Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, best known for her role in the hit 2001 TV series Meteor Garden, has passed away at 48 due to pneumonia, according to local media. As one of the most prominent stars in the Mandarin speaking world, Hsu gained widespread recognition across the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand after Meteor Garden was dubbed in local languages.”I can’t believe it,” wrote one user on the Chinese social media platform Weibo, reflecting the shock and grief shared by millions of fans paying tribute.
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Barbie Hsu Passing and Family Life
She reportedly fell ill while visiting Japan. Her sister, Dee Hsu, confirmed her passing to Taiwan’s TVBS News on Monday. “Our family traveled to Japan for vacation during the Lunar New Year. Sadly, my beloved sister Barbie passed away after developing pneumonia caused by influenza,” Dee Hsu said in a statement shared by her manager.Hsu, who had a history of epilepsy and heart disease, had been hospitalized in the past due to seizures. She is survived by her husband, South Korean singer DJ Koo, as well as two children from her previous marriage. Hsu was married to Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei for 10 years before their highly publicized divorce in 2021.
Barbie Hsu Early Career and Meteor Garden Stardom
Hsu launched her career at 17 as part of a pop duo alongside her sister, Dee. The pair gained popularity as TV hosts, known for their lively personalities and sharp humor. However, it was her role in Meteor Garden, a television adaptation of the 1990s Japanese comic of the same name, that catapulted Hsu to stardom, earning her widespread recognition beyond the Chinese entertainment industry.In Meteor Garden, Hsu portrayed Shancai, a young woman from a middle class background who navigates life at an elite private school while getting caught in a complicated romance with the heirs of wealthy families. Her four male co stars went on to form the Taiwanese boyband F4, one of the most successful Mandopop groups of the 2000s.
Barbie Hsu Post-Meteor Garden Success and Tributes
Following Meteor Garden, Hsu appeared in over a dozen TV shows and films, including beloved romantic dramas such as Corner With Love and Summer’s Desire. She took a break from acting in 2012 but continued to appear in reality shows. Aya Liu, a host and long-time friend of the Hsu sisters, wrote on Weibo that she had met Hsu at a gathering last month, where they had promised to meet more often. “I didn’t think that would be our last gathering,” Liu wrote. “Rest in peace, the most beautiful queen.”
Barbie Hsu Passing and Social Media Tributes
Hsu became the top trending topic on Weibo on Monday, with many fans expressing disbelief and sorrow. “She was only 48, this is so sudden and hard to accept,” one comment read. As fans tried to understand how she became ill, posts about influenza in Japan also began trending.
Barbie Hsu the Meteor Garden Phenomenon
When Meteor Garden aired in the 2000s, at a time when Taiwanese shows and music dominated pop culture in the region, the modern day Cinderella story became an instant sensation. Hsu’s character, Shancai, became a fashion icon for young women, while F4 captivated the hearts of fans. The male leads’ iconic floppy hairstyles were so popular that they adorned salon walls, with young men across Southeast and East Asia trying to replicate the look.
Barbie Hsu enduring Popularity of Meteor Garden
In the Philippines, a local broadcaster reportedly aired Meteor Garden eight times to meet fan demand, while bootleg copies of the series were sold at roadside stalls. The show’s theme songs were also released in various languages, quickly becoming hits on both radio and TV.More than 20 years later, Meteor Garden’s popularity remains strong, with remakes continuing to draw in new generations of fans. Versions have been created in Japan, South Korea, China, and India.
Tributes Across Social Media
Tributes to Hsu have poured in from social media platforms worldwide, with users from China, Southeast Asia, and Taiwan sharing their fond memories.”Big S has always been a part of my youth,” one fan wrote on Threads, using Hsu’s nickname. An X user added, “Meteor Garden raised an entire generation of Asians. Thank you, Barbie Hsu, for bringing Shancai to life.