Actor Ethan Juan: My body reacted when co-star touched me

Taiwanese heart-throb Ethan Juan had an embarrassing moment while filming a bed scene for his new movie, Paradise In Service.

The popular 32-year-old admitted to having a body "reaction" when his co-star, rising Chinese actress Wan Qian, touched his private parts during the scene.

Juan was speaking to local media at a small group interview at the ArtScience Museum yesterday to promote his upcoming M18 film, which opens here next Thursday.

The model-turned-actor, who had to strip naked for the daring scene, blushed and said shyly in Mandarin: "It was a natural response. We were filming the movie for more than two months, and the director did not allow our girlfriends to visit us on the island.

"Of course, I had the desire and physical urge when I saw a woman."

Paradise In Service, helmed by celebrated Taiwanese director Doze Niu, tells the story of women in a Taiwanese army brothel formed in the late 1960s catering to soldiers serving in the military.

Juan plays a rookie soldier who works in the brothel and develops a close friendship with one of the prostitutes (Wan).

To prepare for the love scene with Wan, Juan wrapped his private parts with a few socks.

PROTECTION

"I had to have some form of protection to respect the actress," he said. "This scene is definitely the most daring I've done for a movie."

Although he is in a stable relationship with pan-Asian actress Tiffany Hsu, 30, Juan did not tell her about the love scene before filming it.

The Golden Horse award-winning actor said: "I did not see the need to let her know, but I was worried when she told me that she wanted to watch the movie."

He added with a laugh: "Thankfully, she said she was more focused on the cinematography rather than my bed scene."

Still, he would prefer that Hsu did not take on similar risqué roles, even if she was offered one.

"I would feel uncomfortable seeing her act in a bed scene, but if she really wants to take on the role, I will support her. I will nag at her every day, though," Juan said.

He drew laughter from the media when he added: "I'll definitely watch the film. I need to see how far she goes with her co-star."

Juan and Hsu are reportedly tying the knot next year after dating for seven years.

When asked about it, a slightly defensive Juan said that he revealed this to Taiwanese reporters only because they would not stop bugging him about it.

He said the media would not be invited to his wedding as it is a "private and personal matter", and that it "would feel weird with strangers in attendance".

Grinning cheekily, he said: "I'll only inform everyone after the wedding."

"I would feel uncomfortable seeing her act in a bed scene, but if she really wants to take on the role, I will support her. I will nag at her every day though."

- Ethan Juan, when asked about the prospect of his girlfriend Tiffany Hsu getting intimate on screen.