Chiung Yao, the celebrated romance novelist who captured the hearts of generations in the Chinese-speaking world, has died at 86, prompting an outpouring of mourning across social media.

A photo of Chiung Yao. [Photo/VCG]

Born Chen Che in Chengdu, Sichuan province, in 1938, Chiung Yao passed away at her home in New Taipei City on Dec. 4. The author's son, Chen Chung-wei, confirmed the news, with local authorities ruling out foul play. Her death marks the end of an era for fans of her poignant storytelling, which bridged literature and screen adaptations with unparalleled emotional resonance.

In her farewell note, which still reflects the lyrical quality defining much of her work, Chiung wrote, "I am a 'spark,' and I did my best to burn brightly," emphasizing her desire to leave the world lightly. “I have shed the gradually painful shell and, lightly, transformed into a snowflake and flown away!"

She urged everyone not to cry, grieve or feel heartbroken for her, but to celebrate her with laughter. Chiung also shared heartfelt advice, encouraging everyone to be true to themselves and adding: “Don't waste the chance of coming to this world! Though life may not be perfect and is filled with unexpected joys and sorrows, don't miss out on the brilliance that belongs to you!"

Tributes to Chiung have poured in across social media, with related hashtags amassing over 1 billion views on Weibo, a Chinese microblogging platform. Fans, cultural organizations, such as UNESCO, and figures have honored her legacy, celebrating the profound impact of her work. Brigitte Lin, who starred in the 1973 film adaptation of "Outside the Window" and soared to fame from this role, expressed regret for not visiting her old friend recently, calling Chiung a "strong woman" she would never forget.

Other actors also paid tribute to the late novelist on Weibo with Ruby Lin posting that having the opportunity to play numerous roles in adaptions of the novelist’s work was “an honor enough for this lifetime.” Fellow actor Alec Su, who also gained stardom through acting in a few TV adaptations, called Chiung’s literary works "treasures of an era" that left an "indelible mark" on his life. 

Chiung Yao's literary journey began early. She moved to Taiwan with her family in 1949 and published her debut novel, "Outside the Window," in 1963, which was based on her first love in school. Over the next nearly six decades, Chiung wrote more than 60 novels, including "My Fair Princess," "Romance in the Rain" and "Fantasies Behind the Pearly Curtain." Her stories, often centered on themes of forbidden love and enduring passion, becoming cornerstones within Chinese popular culture and influencing the Asian diaspora globally. 

Beyond the pages, more than 80 films and TV series were adapted from her novels, cementing Chiung’s status as a cultural icon and launching over 100 actors to stardom. Her works subsequently captivated audiences on both sides of the Taiwan Strait through these film and TV drama adaptations. For example, the TV adaptions of "My Fair Princess" achieved unprecedented success, with the Qing Dynasty-themed series becoming a cultural phenomenon during the time of its airing from 1998 to 2003. A brand-new TV remake of this novel was broadcasted in 2011.

Despite her popularity, Chiung's literary works often faced criticism for being melodramatic and formulaic. Yet, the emotional depth of her stories struck a chord with audiences who found solace and inspiration in her depictions of love's triumph over adversity. She has been one of the best-selling writers through the years, with her television dramas regularly being rebroadcast on platforms such as Hunan TV.

Chiung Yao consistently expressed her affection for the Chinese mainland. Following a trip in 1988 to visit relatives and explore various areas, including Beijing and the provinces of Hubei, Sichuan and Yunnan, she published a book titled "The Nostalgia that Cannot Be Cut Off," which details her experiences during the visit.

"Chinese people love their ancestors and their land; they possess a strong affection for their mountains and rivers, and a longing for their homeland. That's how Chinese people are. No matter if separated by mountains, seas or years, in the blood of Chinese people, there is always a continuous flow of the Yellow River and the Yangtze River," she wrote.

Chiung's personal life was as storied as her novels. Her marriage in 1979 to publisher Ping Hsin-tao, the founder of Crown Publishing which printed most of her books, was widely discussed, with their relationship being a source of both inspiration and conflict. Chiung detailed these struggles and her contentious relationship with his children over his medical care in her 2017 book "Before the Snow Falls." Ping passed away in 2019 at the age of 92, which deeply affected Chiung. Her grief with his passing became a recurring theme in her social media posts.

Chiung Yao poetically said in the final poem she read in a video titled "When Snowflakes Fall," accompanying her published farewell note: "Like snowflakes and sparks bursting forth at the same time, I will fly towards the galaxy where I can dance."