A Taiwanese actor who was earlier arrested for allegedly dodging mandatory military duties has now begun his conscription service.

Darren Wang, who shot to fame for his breakout role in the 2015 teen rom-com Our Times, allegedly used forged medical documents to try to get a military service exemption, according to local news outlets.

All men in Taiwan have to undergo compulsory military service for one year. The government raised this from four months in 2022, citing growing threats from mainland China.

Taiwan sees itself as distinct from the Chinese mainland, but China sees the self-ruled island as a breakaway province that will eventually be under Beijing's control.

News of the 33-year-old Wang's alleged military evasion had earlier sparked debate on Chinese social media with some Taiwanese netizens accusing him of evading his duties, and others asking him to "become a citizen [of the People's Republic of China]".

Wang is popular in the Chinese mainland, and has previously referred to it as the "motherland".

Wang was arrested at his home on 18 February and taken for questioning by police before being released on bail.

Local news reports said he was under investigation for the alleged forgery of a medical document, with Taiwan's Central News Agency saying that "relevant evidence" had been seized from his home.

He was released on bail, but was later investigated again for his suspected involvement in an attempted murder case after police reportedly discovered incriminating messages on his phone.

Wang was taken into custody again in March for this, and was later released on bail.

He is still under investigation for both charges.