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Hsu, better known as “Da S” which means “Big S,” caught the flu
when she visited Japan with her family during the Lunar New
Year, according to her younger sister, Dee Hsu, also a famed TV
host. Dee Hsu said the pneumonia was a flu complication.
“I am grateful that in this lifetime I was able to be her
sister, taking care of each other and being companions. I will
forever be thankful for her and miss her!” Dee Hsu said in a
statement on Monday, without specifying where and when her
sister died.
The news about Barbie Hsu's sudden death shocked audiences in
Taiwan and China, where many had watched her shows since her
early career. In China, news of her death was trending on the
social media platform Weibo.
“It feels like someone you’re so familiar with is suddenly
gone," wrote one Weibo user. "This is unbelievable. Her two
children, poor kids. May she rest in peace.”
Hsu broke into the industry when as a teenager she formed a pop
music group called S.O.S. with her sister Dee Hsu, popularly
known as “Xiao S” or “Small S.” The pair later switched to
hosting TV shows and won many young fans.
In 2001, Meteor Garden beamed Barbie Hsu's name into many
households in Asia. She played the female leading role in the
romance drama, which also starred the boyband F4.
After gaining widespread popularity, she continued to advance
her entertainment career through other TV dramas, movies and
talk shows.
In recent years, her personal life also made it into the news,
in particular her high-profile divorce from Chinese businessman
Wang Xiaofei. Her fallout with Wang, their heated exchanges on
social media following their divorce in 2021, and their legal
battles often made headlines.
She later married Korean musician Koo Jun-yup, also known as “DJ
Koo."
Hsu was passionate about defending animal rights and
collaborated with groups including PETA.
“Barbie was one of the first and biggest stars to lend her
support to PETA,” read a statement by the organization's senior
vice president, Jason Baker. “She spoke up countless times for
animals, directly urging brands to stop selling fur.”
Hsu is survived by Koo and two children she shares with Wang.
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