Barbie Hsu Dies at 48: Meteor Garden Star Passes Away Due to Pneumonia
Barbie Hsu Dies After Flu-Related Illness in Japan
Taiwanese singer and actress Barbie Hsu dies at 48 after her family vacation in Japan: her younger sister Dee Hsu confirmed Monday that Hsu’s illness was induced by influenza.
“Our family came here for vacation during the Lunar New Year. My beloved sister Barbie has left us due to pneumonia, which resulted from influenza. This is tragic,” Dee Hsu said in a statement released by the actor’s management.
Barbie Hsu’s death has set off shockwaves across Asia, with her fans and fellow celebrities mourning the death of one of the most beloved stars in the Mandarin-speaking entertainment industry.
Rising to Fame: Who is Barbie Hsu?
Better known as Big S, Barbie Hsu shot to fame in the early 2000s for her iconic role as Shancai in the Taiwanese drama Meteor Garden (2001). The series, which is based on the Japanese manga Boys Over Flowers, became a cultural phenomenon throughout Asia and was shown multiple times across nations such as the Philippines, Thailand, and Indonesia.
Hsu played a middle-class girl caught in a whirlwind at a high-end private school, two years later a love with a wealthy heir. With Meteor Garden breakout becoming an instant hit, Hsu soon became a mega star in Asia, traveling the world with her co-stars, which included Vic Chou, Jerry Yan, Ken Chu, and Vanness Wu, later dubbed the Mandopop boy group F4.
Besides Meteor Garden, Hsu expanded into films and television, appearing in such projects as A Chinese Ghost Story (2003), Summer’s Desire (2010), and Reign of Assassins (2010). She was considered a versatile personality as she was both an actress and a singer.
Barbie Hsu’s Personal Life and Marriage to DJ Koo
Barbie Hsu continued to be a burning topic in entertainment news. In 2010, she married Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei and had two children with him. Their high-profile divorce in 2021 made headlines across Taiwan and China.
In 2022, Hsu rekindled her romance with Koo Jun-yup, South Korean DJ and former member of the group Clon. The couple had dated in the late ’90s only to break up because of the pressures of the industry. Their reunion, and the ensuing marriage after 23 years, became a sweet love story that captured the hearts of fans across Taiwan and Korea.
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Shock and Sorrow: Tributes from Fans and Celebrities
Following the announcement of Barbie Hsu’s death, tributes have flowed in from celebrities and fans worldwide. Her Meteor Garden co-star Ken Chu posted a black screen on his social media with the words, “What a bolt from the blue.”
Taiwanese actress Aya Liu is a longtime friend of the Hsu sisters and shared that she had just seen Barbie Hsu at a gathering. “I thought we could see each other again, but I never thought that would be our last meeting.”
Weibo, Threads, and X (formerly Twitter) were flooded by millions of fans from China, Taiwan, the Philippines, and beyond who expressed their sorrow under trending hashtags such as “Big S passed away,” collectively garnering over 1.5 billion views.
Under Threads, one fan wrote, “Big S has always existed within my youth.” Another fan on X posted, “Meteor Garden raised an entire generation of Asians; for that, Barbie Hsu, we thank you for making Shancai.”
The Insight of a Woman: The Efforts Made by Barbie Hsu in Asian Culture Pop
The influence of Hsu is unquestionable when it comes to the impact on Asian pop culture. With the reworking of Meteor Garden making Hsu a household word across such countries as Japan, South Korea, China, and India, it can still be streamed on platforms like Netflix, introducing her work to newer generations.
Based on her career as an actress, Hsu was also known for her work for animal rights. PETA Asia expressed their sadness over her death, saying that she was “one of the first and biggest stars” to help their cause.
Brief Summary
Barbie Hsu’s demise robbed the entertainment firm of one of its busiest stars. The contributions she made to television, in music, and in pop culture will remain with millions.
The illustrious Shancai character Barbie has just been outlined all over the globe, from Mongolia to Argentina, all the while shattering hearts with her departure, virtually assuring the indelible impact left by her personality.
References:
https://edition.cnn.com/2025/02/03/asia/barbie-hsu-big-s-taiwan-death-intl-hnk/index.html
https://hongkongfp.com/2025/02/03/taiwans-actress-barbie-hsu-of-meteor-garden-fame-dies-at-48/
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