Actress Seo Hee-won, who received great love while traveling between Korea and Taiwan, has suddenly passed away, shocking many.
On the 3rd (local time), Taiwanese media outlets like Nayu News and ET Today reported that Seo Hee-won died at the age of 48 due to pneumonia complications from the flu.
Her younger sister and broadcaster, Seo Hee-je, officially acknowledged her sister's death through a statement and expressed her condolences.
Seo Hee-je stated, “We went on a family trip to Japan during the Lunar New Year holiday, but my most beloved and kind sister has left us due to pneumonia complications from the flu.” She continued, “I was happy to be together and take care of each other. I will forever be grateful to my sister and miss her,” expressing her deep sorrow.
Seo Hee-won had been active until recently, showing a healthy appearance and supporting her husband Gu Jun-yeop on stage. In particular, on December 31 of last year, she shared a photo celebrating the New Year with Gu Jun-yeop, which makes the news even more shocking.
“I’m getting married”… A relationship rekindled after 20 years
Gu Jun-yeop proudly stated on his Instagram three years ago that he had tied the knot with the person he loves.
On March 8, 2022, Gu Jun-yeop announced his marriage to the famous Taiwanese actress Seo Hee-won (徐熙媛, Shiu Hsi-yuan, born in 1976), who is 7 years younger and known for her role in the Taiwanese version of “Boys Over Flowers,” titled “Yuseong Flower Garden.”
I’m getting married.
I plan to continue the love I couldn’t finish with the woman I loved 20 years ago. After hearing about her divorce, I found her old number from 20 years ago and reached out.
Fortunately, the number was still the same, and we were able to reconnect. Time had already passed, and I couldn’t waste any more, so I proposed marriage, and she accepted. We decided to register our marriage and live together.
As this is my late marriage, I ask for your support and blessings.
Thank you.
-Gu Jun-yeop-
This message touched many at the time, and the couple's movie-like love story became a hot topic across Asia, transcending Korea and Taiwan.
Seo Hee-won had two children with her ex-husband Wang So-bi. Her stepdaughter Wang Xi-yue (汪希玥, Wang Hee-wol), born in 2014, is currently 10 years old, and her stepson Wang Xi-lin (汪希箖, Wang Hee-rim), born in 2016, is 8 years old. There is also interest in who will be the legal guardian of the two children and how custody will be arranged in the future.
Even after her divorce from Wang So-bi, Seo Hee-won lovingly cared for her two children. After remarrying Gu Jun-yeop, she was often seen spending time with the kids, showing that they were building a warm family. However, with the sudden news, the future of the children has become uncertain, raising the possibility that Wang So-bi may take custody as their biological father.
News delivered just before their 3rd wedding anniversary
The two first met in 1998 and dated for two years before breaking up, but after Seo Hee-won divorced Wang So-bi, they rekindled their relationship. They dramatically reunited in 2022 and tied the knot, celebrating February 8, the date they registered their marriage, every year. However, with the news coming just days before their 3rd wedding anniversary, many are expressing their sorrow.
As a star who was loved not only in Taiwan but also in Korea, the shock continues domestically. Reactions such as “I can’t believe it,” “It’s so sudden,” and “How sad must Gu Jun-yeop be?” are pouring in on social media and online communities.
Gu Jun-yeop's side has not yet made an official statement, and fans are leaving messages of comfort and condolences on his social media. The sudden news of Seo Hee-won's passing has led to a wave of mourning across Asia.
[Kim Seung-hye, MK Sports Reporter]
