Koo Junyup Faces Grief After Barbie Hsu (Seo Hee-won)'s Passing

Koo Junyup, known as "Taiwan's national son-in-law," is coping with profound grief following the passing of his wife, Barbie Hsu (Seo Hee-won). As he navigates this challenging period, his recent appearances have drawn public attention.

Koo Junyup, a well-known figure in both Korea and Taiwan, is facing immense sorrow after the sudden passing of his wife, Barbie Hsu. On May 12, Koo's mother-in-law, who is also the mother of the late Barbie Hsu, shared family photos on her social media, expressing her sadness on this year's Parents' Day. She noted, "This year's Parents' Day is particularly sorrowful," adding that Koo Junyup appeared visibly thinner, attributing it to his grief over Barbie's death.

She also thanked her other son-in-law for his support and expressed gratitude toward the celebrities and the public who continue to remember and honor her daughter.



The family photo, featuring Koo Junyup, has garnered attention online. In the image, Koo appears noticeably slimmer, wearing a black hat during the family gathering, marking a noticeable change from his usual robust appearance.

In a separate instance last month, singer and actor Bai Bingbing mentioned Koo during an interview, revealing that he visits Barbie Hsu’s grave daily, a gesture that deeply moved her. According to Bai, both Koo and Barbie’s sister continue to struggle emotionally following the loss.

Barbie Hsu passed away suddenly from acute pneumonia while traveling in Japan this February. Her unexpected death shocked fans and the public. In the aftermath, Koo Junyup openly shared his grief, with reports from Taiwanese media indicating that he has lost nearly 12 kilograms and has been seen with swollen eyes, hinting at his struggle to cope.

In addition to mourning, Koo has also faced public scrutiny and speculation about his wife's inheritance. After Barbie's passing, rumors surfaced regarding her assets, leading Koo to clarify his stance. He stated, "All of Barbie's wealth was earned through her hard work to support her beloved family, and I intend to leave all rights to my mother-in-law."



Under local inheritance laws, Koo inherited his late wife’s assets, with media reporting that agreements concerning inheritance and custody with Barbie's ex-husband, Wang Xiaofei, were settled. During this period, Barbie’s mother posted a cryptic message online, saying, "He is a con man. I was a fool." The message led to speculation among Taiwanese netizens, debating whether it was directed at Koo or Wang Xiaofei.

In response to questions about the ambiguous post, Barbie’s mother urged the public to stop spreading baseless rumors, stating, "We are in deep mourning. Please stop the baseless assumptions and disrespectful questions."

Despite these challenges, Koo Junyup remains close to his in-laws by participating in family gatherings, which has garnered support from both domestic and international netizens. Many have commented online, expressing their hope that he finds peace and strength amid the ongoing difficulties.

Barbie Hsu, previously married to Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei, had two children from that marriage before their divorce in 2021. Following the split, Barbie and Koo Junyup, who had briefly dated in 1998, reconnected and married in 2022. Their unexpected love story, rekindled after more than two decades, earned widespread admiration, with Koo affectionately known as "Taiwan's national son-in-law."

In the wake of Barbie Hsu's passing, both Korean and Taiwanese fans continue to express their support for Koo Junyup, empathizing with his profound sense of loss.

Original Korean article by Oh Seung-hyun, Xportsnews reporter
Photo Credit: Koo Junyup, Late Barbie Hsu

Disclaimer:
This article is a translated version of the original Korean article published by Xportsnews. AI was used to support the translation process, and while efforts have been made to ensure accuracy, some expressions may differ slightly from the original.

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