Idol Suffers Burns Over 80% Of Her Body After Setting Herself On Fire, Launches New Career

A former idol has found success in a new career after a tragic incident.

Much like the well-known AKB48, the Shanghai-based SNH48 features a rotating lineup of members, and many begin as trainees. Tang Anqi began as a trainee in 2013 before moving up to one of the established teams in the group. 

During the group’s second-ever election, she was ranked 28th and participated in all releases until 2016, when the incident occurred.

Initially, it was reported that Tang accidentally set herself on fire during an argument with a female friend at a café near Baoshan Wanda Plaza in Shanghai on March 3, 2016. She suffered serious burns over 80% of her body and required several surgeries.

Theories surrounding the incident included her friend bringing oil to intimidate her and accidentally spilling it, and a fan of another member orchestrating the fire. However, the official story has remained that Tang accidentally lit herself on fire.

Fans rushed to donate needed blood, and on March 20, the idol shared an update on her condition.

By June 2017, Tang shared that she had completed her initial treatments and was leaving Shanghai to continue recovering in an undisclosed location.

She continued recover out of the spotlight, with minimal updates, until January 17, 2025, when she began streaming as a VTuber under the name 泽音Melody. She initially did not connect her identity to the account, but when fans figured it out, it was not kept a secret.

In January 2026, she held her first live concert, where she sang several SNH48 songs and spoke about her life.

Glad to see her return to entertaining!