The public cannot help but feel sympathy for Barbie Hsu as she continues to be mentioned across all media platforms due to the inheritance dispute.

More than a week has passed since “Shan Cai” Barbie Hsu’s passing. However, even after her departure, her name remains a hot topic across all media channels due to the inheritance dispute. Currently, her estate is caught in a tug-of-war with conflicting reports about the strategies being used to claim it. According to Chinese media, Barbie Hsu left behind an estimated fortune of $30 million USD (over 761 billion VND), including real estate such as land near the National Museum of Fine Arts worth approximately 44.38 million CNY (over 152 billion VND) and a penthouse valued at around 80 million CNY (about 278 billion VND). So, who are the eligible contenders for the former actress’s fortune, and what secrets lie behind the schemes of some controversial figures in this list?

Korean Husband – DJ Koo

After several days of maintaining silence while handling funeral arrangements for his late wife, on the evening of February 6, Koo Jun Yup (DJ Koo) posted a lengthy letter expressing his grief and clarifying matters regarding inheritance and custody of Barbie Hsu’s two children. He declared that he would relinquish his inheritance rights to his mother-in-law, Huang Xuan Mai, and do his best to care for his late wife’s children.

However, according to the latest report from ET Today, Taiwanese (China) lawyers stated that DJ Koo cannot simply renounce his inheritance rights. Specifically, Barbie Hsu’s will designates DJ Koo and her two children as heirs. If DJ Koo gives up his share, it would be equally divided between the two children, but Barbie Hsu’s mother would have no legal claim to it. Under Taiwanese (China) law, for DJ Koo to transfer the assets to Huang Xuan Mai, he must first accept the inheritance and then reassign it as a gift, which would result in significant tax liabilities.

There are mixed opinions regarding this revelation, with some suspecting DJ Koo’s true intentions—knowing the law but making a public statement to boost his image. Despite the controversy, many sympathize with him, as he remains one of the few family members who has stayed silent and focused on the funeral arrangements for Barbie Hsu.

Previously, Taiwanese (China) media reported that DJ Koo and Barbie Hsu had agreed on a prenuptial asset division before marriage. According to leaked details, the 152 billion VND villa near the National Museum of Fine Arts was meant to be transferred to Barbie Hsu’s mother. However, since the prenuptial agreement was not notarized in court, this clause might be invalidated, leaving DJ Koo with the right to inherit Barbie Hsu’s estate.

Barbie Hsu’s Biological Family

The second group involved in the inheritance dispute is Barbie Hsu’s biological family, particularly her mother and younger sister, Dee Hsu. As mentioned earlier, DJ Koo has declared his intention to transfer the 152 billion VND villa to his mother-in-law, but legal issues remain. Lawyers suggest that the division of Barbie Hsu’s estate will be complex and contentious in the coming months. Additionally, the biological family will represent Barbie Hsu in the ongoing legal battle with Wang Xiaofei over unpaid alimony following their divorce.

In reality, Huang Xuan Mai has a legitimate claim in the inheritance dispute but appears less involved compared to others, likely due to her fragile mental state. Her recent social media posts convey deep sorrow and grief over the loss of her daughter, indicating that she has yet to overcome this immense pain.

MC Dee Hsu

According to Next Apple, Koo Jun Yup and Barbie Hsu never signed a prenuptial agreement, further complicating legal procedures. Additionally, the inheritance involves Barbie Hsu’s ex-husband, businessman Wang Xiaofei. Following Barbie Hsu’s passing, Wang Xiaofei legally becomes the guardian and manager of their children’s inherited assets, as mentioned earlier.

Facing the possibility of her late sister’s fortune falling into the hands of her ex-husband, Dee Hsu has vocally supported both her mother and brother-in-law, DJ Koo. She has also sought legal advice from her husband’s family, which has a strong legal background. China Times reports that Dee Hsu’s mother-in-law is a renowned lawyer in Taiwan (China), while her sister-in-law holds a doctorate in law from the U.S. In reality, Dee Hsu herself is a beneficiary of Barbie Hsu’s inheritance, meaning her actions not only support her mother and brother-in-law but also serve her own interests.

Ex-Husband Wang Xiaofei and His Mother

Wang Xiaofei and his mother, Zhang Lan, are considered the most controversial figures in this inheritance battle and have faced widespread criticism from the public. In the past, they allegedly mistreated Barbie Hsu, treating her merely as a “child-bearing machine” and making her life miserable. After Barbie Hsu’s death, Wang Xiaofei was accused of putting on a dramatic act of grief for public sympathy. His videos of crying on a plane and standing in the rain for 30 minutes were exposed by Taiwanese media as publicity stunts to boost his image and strengthen his inheritance claim.

Not only Wang Xiaofei, but his mother also exploited Barbie Hsu’s passing for personal gain. Zhang Lan held live-stream sales sessions while making insensitive remarks about her former daughter-in-law’s death. Public outrage intensified when Zhang Lan and her godson, Xiaojian Xia, spread false claims that Wang Xiaofei chartered a private jet to bring Barbie Hsu’s ashes back to China and that DJ Koo had taken out 21 life insurance policies on his wife for financial gain. In response to their actions, the Douyin platform (China’s version of TikTok) permanently banned Wang Xiaofei and Zhang Lan from live-streaming.

Wang Xiaofei has been ridiculed as a “Best Actor” by the public for his exaggerated grieving performances aimed at gaining sympathy and inheritance benefits.

His mother, Zhang Lan, has also faced backlash for exploiting Barbie Hsu’s death and spreading false rumors.

Following Douyin’s ban, Wang Xiaofei took further steps, publicly announcing that he had cut ties with his mother, Zhang Lan, and shifting the blame onto her. “I have nothing to do with her anymore. I am an unfilial son. She is my mother, but our views are worlds apart. I am a terrible person. I have wronged everyone, but from now on, my relationship with her is officially over.”

Frustrated by Douyin’s decision, Wang Xiaofei publicly criticized the platform’s CEO and condemned the judge handling his custody case for refusing to grant him custody of his children during winter and summer vacations. He complained that this forced him to travel back and forth between Beijing and Taiwan (China) year-round to visit his children.

Public anger escalated further when ET Today reported allegations from a social media account, Emmy Drama Time, accusing Wang Xiaofei and Zhang Lan of financially exploiting Barbie Hsu. The allegations claim that they owe a massive debt of 4.5 billion TWD (over 1,500 billion VND), are involved in illegal business activities, money laundering, and have set up trust funds in Taiwan (China) under relatives’ names to hide illicit earnings and misappropriate funds. So far, neither Wang Xiaofei nor Zhang Lan has responded, and their silence has only fueled speculation and public outrage.

Even in death, Barbie Hsu remains entangled in this inheritance battle.