On September 12, Kang Won Rae posted, “Happy birthday to Jun Yup, born September 11, 1969. Let’s meet again with bright smiles,” along with an old photo of himself, Koo Jun Yup, and Kim Song from their debut years. Kang and Koo, who formed the iconic duo Clon in 1996, have shared a 30-year bond.
This year’s birthday carried a heavy meaning for Koo, who continues to visit the grave of his late wife, Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, nearly every day. The two first dated in 1998 but broke up due to agency opposition, only to reunite and marry in 2022 after more than 20 years apart. Their love story captured the hearts of fans across Asia.
Tragically, Barbie Hsu passed away in February during a family trip to Japan, after contracting influenza that developed into acute pneumonia. Her sudden death left Koo devastated. At the time, he shared, “I am enduring indescribable sorrow and pain, a grief so deep it feels like my insides are being torn apart. I had no strength or desire to speak.” Since then, he has reportedly made daily visits to her resting place at Rose Garden Cemetery in Jinbaoshan, New Taipei City.
Kang Won Rae also expressed his grief and support, saying, “When I see Jun Yup, I’ll probably cry a lot. I hope he takes care of his health.” He even shared a private message exchange, where he comforted his friend with, “Take care of yourself and stay strong.” To this, Koo replied, “Thank you, Won Rae. I’ll try to endure. I’m texting because I might cry if we talk on the phone,” a response that further moved fans.
Sources: daum
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