Remembering YEN CHENG-KUO: From Child Star to Redeemed Director, a Life Cut Short at 50
The Taiwanese film world is in mourning following the sudden passing of Yen Cheng-Kuo (顏正國), the beloved child actor who captivated audiences as the plucky “A-Kuo” in the 1980s Kung-Fu Kids (好小子) series. Yen died on October 7, 2025, at 4:57 p.m. at Far Eastern Memorial Hospital in New Taipei City’s Banqiao District, succumbing to stage 4 lung adenocarcinoma after being removed from life support. He was just 50 years old, three days shy of his 51st birthday on October 10. Funeral director and social media influencer Juan Chiao-pen (阮橋本), known as “Steel Dad,” announced the news on Facebook, conveying the family’s profound grief while requesting privacy during this difficult time. Yen Cheng-kuo’s passing has sparked an outpouring of tributes from fans, filmmakers, and industry veterans who witnessed his evolution from a wide-eyed child star to a resilient artist. Director Hou Hsiao-hsien (侯孝賢), who mentored Yen in his early years, […]
