Taipei: Four Taiwanese actors and vocal artists were released on bail Tuesday after admitting to paying for falsified medical reports to evade compulsory military service, according to the New Taipei District Prosecutors Office. The case is linked to an ongoing investigation connected to Taiwanese actor Darren Wang, who was indicted alongside 27 others in June for similar offenses.

According to Focus Taiwan, actor Hsiu Jie-kai, 42, admitted to paying NT$150,000 (US$4,893) for forged medical documents and was released on NT$500,000 bail. Actor Chen Bolin, 42, who was released on NT$500,000 bail, admitted to paying NT$100,000. After being released, the Golden Bell Award winner for Best Actor in 2012 expressed gratitude to prosecutors and police for allowing him to face what he described as an “absurd choice” made in his youth.

Chang Shu-wei, 44, a member of the boyband “Energy,” admitted to paying NT$150,000 and was released on NT$500,000 bail. Former boyband “Lollipop” member Liao Yun-chieh, 39, also known as Liljay, admitted to paying NT$300,000 and was released on NT$350,000 bail. Police reported that all four paid a suspect surnamed Chen to arrange falsified high blood pressure reports, and their cases were transferred to prosecutors on suspicion of document forgery and evasion of military service.

Police also detained three civilians for questioning, identified by the surnames Liu, Lee, and Yuan. Meanwhile, another member of “Energy,” Hsieh Kunda, did not appear for questioning as he is working overseas in Canada. In a statement through his management company, Hsieh apologized to the public and fans, admitting he had “mistakenly” applied for a military exemption 15 years ago. He has since canceled his overseas work and contacted police to arrange an early return to Taiwan.

In Taiwan, all eligible male citizens are required to perform compulsory military service, typically around the age of 18, under the Act of Military Service for Officers and Non-commissioned Officers of the Armed Forces.