When F4 announced their reunion tour to mark 25 years of Meteor Garden, Indonesian fans lost their minds — in the best way. The group that defined early-2000s Asian pop culture, the four faces that covered every bedroom wall from Jakarta to Surabaya, was finally coming back. Then came the fine print: Ken Chu wouldn't be there.

The F4 reunion tour, titled "FForever 1st World Tour," celebrates the group's 25th anniversary since their debut. Ken Chu's absence is tied to contractual issues with B'in Music, the agency organizing the concerts. But the story behind that absence is more complicated — and more human — than a standard contract dispute.

What Actually Happened Between Ken Chu and B'in Music?

In a video shared on his Instagram in December 2025, Ken Chu confirmed he had no contract for the show and that his earlier statements about joining were just him "expressing intentions." He disclosed that he had rejected demands related to the project, which apparently prompted the organizer to cut off all contact with him. 

The part that made fans pause: Ken said he only found out he was excluded from the reunion through news reports — the same as everyone else. 

In his own words: "So to say, for this activity this time, I definitely won't participate. There's some regret, but I must make it clear to everyone here, hoping that everyone can understand this matter." 

That's not a PR statement. That's a man processing something painful in public.

Who Is Replacing Ken Chu?

No one, technically. Ashin, the frontman of Taiwanese rock band Mayday, clarified his role on social media, saying: "I'm not a member of F4, but just like you, I'm a huge fan of F4." He explained that in 2026, at the invitation of Jerry, Vic, and Vanness, they embarked on a new journey together titled "FForever." 

The tour's Jakarta stop is part of a broader Southeast Asia run that also includes Kuala Lumpur, Singapore, Bangkok, and Manila. 

The Part Fans Aren't Talking About Enough

Here's the counterintuitive piece: Ken himself reflected that F4 "was never defined by contracts," saying, "There actually never existed anything between us, who must be tied up with whom in order to do things." He's not bitter about the other members. He's bitter about the system. GMA News Online

And then he said something that hit differently: "I hope there will be a day when the intentions of all four of us can be consistent. Then we can truly bring everyone a great event. I hope everyone still looks forward to it, because I'm quite looking forward to it." GMA News Online

That's not a goodbye. That's an open door.

What the Jakarta Show Felt Like

The May 28 Jakarta date drew thousands who packed the venue with lightsticks and tear-stained cheeks. By all accounts, the atmosphere was electric — old songs filling a stadium with people who grew up watching Meteor Garden on pirated DVDs. One fan's TikTok caption said it plainly: "dilupain juga susah" — hard to forget, even if you tried.

The three remaining F4 members delivered. But for a generation raised on all four of them, the empty fourth chair was audible.