On the February 3 broadcast of KBS2’s Celeb Secret, the story of Barbie Hsu and her husband DJ Koo (Koo Jun-yup)—a couple who famously reunited with their first love against all odds—was closely examined, including the tragic final chapter of her life.
According to the program, Barbie Hsu left for a family trip to Japan on January 29, 2025. During the trip, she developed a high fever and sensed that something was seriously wrong with her physical condition. Hoping it would improve, she tried soaking in the hotel’s hot spring, but her symptoms worsened. She was eventually taken to the emergency room.
Medical expert Lee Nak-joon explained that many serious illnesses initially present with symptoms similar to a common cold. He noted that Barbie Hsu had an underlying heart condition, placing her in a high-risk category. “In patients with heart disease, pneumonia can progress rapidly and lead to severe complications,” he said. “When inflammation develops in the lungs, they can stiffen, increasing pressure in the pulmonary blood vessels. This dramatically raises the burden on the heart, potentially leading to heart failure and pulmonary edema. In such cases, pneumonia can deteriorate in an instant.”
Lee also addressed a particularly alarming sign. “She reportedly received antipyretics and her fever went down, but for patients with chronic conditions, a drop in fever can actually be more dangerous,” he explained. “A fever means the body is fighting. When the fever suddenly subsides, it may not signal recovery—it can mean the body has surrendered. That’s why the hospital likely advised her to go to a major medical center.”
Despite medical recommendations, Barbie Hsu reportedly wished to return home rather than be transferred to a larger hospital. Her family arranged plane tickets, but on February 2, 2025, while on the way to the airport, she suffered cardiac arrest. She was rushed to a nearby hospital and underwent 14 hours of intensive treatment, but ultimately never regained consciousness.
The revelations have left viewers deeply saddened, highlighting how subtle warning signs—especially in patients with underlying conditions—can precede sudden and irreversible tragedy.
Sources: Daum
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