Chinese actor Liang You Cheng dies at 27, case linked to Barbie Hsu’s death

Chinese actor Liang You Cheng. Photo from Liang's Weibo

Malaysian news outlet Hype reports that Liang passed away on Jan. 30 after a few days of illness, initially mistaking his symptoms for a common cold. His condition worsened rapidly, leading to a severe infection that affected his central nervous system. Despite being rushed to the hospital, he quickly succumbed to the aggressive illness.

Though not officially confirmed, it is suspected that the influenza A virus, which causes symptoms like fever, sore throat, and cough similar to those of a cold, was responsible for his death. In severe cases such as Liang’s, the virus can be fatal.

The news of Liang’s death has drawn significant attention as it surfaced after Hsu’s family confirmed her death at age 49 from influenza-related pneumonia on Feb. 3. The coincidence has alarmed Chinese netizens, drawing parallels between the two cases and raising concerns about the often-underestimated dangers of the influenza virus. The public conversation now emphasizes the importance of not ignoring flu-like symptoms, which can quickly become life-threatening.

Liang had roles in dramas like "Echo of Her Voice" and "My Heart" and was slated to star in the upcoming series "It Girl in Tang Dynasty."

Hsu was known for her roles in popular TV series like "Meteor Garden," "Mars," and "Summer’s Desire."

Speculation about her death began with a Facebook post and was initially met with skepticism due to her recent public appearances in good health, including attending a wedding in January and appearing in a New Year’s post by her husband, South Korean musician DJ Koo. Subsequently, leaked medical reports revealed that she had missed two critical opportunities for treatment while in Japan.