TAIWANESE actress Barbie Hsu, known for starring in the hit 2001 TV series Meteor Garden, has tragically died aged 48.
The star passed away from pneumonia, her sister confirmed, as tributes have poured in from across the world.
Hsu is thought to have fallen ill while visiting Japan.
Her heartbroken sister, Dee Hsu, confirmed her death to Taiwan’s TVBS News on Monday.
She said: “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.”
Hsu’s career began at 17 years old in a pop duo with her sister Dee.
They soon became famous TV hosts who were renowned for their animated style and great sense of humour.
But once Hsu was cast in the 1990s TV adaptation of a Japanese comic Meteor Garden, her career sky-rocketed beyond Chinese entertainment.
Hsu played the character of Shancai – a teen from a middle-class background who goes to an elite private school.
Here she finds herself in a love web with the heirs of incredible wealthy families.
On Monday, F4 member Ken Chu posted a black screen as well as a group photo with the late star on Instagram.
He then wrote on Chinese social media platform Weibo: “What a bolt from the blue.”
More heartbroken tributes poured in for Hsu on Weibo.
One user said: “She is only 48 years old. This is too sudden.”
Another comment read: “This is a little difficult to accept.”
And: “I can’t believe it.”
Posts surrounding influenza in Japan were also trending on Monday as fans tried to wrap their head around how the star died.
Meteor Garden was first enjoyed by Asian audiences in the time before streaming existed.
In just the Philippines, one local broadcaster apparently aired the entire series a whopping eight times to give the fans what they wanted.
And the show’s theme songs were also released in various other languages which rapidly became hits on the radio and TV.
Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu poses during a photocall for Chinese director Su Chao Pin’s film ‘Guisi’ (Silk) in 2006[/caption]
