5566’s Zax Wang Says His Ex-Agency Locked Him In Basement To Try To End His Relationship With Ji Qin

It's not uncommon for management agencies to impose a 'no-dating rule' on their artistes. But just how far would they go to break up their idols' relationships?

In a recent podcast with ttsk.co, Zax Wang, a member of hit '00s Taiwanese boyband 5566, opened up about the struggles he faced while dating Taiwanese actress Ji Qin at the peak of his career.

The couple reportedly began dating in 2001, and began discussing marriage in 2006, five years into their relationship.

"When I was 26 years old, we decided to get married. The management agency I was under was very against it and used many methods to break us up," recalled the 46-year-old singer.

At that time, Ji Qin, 50, who is four years older than Zax, was 30 years old. 

Zax revealed that the company, Jungiery Entertainment, founded by renowned Taiwanese manager Sun Derong, even resorted to extreme measures to keep them apart.

"They locked me up in the basement. I was only allowed to go out for work, but other than that, I was stuck in that basement," he said.

Jungiery Entertainment also informed Ji Qin's management agency at the time that it would not allow Zax to date her, and asked them to stop her from keeping in touch with him too.

"Back then I thought: 'No, I can't let them break us up like that'," said Zax.

Since he couldn't leave the basement, the singer enlisted the help of one of the company's publicists to pass a gift to Ji Qin.

"I told them to wait at her house and that they have to hand this gift to her. I gave her a ring and said [through a note]: 'I have never given anyone a ring. I hope you can wear this ring on your finger forever'," he recalled.

He then lied to his boss that he had broken up with Ji Qin.

"But once I was released, [we said]: 'Oops, sorry, we've gotten back together'," he recalled with a laugh.

Eventually, the agency was unable to intervene in their relationship further when Ji Qin got pregnant in 2006.

The couple welcomed their first child, daughter Lele, in 2006, before tying the knot in 2008. They also have a son, Yaya, who is now 18.