TAIPEI (TVBS News) — The unexpected death of Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu (大S) in Japan has left her sister Dee Hsu (小S) grappling with grief. Dee Hsu, who has stayed in Japan to handle funeral arrangements, may delay her return to Taiwan, potentially postponing her TV show "Dee Girls Talk" (小姐不熙娣), according to a statement from Eastern Broadcasting Company (東森電視台) on Tuesday (Feb. 4).
Barbie Hsu died from pneumonia complications after contracting the flu, leaving her family and friends deeply affected. Dee Hsu, who once described her sister as her "spouse from past life," has not yet returned to Taiwan. Her close friends believe she might need at least six months to recover from the loss before resuming her comedic television role.
Dee Hsu ended her 12-year run on the variety-comedy talk show "Kangsi Coming" (康熙來了) and faced personal challenges, but her sister encouraged her to return to television. Dee Hsu credited her sister for her comeback, stating, "If it weren't for Barbie Hsu's encouragement, I wouldn't have returned to the stage."
Barbie Hsu fell ill with a cold and asthma symptoms before traveling to Japan for the Lunar New Year holiday, and succumbed to her illness on the third day of the trip. Dee Hsu will remain in Japan, handling necessary formalities before the family can bring her sister home. Taiwanese television producer Wang Wei-zhong (王偉忠) relayed a statement from their mother, explaining the delay due to the complex procedures involved.