I’ve got some good news and some bad news. The good news is that the cast of Love Actually has been actively promoting the drama in China, appearing on the popular variety show Happy Camp and doing media events such as a cooking demonstration. All very cute. The bad news is that leading man Joe Cheng has been absent from all the promotional activity in China since he’s currently back in Taiwan. The reason he can’t join the cast to promote the drama will make you cry, though I was expecting this for quite some time. Following on the heels of Ethan Ruan and then Ming Dao finally enlisting for military service earlier this year, Joe has enlisted in the military as of August 8th. Yes, he secretly enlisted and then let the media know afterwards.

This leaves Mike He pretty the last TW-leading man who still hasn’t served his time. Military service in Taiwan has been reduced from two years down to eighteen months and now only twelve months, so a year away isn’t a huge career blow. With that said, LA has become Joe’s last project before he enlisted, so that means we need to savor it while we can. Unlike Ethan’s service, which is a civilian post working in Taipei, Joe is actually enlisting for the army and after orientation training, he’ll be assigned to a troop likely down South. Does this mean abs when he comes back? Oh the possibilities. I’ll miss you, Joe, so take care and serve your country proudly. I’ll be watching LA with a tissue in one hand sniffling over your absence. Continue reading →