43-year-old Wang Kai Suddenly Passes Away at Home, Troubled Medical History Exposed

Taiwanese primetime drama "Taste of Life" 43-year-old male star Wang Kai (real name Wang Jianlong) was found collapsed in his rental apartment on the afternoon of the 26th, having been deceased for some time. Police have preliminarily ruled out foul play and suicide, and prosecutors will review his medical records regarding sleeping pill use to clarify the cause of death.

Wang Kai had a history of health issues. In 2024, a small wound on his right thumb worsened, leading to acute cellulitis and nearly resulting in amputation; he was hospitalized and underwent surgery for seven days. He also suffered mental setbacks, going through a breakup, the death of close family, and the loss of his beloved cat. He fell into a deep depression, stopped working for nearly two years, and sought counseling for a year and a half. He only returned to the screen after going back to his hometown to accompany his mother. After his comeback, heavy workload and irregular routines led him to habitually use sleeping pills, and medication bags were found at the scene.

Co-star Cursed: "Why Wasn’t It You?"

However, news of Wang Kai’s passing caused some overly involved viewers to curse "Taste of Life" antagonist actor Chu Xiang, saying "Why wasn't it you who left?" In response, Chu Xiang issued a stern statement, urging viewers to maintain moderation when watching dramas and to respect one another.

Wang Kai started his career early, rising to fame as "Little Tong" in the idol drama "Lavender." His friend of over 20 years, Chen Qiao'en, mourned him in a heartfelt post: “Little Tong, may you have a safe journey. Old friend, I hope you find happiness in another world.” Wang Kai had previously shared that they struggled together in the entertainment industry in the early days. Even after Chen Qiao'en went to China and became hugely popular, the two stayed in touch privately and their relationship never changed. He once joked that Chen Qiao'en’s popularity in China was so high that when she returned to Taiwan, they had to book an entire restaurant just to have dinner together.

News sources: Liberty Times Entertainment, China Times News Network, Apple Online News