Barbie Hsu Passes Away
BARBIE HSU – The Taiwanese actress best known for her role as Shan Cai in the hit drama Meteor Garden passed away at the age of 48.
Barbie Hsu was a Taiwanese actress, singer, and television host, best known for her iconic role as Dong Shan Cai in the hit drama Meteor Garden (2001). Born on October 6, 1976, in Taipei, Taiwan, she was the middle child of three sisters. She and her younger sister, Dee Hsu, first entered the entertainment industry as a pop duo named S.O.S, releasing the hit song Ten-Minute Love in 1994. After contractual issues, they rebranded as A.S.O.S and transitioned to hosting, becoming popular TV personalities through variety shows such as Guess Guess Guess and 100% Entertainment.
Hsu gained pan-Asian fame in 2001 when she starred in Meteor Garden, which became a massive success across Asia. She continued her acting career with notable roles in Mars (2004), where she starred alongside Vic Chou, Corner with Love (2007), and Summer’s Desire (2010). She also appeared in several films, including Silk (2006), Connected (2008), and My Kingdom (2011).
In 2010, she married Chinese entrepreneur Wang Xiaofei, with whom she had two children. However, they divorced in 2021. Shortly after, she rekindled her past romance with South Korean singer Koo Jun-yup, whom she had dated from 1998 to 2000. The couple announced their marriage in 2022.
On February 2, 2025, while traveling in Japan during the Lunar New Year holiday, Barbie Hsu passed away at the age of 48 due to pneumonia caused by influenza complications. Her sudden passing shocked fans across Asia, as she remained a beloved figure in entertainment. Hsu’s contributions to Taiwanese pop culture, particularly through Meteor Garden, cement her legacy as one of the most influential actresses of her generation.