Barbie Hsu, the beloved Taiwanese actress best known for her starring role in the hit 2001 TV series "Meteor Garden," has died at age 48. Her sister Dee Hsu confirmed that Barbie passed away from pneumonia complications during a family vacation in Japan over the Lunar New Year holiday.
Rising to fame in the 1990s as part of a pop duo with her sister Dee, Hsu became a household name across Asia through her portrayal of Shan Cai in "Meteor Garden," a television adaptation of a Japanese manga. The series, which followed a middle-class teenager navigating life at an elite private school, resonated deeply with audiences and launched Hsu into stardom throughout the Mandarin-speaking world.
The show's influence extended far beyond Taiwan, gaining massive popularity in Southeast Asian countries like the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand through dubbed versions. Its impact was so profound that in the Philippines, one broadcaster reportedly aired the series eight times due to overwhelming viewer demand.
Throughout her career, Hsu appeared in numerous TV shows and films, including "Summer's Desire," "Corner With Love," "Reign of Assassins," and "Motorway." She stepped back from acting in 2012 but maintained a presence through reality show appearances.
Hsu had previously dealt with health challenges, including a history of epilepsy and heart disease. She leaves behind her current husband, South Korean singer DJ Koo, and two children from her previous marriage to Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei.
News of her passing sparked an outpouring of tributes across social media platforms, with fans and fellow celebrities sharing memories and expressing shock at her untimely death. Her "Meteor Garden" co-star Ken Chu responded to the news on social media, describing it as "a bolt from the blue."
The actress's legacy lives on through "Meteor Garden's" enduring popularity, which has inspired multiple remakes across Asia and continues to captivate new generations of viewers more than two decades after its original release.