Koo Jun Yup seen cleaning Barbie Hsu's tombstone in Taiwan

11 Jan 2026, 00:32 by hjang · allkpop

Koo Jun Yup was recently observed by fans visiting the grave of his late wife, Barbie Hsu (Xu Xiyuan), at the Chin Pao San Cemetery in Taiwan. According to reports from local outlets such as Next Apple on January 6, a fan encountered the artist on January 3 while he was visiting the site. When the fan spoke to him in Korean, identifying as a fan of Barbie Hsu, Koo Jun Yup reportedly responded by silently gesturing toward the tombstone before beginning to clean it. Witnesses noted that he meticulously scrubbed both the front and rear of the monument with supplies he had brought, staying for an extended period without sitting down.

Koo Jun Yup has reportedly halted all public activities following the death of Barbie Hsu in February 2025. The actor passed away at the age of 48 due to complications from the flu and pneumonia during a family trip to Japan. Since her passing, Koo Jun Yup has been seen at the cemetery frequently, with reports indicating a significant weight loss of 12kg. Some witnesses also mentioned seeing him watch 'Meteor Garden', the drama that established Barbie Hsu as a star, on a tablet while staying by her grave. The younger sister of the deceased, Dee Hsu, shared that he visits the cemetery daily to share meals with his late wife and spends his time at home painting her portraits.

The recent sightings have prompted a wave of reactions from netizens in both Taiwan and South Korea. Many expressed deep sympathy, with comments such as, "Reading about this alone brought tears to my eyes," and "It is heartbreaking to see him so thin after his loss." Others defended the sincerity of his mourning against skeptics, stating, "To those claiming this is a performance, try maintaining such an act for an entire year." Numerous fans also shared messages of support, wishing for his physical and emotional recovery.

Koo Jun Yup and Barbie Hsu first met in 1998 and dated for approximately one year. However, they eventually separated due to factors such as the barriers of a long-distance relationship and opposition from their respective management agencies. The couple gained international attention for their dramatic reunion and marriage in 2022, which occurred 20 years after their initial breakup and following Barbie Hsu's divorce.

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