Taiwanese Plumber Model Lu Zhong-lin Dies at 35, Known as 'Handyman Takeshi'
SingTao · 1 SOURCESabout 1 hour ago2 MIN
Summary
Lu Zhong-lin, a 35-year-old plumber and part-time model from New Taipei's Sanhe district, widely known as the "Handyman Takeshi" due to his striking resemblance to Japanese-Taiwanese actor Takeshi Kaneshiro, died on November 12. His friend and internet personality Xiao T announced his death on Instagram on November 15, sharing her grief at seeing his photo at the funeral hall. Just one day before his death, Lu had posted lengthy reflections on Threads revealing he had broken up with his girlfriend, writing about love being "so intense it made me lose myself." His family, who wish to keep details private, confirmed he passed away on November 12 and will hold a memorial service on November 21.
Key Points
- Lu Zhong-lin, 35, from New Taipei's Sanhe district earned the nickname "Handyman Takeshi" for his resemblance to actor Takeshi Kaneshiro
- He was a plumber by profession while also working as a part-time model and sharing plumbing knowledge online, gaining significant popularity
- On November 11, Lu posted on Threads about his breakup, writing that his love was "so intense it made me lose myself" and he "could never enter her heart"
- His friend Xiao T announced his death on November 15, stating at his funeral hall that she still found it unreal and described him as having "something he couldn't get past"
- Lu's brother confirmed he died on November 12, with the memorial service scheduled for November 21; his family requested privacy regarding the cause of death
Why It Matters
Lu's death highlights the mental health struggles that can lurk behind seemingly successful social media presences, as friends described him as someone who "gave all his goodness to others but forgot to love himself." The incident has prompted discussions about emotional support resources, with multiple suicide prevention hotlines shared alongside news of his passing.
Lu's death highlights the mental health struggles that can lurk behind seemingly successful social media presences, as friends described him as someone who "gave all his goodness to others but forgot to love himself." The incident has prompted discussions about emotional support resources, with multiple suicide prevention hotlines shared alongside news of his passing.