Mixed responses follow Ko's public apology

(L-R) Angie Chai, actor Kai Ko and his parents attend a press conference in Beijing on August 29, 2014. Ko publically apologized for posessing and using drugs for the first time after 14-days of detention. [Photo/IC]

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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.