Barbie Hsu - Adored by all and everywhere in Asia, fans in shock after Taiwan's 'Meteor Garden' star dies at 48

Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, better known as "Da S" which means "Big S," unveils her new poster for People for the Ethical Treatment of Animals (PETA) Asia in Beijing on Nov. 26, 2009. The Chinese characters on the poster reads "Vegetarians Make Chicks Happy!" - AP

TAIPEI (AFP) : Fans, friends, co-stars and family members were left stunned on Monday. Taiwanese star Barbie Hsu, who was hugely popular across Asia for her leading role in the 2001 television drama "Meteor Garden", has died from a respiratory illness, local media reported Monday. She was 48.

Hsu passed away after developing pneumonia during a family trip to Japan over the Lunar New Year holiday, the younger of her two sisters was quoted as saying.