Taiwanese actress Vicki Zhao's younger sister and singer Koo Jun-yeob's sister-in-law, Vivian Szu, made a public appearance eight months after losing her older sister and delivered her acceptance speech in tears.
On Oct. 17 in Taipei, Taiwan, at the 60th Golden Bell Awards, Vivian Szu won the best variety show host award for the program So Zhe Bu Xi (小姐不熙).
That day Vivian Szu drew attention by appearing in public about eight months after losing her older sister, the late Vicki Zhao. She had suspended activities for about eight months after Vicki Zhao died in February. Amid that, expectations about Vivian Szu's condition rose when she was named a nominee for the Golden Bell best variety show host award.
Vivian Szu appeared at the ceremony wearing a black dress. Before receiving the host award, she first went on stage as a presenter. As she took the stage, background music played a song by ASOS. ASOS was the group name under which Vicki Zhao and Vivian Szu once performed together; through it they earned the stage names Big S and Little S and received much affection. Hearing the song, Vivian Szu briefly lowered her head and covered her mouth, appearing moved to tears.
She hesitated for a moment when offered the suggestion, "If the chances of winning the host award are low but you have something to say to your sister, say it now," then said, "I will sing. The lyrics of this song were written by my sister, and hearing them now feels like she is speaking to me," and cried. She then sang ASOS's song "Sisterly Love," leaving the audience in tears.
Afterward Vivian Szu was announced as the winner of the host award. Receiving the trophy, she looked up at the sky and said, "Sister, thank you. If you hadn't encouraged me back then, I wouldn't have been able to return as a host." Still, she said, "But I'm sorry. I will not dedicate this award to my sister. I will dedicate this award to our mother," and as she began, "Because my mother...," she burst into tears.
She choked up and said, "My mother said she has a big hole in her heart. She said if I win an award today that hole might be filled a bit. So, mother, this award is for you. I believe if I place this award next to my sister's photo my mother's hole will soon be filled." She also expressed her intention to donate the full prize money to contribute to society.
At a press conference held after the ceremony, Vivian Szu said, "My sister is blessing me," and pointed to a necklace she was wearing, saying, "I brought my sister with me today." She added, "A part of my sister is kept inside this. Whenever I miss her, she is always with me." She also revealed that she had tattooed her sister's name, 媛 (Yuan), on the back of her neck.
Regarding the timing of her return to activities, she honestly said, "I can't confirm when it will be. Today I was unexpectedly calm. Returning to host a program again doesn't feel that terrifying, but it's hard to set a date."
Vicki Zhao met Koo Jun-yeob in the 1990s and dated him for about two years before breaking up. She later married Chinese businessman Wang Shaobi in 2011 and had one son and one daughter, but they divorced in 2021. After that Koo Jun-yeob contacted Vicki Zhao and their relationship rekindled. Reunited after 30 years, the two married in 2022 and received much support, but in February this year Vicki Zhao died suddenly while on a family trip in Japan from influenza accompanied by pneumonia, shocking many.
Koo Jun-yeob stayed in Taiwan, halting all activities, and personally handled his wife's funeral and interment, property settlement and inheritance, and matters concerning the children. It is also reported that after the death of the late Vicki Zhao he has been visiting her grave daily to spend time there, drawing sympathy.
[Photo] Golden Bell Awards official YouTube
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