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Jeffie Lam

Popular Taiwanese host and actress Barbie “Big S” Hsu Shi-yuan has died at the age of 48 from flu-triggered pneumonia, sparking tributes from fans shocked by the sudden loss of one of the biggest stars of the Mandarin-speaking world.
Hsu became a household name in Hong Kong and across Asia for her starring role in the 2001 TV drama Meteor Garden.
Confirming Hsu’s sudden death, her family said on Monday that the actress had been travelling in Japan when she caught a fatal case of flu.
“Our family headed to Japan for a holiday during the new year. My most beloved and kindest sister caught flu, which triggered pneumonia and she unfortunately left us behind,” a statement released by the agent of Hsu’s younger sister, Dee Hsu, said.
“I will forever be thankful for having her as my sister. We took care of one another and accompanied each other. I will always thank and miss her … Rest in peace. Love you forever.”
Relaying a message from Barbie Hsu’s mother, veteran variety show producer Wang Wei-chung said family members were “overwhelmed with grief”.
“They apologise for being unable to answer the many calls of concerns and explain the situation in detail,” Wang said.
“In order to bring Shi-yuan home, they need to go through many complicated procedures in Japan. They have been handling the paperwork these past few days and are currently unable to return to Taiwan.”
Hsu’s mother, Huang Chun-mei, urged the press to be patient and refrain from chasing after family members.


“Shi-yuan had always been most worried about being pursued by reporters as it can be dangerous,” Wang said.
“Hsu’s mother earnestly asks everyone to refrain from chasing them at the airport, both inside and outside, and not to follow them on the road when they are bringing Shi-yuan back to Taiwan.”
Born in 1976, Barbie Hsu formed the pop group SOS in the early 1990s with sister Dee Hsu, also known as “Small S”, with the pair recording several albums together.
They later switched their focus to hosting popular variety shows such as Guess Guess Guess and 100 per cent Entertainment.
But Barbie Hsu’s career took off when she played the starring role of Shancai in Meteor Garden, alongside Jerry Yan, Vanness Wu, Ken Chu and Vic Chou, who later formed the boy band F4 due to the show’s popularity.
The series, an adaptation of the Japanese manga series Boys Over Flowers, is about an ordinary girl from a poor family upsetting the richest and most arrogant boy at an elite university, who later falls in love with her.
It became a big hit not only in Taiwan, but also in Hong Kong and countries such as the Philippines, South Korea, Indonesia and Thailand.
The star was later nominated for best actress at the 28th Hong Kong Film Awards in 2009 for her role in the film Connected, directed by Benny Chan Muk-sing and co-starring Louis Koo Tin-lok and Nick Cheung Ka-fai.
Barbie Hsu married Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei in 2010. The couple had two children, a girl born in 2014 and a boy two years later.
The marriage lasted for 11 years before the actress announced their divorce in 2021, with acrimony spiralling into a war of words on social media.

Hsu later rekindled her relationship with South Korean musician Koo Jun-yup, known as DJ Koo, whom she had dated previously. They tied the knot in March 2022, a few months after her divorce.
The musician said he had dug out the actress’ number from over 20 years ago and contacted her after learning about the divorce.
Fans flocked to Hsu’s social media platforms to mourn her death, with many calling her Shancai – the name of her role in Meteor Garden – and saying that rewatching the drama would “no longer be the same”.
Ken Chu, her co-star in the series, wrote “what a shock” on social media.
Animal rights group People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (Peta) also said it was “heartbroken” as Hsu was “one of the first and biggest stars to lend her support” to the organisation.
“She used her platform on social media to expose the cruelty of the fur industry, educating millions of people about how animals are confined to tiny cages, trapped in painful steel-jaw traps, and killed by electrocution or gassing,” said Jason Baker, senior vice-president of Peta.
Additional reporting by Sammy Heung


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Fame and celebrity

Taiwanese actress Barbie ‘Big S’ Hsu dies from pneumonia at age 48

Taiwanese actress Hsu Shi-yuan has died from pneumonia aged 48 while travelling in Japan. Photo: Weibo

Barbie Hsu with her first husband, Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei, and their daughter. Photo: Weibo

The rise of Meteor Garden star Barbie Hsu, Taiwanese actress and singer dead at 48

Barbie Hsu (also known as “Big S”) attends a Cosme Decorte event in Taipei, Taiwan, on October 27, 2018. The Taiwanese actress and singer has died at age 48 of pneumonia. Photo: Getty Images

Barbie Hsu in a still from Connected (2008).

Barbie Hsu and Jiali Ding in Croczilla (2012).

An undated photo of Barbie Hsu with Koo Jun-yup. Photo: Weibo/娱乐牛小妹

Barbie Hsu and Xiaofei Wang in Happiness Trio (2018).

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Cantonese opera impresario and composer Edward Li at the Sunbeam Theatre, which will close in March. Photo: Jonathan Wong

A poster advertises the Sunbeam Theatre’s modern day Cantonese opera Trump on Show. Photo: Jonathan Wong

Opera composer Edward Li is excited about taking Trump on Show on tour. Photo: Jonathan Wong

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Actress who gained popularity for starring role in TV drama Meteor Garden contracted flu while travelling in Japan


Actress who gained popularity for starring role in TV drama Meteor Garden contracted flu while travelling in Japan.


Taiwan

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