Taiwan’s Barbie HSU, hugely popular in East Asia, dies of influenza

Taipei (Reuters) – Taiwanese actor Barbie HSU, who rose to fame over East Asia as the romantic lead in the TV drama “Meteor Garden in 2001, has died of influenza aged 48, her sister said Monday.

Known by the nickname “Big S” died HSU on a family vacation in Japan, Sister Dee HSU said in news, which became the most sought after topic on China’s Weibo microblogging service.

“My boyfriend and most friendly sister Barbie HSU died of influenza-induced pneumonia and unfortunately left us,” Dee, known as Little S, said in a statement.

“I was grateful to be her sister in this life and that we came to fit and spend time with each other. I will always be grateful to her and miss her!”

The sisters first found fame with their pop group SOS, but HSU’s leading role in the romantic Taiwanese soap “Meteor Garden” cemented her popularity.

She was married to Korean rapper Koo Jun-Yup “DJ Koo” for almost three years after completing an 11-year marriage to Chinese entrepreneur Wang Xiaofei. She is survived by two children.

(Reporting Ben Blanchard and Angie Teo; Editing Clarence Fernandez)