▲ This file photo shows Koo Jun-yup and Barbie Hsu. (Yonhap)

SEOUL, Feb. 4 (Yonhap) -- Taiwanese actress and singer Barbie Hsu, known for her role in the popular drama "Meteor Garden," has passed away at the age of 48 due to pneumonia following influenza. 

 

Her sister, Dee Hsu, confirmed that Barbie contracted the flu during a family vacation in Japan, which led to pneumonia. 

 

Barbie Hsu began her career at 17 as part of the pop duo S.O.S with her sister before gaining widespread fame in 2001 with "Meteor Garden." She is survived by her husband, South Korean musician DJ Koo of pop duo Clon, and two children from her previous marriage to Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei. 

 

Barbie and DJ Koo's relationship garnered significant attention due to their reunion after more than two decades. The two first met in 1998 at a party, where they quickly developed feelings for each other. However, due to the pressures of their rising careers and societal expectations at the time, their relationship was short-lived. 

 

In 2021, after learning of Barbie's divorce, Koo reached out to her, leading to their reunion and subsequent marriage in 2022. 

DJ Koo is reportedly devastated by the news of his wife's passing and is currently not responding to calls from acquaintances. 

Barbie Hsu's death has elicited an outpouring of grief from fans and celebrities across Taiwan and China, with many expressing their condolences and sharing memories of the beloved actress. 

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