Taiwanese actor Barbie Hsu, the wife of singer and DJ Koo Jun-yup, died at the age of 48 due to pneumonia, according to a report from a Taiwanese news outlet, the Central News Agency, on Monday.

Hsu's sister, also active in the entertainment industry, announced the actor's death through her agency, saying, “Our entire family came to Japan for a trip, but sadly, my beloved and kind older sister, Barbie, passed away due to pneumonia caused by the flu.”

Koo has not given out any official statement regarding his late wife as of noon Monday.

Koo tied the knot with Hsu in February 2022. The two had been in a romantic relationship 20 years ago, broke up and got back together.

Barbie Hsu, born in 1976, rose to fame in Asia through her role in the Taiwanese version of the drama series “Boys Over Flowers” in 2001. She was married to Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei from 2011 until their divorce in 2021, and the couple had two children together.

Koo debuted in 1990 and gained fame as a member of the first-generation K-pop boy band Clon. The band released hit songs such as "Bing Bing Bing" (1997) and "Kung Ddari Sha Bah Rah" (1996).


BY KIM JI-YE [kim.jiye@joongang.co.kr]