Latest news with #F4
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Ken Chu gets candid about F4 reunion, Barbie Hsu's death and selling her ex's products
TAIPEI, July 19 — Taiwanese singer-actor Ken Chu has spoken out after facing backlash for promoting products linked to Wang Xiaofei, the ex-husband of the late actress Barbie Hsu. The 46-year-old, who rose to fame as a member of the iconic boy band F4, addressed the criticism during a Douyin livestream on Wednesday. He also reflected on his recent reunion with his bandmates — Jerry Yan, Vic Chou and Vanness Wu — during Mayday's concert on July 12, as well as his deep affection for Hsu, their Meteor Garden co-star who died earlier this year. Hsu, who played female lead Shan Cai in the 2001 drama that catapulted F4 to stardom, died on February 2 at age 48. According to AsiaOne, Chu became visibly emotional while discussing her, pausing to collect himself before saying: 'She was in the lives of the four of us, right? Everyone talks about the wheel of fate. I believe that among the four of us, we each had our own methods of loving her when we were younger.' Chu revealed he had hesitated to take part in the reunion due to his declining health, admitting, 'I age 1.5 times faster than a normal person.' He added that if he didn't join the band within the year or next, he might not be able to keep up physically. Still, it was his enduring gratitude for F4 and his affection for Hsu that ultimately convinced him: 'It's because of the love and passion I received over the years, and because of Barbie.' The livestream also saw Chu address criticism over his decision to sell Ma Liu Ji instant hot and sour noodle soup — a food brand owned by Wang Xiaofei and his mother Zhang Lan — during his online sales shows. Online users had questioned his support for the brand, given the legal disputes between Wang and Hsu before her death. But Chu was unbothered. 'Why can't I sell it?' he said bluntly. 'To be honest, I really hope Wang Xiaofei earns a lot of money, if not, who would take care of his two children?' Hsu and Wang, who divorced in 2021, shared two children, Hsi-yueh, 11, and Hsi-lin, nine. In the years leading up to the actress' passing, the former couple were embroiled in several lawsuits, including allegations of defamation and breaches of privacy. Chu had briefly addressed his position in 2023, saying during another livestream: 'I think it's quite awkward to say this... but my liking for this brand has no relation to any trending news. I just feel that this brand is honest in their products, taste well and I wanted to recommend it to everyone.'
Malay Mail
4 days ago
- Entertainment
- Malay Mail
Ken Chu gets candid on F4 reunion, Barbie Hsu's death and selling her ex's products
TAIPEI, July 19 — Taiwanese singer-actor Ken Chu has spoken out after facing backlash for promoting products linked to Wang Xiaofei, the ex-husband of the late actress Barbie Hsu. The 46-year-old, who rose to fame as a member of the iconic boy band F4, addressed the criticism during a Douyin livestream on Wednesday. He also reflected on his recent reunion with his bandmates — Jerry Yan, Vic Chou and Vanness Wu — during Mayday's concert on July 12, as well as his deep affection for Hsu, their Meteor Garden co-star who died earlier this year. Hsu, who played female lead Shan Cai in the 2001 drama that catapulted F4 to stardom, died on February 2 at age 48. According to AsiaOne, Chu became visibly emotional while discussing her, pausing to collect himself before saying: 'She was in the lives of the four of us, right? Everyone talks about the wheel of fate. I believe that among the four of us, we each had our own methods of loving her when we were younger.' Chu revealed he had hesitated to take part in the reunion due to his declining health, admitting, 'I age 1.5 times faster than a normal person.' He added that if he didn't join the band within the year or next, he might not be able to keep up physically. Still, it was his enduring gratitude for F4 and his affection for Hsu that ultimately convinced him: 'It's because of the love and passion I received over the years, and because of Barbie.' The livestream also saw Chu address criticism over his decision to sell Ma Liu Ji instant hot and sour noodle soup — a food brand owned by Wang Xiaofei and his mother Zhang Lan — during his online sales shows. Online users had questioned his support for the brand, given the legal disputes between Wang and Hsu before her death. But Chu was unbothered. 'Why can't I sell it?' he said bluntly. 'To be honest, I really hope Wang Xiaofei earns a lot of money, if not, who would take care of his two children?' Hsu and Wang, who divorced in 2021, shared two children, Hsi-yueh, 11, and Hsi-lin, nine. In the years leading up to the actress' passing, the former couple were embroiled in several lawsuits, including allegations of defamation and breaches of privacy. Chu had briefly addressed his position in 2023, saying during another livestream: 'I think it's quite awkward to say this... but my liking for this brand has no relation to any trending news. I just feel that this brand is honest in their products, taste well and I wanted to recommend it to everyone.'
The Star
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- The Star
Why Ken Chu from F4 is selling products by Barbie Hsu's ex-husband Wang Xiaofei
Ken Chu (left) was criticised for selling Wang Xiaofei's products during his live-stream sales. Barbie Hsu and Wang Xiaofei divorced in November 2021. Photos: Ken Chu/Douyin, Barbie Hsu/Weibo Taiwanese singer-actor Ken Chu has defended his decision to sell products made by the company of Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei, the former husband of late Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu. Chu, 46, was a member of Taiwanese boy band F4, which also comprise Jerry Yan, 48; Vic Chou, 43; and Van Ness Wu, 46. The quartet reunited for a surprise performance at Taiwanese pop-rock band Mayday's concert at the Taipei Dome on July 12. F4 were brought together as a boy band in 2001 after acting in Taiwanese idol drama Meteor Garden (2001), which also starred Hsu. The band members went their separate ways in 2009. Hsu, who died aged 48 in February, divorced Wang, 44, in November 2021 after 11 years of marriage. They have an 11-year-old daughter and a nine-year-old son. The former couple were then embroiled in a divorce battle and war of words on social media. Chu, who is now focusing on live-stream sales on Douyin, was criticised by netizens on July 16 after he continued to hawk hot and sour vermicelli from Chinese food brand Maliuji. This is a company under Wang and his mother Zhang Lan. 'Why can't I sell that?' Chu replied. 'To be honest, I really hope Wang Xiaofei makes a lot of money. Otherwise, who will take care of his two children?' The artiste also mentioned Hsu, better known as Big S, in his live stream. 'She was the girl who was involved in the lives of the four of us,' he said, referring to the F4 members. 'I think all four of us loved her in our own way when we were younger.' Chu also disclosed that he was initially not keen on the F4 reunion on July 12, which was facilitated by Mayday's agency B'in Music. 'I asked their manager why they were so persistent on the reunion,' Chu said. 'She relayed (Mayday frontman) Ashin's words to me: 'Ashin feels that all the good things from the days when we were younger are slowly disappearing, and he wants to gather them back together, including F4.'' Chu admitted that it was not easy for him to return to the stage. 'I'm not as physically fit as I used to be,' he said. 'If you watch the video, you can see that I look a little older than the three of them.' Chu said that although he is 46, his physical condition is like that of a 60-year-old's. He suffers from fibromyalgia, a condition that can lead to lasting muscle pain and fatigue. 'Compared with the three of them, I'll be more out of shape if we don't reunite this year or next year,' he said. 'So I'm working hard on it.' – The Straits Times/Asia News Network
Straits Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- Straits Times
Why Ken Chu from F4 is selling products by Barbie Hsu's former husband Wang Xiaofei
Find out what's new on ST website and app. Ken Chu (left) was criticised for selling Wang Xiaofei's products during his live-stream sales. Barbie Hsu and Wang Xiaofei divorced in November 2021. Taiwanese singer-actor Ken Chu has defended his decision to sell products made by the company of Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei, the former husband of late Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu. Chu, 46, was a member of Taiwanese boy band F4, which also comprise Jerry Yan, 48; Vic Chou, 43; and Van Ness Wu, 46. The quartet reunited for a surprise performance at Taiwanese pop-rock band Mayday's concert at the Taipei Dome on July 12. F4 were brought together as a boy band in 2001 after acting in Taiwanese idol drama Meteor Garden (2001), which also starred Hsu. The band members went their separate ways in 2009. Hsu, who died aged 48 in February, divorced Mr Wang, 44, in November 2021 after 11 years of marriage. They have an 11-year-old daughter and a nine-year-old son. The former couple were then embroiled in a divorce battle and war of words on social media. Chu, who is now focusing on live-stream sales on Douyin, was criticised by netizens on July 16 after he continued to hawk hot and sour vermicelli from Chinese food brand Maliuji. This is a company under Mr Wang and his mother Zhang Lan. 'Why can't I sell that?' Chu replied. ' To be honest, I really hope Wang Xiaofei makes a lot of money. Otherwise, who will take care of his two children?' The artiste also mentioned Hsu, better known as Big S, in his live stream. 'She was the girl who was involved in the lives of the four of us,' he said, referring to the F4 members. 'I think all four of us loved her in our own way when we were younger.' Chu also disclosed that he was initially not keen on the F4 reunion on July 12, which was facilitated by Mayday's agency B'in Music. 'I asked their manager why they were so persistent on the reunion,' Chu said. 'She relayed (Mayday frontman) Ashin's words to me : 'Ashin feels that all the good things from the days when we were younger are slowly disappearing, and he wants to gather them back together, including F4 .'' Chu admitted that it was not easy for him to return to the stage. 'I'm not as physically fit as I used to be ,' he said. 'If you watch the video, you can see that I look a little older than the three of them.' Chu said that although he is 46, his physical condition is like that of a 60-year-old's. He suffers from fibromyalgia, a condition that can lead to lasting muscle pain and fatigue. 'Compared with the three of them, I'll be more out of shape if we don't reunite this year or next year,' he said. 'So I'm working hard on it.'
New Straits Times
5 days ago
- Entertainment
- New Straits Times
#SHOWBIZ: Singer Ken Chu scolded for selling products by Barbie Hsu's ex-husband
TAIPEI: Taiwanese singer and actor Ken Chu has responded to netizens who criticised him for selling products belonging to Barbie Hsu's ex-husband, the Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei. The 46-year-old artiste, a former member of the Taiwanese boy band F4, who recently reunited with the group at Mayday's concert on July 12, held a Douyin livestream on July 16. During the stream, he discussed F4's reunion and the late Barbie Hsu. F4, which also includes stars Jerry Yan, Vic Chou, and Vanness Wu, rose to fame in the Taiwanese idol drama Meteor Garden (2001), in which Barbie Hsu also starred as the female lead. She passed away on Feb 2 at the age of 48 from pneumonia. Ken, who has ventured into livestream selling in recent years, mentioned that he was recently reprimanded by netizens for offering instant hot and sour noodle soup from Ma Liu Ji, a food brand owned by Barbie's ex-husband Xiaofei and his mother Zhang Lan, during his livestream.
