Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu has passed away at the age of 48, succumbing to pneumonia after contracting influenza during the Lunar New Year holiday. The news was confirmed by her sister, talk show host Dee Hsu, through the actress’ agent.
"Our whole family came to Japan for a trip, and my dearest and most kindhearted sister Barbie Hsu died of influenza-induced pneumonia and unfortunately left us," Dee Hsu said.
"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!" she added.
Barbie is survived by her husband, South Korean DJ and singer DJ Koo Jun-yup, as well as her 10-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son with ex-husband Wang Xiaofei.
Barbie is best known for portraying Shancai in the Taiwanese drama Meteor Garden, a show that has made a huge impact in Philippine pop culture after its Tagalog-dubbed version aired on ABS-CBN.
The show became a gateway for Filipinos to be introduced not only to the F4 heartthrobs and the Shancai character, but to Taiwanese dramas and Asian entertainment in general.
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