- The Meteor Garden star passed away from pneumonia while visiting Japan.
- Hsu’s death has sparked tributes from fans worldwide, with many expressing disbelief.
- Hsu leaves behind her husband DJ Koo and two children, following a high-profile divorce in 2021.
Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, best known for her iconic role in the 2001 TV series Meteor Garden, has passed away at the age of 48 due to pneumonia, local media reports.
A beloved star across the Mandarin-speaking world, Hsu’s fame spread throughout the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand as Meteor Garden was dubbed in local languages, making her a household name.
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Fans around the world have expressed shock and sorrow at the news, with one Weibo user commenting, “I can’t believe it,” reflecting the disbelief of millions mourning her loss.
Hsu is believed to have fallen ill while visiting Japan. Her sister, Dee Hsu, confirmed the news of her death on Monday, stating, “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.”
Hsu had a history of epilepsy and heart disease, and had been hospitalized previously due to seizures.
She leaves behind her husband, DJ Koo, a South Korean singer, and two children from a previous marriage. Hsu had been married to Wang Xiaofei, a Chinese businessman, for 10 years before their highly publicized divorce in 2021.
WHO IS BARBIE HSU?
Hsu launched her career at the age of 17, initially forming a pop duo with her sister Dee. The pair quickly rose to fame as TV hosts, recognized for their vibrant personalities and sense of humour.
However, it was her role in Meteor Garden, a TV adaptation of a popular 1990s Japanese manga, that made Hsu a household name, earning her fame that transcended the Chinese entertainment industry. In the series, she portrayed Shancai, a teenage girl from a middle-class family who navigates a complicated love triangle with the heirs of powerful families at an elite school.
Her four male co-stars from Meteor Garden later formed the boyband F4, one of the biggest Mandopop groups of the 2000s. On Monday, F4 member Ken Chu shared a sombre black screen and a group photo with Hsu on Instagram, expressing his shock on Weibo, writing: “What a bolt from the blue.”
Following Meteor Garden, Hsu appeared in over a dozen TV dramas and films, including popular romantic shows like Corner With Love and Summer’s Desire. After stepping away from acting in 2012, she continued her presence in the entertainment world through reality shows.
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Aya Liu, a TV host and longtime friend of the Hsu sisters, shared a tribute on Weibo. She recalled meeting Hsu just last month, where they promised to gather more often. “I didn’t think that would be our last meeting,” Liu wrote. “Rest in peace, the most beautiful queen.”
On Monday, Hsu was trending on Weibo. Many fans expressed their disbelief, with one comment reading: “She was only 48 years old… this is too sudden. This is a little difficult to accept.” Posts about influenza in Japan also surged as fans speculated about the illness that led to her untimely passing.
