Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, beloved for her iconic role as "Shan Cai" in the hit 2001 drama Meteor Garden, has tragically passed away at the age of 48.

The sad news was confirmed by Taiwanese media and her family via her younger sister, famed Taiwanese host Dee Hsu.

According to Taiwanese news outlet Star ETToday, the statement, written primarily in Chinese, read:

"Thanks for all the concern. Over the Chinese New Year period, our entire family traveled to Japan for a holiday and my most beloved, kindest elder sister Barbie caught influenza-related pneumonia and has unfortunately left us."

“I am thankful to be her sister in this life, and grateful that we have taken care of each other and kept each other company all these years. I will always be thankful to her and remember her. Shan (Barbie Hsu’s nickname), rest in peace. We love you always. Together remember forever.”

Prior to the confirmation from her sister, there were rumors floating around that a famous celebrity had died in Japan while on vacation.

Media outlets at the time hurriedly attempted to contact her family but were left on read with no response.

The statement did not clarify when and where Barbie Hsu died.