Renowned Taiwanese writer Qiong Yao passed away by suicide in her home in Tamsui District, New Taipei City on December 4th, at the age of 86, shocking various circles.
Preliminary investigations by the police revealed that Qiong Yao left a suicide note for her son, instructing her daughter-in-law, who is also her secretary, to come home at noon. Upon arrival, her daughter-in-law discovered Qiong Yao’s body and immediately notified the authorities. Despite the efforts of emergency responders, it was too late. The Shilin District Prosecutors Office stated that initial forensic examinations showed no signs of foul play, and the family did not contest the cause of death.
Qiong Yao, whose real name is Chen Zhe, was a prolific writer known for her romantic novels, screenwriting, film and television production, and song lyrics in Mandarin.
Qiong Yao’s brand of romantic novels has been bestsellers in the Mandarin-speaking world for the past 40 years. The efficient production style she pioneered has become a significant industry in itself. An article in the “Three Weekly” once mentioned that the “Qiong Yao Economy” created by Qiong Yao and her husband, Ping Xintao, has earned approximately billions of dollars, propelling nearly a hundred celebrities to stardom.
Behind the “Qiong Yao Economy” stands her family business, with Ping Xintao serving as her manager and publisher, overseeing the Crown Publishing Group (formerly known as the Crown Culture Group), responsible for the production of all of Qiong Yao’s works. The Crown Culture Publishing Co., Ltd., a subsidiary of the Crown Culture Group, primarily focuses on literary works and is one of Taiwan’s most significant and expansive literary publishing houses, boasting numerous acclaimed authors, including Zhang Ailing, Sanmao, and Eileen Chang.
Qiong Yao authored over 60 romantic novels, many of which have been adapted into television dramas, such as the “Courtyard” series, the “Six Dreams” series, the “Mei Hua San Nong” series, and the iconic “Princess Returning Pearl” series.
According to reports from “First Finance and Economics,” both the first and second installments of “Princess Returning Pearl” were not only popular in the Chinese market but also garnered favorable viewership ratings in Japan and South Korea. The collaboration between Hunan Satellite TV and Qiong Yao in producing the sequel “New Princess Returning Pearl” was released in 2011.
Apart from the Crown Publishing Group founded by her husband, Qiong Yao also owned three film and television companies. The Joyful Company belongs to Qiong Yao herself, while the Pleasant Company and the Zhongjie Company are managed by her daughter-in-law, He Xiuqiong, who serves as the general manager, and her son, Chen Zhongwei, who oversees production.
Public records showed that the Joyful Media Co., Ltd. was established in October 1985, with He Xiuqiong as the CEO and a total capital of 10 million New Taiwan Dollars. Intellectual property information revealed that the company has registered multiple trademarks related to “Qiong Yao” and “Princess Returning Pearl,” covering international categories such as food and accommodation services and website services.
The “Qiong Yao Economy” not only benefited family members but also catapulted numerous stars to fame. Lin Qingxia starred in Qiong Yao’s works like “Beyond the Window” and “On the Other Side of the Water,” achieving success notably in the role of Jiang Yanrong in “Beyond the Window.” Additionally, the broadcast of “Princess Returning Pearl” made Lin Xinru, who played the character Zhiwei, a household name. Qiong Yao also elevated many other actors and actresses to stardom, including Ma Yili, Qin Lan, Jiang Qinqin, Liu Tao, Liu Xuehua, Ma Jingtao, Chen Derong, Xiao Qiang, and many more.