On October 18, Taiwanese media outlet CTWANT shared photos of Koo Jun-yup attending a private family celebration hosted by the family of his late wife, Barbie Hsu.
The event was organized by Barbie’s sister, Dee Hsu, who had just won the “Best Host in a Variety Show” Award at the 60th Golden Bell Awards for her role in “Dee Girl’s Talk.” To mark the occasion, the family held a quiet celebration at a popular sukiyaki restaurant in Da’an District, Taipei, where Koo was seen in attendance.
Koo appeared modestly dressed in a brown short-sleeve t-shirt, his face partially covered with a cap and mask. Despite his typically private demeanor, he was photographed affectionately placing his arm around his mother-in-law, Huang Chunmei, showing warmth and closeness with the Hsu family.
However, fans couldn’t help but notice the significant change in Koo’s physical appearance. Once known for his muscular physique, Koo looked visibly gaunt, raising concerns about his health. Following Barbie Hsu’s sudden death in February due to acute pneumonia during a trip to Japan, Koo has reportedly been devastated. It’s said he has eaten very little since her passing and has lost more than 14 kilograms . He has also been making daily visits to her resting place at Jinbaoshan Cemetery to mourn in solitude.
Koo and Barbie Hsu originally dated in 1998 for about a year before parting ways. Barbie later married Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei in 2011, with whom she had a son and a daughter before divorcing in 2021. Upon hearing the news of her divorce, Koo contacted her through her old phone number, and the two rekindled their romance. They married in 2022, reuniting after more than two decades apart.
Sadly, their reunion was cut short when Barbie Hsu passed away earlier this year. Koo’s recent appearance, while touching in its show of familial closeness, also reflected the depth of grief he continues to endure.
Sources: Daum