"My Sister Brought Me Here": Seo Heeje Makes First Public Appearance 8 Months After Seo Heewon's Passing

Wins Best Variety Show Host at Golden Bell Awards
"My sister is surely watching... My brother-in-law has always supported me"

Taiwanese actress Seo Heeje (Xu Xijie), the sister-in-law of Koo Junyup, a member of the group Clon, and the younger sister of the late Seo Heewon (Xu Xiyuan), made her first official public appearance eight months after her sister's passing.

On the 17th, local Taiwanese media outlets, including ETtoday, reported that Seo Heeje attended the 60th Golden Bell Awards and received the award for Best Variety Show Host.

Taiwanese actor Seo Heeje, the younger brother of the late Seo Heewon. YouTube capture

On stage, Seo Heeje said, "My sister is the reason I am here today," and added, "I hope this trophy can fill, even a little, the hole in my mother's heart," before shedding tears. She continued, "I dedicate this award not to my sister, but to my mother," and added, "My sister is surely watching from the sky."

Backstage, Seo Heeje showed the necklace she was wearing and said, "A part of my sister is inside this. Whenever I miss her, I feel like she is with me." She also revealed a tattoo of the Chinese character for her sister's name, '媛 (Yuan),' on the back of her neck as a tribute.

Regarding her brother-in-law Koo Junyup, she said, "He has always supported both my sister and me. Even now, he visits my sister's grave at Jinbosan every day, has meals there, and paints her portrait," adding, "The house is filled with paintings of my sister. One day, we might even hold an exhibition."

Seo Heewon (left) and her husband Koo Junyup. Screenshot from Seo Heewon's Instagram

Seo Heeje donated the entire prize money to the Hualien region of Taiwan, saying, "I want to contribute to society with the same spirit of sharing my sister's love."

Koo Junyup and Seo Heewon dated in 1998 but broke up due to opposition from their agencies. They reunited and married in 2022, more than 20 years later, drawing significant public attention. However, Seo Heewon passed away in February this year due to acute pneumonia caused by influenza while traveling in Japan.

At the time, Koo Junyup stated that he was "in indescribable grief," suspended all activities, and is reportedly still visiting her grave every day to mourn his wife.