Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, a beloved star in the Mandarin-speaking world, has passed away at 48 from flu-induced pneumonia while on a family trip to Tokyo, local media reported Monday.
Hsu, affectionately called “Big S,” gained fame as the lead in the 2001 Taiwanese drama Meteor Garden, which was dubbed in multiple Asian languages. The series was adapted from the Japanese manga Boys Over Flowers (Hana Yori Dango).

Who was Barbie Hsu?
Barbara Hsu (Chinese; pinyin: Xú Xīyuán; 6 October 1976 – 2 February 2025), also known by her stage name Big S (大S),[1] was a Taiwanese actress, singer, and television host. She gained widespread fame for her iconic lead role in the 2001 television series Meteor Garden.
She Born on October 6, 1976, in Taipei, Hsu was the middle of three sisters, the daughter of Hsu Chien and Huang Chun-mei.
Her family owns a jewelry shop in Taipei, which was established by her paternal grandfather.
Barbie and her sister Dee debuted in 1994 as pop duo S.O.S. In 1994, Barbie and her sister Dee made their debut as the pop duo S.O.S. (Sisters of Shu), gaining popularity with their hit song Ten-Minute Love (十分鐘的戀愛) in 1995.
Hsu gained widespread pan-Asian recognition through her starring role in Meteor Garden (2001), alongside the boy band F4. The series catapulted her to fame in Indonesia, the Philippines, and Thailand after being dubbed into their respective languages.
Hsu is also celebrated for her roles in the TV series Mars (2004), where she starred alongside F4’s Vic Chou, as well as in Corner with Love (2007), Summer’s Desire (2010), and films such as Silk (2006), My So Called Love (2008), Connected (2008), Hot Summer Days (2010), and Reign of Assassins (2010).
Taiwanese media reported that Barbie Hsu’s sister, talk show host Dee Hsu, confirmed her passing, expressing heartfelt gratitude, saying, “I am grateful to have been her sister in this life. I will always cherish and miss her.
Barbie Hsu leaves behind her devoted husband of nearly three years, renowned Korean rapper Koo Jun Yup, known as DJ Koo, along with her cherished two children from her former union with esteemed mainland Chinese entrepreneur Wang Xiaofei.
According to reports, Hsu had previously disclosed her history of mitral valve prolapse and epilepsy. She had traveled to Japan during the weeklong Lunar New Year holiday.
Taiwanese star Barbie Hsu dies at 48
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