Sun has praised Zhang (above), for his kind nature and pleasant personality, encouraging him to have confidence in himself. - IG/dreambreakerz_shaoanzha
TAIPEI: A wealthy celebrity manager in Taiwan has made headlines after announcing his decision to adopt a 19-year-old key opinion leader (KOL) and leave the “son” NT$300 million (US$9.4 million) in exchange for care.
Sun Derong, 63, is famous for helping to propel Taiwanese singer and actor Show Lo and boy band 5566 to stardom.
Reports indicate that after being diagnosed with bladder cancer in 2013, Sun had an artificial one made from part of an intestine, leading to ongoing complications and frequent hospitalisation.
He has maintained a positive mindset in his battle against the illness, and is active on YouTube where he has 166,000 followers.
On Aug 18, Zhang Shaoan, a member of the Taiwanese YouTuber group Wackyboys, shared a video on Instagram in which Sun asked him if he was willing to “put up” with becoming his son.
Zhang said that he had long regarded Sun as a father figure.
Sun then said: “There’s a difference. You will need to live with me and take care of me until the end of my life.”
He added that, in return, he would leave Zhang NT$300 million as his start-up fund.
A shocked Zhang said: “That is an amount of money I could never earn in my lifetime. I could make good use of it.”
Sun also said he intends to leave the rest of his wealth to those he cares about, but not his family.
“Because they already have their own 2,400sq ft luxury house,” he said.
The reaction of Sun’s family to his decision is unclear. He has reportedly never married or had children.
Taiwan’s Good Morning Lehuo magazine reported in March that Sun once gave a NT$1 million (US$30,000) red envelope money to his nephew’s child, but when Sun had surgery the family apparently showed no concern.
He mentioned that incident as his reason for wanting to adopt a son and leaving his wealth to him.
Sun has not directly stated the reason for adopting Zhang, but media reports frequently suggest that they share a close personal relationship.
Zhang briefly left Wackyboys in November 2020 but returned last year, gaining 126,000 YouTube fans with his charming, playful personality.
On Aug 23, he posted a video on Instagram showing him accompanying Sun to a show and captioned it: “Hello, Dad.”
In the video, Sun praised Zhang for his kind nature and pleasant personality.
He also encouraged Zhang to have confidence in himself, saying: “Not having money now doesn’t mean you will not be rich in the future.”
Zhang responded: “I am willing to be your son.”
To which Sun said: “Then keep working hard.”
One online user commented on Instagram: “Zhang is blessed by the Goddess of Fortune. He must be a kind and sincere boy, worthy of Sun’s trust.”
“Is Sun still looking for a son? I can take care of him too,” another quipped. - South China Morning Post
