Taiwanese actor Barbie Hsu, one of the most celebrated stars in the Chinese-speaking world, has passed away at the age of 48 due to complications from a flu-related illness. The tragic news was confirmed by Taiwan’s official Central News Agency (CNA) on Monday, citing a statement from her younger sister, Dee Hsu.
According to the report, Hsu succumbed to pneumonia after contracting the flu during a family vacation in Japan. Dee Hsu, in an emotional message shared by her agent, expressed deep sorrow over the loss.
“I am grateful that I could be her sister in this life, to take care and accompany each other,” Dee Hsu said. “I will always be grateful to her and miss her.”
Barbie Hsu, affectionately known as “Big S,” first gained widespread recognition in the mid-1990s when she and her younger sister formed the Mandapop duo S.O.S. The duo became popular for their music as well as their charismatic presence on television as talk show hosts. However, it was her breakout role in the 2001 hit television drama Meteor Garden that solidified her status as a household name. Her portrayal of a humble girl navigating a romance with a wealthy young man won over millions of fans across Asia and beyond.
Following the announcement of her passing, social media platforms were flooded with messages of grief and disbelief. The phrase “Big S passed away” quickly became the top trending topic on China’s Weibo, accumulating over 1.5 billion views. Fans and celebrities alike paid tribute, with Meteor Garden co-star Ken Chu writing, “What a bolt from the blue.” Many echoed feelings of shock, with some expressing that life is unpredictable and fleeting.
Hsu had faced health challenges in recent years, which her sister had previously mentioned on television. In 2022, she stepped away from the entertainment industry after ending her 11-year marriage to Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei, a subject that had captivated social media discussions across Taiwan and mainland China.
She is survived by her husband, Korean rapper Koo Jun-yup, and her two children from her previous marriage. Her sudden passing leaves a significant void in the entertainment industry and among her many fans who admired her work and vibrant presence on screen.
