Barbie Hsu, the talented Taiwanese actress who stole hearts with her iconic role in Meteor Garden, has passed away at the young age of 48. She was on a family trip to Japan during the Chinese New Year period when she contracted influenza-associated pneumonia. Her family has now shared a statement.

Meteor Garden fame Barbie Hsu dies at 48 during family trip to Japan; Taiwanese actress' family shares statement

Credit: X

Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, known for her role in Meteor Garden, has passed away at the age of 48. She died during a Lunar Year family trip to Japan due to complications from influenza and pneumonia. Her body will be cremated in Japan, and then her ashes will be brought back to Taiwan for burial, according to local media reports.



Barbie Hsu’s family shares a statement

Rumors of Hsu’s death first circulated on Sunday after a Facebook post hinted at the death of a 48-year-old Taiwanese celebrity. The date of her passing away remains unclear, but her death was confirmed on Monday after her sister, Dee Hsu, shared a statement.

Speaking to Taiwan’s TVBS News on Monday, Dee Hsu said, “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 an influenza,” Dee Hsu said in a statement shared by her manager.

“I’m thankful to be her sister in this lifetime, taking care of each other … I will always be grateful to her and remember her.”

Barbie Hsu’s role in Meteor Garden

Barbie Hsu, a household name in the Mandarin-speaking world, rose to fame with her role as Shancai in the 2001 Taiwanese drama Meteor Garden. The show was a massive hit, and Hsu’s portrayal of the strong-willed and independent Shancai still remains a fan-favourite.

The coming-of-age drama followed Hsu’s Shancai who navigated the complexities of relationships with the wealthy and charismatic F4 boys, played by Jerry Yan, Vic Chou, Ken Chu, and Vanness Wu. The show’s success launched Hsu’s career and cemented her status as a beloved actress in the region.

Meteor Garden has stood the test of time and enjoys a cult classic status among fans, even years after its initial release. It was the first live-action television adaptation of the Japanese manga series Boys Over Flowers, which was later adapted in Korean and Chinese.

Barbie’s tumultuous personal life

Barbie Hsu was married to Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei. Their highly-publicised and contentious divorce was finalized in November 2021, with both parties engaging in a war of words and accusations of infidelity. In a statement previously she claimed that her marriage resulted in “two deaths and one serious injury,” a statement that sparked widespread criticism.

A year after divorce from Wang, Barbie married South Korean singer and songwriter DJ Koo.