Chinese media recently reported Wang’s outing with his two children, new wife Mandy, and mother Zhang Lan at the upscale Guomao Mall in Beijing. Photos showed him affectionately holding his daughter Wang Hsi-yueh’s hand, while Ma Xiaomei walked closely behind with son Wang Hsi-lin. But what truly caught netizens’ attention was Zhang Lan smiling brightly beside her son, dressed in an elegant white suit and carrying a designer bag.
This scene starkly contrasts with the intense fallout earlier this year. Back in February, Wang had publicly declared he was severing ties with his mother after her social media accounts were indefinitely suspended for allegedly exploiting Barbie Hsu’s death.
At the time, Zhang Lan faced severe backlash for livestreaming products and earning over 100 million won while embroiled in controversial rumors surrounding the late actress. Her platforms, including Douyin, were shut down, prompting Wang to state, “She and I are different people. I can’t support someone like this anymore.”
That makes their recent public appearance together shopping, dining, taking photos with fans all the more bewildering. It wasn’t just any outing either; this marked the children’s first official return to Beijing since Wang secured custody. Netizens were quick to express dismay: “So this is what Zhang Lan was aiming for all along?”, “Everything seems to have gone exactly the way she wanted.”
In stark contrast stands DJ Koo Jun-yup, Barbie Hsu’s current husband, who remains in Taiwan grieving. He reportedly visits her grave daily and has lost 12 kilograms from mourning. Her mother and sister are also said to be deeply immersed in sorrow.
This juxtaposition of one side quietly mourning, the other smiling with luxury bags in hand has prompted widespread debate. Was the mother-son estrangement ever genuine? Or just another chapter in a very public performance?
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