Taiwanese Meteor Garden star Barbie Hsu dies of flu aged 48

Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, who starred in the popular Asian drama "Meteor Garden," has unfortunately passed away due to pneumonia caused by the flu, at the age of 48. This news has shocked and saddened many of her fans.

According to Hsu's younger sister, the well-known television host Dee Hsu, Barbie Hsu contracted the flu while traveling to Japan with her family during the Lunar New Year. Dee Hsu stated that pneumonia was a complication of the flu. "I am grateful to have been her sister in this life, to have cared for each other and been companions. I will always be grateful to her and miss her!" Dee Hsu said in a statement on Monday, but did not specify the exact location and time of her sister's death.

The sudden passing of Barbie Hsu has sparked widespread attention in Taiwan and China. Many viewers grew up watching her shows and are finding it hard to believe she is gone. In China, news of her death quickly climbed to the top of the trending topics on the social media platform Weibo. "It feels like someone so familiar has suddenly left," one Weibo user wrote. "This is too unbelievable. Her two children, poor kids. May she rest in peace."

Barbie Hsu's acting career began in her teens when she formed the pop music group S.O.S. with her sister Dee Hsu. Later, the sisters transitioned to television hosting, winning the affection of many young fans. In 2001, the broadcast of "Meteor Garden" made Barbie Hsu a household name. She played the female lead in the drama, which also catapulted the boy band F4 to fame. After gaining recognition, she continued to expand her career through other dramas, movies, and talk shows.

In recent years, Barbie Hsu's personal life has also garnered significant attention, particularly her divorce from Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei. Her conflicts with Wang Xiaofei, their fierce arguments on social media after their divorce in 2021, and their legal disputes frequently made headlines. Later, she married South Korean musician Koo Jun-yup, also known as "DJ Koo."

Barbie Hsu was passionate about defending animal rights and collaborated with several organizations, including PETA. "Barbie Hsu was one of PETA's earliest and biggest celebrity supporters," said Jason Baker, Senior Vice President of the organization, in a statement. "She spoke out for animals countless times, directly urging brands to stop selling fur."

Barbie Hsu is survived by her husband, Koo Jun-yup, and her two children with Wang Xiaofei. Her passing is a great loss to the entertainment industry and has left many of her fans deeply saddened.