An update has emerged on singer Koo Jun-yeob, who was bereaved of Taiwanese actor Barbie Hsu (Xu Xiyuan).
Taiwanese outlet CTWANT on the 18th released a photo showing Koo Jun-yeob attending a celebration party for Barbie Hsu's family at a sukiyaki restaurant in Da'an District, Taipei.
The party was reportedly arranged to celebrate Barbie Hsu's younger sister, Dee Hsu (Xu Xidi), winning the variety show host award at the 60th Golden Bell Awards the day before.
In the released photo, Koo Jun-yeob is wearing a black hat and a mask. His face was covered, but it is clear he has grown thinner than before. Koo Jun-yeob also showed a friendly side, such as by massaging the shoulder of his mother-in-law, Huang Chunmei.
Koo Jun-yeob's wife, the late Barbie Hsu, suddenly died of acute pneumonia after catching the flu during a trip to Japan in Feb. Koo Jun-yeob, after the bereavement, said on his Instagram, "Right now I am going through a time of pain so unbearable it feels like my insides are being torn apart, in grief and agony beyond words," revealing his grief. Koo Jun-yeob and Barbie Hsu briefly dated in 1998 before breaking up, then reunited 20 years later and married in 2022.
After Barbie Hsu died, Koo Jun-yeob halted all activities. Local Taiwanese media reported in Mar. that Koo Jun-yeob had lost more than 12 kilograms and was barely recognizable. Sightings have continued to emerge that Koo Jun-yeob has been keeping vigil at Barbie Hsu's grave for months.
Barbie Hsu's younger sister, Dee Hsu, also mentioned her sister in her acceptance speech at the Golden Bell Awards. Pointing to her necklace, Hsu said, "A part of my sister is inside this. Whenever I miss her, we are always together," and added, "When I want to see her, it feels like I'm holding her close to my heart." The necklace containing Barbie Hsu's ashes was reportedly designed by Koo Jun-yeob and given as a gift to close acquaintances.