Taiwanese YouTuber Joeman Faces Backlash Over Controversial Comeback Video Mocking Ex-Girlfriend
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 2 hours ago3 MIN
Summary
Taiwanese YouTuber Joeman (Weng Jun-ming), a content creator with a massive following in both Taiwan and Hong Kong, is weathering another storm of controversy. After previously being implicated in a drug-related scandal, Joeman now faces backlash over his attempt to return to YouTube by making light of serious allegations from his ex-girlfriend Xiao Yi, a beauty influencer. The situation escalated on September 8 when Xiao Yi publicly disclosed that she tested positive for HPV type 53 and chlamydia, revelations that have sparked outrage across social media platforms in both regions. Joeman's September 7 comeback video, in which he self-deprecatingly recreated the infamous "4am beef noodles" incident, has been widely criticized as tone-deaf and opportunistic. Despite Joeman acknowledging in the video that his past behavior was "very absurd" and admitting to being "quite insecure" in the relationship, netizens have accused him of prioritizing content creation over genuine accountability. The controversy highlights ongoing debates about influencer responsibility and the gendered double standards in how male and female public figures are treated following scandals.
Key Points
- Joeman (Weng Jun-ming) posted his comeback video on September 7, two weeks after the scandal broke, joking about the "4am beef noodles" incident that his ex-girlfriend Xiao Yi publicly disclosed
- Xiao Yi revealed on September 8 that she tested positive for HPV type 53 and chlamydia, claiming she contracted these infections during their two-year relationship while trusting they were in a monogamous partnership
- Joeman's legal team released a statement confirming he underwent identical STI testing at the same clinic on August 22, with all results coming back negative
- In the video, Joeman admitted his demands were "very absurd" and stated that if his "daughter or sister" were treated similarly, he would also be upset
- Netizens flooded social media with criticism, with one highly endorsed comment stating the incident highlights how "society still loves men" as female celebrities would face severe slut-shaming for similar behavior
Why It Matters
This controversy exposes deeper societal issues regarding accountability standards for male influencers in East Asian digital culture, where public apologies and self-deprecating content often serve as sufficient penance regardless of the severity of misconduct. The case also underscores the importance of sexual health awareness, as Xiao Yi's public disclosure of her HPV and chlamydia diagnosis serves as a cautionary example of the risks associated with unprotected sex in relationships built on trust rather than verification. For Hong Kong audiences familiar with similar influencer controversies, this incident reflects a broader pattern where content creators leverage scandals as engagement opportunities, potentially normalizing toxic relationship behaviors among younger viewers who idolize these personalities .
This controversy exposes deeper societal issues regarding accountability standards for male influencers in East Asian digital culture, where public apologies and self-deprecating content often serve as sufficient penance regardless of the severity of misconduct. The case also underscores the importance of sexual health awareness, as Xiao Yi's public disclosure of her HPV and chlamydia diagnosis serves as a cautionary example of the risks associated with unprotected sex in relationships built on trust rather than verification. For Hong Kong audiences familiar with similar influencer controversies, this incident reflects a broader pattern where content creators leverage scandals as engagement opportunities, potentially normalizing toxic relationship behaviors among younger viewers who idolize these personalities .