Koo Jun-yup visits Barbie Hsu's grave on her birthday, says no plan to return to Korea
In short
Koo Jun-yup, formerly of the group Clon, visited the grave of his late wife Barbie Hsu at Jinbaoshan in New Taipei, Taiwan, on October 6, her birthday, according to Taiwanese media cited by Korean outlets. Asked by reporters whether he planned to return to live in Korea or stay with his mother, he answered "No". Asked about his feelings for Hsu, he said he "just still love[s] her".
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Koo Jun-yup, formerly of the group Clon, said he has no plan to return to Korea, according to Taiwanese media including ETtoday, as cited by Korean outlets on October 8. He made the remark during a visit on October 6 to the grave of his late wife, Barbie Hsu, at Jinbaoshan in New Taipei, Taiwan. The day was Hsu's birthday. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
When reporters at the scene asked whether he intended to go back to Korea to live or to stay with his mother, Koo replied briefly: "No". Asked about his feelings for Hsu, he said, "Just still love her". Asked whether his wife appears in his dreams, he answered, "Sure". [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
According to the reports, Koo arrived at the grave in the morning and, in the rain, set up umbrellas and chairs and decorated the area with pink flowers. He was seen crying while looking at photos of himself and Hsu on a tablet computer. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Hsu's mother, her younger sister Dee Hsu, and other family members and acquaintances later came to the grave. They wore pink clothes, a colour the reports say Hsu liked, and brought cake and champagne to mark her birthday. After they left, Koo stayed at the grave alone, then put on a raincoat, cleared away the items himself and left. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Koo and Hsu first met and dated in 1998 before separating. They reconnected about 20 years later and married in 2022. Hsu died of pneumonia during a trip to Japan in February last year. Since then, Koo has reportedly stayed in Taiwan and visited her grave regularly. The Seoul Economic Daily headline described the occasion as Hsu's 50th birthday; the article texts do not give her age. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Why it matters
The remarks, reported by Taiwanese media and carried by three Korean business outlets, indicate that Koo has no plan to return to Korea. Korean outlets report that he has stayed in Taiwan and visited her grave regularly since she died.
Key facts
- Koo Jun-yup visited Barbie Hsu's grave at Jinbaoshan in New Taipei, Taiwan, on October 6, which was her birthday. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Asked whether he intended to return to Korea to live or to stay with his mother, Koo replied "No". [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Asked about his feelings for Hsu, Koo said "Just still love her", and asked whether she appears in his dreams, he said "Sure". [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Hsu's mother, her younger sister Dee Hsu, and other family members and acquaintances also visited the grave, wearing pink clothes and bringing cake and champagne. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Hsu died of pneumonia during a trip to Japan in February last year. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- Koo and Hsu first met and dated in 1998, separated, reconnected about 20 years later and married in 2022. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
- The Korean reports cite Taiwanese media including ETtoday. [ 1 , 2 , 3 ]
Confirmed by several sources
- Nothing is confirmed by two independent outlets yet.
Still unclear
- Whether October 6 marked Hsu's 50th birthday. Only the Seoul Economic Daily headline gives the age; the article texts do not state it.
- The exact questions put to Koo and the full context of his answers. The Korean outlets relay the exchange from Taiwanese media reports, including ETtoday, rather than their own reporting at the scene.
- Koo Jun-yup visited his late wife Barbie Hsu's grave at Jinbaoshan, New Taipei, on October 6, her birthday. Reported by a single source so far
- Koo answered "No" when asked whether he planned to return to live in Korea or stay with his mother. Reported by a single source so far
- Koo said he still loves Hsu and that she appears in his dreams. Reported by a single source so far
- Hsu died of pneumonia while travelling in Japan in February last year. Reported by a single source so far