JJ Lin attacked and punched at autograph signing in Taipei

An autograph session in Taipei turned ugly when popular Singaporean singer JJ Lin was assaulted by an unknown man on New Year's Day, reported Chinese media.

According to Focus Taiwan, the 33-year-old singer was meeting fans and signing autographs to promote his new album "Genesis" when a man rushed onto stage and "took a swing" at the singer.

Photos posted on China Times showed the man attacking the singer from behind.

The man was subsequently stopped by a spectator - a part-time student - who managed to grab him and alerted the police, said The Straits Times. Lin was sent to National Taiwan University Hospital by ambulance.

Later reports said Lin had left the hospital and was due to return to the mall in Ximending shopping district to continue signing autographs.

The man, described by witnesses to be in his early 30s, is currently being held by the police for questioning but he had not being cooperative. He was reported to have wished the singer 'Happy New Year' as he was being led away.

The Straits Times said Lin gave the police a statement, saying he was not familiar with the attacker and did not know why he was assaulted.

He told police that he believed the man carried out the act to gain attention in public.

wjeanne@sph.com.sg