Singer DJ Koo (Koo Jun-yup), a former member of the dance duo Clon, is set to embark on a poignant journey to Taiwan on Thursday, bearing the ashes of his beloved late wife, the esteemed Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, who unexpectedly passed away on Sunday at the age of 48.
In accordance with local regulations, Hsu's remains were cremated in Japan before being entrusted to Koo for their final voyage to Taiwan. Her health had suddenly declined during a family trip, leaving all around her in deep sorrow.
Janet Chia, the chairman of Taiwan's iconic Taipei 101 skyscraper and a close confidante of Hsu, posted a heartfelt tribute on social media on February 3rd. She recounted, "Hsu appeared serene and at peace, as though merely resting in a peaceful slumber. Koo, overwhelmed with grief, kissed her farewell, his sobs echoing through our collective hearts. In our next lives, we shall reunite as inseparable sisters in Taiwan."
Hsu's final, cherished moments were spent in the tender embrace of her loved ones—Koo, her two children from a previous marriage, her devoted mother, and her younger sister Dee Hsu.
Tributes from her innermost circle continue to flood in. Kim Song, the wife of Clon member Kang Won-rae, offered her condolences on Instagram, penning, "I offer my heartfelt prayers that Hee-won (Barbie Hsu), who once addressed me with such endearment as 'eonni (elder sister),' may now find eternal rest. May their agony swiftly diminish, and may they find solace in their shared memories." She also extended a poignant message to DJ Koo, urging, "Do not suppress your grief. Allow yourself to weep freely, so that you may bid farewell to your love without regret."
On Wednesday, the wife of Taiwanese film producer Wang Wei-chung, another cherished friend of Hsu, shared a poignant photograph of the duo on social media, captioning it, "I cherish her beauty and kindness deeply. Such wonderful, unforgettable memories linger on. My heart aches with longing for you."
On January 25th, the Wang couple hosted a dinner gathering, where they were joined by Hsu, Koo, and an assortment of cherished friends, sharing in moments of camaraderie. According to Dee, Hsu had been experiencing the nascent symptoms of the flu, feeling unwell yet resolute in her decision to embark on the family trip. However, upon their arrival in Japan, her condition took a turn for the worse, with her cough intensifying to alarming levels. Rushed to the hospital in haste, she tragically succumbed before extracorporeal membrane oxygenation treatment could be administered.
Hsu's medical history included epilepsy, which had previously led to multiple hospitalizations due to seizures. Eight years prior, during childbirth, she suffered a seizure that caused oxygen deprivation, resulting in a coma. Following her divorce from businessman Wang Xiaofei, she faced significant stress stemming from legal disputes concerning asset division, child custody, and alimony, further compromising her health.
Initial reports attributed her demise to pneumonia triggered by the flu, but subsequent findings revealed sepsis as the immediate cause. Japanese medical personnel confirmed that her flu-induced pneumonia had worsened, progressing into a severe infection. A source close to Hsu’s local tour guide in Japan revealed that she had exhibited symptoms of coughing and asthma as early as January 29th. After receiving emergency care on January 31st, she was diagnosed with influenza on February 1st, prescribed medication, and discharged. However, her condition drastically deteriorated, necessitating urgent hospitalization that very night.
The aftermath of Hsu’s passing has also sparked discussions regarding custody of her two children and her substantial inheritance. Taiwanese news outlet ETTV estimated her estate to be worth approximately 120 billion won ($90 million). Legal experts speculate that her assets may be divided equally among Koo and her two children, while custody of the children is anticipated to revert to their biological father, Wang Xiaofei.
Wang has since faced scathing criticism from both Chinese and Taiwanese netizens in the wake of Hsu’s demise. During their divorce proceedings, he publicly lambasted Hsu and her mother, and allegedly ceased paying child support after her remarriage to Koo. Following news of her death, he posted a sentimental comment beneath a video of them together, stating, "I miss my wife so much," a sentiment that only fueled the public backlash against him.
Hsu rose to fame as the lead actress in the 2001-2002 Taiwanese adaptation of "Meteor Garden," based on the Japanese manga series "Boys Over Flowers," which was also adapted in Korea in 2009. She tied the knot with Wang Xiaofei in 2011, welcoming a son and a daughter into their world before their divorce in 2021. A year later, she reconnected with Koo, whom she had previously dated two decades prior, and the couple announced their marriage in 2022.
