Mandopop queen Jolin Tsai and her longtime beau Vivian Dawson have called it quits after dating for six years.

This came as a shock to many who thought that marriage was on the cards for the 36-year-old Taiwanese singer and the 32-year-old actor-model from New Zealand.

Dubbed VJ by the Asian media, sparks flew when the duo worked together in her 2010 music video “Love player,” SET Taiwan reported.

The high-profile couple was also spotted openly dating in places such as Taiwan, Japan, London, and Singapore.

However, there were hints of trouble in paradise.

In an interview with Apple Daily earlier this month, Dawson revealed that he almost broke up with Tsai in their second year together.

He said that he suffered tremendous stress from paparazzi hounding and he often felt lonely because he made few friends in Taiwan.

When asked whether his career-minded girlfriend shared his views on marriage and kids, he responded: “Why don’t you ask her? I don’t know what she thinks about this, we’re both very busy.”

The couple had previously shared on several occasions that they might get hitched by the time they turn 35 years old.

According to the actor’s manager, the couple parted ways amicably in November, and still remain friends.

After the breakup, Tsai jetted off to England to learn how to bake fondant cakes, while Dawson busied himself with hosting gigs.

She was previously romantically linked with singer Jay Chou and actor Eddie Peng.

minlee@sph.com.sg