Family plans no funeral as Barbie Hsu’s ashes return to Taiwan

Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu. Photo from Hsu Studio's Weibo

According to the Taipei Times, a statement from Hsu’s family on Wednesday night confirmed that she had "returned home," following reports that her ashes arrived in Taiwan on a private jet that landed at Taipei Songshan Airport around 3 p.m. that day.

The Straits Times reported that Hsu’s family members—including her mother Huang Chun Lan; her younger sister, Taiwanese TV host Dee Hsu; and her husband, South Korean musician DJ Koo—were believed to have accompanied her ashes back to Taiwan.

Addressing reporters gathered at the airport, the family expressed their gratitude: "We appreciate friends working in the media for waiting in the cold weather."

"She has safely returned home," the statement continued. "We believe she is right now happy and carefree up there."

The family emphasized that no funeral would be held for Hsu, explaining: "She always preferred to keep a low profile. If you miss her, keep her in mind. We are grateful for the love you fell for her."

Hsu rose to fame through hit TV series such as "Meteor Garden," "Mars," and "Summer’s Desire." Her family confirmed her death at the age of 49 in a statement released by her sister Dee Hsu on Monday.

"Thank you for all the concern," Dee Hsu expressed. "Over the Lunar 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," she continued. "Shan [Hsu’s nickname], rest in peace. We love you always. Together remember forever."

Speculation about Hsu’s death began with a Facebook post and was initially met with skepticism due to her recent public appearances in good health, including attending a wedding in January and featuring in a New Year’s post by DJ Koo. Leaked medical reports later revealed that she had missed two critical opportunities for treatment while in Japan.