Barbie Hsu, better known as "Da S" which means "Big S," caught the flu when she visited Japan with her family during the Lunar New Year, according to her sister.

Her role in the teen drama catapulted her to fame as a pop idol. She was also a TV host and appeared in films.

Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, who starred in hit 2001 TV series Meteor Garden, has died from pneumonia at the age of 48.

Barbie Hsu has reportedly died at the age of 48. According to local media outlet the Taipei Times, the Taiwanese actress, who played the role of Dong Shancai in the 2001 drama Meteor Garden, died of pneumonia after contracting influenza during a trip to Japan.

Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, who was best-known for starring in the hit 2001 TV series Meteor Garden, has died from pneumonia at the age of 48, according to local media.