presence in popular idol series.[17] His transition to more prominent positioning occurred in 2008 with the second male lead role of Leng Lie in Rolling Love, a drama centered on fried rice entrepreneurship and romance, where he played a rival love interest amid competitive dynamics.[13] This role represented a step up from prior supporting parts, highlighting Tang's versatility in blending humor, rivalry, and emotional depth in Taiwan's competitive television market.Film roles and expansion
Tang debuted in film with the lead role of Li Zi Yang in the 2010 action movie Armor Hero: Emperor, marking his initial foray into cinema following early television successes.[3] This role showcased his ability to handle action-oriented characters, building on his modeling background and TV idol persona.[1] In 2013, he starred as the lead in Midnight Microblog, a thriller that further diversified his portfolio beyond romantic comedies prevalent in his TV work.[3] By 2016, Tang expanded into lead romantic and dramatic roles, including Zhu Zheyu in See You I See Me!, a film exploring personal identity and relationships.[3] The following year saw a prolific output with main roles in Almost Perfect Love Actually (romantic comedy), The Covenant with Dragon (fantasy adventure as Yu Zhe), and Xihekou Secrets: The Headless Bride (horror-thriller as Ding Wen Shu), demonstrating versatility across genres and appealing to broader audiences in Taiwan and mainland China markets.[3] The Covenant with Dragon franchise provided sustained film presence, with Tang reprising Yu Zhe in the 2019 sequel and 2021's third installment, emphasizing his draw in fantasy-action series that required physical performance and special effects integration.[3] Additional 2019 projects included the lead in Feng Ling World, while 2020 brought a supporting role in Lost and Found in Tokyo, a drama highlighting urban disconnection.[3] In 2022, he headlined The Ghost Fan Lou as Shen Mo, delving into supernatural mystery.[3] Upcoming work includes the main role of Zhao Yun Lan in the TBA fantasy film Guardian, signaling continued cinematic commitments.[3] These film engagements, totaling over a dozen features since 2010, broadened Tang's career from television-centric idol roles to genre-spanning leads, enhancing his visibility in Chinese-language cinema and facilitating cross-media opportunities in music and endorsements.[3]Music career with Fire EX and solo endeavors
Tang signed with Avex Taiwan on July 9, 2007, marking his entry into professional music as a solo artist, and released his debut Mandopop album Ai Wo (Love Me) on August 17, 2007, which included title track "Ai Wo" and other singles like "Zui Ai Hai Shi Ni" (Still Love You the Most).[3] The album focused on romantic themes typical of Taiwanese pop, establishing his vocal style blending balladry and upbeat tracks.[18] His follow-up album D's New Attraction arrived in 2009, expanding his discography with fresh compositions aimed at consolidating his fanbase amid his rising acting profile.[7] In 2010, Tang issued The First Second, released on June 29, featuring 10 tracks including the lead single "I'm Back" with rap verses by Amber of South Korean group f(x), noted for its dance-oriented production and promotional music video.[19] Other songs like "Hui Se He Di" (Grey Riverbank) and "Pei Ni" (Accompany You) highlighted introspective lyrics and melodic hooks.[19] Tang's music activities waned as acting dominated his career, but he reemerged in 2023 on season 3 of the Chinese reality singing competition Call Me By Fire (披荆斩棘), performing covers of classic tracks alongside other celebrities, forming temporary performance teams, and gaining renewed attention for live vocals during group stages and finales.[20] The show's format emphasized competitive music revivals, with Tang's participation culminating in a public proposal to his girlfriend onstage.[21] He continued solo releases post-show, including the single "Hu Tu" (Confused) on September 1, 2024, under United Entertainment Group, comprising two tracks exploring emotional turmoil.[22]Personal life
Relationships and engagements
Tang proposed to Taiwanese-American actress and model Becky Su during the finale of the third season of the Chinese reality singing competition Call Me By Fire in early November 2023.[21] The couple had been romantically linked since 2019, though they did not publicly confirm the relationship prior to the proposal.[23] Tang borrowed a ring from fellow contestant Jimmy Lin for the onstage proposal, which he later clarified was not coerced by the show's producers despite circulating rumors.[21] Prior to his relationship with Su, Tang was in a long-term partnership approximately 11 years earlier, around 2012, with an unnamed ex-girlfriend.[24] He disclosed details of this past relationship on November 19, 2023, stating that the pair learned of her pregnancy and chose to proceed with the birth despite not being married at the time.[24] No further public information has been released regarding the identity or subsequent interactions with this ex-partner. Earlier in his career, Tang was rumored to have been romantically involved with singer-actress Ella Chen following their collaboration in the 2005 Taiwanese drama Hanazakari no Kimitachi e, though neither party confirmed the speculation.[25]Family and children
Danson Tang is the youngest of two siblings, with an older sister who gave birth to a daughter named Maiya in 2008.[7] He maintains close ties with his mother, who affectionately refers to him as her "little brother" despite his adulthood.[8] Tang has two sons from separate relationships. His elder son, born in 2012, resulted from an unmarried relationship with an ex-girlfriend; the couple separated several years later but share joint custody and parenting responsibilities.[26][4] With his fiancée, actress Becky Su, Tang has a younger son born around 2021.[27] The child, now approximately four years old as of 2025, was first publicly confirmed in media reports in March 2024, with family photos showing the boy's features resembling both parents emerging in August 2025.[14]Controversies and public perception
Disclosure of concealed children
In November 2023, shortly after Danson Tang proposed to his girlfriend Becky Su on the Chinese variety show Call Me by Fire season 3, online rumors emerged alleging he had fathered a child out of wedlock. Tang, then 39, confirmed the reports on November 16, stating that at age 28 in 2012, he and his then-girlfriend conceived a son while unmarried; the couple initially raised the child together before separating due to irreconcilable personality differences, after which Tang continued to provide financial support and maintain involvement in the boy's life without public disclosure to shield him from media scrutiny.[28] The revelation drew widespread surprise among fans, as Tang had cultivated an image as a single entertainer during his two-decade career in modeling, acting, and music, with no prior mentions of fatherhood in interviews or public appearances. Tang emphasized in subsequent statements that the decision for privacy stemmed from a mutual agreement with the child's mother to prioritize the son's well-being amid the pressures of celebrity life, rather than any intent to deceive; he noted the boy, now 11, resided primarily with his mother but enjoyed regular contact with Tang.[4] On March 20, 2024, further media reports surfaced after Tang and Su were photographed at a Taipei park with a toddler appearing around two years old, prompting speculation of a second concealed child. Tang quickly verified the boy's existence via social media, confirming he and Su had welcomed a son in late 2021 or early 2022, kept private to allow the infant a normal upbringing away from paparazzi attention; Su echoed this in her own post, sharing family photos and explaining the secrecy as protective rather than evasive, while affirming their commitment as co-parents post-engagement.[27][29] Public reaction to the dual disclosures was mixed, with some netizens criticizing Tang for what they perceived as inconsistent personal narratives that clashed with his boy-band origins in Fahrenheit-affiliated groups, while supporters praised the family's emphasis on child welfare over publicity; no legal disputes or abandonment claims arose from either mother, underscoring Tang's ongoing paternal responsibilities despite the prior concealments.[4]Political statements and cross-strait relations
In September 2021, Danson Tang visited the Gutian Conference site in Fujian Province, a key historical location associated with the founding of the People's Liberation Army, and posted photographs on Weibo showing himself holding the flag of the People's Republic of China (PRC) alongside a group, as well as posing in front of a Mao Zedong statue while pulling a banner reading "Learn Party history, remember Party grace, create excellent works."[30] He captioned the images expressing "heartfelt thanks" for the "happy life" provided, which mainland Chinese netizens interpreted as a demonstration of patriotism toward the PRC and support for cross-strait unity, with comments praising him as truly loving the "motherland."[30][31] The posts occurred amid a PRC regulatory crackdown on its entertainment industry, which emphasized barring performers with "incorrect political stance" or those "estranged from the Party and state," prompting speculation in Taiwanese media that Tang's actions were motivated by career preservation rather than genuine ideological alignment.[32] In contrast, Taiwanese online reactions were largely negative, with users accusing him of betraying Taiwan and urging him not to return, viewing the gestures as performative submission to PRC authorities.[33] Tang's relocation of his career focus to the mainland since 2016 underscores the economic incentives for Taiwanese entertainers to navigate cross-strait sensitivities, though his explicit endorsement of PRC revolutionary symbolism marked a rare public alignment among peers, eliciting polarized responses that highlighted underlying tensions in bilateral cultural exchanges.[34][35] No further public statements from Tang on cross-strait policy or unification have been documented in available reports.Creative works
Filmography
Television series
Danson Tang debuted in television with supporting roles in Billiard Boy (2004) and Blazing Courage (2004), portraying A Cao and Tang Yun Sheng, respectively.[3] He gained prominence in idol dramas, including a supporting role as Lei Ke Si in KO One (2005) and a main role as Liang Si Nan in Hana Kimi (2006).[3] [1] Subsequent series featured main roles such as Xia Yu / Gui Feng in The X-Family (2007), Ouyang Gan in They Kiss Again (2007), and Leng Lie in Rolling Love (2008).[3]| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Billiard Boy | A Cao (Support Role) |
| 2004 | Blazing Courage | Tang Yun Sheng (Support Role) |
| 2005 | KO One | Lei Ke Si / "Lex" (Support Role) |
| 2006 | Hana Kimi | Liang Si Nan (Main Role) |
| 2007 | Summer X Summer | Tian Guang Zhen (Support Role) |
| 2007 | The X-Family | Xia Yu / Gui Feng (Main Role) |
| 2007 | They Kiss Again | Ouyang Gan / "Gan Gan" (Support Role) |
| 2008 | Rolling Love | Leng Lie (Main Role) |
| 2009 | I Use Music to Say I Love You | Jiang Ming Hao (Main Role) |
| 2011 | Material Queen | Li Hai (Guest Role) |
| 2013 | A Hint of You | Du Huai An (Main Role) |
| 2013 | Dandelion Love | Song Li Xing (Main Role) |
| 2014 | Fabulous 30 | (Main Role) |
| 2014 | The X-Dormitory | Xialanxingde Yu (Guest Role) |
| 2015 | Love in Time | Roy Thackeray (Main Role) |
| 2015 | Murphy's Law of Love | Ji Jia Wei (Main Role) |
| 2015 | Love Actually | Ma Liang (Main Role) |
| 2016 | The Adventure For Love | Xia Meng Long (Main Role) |
| 2017 | Boy Hood | Bai Zhou (Support Role) |
| 2018 | The Legend of Armor Hero | Li Zi Yang (Main Role) |
| 2018 | Last Friend | Zhong Yi [Adult] (Guest Role) |
| 2019 | Love under the Moon | Shen Ju An (Support Role) |
| 2020 | Young Days No Fears | Gao Tian Shuo / "Shi Ye" (Main Role) |
| 2022 | Jiang Nan Si Yu | Jiang Nan (Main Role) |
| 2024 | My Little Perfection | Gu Jia Hui (Main Role) |
| 2024 | Their Wonderful Time | (Guest Role) |
| TBA | Boy Hood Season 2 | Bai Zhou (Guest Role) |
| TBA | The Legend of Sealed Book | Zuo Chu (Support Role) |
| TBA | The Moment I Met You | Mei Guang Zu (Support Role) |
Films
Tang's film debut came in Armor Hero: Emperor (2010), where he played the lead role of Li Zi Yang.[3] He continued with lead performances in Midnight Microblog (2013) and See You I See Me! (2016) as Zhu Zheyu.[3] Later films include Almost Perfect Love Actually (2017), The Covenant with Dragon (2017) as Yu Zhe, and Meta Area (2019) as Sha Ying.[3] [1]| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Armor Hero: Emperor | Li Zi Yang (Main Role) |
| 2013 | Midnight Microblog | (Main Role) |
| 2016 | See You I See Me! | Zhu Zheyu (Main Role) |
| 2017 | Almost Perfect Love Actually | (Main Role) |
| 2017 | The Covenant with Dragon | Yu Zhe (Main Role) |
| 2017 | Xihekou Secrets: The Headless Bride | Ding Wen Shu (Main Role) |
| 2019 | Feng Ling World | (Main Role) |
| 2019 | The Covenant With Dragons 2 | Yu Zhe (Main Role) |
| 2019 | Meta Area | Sha Ying |
| 2020 | Lost and Found in Tokyo | (Support Role) |
| 2021 | The Covenant with Dragons 3 | Yu Zhe (Main Role) |
| 2022 | The Ghost Fan Lou | Shen Mo (Main Role) |
| TBA | Guardian | Zhao Yun Lan (Main Role) |
Television series
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Billiard Boy | A Cao (supporting role) |
| 2004 | Blazing Courage | Tang Yun Sheng (supporting role) |
| 2005 | KO One | Lei Ke Si / "Lex" (supporting role) |
| 2006 | Hana Kimi | Liang Si Nan (main role) |
| 2007 | Summer X Summer | Tian Guang Zhen (supporting role) |
| 2007 | The X-Family | Xia Yu / Gui Feng (main role) |
| 2007 | They Kiss Again | Ouyang Gan / "Gan Gan" (supporting role) |
| 2008 | Rolling Love | Leng Lie (main role) |
| 2009 | I Use Music to Say I Love You | Jiang Ming Hao (main role) |
| 2011 | Material Queen | Li Hai (guest role) |
| 2013 | A Hint of You | Du Huai An (main role) |
| 2013 | Dandelion Love | Song Li Xing (main role) |
| 2014 | Fabulous 30 | (main role) |
| 2014 | The X-Dormitory | Xialanxingde Yu (guest role) |
| 2015 | Love Actually | Ma Liang (main role) |
| 2015 | Love in Time | Roy Thackeray (main role) |
| 2015 | Murphy's Law of Love | Ji Jia Wei (main role) |
| 2016 | The Adventure For Love | Xia Meng Long (main role) |
| 2017 | Boy Hood | Bai Zhou (supporting role) |
| 2018 | Last Friend | Zhong Yi [Adult] (guest role) |
| 2018 | The Legend of Armor Hero | Li Zi Yang (main role) |
| 2019 | Love under the Moon | Shen Ju An (supporting role) |
| 2020 | Young Days No Fears | Gao Tian Shuo / "Shi Ye" (main role) |
| 2022 | Jiang Nan Si Yu | Jiang Nan (main role) |
| 2024 | My Little Perfection | Gu Jia Hui (main role) |
| 2024 | Their Wonderful Time | (guest role) |
Films
| Year | Title | Role |
|---|---|---|
| 2010 | Armor Hero: Emperor | Li Zi Yang (Main Role)[3][36] |
| 2013 | Midnight Microblog | Main Role[3] |
| 2016 | See You I See Me! | Zhu Zheyu (Main Role)[3] |
| 2017 | Almost Perfect Love Actually | Main Role[3] |
| 2017 | The Covenant with Dragon | Yu Zhe (Main Role)[3] |
| 2017 | Xihekou Secrets: The Headless Bride | Ding Wen Shu (Main Role)[3] |
| 2019 | Feng Ling World | Main Role[3] |
| 2019 | Meta Area | Sha Ying[1] |
| 2020 | Lost and Found in Tokyo | Supporting Role[3] |
| 2021 | The Covenant with Dragons 3 | Yu Zhe (Main Role)[3] |
| 2022 | The Ghost Fan Lou | Shen Mo (Main Role)[3] |
| TBA | Guardian | Zhao Yun Lan (Main Role)[3] |
Discography
Studio albums
| Title | Release date | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Ai Wo (愛我; Love Me) | August 17, 2007 | Avex Taiwan https://music.apple.com/cn/album/%E6%84%9B%E6%88%91/1063269799 |
| D Xin Yin Li (D新引力; D's New Attraction) | January 16, 2009 | Avex Taiwan https://open.spotify.com/album/D新引力2009 |
| D 1 Miao (D1秒; The First Second) | June 24, 2010 | Avex Taiwan https://genius.com/artists/Danson-tang/albums |
Compilation albums
| Title | Release date | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Kai Wang Ming Tian De Lv Xing (開往明天的旅行; Journey to Tomorrow's Travel – Greatest Hits) | 2011 | Avex Taiwan https://www.discogs.com/release/16038019-唐禹哲-Danson-開往明天的旅行-Greatest-Hits |
Soundtrack contributions
Tang has contributed several songs to television drama soundtracks. Notable examples include:- "Zui Ai Hai Shi Ni" (最愛還是你; Still Love You the Most), ending theme for The X-Family (終極一家), released 2007. https://www.kkbox.com/tw/tc/song-list/Hafai1N2N4mje0n3V4iA==
- "Hui Se He Ti" (灰色河堤; Gray River Embankment), opening theme for the Taiwanese broadcast of the Korean drama Wives' Temptation (妻子的誘惑). https://www.kkbox.com/tw/tc/song-list/Hafai1N2N4mje0n3V4iA==
- "Xiang Shuo" (想說; Want to Say), from Murphy's Law of Love OST, 2015. https://soundcloud.com/thu-h-632327266/want-to-say-danson-tang-murphys-law-of-love-ost
- "Mei Wei De Xiang Nian" (美味的想念; Delicious Thoughts), theme for Delicious Mission (美味的想念), 2013. https://music.apple.com/cn/album/%E7%BE%8E%E5%91%B3%E7%9A%84%E6%83%B3%E5%BF%B5-%E9%9B%BB%E8%A6%96%E5%8E%9F%E8%81%B2-single/1070845278