Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu dies at 48 from influenza-induced pneumonia

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Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu (徐熙媛), best known for her iconic role in the Taiwanese drama Meteor Garden (2001), has passed away at the age of 48 from influenza-induced pneumonia. Her sister, talk show host Dee Hsu (徐熙娣), confirmed the news on 3 February through her agent.

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“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,” Dee Hsu 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.”

Barbie Hsu is survived by her South Korean husband, singer and DJ Koo Jun-yup, and two children from her previous marriage to Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei (汪小菲)—a 10-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son.

The statement from Dee Hsu did not specify when or where Hsu died, but Taiwanese media, including ETToday, reported that the family was still in Japan. Sources suggest that Hsu will likely be cremated in Japan, with her remains to be brought back to Taiwan.

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Hsu had travelled to Japan during the Lunar New Year holiday with her family, where she contracted influenza. The illness reportedly worsened into pneumonia, leading to her passing.

The news sparked initial rumours on 2 February after a netizen suggested on Facebook that a Taiwanese celebrity married to a foreigner had passed away at 48. Many initially doubted the validity of the claims, as Hsu had recently appeared healthy and in good spirits. On 25 January, she attended a homecoming banquet celebrating the wedding of Taiwanese television producer Wang Wei-chung’s daughter. She was also featured in a family New Year post shared by her husband Koo on 31 December.

The speculation intensified when messages sent to Hsu’s family, including Dee Hsu, were left unanswered. Further fuelling the rumours, Hsu’s former husband Wang Xiaofei reportedly changed his profile picture on the Chinese social media platform Douyin to a plain black image, suggesting he was mourning.

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Close family friend and Taiwanese singer Christine Fan posted a cryptic image of a black background on her Instagram shortly after the news broke, further confirming the tragic event.

Barbie Hsu’s death marks the end of a high-profile life in Taiwanese entertainment. She first rose to stardom in the early 2000s, becoming a household name with her role as Shan Cai in Meteor Garden, a series that defined the Taiwanese idol drama genre. The show gained international acclaim and remains a classic in Asian television.

Hsu’s personal life also often made headlines. She was married to Wang Xiaofei for over a decade before their divorce in November 2021. In February 2022, she reunited with her former boyfriend Koo Jun-yup and married him in a surprise development. The couple would have celebrated their third wedding anniversary on 8 February.

In her sister Dee’s statement, she expressed gratitude for the bond they shared: “I am thankful to be her sister in this life and grateful that we have taken care of each other all these years. Shan, rest in peace. We love you always.”

Barbie Hsu is also survived by her elder sister, who is not in the entertainment industry, and their mother. The family has not yet announced further funeral arrangements or memorial plans.





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