After Taipei Knife Attack, Taiwan-Based Andie Chen Says Family Will Likely Celebrate New Year Indoors

The knife attack in Taipei on December 19 has left many residents shaken, including Singapore celebrities based in Taiwan.

A knife-wielding attacker who set off smoke bombs and went on a rampage at Taipei Main Station and Zhongshan Station on December 19 killed three and injured 11. He later died after jumping off a building. 

While authorities have described it as an isolated incident, the shock has lingered, especially for families who rely on public transport daily.

In an interview with Lianhe Zaobao, ex-Mediacorp actor Andie Chen, who relocated to Taipei with his family in 2020, admitted the incident was deeply unsettling.

“It happened in Taipei, and we take the MRT often. We have been to the exact location before, so it’s hard not to feel uncomfortable,” says the 40-year-old.

Andie shares two children, Aden, 11, and Avery, nine, with Taiwanese actress Kate Pang.

While their kids usually commute by school bus, Andie says he will personally fetch them for their extra classes for now, with Kate opting for taxis if needed.

With online rumours swirling about a possible copycat attack and speculation that Kaohsiung could be the next target, the family is also rethinking its year-end plans.

Andie shared that while they usually head out to watch New Year’s Eve fireworks, they may choose to celebrate indoors this year instead.

Local singer Huang Jinglun echoed similar concerns.

The 42-year-old, who has lived in Taipei since 2008, told Lianhe Zaobao that he and his son visit Zhongshan MRT station once every two weeks.

For now, Jinglun plans to avoid the MRT altogether.

“There are so many rumours online now, even predicting the next murder location. I worry someone might imitate it, so this Christmas I’ll avoid going out or will go to less crowded places,” says the One Million Star contestant.

Jinglun is also urging people to stay alert and stop being glued to their phones.

“I saw videos online showing that when the incident first happened, many people were standing around watching the attacker, focusing on what he was doing, without realising the danger,” he says.

But not everyone is letting fear dictate daily life.

Singaporean singer Kelly Poon, who has been based in Taipei since 2014, says the recent attacks do not mean she is cutting back on outings, though she has become more alert to her surroundings.

The 42-year-old who is married to Taiwanese producer Roger Yo shares a two-year-old son, Keane.

According to Kelly, Keane already has family personally dropping him off, and picking him up from daycare, and says she would remind her child that she is waiting at the entrance.

“We can choose safer methods and make more rational arrangements. A city becomes truly fragile not the moment an incident happens, but when people stop celebrating and looking forward to tomorrow. We don’t need to pretend nothing happened, but we also don’t need to live in fear. We need rationality, care, and the courage to continue living well,” she says in an interview.

Photos Lianhe Zaobao, andiechen/IG, jisadpoppy/IG, kellypanjiali/IG