Tragic loss: Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu dies at 48

03-02-2025 11:31 HKT

Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, also known as "Big S", has sadly passed away at the age of 48 after contracting the flu during a family trip to Japan for the New Year.

Her sister, Dee Hsu, confirmed the heartbreaking news through her manager on Monday morning, revealing that Barbie succumbed to complications from influenza and pneumonia.

This devastating announcement follows a wave of speculation on social media about the sudden passing of a Taiwanese star, which was confirmed to be Barbie Hsu on February 2.

Reports indicate that her body will be cremated in Japan, with her ashes later transported to Taiwan for burial. Arrangements for a farewell ceremony are currently under discussion.

In a statement relayed through family friend and Taiwanese television producer Wang Wei-zhong, Barbie’s mother expressed the family’s sorrow and requested privacy during this difficult time.

“I ask all media friends to fulfill one last wish of my daughter: please do not chase, follow, or take photos when we bring her back home. This was her lifelong wish,” the statement read.

Barbie was just days away from celebrating her third wedding anniversary with her husband, South Korean singer DJ Koo Jun-yup, whom she married in 2022 after her divorce from Wang Xiaofei.

In her last public post on Instagram, she expressed her admiration for Koo's performance at a K-pop event in December, writing, "DJ Koo, you are so cool."

Reports also said that Wang, currently on vacation in Thailand, is returning to Taiwan on Monday.
Although they divorced in 2021, their divorce proceedings are still ongoing.

South Korean media noted that Koo is deeply saddened by Barbie’s passing, having indicated that he is "not in good condition" during a media call.

According to Taiwanese media, Barbie Hsu passed away on Sunday morning in a Tokyo hospital, surrounded by Koo, her two children, Dee Hsu, her mother, and other loved ones.

A tour guide involved in their trip revealed that Barbie exhibited symptoms such as cough and asthma upon arriving in Hakone on January 29.

An ambulance was called on January 31 as her condition worsened. Diagnosed with influenza A, she was initially taken back to their hotel in Hakone before being transported to Tokyo, where her health rapidly declined.

She was declared dead at 7 am on Sunday.

(Ayra Wang)