Koo Jun Yup has been caught up in a surprising turn of events regarding his late wife, Barbie Hsu. Reports have revealed that the couple signed a prenuptial agreement before their marriage, but it’s causing some drama after her sudden passing.

On February 10, Taiwan's ETtoday reported that Koo Jun Yup and Barbie Hsu agreed to separate their property before tying the knot.

In an unexpected move, Koo Jun Yup transferred a mansion worth 16 billion won, located near Taiwan’s National Art Museum, to Barbie Hsu’s mother.

However, it turns out the prenuptial agreement was never notarized in court, leading experts to believe it could be invalidated. This means Koo Jun Yup might still have a claim to Barbie Hsu's substantial estate.

The couple married in 2022, but their love story goes way back. They first dated in 1998, before reconnecting in 2021 after Koo Jun Yup reached out to Barbie following her divorce from Wang Xiaofei.

Tragically, Barbie Hsu passed away unexpectedly on February 2 from acute pneumonia while on a trip to Japan.

She left behind a massive estate worth about 250 billion KRW, including luxurious properties like an 88.6 billion KRW mansion on National Art Museum grounds and a 160.4 billion KRW penthouse. Barbie also had a steady annual income of at least 3.5 billion KRW.

In the absence of a will, Koo Jun Yup and their two children would usually split Barbie Hsu’s fortune, each receiving one-third. However, Koo Jun Yup has stated that he will give up his share and pass it directly to his mother-in-law.

He also vowed to take legal action to protect his children's inheritance, ensuring no "bad people" can get their hands on it until they’re old enough to manage it themselves.

It’s a heartbreaking and complicated situation for Koo Jun Yup, who is navigating the aftermath of his wife’s untimely death while trying to secure his family’s future.

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Director Kim Hyung Joo of The Match has finally shared his thoughts on Yoo Ah In’s involvement in a drug scandal, calling it a major disappointment, especially considering the actor’s role as the lead in the film.

On March 19th, the director attended a press screening and briefing for The Match at CGV Yongsan I'Park Mall in Seoul. Alongside Kim, actors Lee Byung Hun, Ko Chang Seok, Hyun Bong Sik, Moon Jung Hee, and Jo Woo Jin were present to discuss the film.

The Match revolves around the legendary Go player Cho Hun Hyun (played by Lee Byung Hun), who, after a loss to his disciple, decides to challenge the top players again, driven by his competitive spirit. The movie is directed by Kim Hyung Joo.

Lee Byung Hun plays the iconic Go champion Cho Hun Hyun, while Yoo Ah In portrays his disciple, Lee Chang Ho.

During the event, Kim recalled the casting process, saying, "When we were casting, Lee Byung Hun was cast first. Just having him felt like we had the world, and then, getting Yoo Ah In as a bonus made me even happier."

Although filming wrapped up in 2021, Yoo Ah In's drug scandal led to the indefinite postponement of the film’s release. Now, nearly four years later, The Match is finally set to hit theaters on March 26th.

Reflecting on Yoo Ah In's scandal, Director Kim openly shared his frustration, calling it "irresponsible and disappointing" for the actor to make such a mistake as the lead.

He added, “Before being an actor, he made a mistake as a member of society and was punished, so I don’t think there’s much more to say.” Kim smiled bitterly as he spoke.

Describing the challenges he faced due to the scandal, Kim compared the experience to being trapped in "a hellish tunnel."

He said, "There was nothing I could do inside, so it was overwhelming. But now that we have the light of release, it feels like I can breathe. I’m deeply moved."

The director also shared that because Yoo Ah In was the lead actor, the film had to be released as it was, without editing. This has led some people to feel uneasy about watching the film, given the actor’s scandal.

When asked about this, Director Kim said, "Choosing and judging is up to the audience, so I can't force anything. But I hope they watch the movie as it is. I unintentionally got hurt before the release, so I hope people watch the movie warmly, as if applying ointment to a wound."

The Match will officially be released on March 26th.

Source: [1]