The tumor in her abdomen grew to 17 centimeters, resembling a five-month pregnancy. Doctors said chemotherapy was no longer an option, but she made a decision that silenced the entire internet.
On June 21, 2026, Hong Kong host Lillian Shi passed away peacefully surrounded by her loved ones and friends, at the young age of just over twenty.
When her family announced the news on Threads, they specifically mentioned: "We hope everyone will remember the energetic Lillian. Because until the very end, she never let herself break down."
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The name Lillian Shi might not be widely known in Taiwan, but in the Hong Kong entertainment industry, she was the preferred emcee for many Korean and Thai stars holding fan meetings in Hong Kong. Fluent in Cantonese, English, Mandarin, and Korean, she graduated from the Department of Film at the School of Communication, Hong Kong Baptist University, and was pursuing a Master's degree in Media Culture at the University of Hong Kong before her death. She was also a ViuTV program host, actress, and K-pop content creator, with her career at its peak.
Last year, she discovered hydrosalpinx, 11 centimeters in size, requiring two twists and a first-time surgery under general anesthesia. In October of the same year, a 10-centimeter tumor grew on her ovary. She watched it grow month by month, from 10 to 13 centimeters, then to 17 centimeters. Her abdomen swelled up like she was five months pregnant, and she was eventually diagnosed with ovarian cancer; the cancer cells had spread to her appendix.
Earlier this year, she transferred to a private hospital for two tumor removal surgeries, and in April, she underwent a total hysterectomy at a public hospital. To save her life, a colostomy was created.
She confessed that the colostomy was a huge blow to her. A presenter whose livelihood depends on her voice and image, now with a colostomy bag, worried about never being able to stand on stage again and even more afraid of becoming a burden on her family. Yet, she still managed to host a meet-and-greet with Thai actress Kwong Ling Ling and Orm, enduring the pain to complete the work. Her dedication was so remarkable that even those in the industry couldn't bear to watch.
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At the end of May, she wrote "Lillian's Cancer Diary" on social media, saying her vital signs were terrible, her heart rate had spiked to 140, she was starting to lose hair, and she vomited blood after a blood thinning injection. After evaluation, doctors told her that her condition was too poor to continue chemotherapy, and her treatment would shift entirely to palliative care.
Those who understand, understand.
But Shi Keying didn't post a long article seeking sympathy, nor did she go live to cry and lament. She made a decision—to apply to become a cadaver donor, donating her body to medical school so that future medical students could learn through her body and help more people. She said, "I want to be a useful person."
A girl in her twenties, knowing her time was running out, didn't think of fear, but rather, "How can I still be useful?" This statement carries more weight than any motivational quote.
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She was extremely well-liked during her lifetime. During her battle with the disease, Thai actress Kwong Ling-ling and Orm recorded a video message to encourage her. Kwong Ling-ling said in Cantonese, "I hope you stay cheerful, keep going, don't give up." Shi Keying cried while watching the video and replied that she hoped to collaborate with them again soon. A host of other artists, including Wai Chun-sang, Jennifer Yu, and Kong Yee-sang, also offered their support. After news of her passing broke, Jeffrey wrote, "May you be free from the torment of illness in heaven and be a happy little angel."
In this industry, there aren't many people who are genuinely remembered by so many.
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Many people say that young people don't get ovarian cancer. But the data doesn't lie—it's the sixth most common cancer among women in Hong Kong, with approximately 400 new cases each year. Never having given birth, infertility, and family history are all high-risk factors. Shi Keying's case cruelly reminds everyone: cancer never checks ID cards, nor does it ask how old you are, whether you have a master's degree, or whether you speak four languages.
With her last strength, she engraved the word "useful" on her body donation consent form.
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