Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, who was best-known for starring in the hit 2001 TV series Meteor Garden, has died from pneumonia at the age of 48, according to local media. The actress is believed to have fallen ill while visiting Japan. Her sister, Dee Hsu, confirmed her death to Taiwan's TVBS News on Monday. "During the Lunar New Year, our family came to Japan for vacation. My dearest sister Barbie has unfortunately left us after getting pneumonia, triggered by influenza," Dee Hsu said in a statement shared by her manager.

Hsu was a major celebrity in the Mandarin-speaking world and gained recognition in countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand after Meteor Garden was translated into local languages. "I can't believe it," one fan wrote on Chinese social media site Weibo, reflecting the shock and sadness of millions of fans who have been posting tributes. It's understood that Hsu fell ill while on a trip to Japan. Her sister, Dee Hsu, confirmed the sad news to Taiwan's TVBS News on Monday.

Hsu, who had previously suffered from epilepsy and heart disease and had been hospitalised due to seizures, is survived by her husband, South Korean singer DJ Koo, and two children from a previous marriage. She was married to Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei for a decade before their bitter divorce in 2021. Hsu launched her career at the tender age of 17 as part of a pop duo with her sister Dee. The pair rose to fame as TV hosts, renowned for their lively style and wit.

However, it was the TV adaptation of the 1990s Japanese comic "Meteor Garden" that catapulted Hsu to stardom, making her a household name beyond the realms of Chinese entertainment. In the hit drama, Hsu portrayed Shancai, a teen from an average family who ends up at a posh private school and gets caught up in a complex romance with some very affluent classmates. Her four male co-stars from "Meteor Garden" went on to form the Taiwanese boyband F4, becoming one of the hottest Mandopop acts of the 2000s.

On Monday, Ken Chu, a member of F4, posted a sombre black screen and a group snap with Hsu on Instagram. Later, on Weibo, he expressed his shock: "What a bolt from the blue.". Aya Liu, a presenter and close pal of the Hsu sisters, travelled down memory lane on Weibo, recalling meeting Hsu at a recent get-together where they'd planned more frequent reunions. "I didn't think that would be our last gathering," reminisced Liu, adding, "Rest in peace, the most beautiful queen.".

Hsu's passing became the top subject trending on Weibo on Monday, with fans expressing disbelief: "She was only 48 years old... this is too sudden. This is a little difficult to accept," someone posted. Curiosity around influenza in Japan also spiked among her followers as they grappled with how she fell ill. Like this story? For more of the latest showbiz news and gossip, follow Mirror Celebs on TikTok , Snapchat , Instagram , Twitter , Facebook , YouTube and Threads.