Barbie Hsu
Renowned Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, best known for her iconic role in the hit drama Meteor Garden, has passed away at the age of 48 due to pneumonia complications following an influenza infection. On Monday, her sister, talk show host Dee Hsu, confirmed the heartbreaking news.
In an emotional statement relayed through her agent, Dee Hsu shared that Barbie fell ill while on a family trip to Japan during the Lunar New Year holiday. “Our whole family came to Japan for a trip, and my dearest and most kindhearted sister Barbie Hsu died of influenza-induced pneumonia and unfortunately left us,” she said.
She added, “I was grateful to be her sister in this life, and we got to care for each other and spend time with each other. I will always be grateful to her and miss her!”
Hsu leaves behind her South Korean husband, DJ Koo Jun-yup, as well as two children—a 10-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son—from her previous marriage to Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei.
Confusion and speculation surrounding Hsu’s death
Before the official confirmation, speculation about Hsu’s passing had been swirling online, fueled by cryptic social media activity and the silence of those close to her.
On February 2, an unverified report surfaced on social media claiming that a prominent Taiwanese celebrity had died at 48 from a sudden illness. The description closely matched Hsu, leading to widespread concern among fans.
Further intensifying the rumors, Hsu’s ex-husband, Wang Xiaofei, changed his profile pictures on Douyin and WeChat to a solid black image on February 3, a move interpreted by many as a sign of mourning.
Meanwhile, some of Hsu’s closest friends and family members initially refrained from addressing the reports, deepening the public’s unease.
Adding to the confusion, Hsu was seen just days before, attending a banquet with her husband, DJ Koo, where she appeared in good spirits.
Moreover, her mother and sister had recently shared videos of themselves dancing, leading some to question the credibility of the rumors. Even her close friend, Makiyo, expressed disbelief, stating she had not heard any news of Hsu’s illness.
Conflicting reports about Hsu’s whereabouts also emerged. While it was claimed that she had been in Japan with family, earlier updates suggested she was in Korea with her children for the Lunar New Year, while her grandmother mentioned a family trip to Thailand.
These discrepancies only fueled further speculation about the circumstances of her passing.
With Barbie Hsu’s death confirmed and made public, fans across Asia are mourning the loss of a beloved actress whose contributions to the entertainment industry left an enduring legacy.