https://www.scmp.com/rss/520880/feed News and articles on the late Barbie Hsu, Taiwanese actress, singer and television host. en https://assets.i-scmp.com/static/img/icons/scmp-meta-1200x630.png https://www.scmp.com Sumnima Kandangwa Sumnima Kandangwa This year, we lost some of the icons who shaped pop culture, from Hollywood legends to beloved musicians and TV stars, including Robert Redford, Diane Keaton and Val Kilmer. We honour their memory by celebrating their lives and their enduring works. D’Angelo R&B and soul singer D’Angelo died in New York City on October 14, aged 51, after a private battle with pancreatic cancer. “Such a sad loss to the passing of D’Angelo. We have so many great times. Gonna miss you so much. Sleep peacefully D.... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3337044/memoriam-29-beloved-celebrities-we-lost-2025-diane-keaton-robert-redford?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/people/celebrities/article/3337044/memoriam-29-beloved-celebrities-we-lost-2025-diane-keaton-robert-redford?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 19 Dec 2025 18:00:10 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang A student in southwestern China has gone viral thanks to her striking resemblance to the late actress Barbie Hsu. The 24-year-old said she admired and respected Hsu and never intentionally imitated her, earning praise from netizens for her purity. Known online as Yigubigu, the student attends Chongqing Medical University. Recently, Yigubigu shared stunning photos from a trip she made to Qinghai in Western China, which quickly racked up over 150,000 likes. In the pictures, she is seen running... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3320792/pure-china-student-goes-viral-striking-resemblance-late-actress-barbie-hsu?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3320792/pure-china-student-goes-viral-striking-resemblance-late-actress-barbie-hsu?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 10 Aug 2025 08:00:08 +0000 Fran Lu Fran Lu The recent death in Japan of Taiwan actress and television host Barbie Hsu, also known as Big S, from flu-triggered pneumonia has prompted an outpouring of cherished memories from her fans. Many people have recalled the warmth of her personality, her inspiring words and the profound impact she had on their lives. Sweetest person A woman in Taiwan told of an encounter with Hsu many years ago. It came while she was crying on the back of her boyfriend’s motorbike while he waited for green light at... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3299277/fans-late-taiwan-actress-barbie-hsu-reflect-cherished-moments-remember-her-kindness?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3299277/fans-late-taiwan-actress-barbie-hsu-reflect-cherished-moments-remember-her-kindness?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 19 Feb 2025 10:00:18 +0000 https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3298514/remembering-life-and-legacy-barbie-hsu?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3298514/remembering-life-and-legacy-barbie-hsu?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Feb 2025 10:00:00 +0000 We have selected seven stories from this week’s news across Hong Kong, mainland China, the wider Asia region and beyond that resonated with our readers and shed light on topical issues. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Chronically ill Hongkongers urged to avoid Japan, other flu-hit countries Chronically ill patients should consider delaying any planned trips to countries battling flu surges, Hong Kong medical experts have warned, while also urging... https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3297733/travel-advice-japan-us-china-trade-war-scmps-7-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/world/article/3297733/travel-advice-japan-us-china-trade-war-scmps-7-highlights?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 07 Feb 2025 04:10:31 +0000 Danny Mok Danny Mok The husband of late Taiwanese actress Barbie “Big S” Hsu Shi-yuan has pledged to take legal action to protect her children “from the wicked” and offer his share from her hard-earned inheritance to his mother-in-law. In a post on his Instagram page on Thursday night, South Korean rapper Koo Jun-yup, also known as “DJ Koo”, broke his silence to mourn his wife who died at the age of 48. Her family on Monday confirmed the superstar’s sudden death in Japan from a flu-triggered pneumonia. “I am... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3297682/husband-late-barbie-big-s-hsu-vows-protect-children-wicked?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3297682/husband-late-barbie-big-s-hsu-vows-protect-children-wicked?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Feb 2025 16:02:15 +0000 We have selected five Trending in China stories from the past seven days that resonated with our readers. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Chinese netizens use DeepSeek to copy Barbie Hsu’s style in mourning letters Chinese netizens have used the new artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot DeepSeek to mimic Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu’s style in farewell letters to mourn her passing. 2. US man, after visiting 110 countries, calls China home, shares... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3297516/mourning-barbie-hsu-us-man-calls-china-home-proposal-gone-wrong-5-trending-stories?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/trending-china/article/3297516/mourning-barbie-hsu-us-man-calls-china-home-proposal-gone-wrong-5-trending-stories?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 06 Feb 2025 04:30:07 +0000 Zoey Zhang Zoey Zhang Chinese netizens have used the new artificial intelligence (AI) chatbot DeepSeek to mimic Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu’s style in farewell letters to mourn her passing. On February 3, Hsu’s family confirmed she had died at 48 from pneumonia after contracting the flu while travelling in Japan. Her younger sister wrote: “I am grateful to have been her sister in this lifetime, to have shared moments of love and companionship. I will always be thankful for her and miss her forever.” In 1994, Hsu... https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3297424/china-netizens-use-deepseek-copy-barbara-hsus-style-farewell-letters-mourn-passing?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/people-culture/china-personalities/article/3297424/china-netizens-use-deepseek-copy-barbara-hsus-style-farewell-letters-mourn-passing?utm_source=rss_feed Wed, 05 Feb 2025 10:00:09 +0000 Peak flu season is upon us and exacting a deadly toll as case numbers in many places approach the worst seen in decades. A surge of influenza fatalities in Hong Kong and the death of a Taiwanese celebrity from complications should emphasise the need for a combined effort to fight the spread of the virus. As of last Friday, the city had recorded 88 deaths since the current influenza season began in early January. The figure from the Centre for Health Protection was nearly 30 per cent higher than... https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3297369/protect-yourself-and-family-flu?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/opinion/comment/article/3297369/protect-yourself-and-family-flu?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Feb 2025 22:30:08 +0000 Jess Ma Jess Ma 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, had been suffering from flu symptoms during her family trip to Japan before she succumbed to pneumonia. Hsu’s husband, Koo Jun-yup, and sister Dee Hsu, known as “Little S”, would bring back the ashes to Taiwan on Thursday following cremation in Japan, while her mother... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3297312/barbie-big-s-hsus-family-bring-ashes-back-taiwan-thursday?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/society/article/3297312/barbie-big-s-hsus-family-bring-ashes-back-taiwan-thursday?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Feb 2025 09:08:52 +0000 Elizabeth Cheung,William Yiu Elizabeth Cheung,William Yiu Hong Kong clinics have received a surge in inquiries and bookings for influenza vaccination following the death of popular Taiwanese actress Barbie “Big S” Hsu Shi-yuan, who died from flu-triggered pneumonia. Hsu’s death, which was publicly on Monday and happened while she was travelling in Japan with her family, not only sent shock waves through the Chinese-speaking world, but also appeared to prompt more Hongkongers to get flu vaccinations. A similar sudden surge in demand for flu shots was... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3297316/flu-jab-inquiries-bookings-rise-hong-kong-after-death-barbie-hsu?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3297316/flu-jab-inquiries-bookings-rise-hong-kong-after-death-barbie-hsu?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Feb 2025 09:06:26 +0000 Lam Ka-sing Lam Ka-sing Chronically ill patients should consider delaying any planned trips to countries battling flu surges, Hong Kong medical experts have warned, while also urging travellers to keep a record of local emergency numbers and buy insurance ahead of their departure. The warning came after the family of 48-year-old Taiwanese actress Barbie “Big S” Hsu Shi-yuan revealed on Monday that the beloved celebrity had died from pneumonia after contracting flu while travelling in Japan. Hsu also reportedly had a... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3297210/experts-warn-hong-kong-tourists-medical-conditions-avoid-flu-hit-countries?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3297210/experts-warn-hong-kong-tourists-medical-conditions-avoid-flu-hit-countries?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 04 Feb 2025 00:30:07 +0000 Catch up on some of SCMP’s biggest China and economy stories of the day. If you would like to see more of our reporting, please consider subscribing. 1. Taiwanese actress Barbie ‘Big S’ Hsu dies from pneumonia Hsu gained popularity for her starring role in the 2001 TV drama Meteor Garden. Confirming Hsu’s sudden death on Monday, her family said in a statement that the actress was travelling in Japan when she caught the flu, which triggered pneumonia. 2. China warns that US tariffs will hit... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3297204/barbie-hsu-dies-48-us-china-rivalry-scmp-daily-catch?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/article/3297204/barbie-hsu-dies-48-us-china-rivalry-scmp-daily-catch?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Feb 2025 13:15:08 +0000 Taiwanese actress, singer and TV personality Barbie Hsu has died at the age of 48. A beloved icon of Asian entertainment who was popularly known as “Big S”, Hsu leaves a legacy that has touched millions of fans across the globe. Her death was confirmed in a statement released in Chinese by her younger sister, Dee Hsu, through the latter’s representatives. “I am so grateful to have been her sister,” it read. “We took care of each other through companionship and I will forever be grateful for her.... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3297129/rise-meteor-garden-star-barbie-hsu-taiwanese-actress-and-singer-dead-48?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3297129/rise-meteor-garden-star-barbie-hsu-taiwanese-actress-and-singer-dead-48?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Feb 2025 04:40:29 +0000 Jeffie Lam Jeffie Lam Popular Taiwanese host and actress Barbie “Big S” Hsu Shi-yuan has died at the age of 48 from flu-triggered pneumonia, sparking tributes from fans shocked by the sudden loss of one of the biggest stars of the Mandarin-speaking world. Hsu became a household name in Hong Kong and across Asia for her starring role in the 2001 TV drama Meteor Garden. Confirming Hsu’s sudden death, her family said on Monday that the actress had been travelling in Japan when she caught a fatal case of flu. “Our family... https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3297119/taiwanese-actress-big-s-barbie-hsu-famous-hong-kong-dies-pneumonia?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/health-environment/article/3297119/taiwanese-actress-big-s-barbie-hsu-famous-hong-kong-dies-pneumonia?utm_source=rss_feed Mon, 03 Feb 2025 03:27:46 +0000 Hollywood has a habit of remaking successful foreign movies – just look at what it did to Hong Kong hits Infernal Affairs (2002) and The Eye (also 2002), for example, which were both reworked as star-studded English-language films. Rarely, however, does the phenomenon flow in the opposite direction. But this is one of those weeks when it does, with the release of Herman Yau Lai-to’s hostage thriller Crisis Negotiators – a reimagining of the 1998 film The Negotiator, starring Samuel L. Jackson... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/film-tv/article/3266662/crisis-negotiators-not-first-5-notable-hong-kong/chinese-remakes-hollywood-movies?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/post-magazine/film-tv/article/3266662/crisis-negotiators-not-first-5-notable-hong-kong/chinese-remakes-hollywood-movies?utm_source=rss_feed Sun, 16 Jun 2024 20:15:09 +0000 As China’s official response to managing Covid-19 evolves, public attitudes towards the disease have begun to shift. A few months ago, people diagnosed with Covid-19 lived under shadows of stigma, isolation and even unemployment. Few, if any, public figures would reveal they had been infected. But as China moves away from harsh zero-Covid measures, the official rhetoric has stopped referring to the illness as something that needs to be contained. Suddenly, Covid-19 infections are being talked... https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3203046/coronavirus-chinese-celebs-influencers-open-about-their-covid-19-experiences?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/news/china/politics/article/3203046/coronavirus-chinese-celebs-influencers-open-about-their-covid-19-experiences?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 13 Dec 2022 02:00:15 +0000 Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, affectionately known as Big S to her fans, recently remarried. This may not sound like big news, but it was to an old flame she dated 20 years ago. They broke up because Koo Jun-yup, a South Korean disc jockey, chose his career over love, as his country’s entertainment industry was very strict about dating back then. So if you decide to rekindle love with an old flame, is having a mutual love language even more critical? And if so, how can you cultivate this love... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/family-relationships/article/3171000/know-your-partners-love-language-understand-how?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/family-relationships/article/3171000/know-your-partners-love-language-understand-how?utm_source=rss_feed Sat, 19 Mar 2022 20:15:21 +0000 Korean DJ, music producer, dancer and artist Koo Jun-yup, 52, has married 45-year-old Barbie Hsu of Meteor Garden fame, his old flame from 20 years ago. It’s his first marriage while Hsu recently got divorced in 2021. The two first met at a concert in Taiwan and got into what could be described as a whirlwind romance. They dated secretly in 1998. However, as South Korean agencies often discourage their artists from dating, it became difficult to maintain the relationship and so Koo and Hsu... https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3170120/who-barbie-hsus-new-husband-koo-jun-yup-meteor-garden?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/magazines/style/celebrity/article/3170120/who-barbie-hsus-new-husband-koo-jun-yup-meteor-garden?utm_source=rss_feed Fri, 11 Mar 2022 08:10:10 +0000 Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu’s marriage this week to Korean singer and DJ and ex-boyfriend Koo Jun-yup came out of the blue, and internet users in China, where she has legions of fans, responded with a mix of enthusiasm and cynicism to the news. On March 8, Hsu, who is known as Big S, announced she had remarried – three months after her divorce to Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei – sending Chinese social media users into a frenzy. Some users shared an excerpt from the 2019 Korean reality-TV... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3169973/who-will-peel-shrimp-actress-barbie-hsus-second-marriage?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3169973/who-will-peel-shrimp-actress-barbie-hsus-second-marriage?utm_source=rss_feed Thu, 10 Mar 2022 10:45:15 +0000 The news that Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, better known as Big S, had remarried has set Chinese social media ablaze in 2022. The hashtag #BigS and Koo Jun-yup got married garnered over 1.4 billion views on Weibo, China’s Twitter-like social media platform. Hsu’s second husband, Korean singer and DJ Koo Jun-yup, 53, a member of the electronic duo Clon, confirmed the marriage on Instagram, and the actress, 46, reposted the message. “I got bonded to the person I fell in love with over 20 years... https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3169696/barbie-hsu-marrying-her-old-flame-lights-social-media-china?utm_source=rss_feed https://www.scmp.com/lifestyle/entertainment/article/3169696/barbie-hsu-marrying-her-old-flame-lights-social-media-china?utm_source=rss_feed Tue, 08 Mar 2022 10:10:28 +0000