In 2007, the story of Yang Lijuan, a young woman from Gansu, China, who pursued Hong Kong superstar Andy Lau to the point of destroying her family’s finances, shocked the public. Her father sold their home, borrowed money, and even explored selling a kidney to give his daughter a chance to meet her idol. The tragedy reached its peak when he died, leaving behind a suicide note that blamed the actor. Many years later, the life of the woman who once captured the attention of all of China has taken a very different turn.
13 Years of Obsession Left Her Family in Desperate Financial Straits
Yang Lijuan became fascinated with Andy Lau when she was young. She believed that dreaming about the actor was not a coincidence but a sign of destiny. Gradually, she neglected her studies, did not seek employment, reduced contact with friends, and spent most of her time at home looking at her idol’s photographs and listening to his music.
Her parents repeatedly gave in to her wishes, hoping to make her happy. In 1997, the family gathered 9,900 yuan to send Yang Lijuan to Hong Kong in the hope that she could meet Andy Lau. However, after seven days, she still had not met him and returned home disappointed.
Rather than giving up, her family continued trying to fulfill her wishes. In 2003, her father sold the family’s only home and moved his wife and daughter into a cheap rented room. When they heard that Andy Lau had traveled to Gansu to film A World Without Thieves, Yang Lijuan spent several days standing on the upper floors of a building, hoping to catch a glimpse of her idol. Once again, she failed to achieve her goal.
By 2006, the family had nearly exhausted its assets. In desperation, her father went to a hospital to inquire about selling a kidney to raise money so his daughter could continue pursuing her idol. The plan never materialized, but after the story was reported by the media, it triggered widespread public debate across China.
A Brief Encounter and Her Father’s Tragic Death
In 2007, Yang Lijuan finally had the opportunity to meet Andy Lau at a fan event. The encounter was brief, however, and she remained dissatisfied because what she really wanted was a private conversation with the actor lasting around 90 minutes.
Her father continued trying to persuade staff members to arrange a longer meeting for his daughter, but every attempt was rejected. In the early hours of the following morning, Mr. Yang left behind a 12-page suicide note before jumping into the sea at the Star Ferry pier in Hong Kong.
In the letter, her father did not blame his daughter. Instead, he held Andy Lau responsible for failing to fulfill her wish. He believed that if the The Return of the Condor Heroes star had agreed to meet his daughter one more time, the tragedy might not have happened.
His death intensified the controversy surrounding the case. Yang Lijuan subsequently sued Andy Lau, seeking compensation for emotional distress, but her claim was unsuccessful. The court determined that the actor was not at fault in the incident.
After returning home with her mother, Yang Lijuan burned all her photographs, posters, and music tapes related to the star. However, returning to an ordinary life proved far from easy. With no educational qualifications or professional skills, and facing a negative public reputation following the widely publicized incident, she struggled to find work. She took on various jobs to support herself and repay debts.
A Quiet Life After Years of Public Controversy
Today, Yang Lijuan works as a supermarket stockroom assistant and takes on additional promotional work, earning just over 2,000 yuan. She lives with her mother, who is now over 80, in a rented apartment measuring less than 30 square meters. Their living conditions are modest, and they lack many basic conveniences.
Yang Lijuan no longer follows entertainment news and rarely uses social media. On her days off, she often sits on the balcony or takes her mother downstairs for a walk. Occasionally, when a supermarket plays one of Andy Lau’s famous songs, she pauses for a few seconds before continuing her work as though nothing has happened.
In an interview several years ago, Yang Lijuan was asked whether she would choose the same path if she could live her life over again. She answered firmly that she would never do so. She also broke down in tears on camera while speaking about her father, asking people to forgive both him and herself.
Despite everything, she continues to hold her father in high regard, describing him as the greatest father in the world. Yang Lijuan believes he sacrificed far too much for her, while also acknowledging that everyone can make mistakes. She previously criticized certain media organizations for promising to help her meet Andy Lau but arranging for someone impersonating the actor to appear instead, further encouraging the family’s false hopes.
Now, Yang Lijuan’s life revolves around her job and her elderly mother. At 48, she has never married, has no children, and rarely speaks about her past. Every Qingming Festival, she brings white chrysanthemums to the banks of the Yellow River, where her father’s ashes were scattered, to remember the man who devoted his entire life to her.
Yang Lijuan’s story is not merely a tragedy about a fan whose obsession spiraled out of control. It also illustrates the consequences of family love turning into limitless indulgence. In her pursuit of an idol, she lost her youth, while her family paid a price that could never be undone.
Sources: kenh14