3-2-2025 (TAIPEI) Beloved Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu has died whilst holidaying in Japan, her family confirmed today. The 48-year-old star, known for her roles in numerous Asian dramas, succumbed to complications from sepsis following a brief but severe illness.
Sources close to the family report that Hsu arrived in Tokyo in apparently good health before her condition deteriorated dramatically. Initially developing what seemed to be a simple cough, her symptoms rapidly progressed to pneumonia, leading to her untimely death despite urgent medical intervention.
The actress, who had previously battled health issues including mitral valve prolapse and seizures, was surrounded by family members in her final hours. Medical authorities in Tokyo have officially attributed her death to sepsis, though initial reports had suggested influenza-related pneumonia as the cause.
Her husband, South Korean musician DJ Koo Jun-yup, broke his silence several hours after the news emerged. “This is not fake news; I am not well,” he told South Korean media, his voice heavy with emotion. The couple, who had been married for nearly three years, were last seen together at a recent family gathering.
The sudden loss has sent shockwaves through the Asian entertainment industry, where Hsu had maintained a significant presence since her breakthrough in the late 1990s. Despite requiring emergency care, reports indicate she was unable to receive ECMO (Extracorporeal Membrane Oxygenation) treatment before her passing.
