Barbie ‘Big S’ Hsu’s family to bring ashes back to Taiwan on Thursday

Hsu, 48, reportedly also suffered flu symptoms during family trip in Japan before she succumbed to pneumonia

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Barbie Hsu became a household name in Hong Kong and across Asia for her starring role in the 2001 television drama Meteor Garden. Photo: AFP

Published: 5:08pm, 4 Feb 2025Updated: 5:49pm, 4 Feb 2025

The ashes of recently deceased Taiwanese host and actress Barbie “Big S” Hsu Shi-yuan will reportedly be brought home from Japan on Thursday by her husband and younger sister.

Taiwanese media also reported on Tuesday that Hsu, 48, already suffered flu symptoms during her family trip to Japan before she succumbed to pneumonia.

Hsu’s husband Koo Jun-yup and sister Dee Hsu, also known as “Little S”, will bring back the ashes of the actress to Taiwan on February 6 following cremation in Japan, while Hsu’s mother will fly home on Tuesday, according to local media.

Hsu’s death, confirmed by her family on Monday, shocked fans around the world. She became a household name in Hong Kong and across Asia for her starring role in the 2001 television drama Meteor Garden.

A screenshot allegedly from a tour guide for Hsu’s family circulated online on Tuesday, saying the actress had begun to show flu symptoms four days before her death.

Taiwanese outlet EBC News reported based on the screenshot that the alleged tour guide said Hsu had begun coughing and displaying asthma symptoms on January 29 and did not leave a hotel for the next two days.