Taiwanese music producer Yuan Weiren, bedridden for 5 years, dies at 57

Taiwanese singer-songwriter and record producer Yuan Weiren passed away on Feb. 2 at the age of 57, his sister shared on Facebook.

The former judge of the singing competition "One Million Star" was a prolific musician, who wrote many hit songs for other Mandopop artists, including Faye Wong, Na Ying, and A-mei.

He was married to actress Lu Yuanchi for 14 years before they divorced, and they had two children.

Two comas

Affectionately known as "Xiao Pang Lao Shi" ("Little Fat Teacher"), Yuan suffered two serious falls that caused him to require extensive medical care.

In 2018, he collapsed in Shanghai, which led to a brain haemorrhage, according to Focus Taiwan.

He was later diagnosed with a brain tumour and underwent surgery, after which he went into a coma for 62 days, Today reported in 2022.

In 2020, Yuan had another fall at home, and was hospitalised again in the intensive care unit (ICU).

He subsequently slipped into a coma, and was later assessed to be in a vegetative state due to a serious brain injury.

Since then, he was bedridden, and his second eldest sister became his primary caregiver.

After he passed away at a hospital on Feb. 2, his family took his body home and are making funeral arrangements, according to Focus Taiwan.

Left peacefully

On Feb. 2, his second eldest sister penned a message that was posted on another Taiwanese record producer's Facebook page.

"He left peacefully, and will henceforth be free," she wrote.

"I'm glad he left behind a lot of songs. When people miss him, they can listen to his songs — while driving, when sad, or when at peace... He is everywhere.

Thank you to all the friends who cared for and supported Xiao Pang. He left this world surrounded by your warmth."

Top images from Yuan's Facebook