Veteran Taiwanese Singer Zheng Xiuyue Dies at 71; Daughter Completes Mother-Daughter Drama

Veteran Taiwanese singer Zheng Xiuyue passed away on May 30 from lung adenocarcinoma at the age of 71. Her funeral was held yesterday, with her daughter, actress and singer He Yiqi, tearfully bidding her mother a final farewell amidst a somber atmosphere.

Tragically, He Yiqi had just completed filming the Public Television Taiwanese Hokkien channel TV movie "The Unfilial Daughter's Manual for Fighting" (不孝女教戰手冊) shortly before her mother's passing. The drama coincidentally delves deeply into mother-daughter relationships and female awakening, making the real-life loss particularly poignant for He Yiqi.

In the drama, He Yiqi plays the "unfilial daughter" of Yao Daiwei's character, who repeatedly faces emotional blackmail from her traditional, son-preferring mother. The character fights back against "toxic filial piety" and seeks to change her relationship with her mother. He Yiqi expressed deep empathy, stating, "The protagonist of this story is a microcosm of many people in their 30s and 40s today, raised with strict parenting and strong control. I am from this generation and can deeply relate."

He Yiqi noted that while many in reality might choose distance when facing such suffocating family dynamics, the character confronts and transforms her relationship with her mother. This portrayal provided her with significant inspiration during filming. Yao Daiwei, playing the "emotionally manipulative mother" who binds her children with traditional values, is described as having a youthful and playful personality off-screen, earning her the title of "most contrasting" person on set.

Yao Daiwei, who turned 60 while filming, shared that her mindset has become more open, allowing her to switch between acting and her personal life more easily. Unlike her younger days, she now returns to her natural state after scenes and mingles with younger actors without any airs. "The Unfilial Daughter's Manual for Fighting" is scheduled to premiere on the Public Television Taiwanese Hokkien channel in 2027.

“

This story's protagonist is a microcosm of many people in their 30s and 40s today, raised with strict parenting and strong control. I am from this generation and can deeply relate.