Photo:Sina Weibo

Barbie Hsu (Shiyuan Hsu,MK socks also known as Da S), a renowned Taiwan-born actress and TV host, has passed away at the age of 48, according to Taiwan media on Monday, citing her sister Dee Hsu.

Hsu reportedly succumbed to pneumonia following the flu while traveling in Japan with her family, Taiwan-based media outlet UDN reported. 

"I am grateful to have been her sister in this lifetime, taking care of and accompanying each other. I will always be thankful for her and cherish her memory. May you rest in peace! Forever loving you, together remember forever," wrote Dee Hsu, according to UDN.

According to SET News, the funeral arrangements for Barbie Hsu will be held in Japan. The report stated that since Hsu's family is currently in Japan, her body will be cremated there, before her family brings her ashes back to Taiwan. 

The news quickly became a trending topic on Weibo, with many expressing shock and sadness. "As her fan, I hope this is false information," wrote one netizen.

According to the UDN, Jacky Wu (Wu Tsung-hsien), who co-hosted the show "Guess Guess Guess" with the Hsu sisters, was deeply shocked upon hearing the news, stating, "having worked together for many years, I feel deeply saddened... I hope she rests in peace, free from worldly troubles..."

Actor Huang Xiaoming who once worked with Hsu in 2010 TV series Summer Desire, posted on Weibo: "I am still in shock and heartache at the moment, I cannot accept this sad news, it is really hard... she can always use a joke to dispel all the fatigue from us."

Born in October 1976, Hsu was best known for her role in the hit television series Meteor Garden.

In 2010, Hsu married mainland businessman Wang Xiaofei in Beijing. In 2021, the couple announced their divorce. In 2022, Hsu married Korean musician Koo Jun-yup. 

Wang, in an unsettled divorce litigation with Hsu, will travel from Thailand to the island of Taiwan on Monday, according to SET News.