Tragedy struck the Taiwanese entertainment industry on February 3, 2023, as beloved actress 大S (Xu Xiyuan) passed away due to health complications stemming from influenza and pneumonia. This heartbreaking news left fans and friends alike grief-stricken, calling for tributes to honor her life.
大S was only 48 years old at the time of her passing. Reports indicated she had been enjoying her time publicly prior to her death, sharing cheerful moments with family. Unfortunately, her health took a sudden turn, leading to numerous condolences flooding social media platforms following the announcement of her death.
Among those reacting to the news were figures from her personal life, including her husband 具俊晔 (Goo Jun-yeop) and her ex-husband 汪小菲 (Wang Xiaofei). Each played significant roles during the dramatic turn of events surrounding 大S's final days and the days following her death.
具俊晔 expressed his unbearable grief on Instagram, calling for all to allow his late wife to rest peacefully, stating, "求求什么都不要做，只让我们的熙媛平安安息吧，恳切的拜托。" This sentiment reflects the desperate wishes of someone mourning the loss of their partner and wanting to shield their family from unnecessary distress.
On the other hand, 大S’s family faced challenges as debates swirled around the arrangements following her death. SmallS, sister of 大S, made it clear through her agent, "我姐姐的后事，包括包机等所有安排，都是由徐家人负责的," denouncing unfounded rumors concerning funeral logistics and asserting the family's control over the situation.
Reports also hinted at looming disputes over 大S's estate, which remained speculative and stirred public curiosity. These discussions were fueled by the complex dynamics surrounding her relationships, particularly following her previous marriage to 汪小菲. Information about the nature of their relationship has gone through numerous phases of public scrutiny over the years.
汪小菲’s involvement through social media was met with varied reactions from the public, with many pointing fingers and making assumptions about his intentions. Amid the chaos of emotional remarks, those who wished to pay tribute were also watching how 汪小菲 would handle the aftermath out of respect for 大S.
Meanwhile, Zhang Lan, mother of 汪小菲, was also thrust back under the spotlight as she attempted to navigate her own grief. During her livestream sessions, she pulled her followers’ focus back to her entrepreneurial beginnings, sharing raw emotions: "这些天的我常常想起创业初期发高烧之后在后厨熬制底料的自己." While sharing personal anecdotes, it became clear she aimed to connect with those mourning her son's former wife.
The frenzy of social media reactions paints yet another layer to the narrative, where unfounded rumors proliferated, particularly concerning how the logistics of 大S's remains got back to Taiwan. These social sessions heightened the fuzziness of facts where it was claimed initially by some acquaintances of 汪小菲 this burden had been shouldered by him, which he and 小S both firmly refuted.
Given the toll of the events leading to 大S's passing, many fans expressed their desire for privacy for both the family and those related to the tragedy. Amid this sadness, questions around the management of 大S's legacy and her children filter their way through the public eye, yet 具俊晔 stressed he would handle her estate with utmost care, wishing to protect their children from media scrutiny.
After all controversies and emotional upheavals surrounding her passing, the public remains fiercely supportive of 大S's cherished memories, hoping her legacy will be honored respectfully.
Through it all, one sentiment resonates loudly above the noise of controversy: the life and career of 大S—marked by emotional highs and lows—should be celebrated for all the beauty she brought to the world.