Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, a beloved icon in the Chinese-speaking entertainment world, has passed away at age 48 due to a flu-related illness, Taiwan’s Central News Agency (CNA) reported Monday, citing her sister.

A Sudden Loss

Hsu, widely known as “Big S”, died of pneumonia after contracting the flu while on a family holiday in Japan, according to her younger sister, Dee Hsu.

“I am grateful that I could be her sister in this life, to take care and accompany each other,” Dee Hsu said in a heartfelt statement. “I will always be grateful to her and miss her.”

Her sister had previously revealed that Hsu had been struggling with health issues in recent years.

A Legacy in Entertainment

Barbie Hsu first gained recognition in the mid-1990s as part of the Mandapop duo S.O.S., performing alongside her sister Dee. Their quick wit and humor later made them popular talk show hosts.

However, Hsu’s breakthrough role came in 2001 when she starred in the hit drama “Meteor Garden”, where she played an ordinary girl who falls in love with a wealthy heir. The show became a cultural phenomenon, launching her to regional superstardom.

An Outpouring of Grief

News of Hsu’s passing sent shockwaves through the entertainment world. On China’s Weibo, the phrase “Big S passed away” quickly became the top trending topic, garnering over 1.5 billion views.

Fans and celebrities alike mourned her sudden loss:

• “This is really hard to believe,” a popular comment with over 54,000 likes read.
• “It was so sudden, life is too short,” another user wrote.

Even Ken Chu, Hsu’s co-star in “Meteor Garden,” expressed his shock:

“What a bolt from the blue.”

Her Final Years

In 2022, Hsu retired from the entertainment industry following the end of her 11-year marriage to Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei—a topic that had dominated social media discussions across Taiwan and China.

She is survived by her husband, Korean rapper Koo Jun-yup, and her two children from her previous marriage.

A Star Gone Too Soon

Barbie Hsu’s impact on Asian entertainment is undeniable. Her warmth, talent, and charisma touched millions of fans worldwide. While she may be gone, her legacy in music, television, and pop culture will live on.

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