Chen Chien-chou Hospitalized for Acute Myocardial Infarction! Fan Wei-chi's Comment 'Like Hsi-yuan' Sparks Controversy, 7-Year History of Gaffes Resurfaced

Chen Chien-chou, also known as Blackie Chen, was recently rushed to the hospital after suffering an acute myocardial infarction, with 90% blockage in a critical heart artery. He underwent emergency surgery and was admitted to the intensive care unit. His wife, Fan Wei-chi, tearfully recalled that Chen had been preparing to travel to Nagoya, Japan, with their children when he fell ill. In an emotional moment, she said, 'Thank goodness he didn’t go—otherwise, he would’ve ended up like Hsi-yuan,' referring to her late friend, the late celebrity Barbie Hsu (Xu Hsi-yuan).

This comment immediately sparked controversy online, with many criticizing Fan for invoking the memory of someone who had passed away under tragic circumstances. While some sympathized with her emotional state after her husband’s near-death experience, others deemed the comparison inappropriate and insensitive.

The incident has led netizens to revisit Fan Wei-chi’s history of controversial statements over the past seven years, from 2019 to 2026. These include her remarks about singer Fish Leong’s divorce, her criticism of Taiwan’s pandemic mask export policy, the 'Ambo Box' streaming controversy, and her public defense of her husband during the 2023 MeToo allegations.

One long-standing controversy involves Fan’s educational background. Early in her career, she was frequently labeled a 'Harvard genius' or 'Harvard-educated talent' by media and her record label. However, it was later revealed that she attended Pomona College in Los Angeles and later transferred to Harvard Extension School, which is a continuing education program and not equivalent to Harvard’s undergraduate degree program. Despite her 2019 Weibo post clarifying that she never claimed to be a Harvard graduate, the 'Harvard' label continues to resurface during public controversies.

In 2019, during the early rumors of Fish Leong’s marital issues, Fan’s manager stated that she had 'vaguely heard' about the situation before it was officially confirmed. This led to accusations of her violating her friend’s privacy, with critics calling her 'a loose-lipped friend.' Fan later clarified that she did not make the statement herself, but the phrase 'vaguely heard' became a widely discussed topic in entertainment circles.

In 2020, during the early stages of the COVID-19 pandemic, Fan posted on Facebook criticizing the government’s decision to temporarily ban medical mask exports. Her post included strong language such as 'vulgar, personality-less hooligan behavior' and 'dog officials,' which quickly went viral. She later apologized, acknowledging her inappropriate wording and expressing regret to then-Premier Su Tseng-chang. However, her follow-up posts and interactions with netizens prolonged the controversy, significantly damaging her public image and leading to a prolonged absence from major public performances.

In 2021, during the Tokyo Olympics, Chen shared a livestream screenshot of Taiwanese badminton player Tai Tzu-ying’s match, which showed an interface from the 'Ambo Box'—a device often associated with unauthorized streaming. Chen initially claimed the image was sent by a friend but later admitted to using the device and apologized. Fan was also implicated when netizens noticed what appeared to be an Ambo Box in her home viewing setup. She did not directly address the device but posted an English message about 'the difference between wit and humiliation,' which only fueled further debate.

In 2023, during Taiwan’s MeToo movement, actress Daya Chou accused Chen of inappropriate behavior in 2012. Chen denied the allegations. Fan publicly defended her husband, stating that he 'never drinks alcohol' and emphasizing their close-knit family life. However, netizens quickly unearthed past photos and videos of Chen drinking, leading to accusations that Fan’s defense was counterproductive. Her planned concert was later canceled amid the backlash.

In September 2026, Chen suffered an acute myocardial infarction and was rushed to the hospital. He had been preparing to fly to Japan but was found to have a 90% blockage in a key artery. Thanks to timely medical intervention, he survived. Fan’s emotional comment referencing Barbie Hsu reignited public debate. While some viewed it as a natural outburst from a wife fearing the worst, others criticized it as tactless.

From 2019’s divorce rumors to 2020’s mask controversy, 2021’s Ambo Box incident, 2023’s MeToo defense, and now the 2026 'Hsi-yuan' remark, Fan Wei-chi has repeatedly found herself at the center of public scrutiny due to her public statements. This latest incident has once again brought her past controversies into the spotlight.