According to multiple Taiwanese media outlets on February 8th, Barbie Hsu’s ex-husband Wang Xiaofei and ex-mother-in-law Zhang Lan were banned from TikTok’s parent company Douyin indefinitely for maliciously exploiting the deceased. Zhang Lan’s live broadcasts were also suspended due to allegations that she had defamed the deceased and her family.
Following the aforementioned ban, Wang Xiaofei expressed his dissatisfaction and announced through SNS that he had “cut off all ties” with his mother. The businessman stated, “I am an unfilial son. Although she is my mother, her values do not match mine.”
He then said, “I am a useless person,” adding, “From today on, I will cut all ties with her. The money she earns is enough to live several lifetimes. If she comes to me again, I will kill her.”
Finally, he showed anger at the indefinite suspension and publicly criticized the Taiwanese judge, saying, “I cannot accept this ruling.”
However, many netizens pointed out that this is not the first time Wang So-bi has threatened to cut ties with his mother. Some also criticized, saying, “In the past four years, their relationship has been cut off once a year on average,” and “this scene is very familiar. How many times has this happened in recent years?”
Previously, according to Taiwan’s Liberty Times on February 6, Zhang Lan, the mother of Barbie Hsu’s ex-husband, Wang Xiaofei, conducted a live shopping stream. The broadcast reportedly drew over 9.3 million viewers, with 286,000 concurrent viewers at its peak, generating over 1 million yuan (approximately $150,000) in sales.
Despite its commercial success, Zhang Lan’s broadcast was shut down after 1 hour and 14 minutes due to mass reports from netizens. Many criticized her for seemingly profiting off the tragic news, questioning her morality. In response to the backlash, Zhang Lan dismissively stated, “Whether it looks good or bad doesn’t matter. As long as I earn money with a clear conscience, I can eat well,” adding, “I have 7,000 employees under me. If I don’t do broadcasts, they can’t eat.”
Zhang Lan has a history of targeting Barbie Hsu and her husband, South Korean singer Koo Jun-yup. After Barbie Hsu remarried Koo Jun-yup in 2022, Wang Xiaofei made a series of controversial posts on social media, accusing his ex-wife of infidelity and domestic issues. Zhang Lan further fueled the controversy through her live broadcasts, spreading rumors and criticism.
However, following Barbie Hsu’s passing, Zhang Lan adopted a more conciliatory tone, stating, “Please speak kindly of her. Barbie Hsu will always be family,” and expressing her willingness to assist with funeral arrangements. Her abrupt shift in attitude has drawn mixed reactions.
Barbie Hsu married Wang Xiaofei in 2011, and they divorced in 2021. She had custody of their two children. In 2022, she reunited with and married Koo Jun-yup, her former lover from two decades prior, capturing widespread attention in Taiwan and South Korea. Her unexpected passing on February 2 due to pneumonia while traveling in Japan has left many in mourning.
Regarding Barbie Hsu’s estate, Koo Jun-yup clarified, “Everything she worked hard for belongs to the family she loved. I will entrust all inheritance matters to my mother-in-law.” He also assured that legal measures would be taken to protect Barbie Hsu’s children’s rights until they reach adulthood.
Koo Jun-yup concluded, “The time I spent with Barbie Hsu was the most precious gift of my life. Protecting the family she loved is my final duty to her.”
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