Barbie Hsu's death: Husband DJ Koo, Meteor Garden cast members Jerry Yan and Rainie Yang and more issue statements

Barbie Hsu’s celebrity friends have been mourning the late Taiwanese singer-actress' untimely death. The Meteor Garden star died from pneumonia after contracting influenza during a trip to Japan with her family, according to her younger sister and Taiwanese entertainer Dee Hsu’s manager on Feb 3. 

According to Taiwanese news site ETtoday, former co-host of variety show Guess Guess Guess, Jacky Wu (Wu Zongxian) expressed his shock and sadness over her passing. 

He said: “Beauty is envied by the gods. I have worked with her for many years. Although we are not close friends, I feel that we have been on the same stage for many years. I still feel sorry for her. I feel very sad... I hope she can rest in peace and let go of worldly affairs and live without worries..."

He said that he had just seen her at the wedding banquet of veteran producer Wang Weizhong's daughter on Jan 25.  

Hsu’s good friend, model-actress Lin Chi-ling also offered her condolences. Lin’s manager told ETtoday: “Older sister is so sad now."

Earlier, Lin said: "We will always remember her beauty, rest in peace."

“Big S’ (Hsu’s) departure has left many shocked and regretful, her unique personality and talent accompanied us through countless times. Whether it is her superb performance on the screen or her sincere and firm attitude towards life, It's very impressive.

"May she rest in peace in another world without worries, and may her family be strong enough to get through this difficult time. We will always remember her beauty, and rest in peace.”

Other celebrity friends took to social media to express their condolences. 

Singer-songwriter Christine Fan, a close friend of Hsu's whose stage name is “Fan Fan”, posted an all-black photo on Instagram without a caption. Fans wrote comments under the post like  “My condolences”, “This news is so shocking!” and “So sudden, I can’t believe it”. 

Tributes have also poured in from Hsu's Meteor Garden cast members. Singer-actor Ken Chu posted an Instagram story of an old picture of the cast, including Hsu, in remembrance of the late actress. 

Jerry Yan, who played Hsu's love interest in Meteor Garden, wrote on his Weibo page that he was "grateful" to have met Hsu.

"In the years when you were carefree like a child, you often said 'Live each day as if it were your last, and make the most of it.' I hope that this time, you take your time as you go. From now on, in another world, may there be no worries, and may time be peaceful and good," he added.

Singer-actress Rainie Yang, who played Hsu's best friend, posted a tribute on her Instagram page, writing: "Xiyuan, thank you. I will always remember you and love you."

Hsu, who was married to South Korean singer DJ Koo, leaves behind two children from her marriage with ex-husband Wang Xiaofei.

In a statement to South Korean publication Ilgan Sports, DJ Koo – whose real name is Koo Jun-yup – said that Hsu's death was "not fake news" and that he "was not okay".

Jason Baker, senior vice president of animal rights organisation PETA, said that his team was "heartbroken" by Hsu's death.

"Barbie used her fame to expose the cruelty of the fur industry...She spoke up countless times for animals."

According to news reports, Hsu's body will be cremated in Japan and her ashes returned to Taiwan at a later date for burial.

Speaking to the press on behalf of Hsu's mother, Taiwanese producer Wang Weizhong said that the process of bringing Hsu's body back to Taiwan "involves complex procedures". As such, Hsu's family "will not be able to return to Taiwan for a while".

Wang added: "During her lifetime, Barbie was always concerned about being filmed by the press. Please refrain from taking photos and pursuing her family once they return to Taiwan. This was her lifelong wish and we hope you can respect that."