Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu has died at the age of 48 after contracting pneumonia, according to local reports.
The star was known best for her role in the 2001 series Meteor Garden. She is believed to have fallen ill while visiting Japan.
Her sister, Dee Hsu, confirmed her death to Taiwan’s TVBS News on Monday.
She said in a statement: “During the Lunar New Year, our family came to Japan for vacation. My dearest sister Barbie has unfortunately left us after getting pneumonia, triggered by influenza.”
Hsu became one of Asia’s most familiar faces after Meteor Garden was dubbed in local languages. She played Shanca – a teen from a middle-class family who attends an elite private school and finds herself entangled in a love web with the heirs of wealthy families.
Her four male co-stars formed the Taiwanese boyband F4 – one of the most popular Mandopop groups of the 2000s. Following her death, F4 member Ken Chu shared a black, empty screen as well as a group photo with Hsu on Instagram. Then on Weibo, he wrote: “What a bolt from the blue.”
Hsu, who had a history of epilepsy and heart disease, was hospitalised previously due to seizures. She is survived by her husband, South Korean singer DJ Koo, and two children from an earlier marriage.
Tributes poured in for Hse on social media across Asia.
Writing on Weibo, one person said: “Big S has always been a part of my youth.” Another added: “Meteor Garden raised an entire generation of Asians. Thank you Barbie Hsu for giving life to Shancai.”
Don’t miss the latest news from around Scotland and beyond – Sign up to our daily newsletter here.