'My angel went to heaven': Husband mourns actress Barbie Hsu

South Korean singer Koo Jun-yeop posted on Instagram to mourn his wife, Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu (stage name: Big S), who passed away last week, saying his "angel has returned to heaven."

In the post, Koo Jun-yeop stated that he is experiencing "indescribable grief" and "heart-wrenching pain." Barbie Hsu was one of the most well-known stars in the Chinese-speaking world, and it is believed that she fell ill while traveling to Japan with her family, after which she passed away. The sudden death of the 48-year-old star has shocked the entire entertainment industry.

Koo Jun-yeop wrote in his Instagram post late Thursday: "February 2, 2025, my angel returned to heaven... Right now, I am experiencing heart-wrenching pain." He called on the outside world not to disturb his family and to let them spend their time in grief quietly. Koo Jun-yeop said: "Before I have been able to properly mourn and grieve this huge loss, some ruthless people have already begun to slander my family and our love. Please let Barbie rest in peace."

Previously, some Chinese media reports speculated about who would inherit Barbie Hsu's estate, which reportedly includes properties worth millions of dollars. Koo Jun-yeop stated: "All of Barbie's assets were earned through her hard work to support her beloved family, so I have decided to hand over all management rights of the assets to my mother-in-law."

"As for the children's share, I will take legal measures through lawyers to ensure that bad people cannot touch it and protect them until they reach adulthood." Barbie Hsu and Koo Jun-yeop first met in 1998. At the time, Barbie Hsu and her sister hosted a popular variety show, and Koo Jun-yeop, as a member of the South Korean pop duo Clon, was a guest on the show. They eventually started dating but later broke up, reportedly because Koo Jun-yeop's agency opposed the relationship. Barbie Hsu later married Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei and had two children. The two divorced in 2021 after ten years of marriage. After the divorce, Barbie Hsu reconnected with Koo Jun-yeop and married in 2022.

Barbie Hsu's death has shocked fans across Asia. She is best known for her role in the 2001 television series "Meteor Garden," which was a sensation throughout much of Asia. "Meteor Garden" is adapted from the Japanese manga series "Boys Over Flowers" and was broadcast and dubbed in local languages. Barbie Hsu is also known for hosting Taiwanese variety shows, often in collaboration with her sister Dee Hsu (Little S). In the 1990s, the sisters were members of the popular duo SOS, which gave them their respective stage names, Big S and Little S. According to local media reports, her body was transported back to Taiwan on Thursday.