DJ Koo mourns wife Barbie Hsu's death, leaves inheritance to mother-in-law

By KTimes

Singer DJ Koo (Koo Jun-yup) shared a heartfelt message on social media Thursday, expressing his grief over the loss of his wife, Barbie Hsu.

“On Feb. 2, 2025, my angel returned to heaven. I want to express my gratitude to everyone mourning Hsu,” he wrote. “Right now, I am going through indescribable sorrow and suffering, feeling a gut-wrenching pain. I have neither the strength nor the desire to say anything. But even before I could properly mourn and grieve this tremendous loss, some heartless people have begun to defame my family and our love.”

Koo, a former member of dance duo Clon, criticized certain individuals for spreading false information. “Some people are trying to damage our family by creating fake news about insurance and costs. It is terrifying to think that such cruel people truly exist in this world. Please, can you just let Hsu rest in peace?” he said.

Regarding reports by some Chinese-language media on inheritance matters, Koo said, “All of Hsu’s assets were earned through her hard work to support the family she loved, so I have decided to give full authority over them to my mother-in-law. As for the children’s share, I will take legal measures through a lawyer to ensure that bad people cannot touch it, protecting it until they reach adulthood.”

Concluding his post, Koo expressed his deep sorrow. “The time I spent with Hsu was an irreplaceable and priceless gift. I believe that protecting the family she loved most is the last thing I can do for her,” he wrote.

Hsu passed away on Feb. 2 while traveling in Japan due to acute pneumonia. She was 48. Hsu had previously married Chinese business tycoon Wang Xiaofei in 2011, with whom she had a son and a daughter, before divorcing in 2021.

She later remarried Koo in 2022. The couple first met in 1998 and had a romantic relationship before reuniting after 23 years, drawing significant attention.

The funeral was held in Japan, and Koo, along with family members, returned to Taiwan with Hsu’s ashes.

Taiwanese outlets reported that Koo, along with Hsu’s mother and other family members, departed from Japan’s Haneda Airport on a private charter flight and arrived at Taipei Songshan Airport on Thursday. Hsu’s ashes will be placed at a memorial park in Sanzhi, New Taipei City.

Hsu’s younger sister, Dee Hsu, said in a statement through her manager, “My sister has returned home peacefully.” She added that in accordance with Hsu’s quiet and reserved nature, the family would not hold a farewell ceremony. “Our entire family is grateful for everyone’s love for my sister,” she said.

This article from the Hankook Ilbo, the sister publication of The Korea Times, is translated by generative AI and edited by The Korea Times.