Taiwanese actor Barbie Hsu has died at the age of 48 due to pneumonia caused by influenza, her sister has confirmed.
Her younger sister, Dee Hsu, who works as a TV host, mentioned that their family was visiting Japan for the Lunar New Year when Barbie became unwell, as reported by the BBC. However, Dee did not specify the exact location or time of her sister’s passing.
Dee shared her grief through Sky News: “My dearest and most kindhearted sister Barbie Hsu died of influenza-induced pneumonia and unfortunately left us.
“I am grateful that in this lifetime I was able to be her sister, taking care of each other and being companions. I will forever be thankful for her and miss her!”
Known affectionately as ‘Da S’ or ‘Big S’ by her fans, Hsu gained fame in the mid-1990s at the age of 17 as part of the pop group SOS, which included her sister Dee.
The sisters subsequently transitioned to careers as TV hosts.
Hsu leaves behind her husband, Koo Jun-yup, a South Korean singer, and her two children from a previous marriage.
Her breakthrough came with her role in the 2001 Taiwanese drama Meteor Garden, based on the Japanese manga series Hana Yori Dango, or Boys over Flowers.
In Meteor Garden, Hsu portrayed Dong Shancai, a girl from a modest background who attends an elite school for the wealthy and becomes part of a love triangle with two boys from Taiwan’s most influential families.
This series was the first adaptation of the manga, preceding Japanese, Korean, Chinese, and Thai versions.
The BBC reports that many young women emulated Hsu’s character’s style, leading a local broadcaster to air the show eight times to satisfy fan demand.
Aya Liu, a TV host and long-time friend of the sisters, recently met Hsu last month, where they promised to spend more time together. Liu expressed on Weibo: “I didn’t think that would be our last gathering. Rest in peace, the most beautiful queen.”
Fans have been paying tribute to the actor, with one Twitter user writing: “Meteor Garden raised an entire generation of Asians. Thank you Barbie Hsu for giving life to Shancai.”
Another fan commented: “You will be missed Barbie Hsu, thank you for portraying the iconic role of San Chai of Meteor Garden. You’ve been a part of my college years.”
A third fan shared: “Rest in Peace, Barbie Hsu. Thank you for making my childhood happy. Always be my fave version of Meteor Garden.
“You’ll always be remembered.”