TAIPEI — Barbie Hsu, the Taiwanese actress who gained fame across East Asia as the romantic lead in the 2001 television drama “Meteor Garden,” has died at age 48 due to influenza-induced pneumonia, her sister Dee Hsu announced Monday.
Hsu, affectionately known as “Big S,” passed away while on a family holiday in Japan. The news quickly became the most searched topic on China’s Weibo microblogging platform.
“My dearest and most kindhearted sister Barbie Hsu died of influenza-induced pneumonia and unfortunately left us,” Dee Hsu, also known as “Little S,” said in a statement.
“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!“
A Career That Defined a Generation
Hsu and her sister first gained popularity as members of the pop group S.O.S, but it was her leading role in “Meteor Garden” that solidified her iconic status in Taiwanese and East Asian entertainment.
She was married to Korean rapper Koo Jun-yup (“DJ Koo”) for nearly three years following her 11-year marriage to Chinese entrepreneur Wang Xiaofei. Hsu is survived by her two children.
Her passing marks the loss of a beloved actress and cultural icon, leaving behind a legacy cherished by fans across Asia.
