TAIPEI. Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, beloved across East Asia for her iconic role in the 2001 television drama Meteor Garden, has tragically passed away at the age of 48 due to complications from the flu. Her sister, Dee Hsu, confirmed the news on Monday.
Hsu, affectionately known by her nickname “Big S,” was reportedly on a family vacation in Japan when she died. Her sister Dee, a well-known figure in the entertainment industry as “Little S,” shared the heartbreaking news in a statement.
“My dearest and most kindhearted sister Barbie Hsu died of influenza-induced pneumonia and unfortunately left us,” Dee wrote. “I was grateful to be her sister in this life and that we got to care for and spend time with each other. I will always be grateful to her and miss her!”
The sisters initially gained fame as part of the Taiwanese pop group S.O.S. Still, it was Hsu’s breakout role in Meteor Garden, where she portrayed the lead character Shancai, that solidified her status as a cultural icon throughout East Asia.
Hsu’s personal life also made headlines. She was married to Korean rapper Koo Jun-yup, known as “DJ Koo,” for nearly three years following her 11-year marriage to Chinese entrepreneur Wang Xiaofei. The actress leaves behind two children.
The news of her passing quickly became the top trending topic on China’s Weibo microblogging platform, where fans from across the globe expressed their grief and fond memories of the star.
Paraluman P. Funtanilla
Paraluman P. Funtanilla is Tutubi News Magazine's Marketing Specialist and is a Contributing Editor. She finished her degree in Communication Arts in De La Salle Lipa. She has worked as a Digital Marketer for start-up businesses and small business spaces for the past two years. She has earned certificates from Coursera on Brand Management: Aligning Business Brand and Behavior and Viral Marketing and How to Craft Contagious Content. She also worked with Asia Express Romania TV Show.
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