Mixed responses follow Ko's public apology

Taiwan actor Kai Ko (R) makes a public apology, saying he deeply regrets taking drugs and will never use them again, at a news conference in Beijing on Aug. 29, 2014. [Photo: Chinanews.com / Jin Shou]

Taiwan-based Chinese actor Kai Ko, or Ko Chen-tung, 23, apologized publically for the first time for taking drugs at a press conference in Beijing this afternoon.

Ko was released this morning after 14 days of administrative detention after he was detained for possession and use of drugs in Beijing on August 18.

"I have no reason, no cause and no excuses for what I did", said Ko at the press conference.

"This incidence is like an ugly scar that will remain on my body. When I see it, I will remember the pain of making a terrible mistake."

Several times, Ko paused in tears and it seemed as if he couldn't speak. Angie Chai, top representative for Ko's management company, and Ko's parents placed their hands on Ko's shoulders in encouragement.

According to Ko, the words that came to mind the most during his time in jail was "self-reflection."

"I cannot go back in time to undo what I did, but there is willingness to correct a mistake. I want to correct my mistake, because I don't want to see the sad faces of those who love me and those who I love. I am really sorry to them."

"I have always believed that love can win against all sources of evil. As a public figure, he acted in the worst way possible and sent the worst messages out. As parents, our hearts ache and we are deeply remorseful," said Ko's father Ko Yaozong.

Ko skyrocketed to fame after starring in You are the apple of my eye in 2011. His clean and youthful image won him many fans, especially young women.

The tearful apology seemed to resonate with Ko's hardcore fans.

User Li Yaoyao_2014 wished Ko would "be true to his words and truly reflect on what he did." User Li Junxi said: "Give the young man another chance. He knows what he did was wrong."

By the end of the 10-minute press conference, 3,207 users supported Ko and hoped he would be a better person in the future, under the Sina Weibo topic "Kai Ko press conference", while 1,116 users remained neutral and said they hoped it was not just a show.

Other voices were harsher and more skeptical.

Wang Zhuo, a member of the Beijing CPPCC Standing Committee, wrote on his Sina Weibo account: "It doesn't matter whether he apologizes or not, because nobody cares. Showbiz and the arts industry will not use anyone who brushes shoulders with drugs from now on anyway."

User Dreamer_Huhao said: "After 14 days of detention, Ko's acting skills grew a lot!"

When asked what his plans are after his release, Ko said he will continue to cooperate with the police on further investigations after returning to Taiwan province.

Ko, along with singer and actor Jaycee Chan, son of Chinese kungfu superstar Jackie Chan, were arrested in Beijing police for using and possessing drugs on Aug 18. Jaycee Chan has not been released yet.