Barbie Hsu, the Taiwanese star who played Shan Cai in the iconic drama show “Meteor Garden” (2001), died of pneumonia on Monday. She was 48.

Taiwanese media and news organizations have reported Hsu’s passing, citing that the actress’ family confirmed her death.

According to a GMA News Online article, South China Morning Post (SCMP) reported that Hsu, popularly referred to as her stage name 'Big S,’ was “traveling in Japan when she caught the flu, which triggered pneumonia.”

Major Asian news outlets have also reported on the untimely passing of the Meteor Garden icon, stating that the late actress’ sister, host Dee Hsu, confirmed it to Taiwanese media.

Focus Taiwan shared Dee Hsu’s message through her agent: “Our whole family came to Japan for a trip, and my dearest and most kindhearted sister Barbie Hsu died of influenza-induced pneumonia and unfortunately left us."

Hsu was a well-loved actress who played Shan Cai in the 2001 hit drama “Meteor Garden,” which she co-starred with Jerry Yan, Vic Chou, Vanness Wu, and Ken Chu.

Meteor Garden was the first ever live-adaptation series of Yoko Kamio’s manga series “Boys over Flowers,” and quickly rose to fame after a successful first season that spanned 27 episodes. 

The now-iconic idol drama easily became a cultural phenomenon in the Philippines at the time of its release, becoming one of the highest-rating shows on local television, and paving the way for more appreciation for Asianovelas. 

A mini-series and a full sequel (Meteor Garden II)– both of which featured Hsu reprising her role as Shan Cai– were produced in 2001 and 2002 respectively.