The entertainment world has been thrown into confusion following reports that disgraced Chinese-Canadian pop star Kris Wu—once one of Asia’s most recognizable celebrities—has allegedly died while serving his prison sentence in Beijing. He was 34 years old.
According to multiple Chinese social media accounts and entertainment blogs, Wu, whose real name is Wu Yifan, reportedly passed away on October 30, 2025, at a detention center where he was serving a 13-year sentence for sexual assault and organizing illicit gatherings. Several unverified sources have suggested the former EXO member may have succumbed to exhaustion or health complications after a prolonged hunger strike.
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So far, no official statement has been released by the Beijing prison authorities or Chinese state media, prompting both widespread speculation and caution from online platforms. Officials have since reminded the public that spreading unverified information about ongoing investigations could carry legal penalties under Chinese law.
Wu’s fall from superstardom to imprisonment remains one of the most dramatic scandals in Chinese pop culture. Once hailed as a bridge between K-pop and Mandopop, Wu rose to international fame after debuting under SM Entertainment’s EXO in 2012. Following his departure from the group in 2014, he built a flourishing solo career in China, collaborating with global brands like Burberry and appearing in major films.
His reputation, however, unraveled in 2021 after influencer Du Meizhu accused him of predatory behavior and sexual misconduct involving multiple women, including minors. The ensuing backlash led to his arrest, conviction in 2022, and eventual imprisonment.
In recent months, Wu had again surfaced in Chinese headlines amid reports of additional tax evasion charges, allegedly involving his mother. Authorities reportedly linked the pair to large-scale financial misconduct exceeding 300 million yuan, further deepening the disgrace of what was once a celebrated household name.
Rumors of Wu’s deteriorating health began circulating weeks before his reported death, with online insiders claiming that he had been held in strict isolation and had refused to eat for extended periods. Some accounts suggested he had received no family visits since his mother’s incarceration.
While speculation continues to swirl across Weibo and other Chinese platforms, official confirmation has not yet been issued. State-run outlets have neither verified nor denied the reports, leaving fans and critics alike in suspense.
From global fame to an ignominious fall, Kris Wu’s story remains a sobering tale of how celebrity power, moral reckoning, and public accountability can collide in the age of digital transparency. Whether these latest reports prove true or not, the saga of Wu Yifan continues to serve as one of modern entertainment’s most haunting cautionary narratives.