Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, best known for her role in the 2001 TV series Meteor Garden, has passed away at 48. Local media reports confirm that she died from pneumonia, a complication of influenza.
Hsu was one of the biggest stars in the Mandarin-speaking world. She became widely recognized across Asia, particularly in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand, where Meteor Garden was dubbed in local languages.
On the Chinese social media platform Weibo, many fans expressed disbelief. One user commented, “I can’t believe it.” This sentiment was shared by millions who are paying tribute to the beloved actress.
Barbie Hsu’s Illness and Death
It is believed that Hsu fell ill while visiting Japan. Her sister, Dee Hsu, confirmed her passing to Taiwan’s TVBS News. “During the Lunar New Year, our family came to Japan for vacation. My dearest sister Barbie has unfortunately left us after getting pneumonia, triggered by influenza,” Dee Hsu said in a statement.
Hsu had a history of epilepsy and heart disease, which had previously led to hospitalizations due to seizures.
She is survived by her husband, South Korean singer DJ Koo, and two children from a previous marriage. Barbie and her ex-husband, Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei, were married for 10 years before their acrimonious divorce in 2021.
Who Was Barbie Hsu?
Barbie Hsu started her career at 17, performing as part of a pop duo with her sister Dee. The duo became famous as TV hosts known for their humor and animated style. However, it was Meteor Garden that truly catapulted her to fame. Based on a 1990s Japanese comic, Meteor Garden told the story of Shancai, a girl from a middle-class family attending an elite school.
Hsu’s role made her a household name not just in Taiwan, but across Asia. The four male leads from the series went on to form F4, one of the most popular Mandopop groups of the 2000s.
Tributes and Reactions
After the news of her death broke, Hsu’s co-star from Meteor Garden, Ken Chu, shared an emotional tribute on Instagram and Weibo, describing it as “a bolt from the blue.”
Fans have flooded social media with tributes, reflecting the profound impact Hsu had on their lives. On Weibo, many expressed their shock, with one user writing, “She was only 48 years old… this is too sudden. This is a little difficult to accept.” Fans also expressed confusion over the circumstances of her illness, with influenza in Japan trending as they sought answers.
Aya Liu, a host and long-time friend of Hsu’s family, posted a tribute on Weibo, recalling their recent meeting. “I didn’t think that would be our last gathering. Rest in peace, the most beautiful queen,” she wrote.
Meteor Garden’s Enduring Legacy
When Meteor Garden aired in the early 2000s, it revolutionized pop culture. The show was a modern take on Cinderella, set in an elite school. The popularity of the show sparked fashion trends, especially among young women, who admired Shancai’s style. The male leads, known as F4, became teen idols, with their floppy hairstyles emulated by young men throughout East Asia and Southeast Asia.
In the Philippines, the show was aired eight times by local broadcasters to meet fan demand. Bootleg copies were sold at roadside stalls, a testament to the show’s massive popularity.
Even today, more than 20 years later, the Meteor Garden remains iconic. The show has inspired versions in Japan, South Korea, China, and India.
Tributes to Barbie Hsu have poured in from fans across the globe, from China to Southeast Asia, on platforms such as Weibo, X, and Meta’s Threads. “Big S has always been a part of my youth,” one fan wrote on Threads. Another commented, “Meteor Garden raised an entire generation of Asians. Thank you, Barbie Hsu, for giving life to Shancai.”
Barbie Hsu’s passing is a tragic loss to the entertainment world. Her legacy as Shancai in Meteor Garden will live on in the hearts of fans around the globe.