Taiwanese megastar Barbie Hsu dies of flu at age 48

TAIPEI — Taiwanese actor Barbie Hsu, who rose to fame across East Asia as the romantic lead in the 2001 television drama “Meteor Garden,” has died of influenza at age 48, her sister said Monday.

Known by the nickname “Big S,” Hsu died on a family holiday in Japan, said sister Dee Hsu, in news that became the most searched item on China’s Weibo microblogging service.

Actress Barbie Hsu posing for a promotional picture at the 59th International Cannes Film Festival for the film 'Silk (Guisi)', May 23, 2006
Taiwanese actor Barbie Hsu has died of influenza at age 48.
Taiwanese singer Barbie Hsu smiling upon arrival at the 26th Golden Melody Awards in Taipei, Taiwan in 2015
Known by the nickname “Big S,” Hsu died on a family holiday in Japan.AP

“My dearest and most kindhearted sister Barbie Hsu died of influenza-induced pneumonia and unfortunately left us,” Dee, known as Little S, 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!”

The sisters first found fame with their pop group S.O.S, but Hsu’s leading role in the romantic Taiwanese soap “Meteor Garden” cemented her popularity.

Actress Barbie Hsu Si-yuan attending the Proya 15th anniversary gala in Hangzhou, China on November 19, 2018
“My dearest and most kindhearted sister Barbie Hsu died of influenza-induced pneumonia and unfortunately left us,” Dee, known as Little S, said in a statement.Visual China Group via Getty Images

She was married to Korean rapper Koo Jun-yup “DJ Koo” for nearly three years after ending an 11-year marriage with Chinese entrepreneur Wang Xiaofei. She is survived by two children.