Connect with us

Entertainment

Meteor Garden Star Barbie Hsu Passes Away at 48

Published

on

Meteor Garden Star Barbie Hsu Passes Away at 48

Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, best known for her role in the iconic 2001 drama Meteor Garden, has passed away at the age of 48 due to pneumonia, local media report.

Hsu, one of the most recognized stars in the Mandarin-speaking entertainment industry, gained widespread fame across Asia, with Meteor Garden captivating audiences in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand, where it was dubbed into local languages.

The news of her passing has left fans devastated, with millions expressing their shock online. “I can’t believe it,” wrote one Weibo user, echoing the sentiments of many.

Advertisement

Hsu reportedly fell ill while visiting Japan, where she was vacationing with her family during Lunar New Year. Her sister, Dee Hsu, confirmed the news to Taiwan’s TVBS News on Monday.

“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,” Dee Hsu shared in a statement through her manager.

Barbie Hsu had a history of epilepsy and heart disease, and she had been hospitalized previously due to seizures.

Advertisement

She leaves behind her husband, South Korean singer DJ Koo, as well as two children from her previous marriage to Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei, whom she divorced in 2021 after ten years of marriage.

Hsu’s passing marks a heartbreaking loss for the Asian entertainment industry, with fans and colleagues mourning the end of an era for a star who helped define a generation of television romance.

Advertisement
Continue Reading
Advertisement
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Entertainment

BTS Triumph at American Music Awards as Black Eyed Peas Reunite

Published

on

BTS dominated the American Music Awards, taking home some of the night’s biggest honours as Black Eyed Peas reunited during the ceremony.

The K-pop superstars secured the event’s top award, further cementing their global success following their return from a nearly four-year hiatus earlier this year and a world tour reportedly worth around $1bn.

BTS also won song of the summer for their single Swim and were named best male K-pop artist.

Advertisement

Their label partners Katseye picked up the new artist of the year award.

Meanwhile, Golden — the breakout track from the animated film K-Pop Demon Hunters — was named song of the year.

Sabrina Carpenter enjoyed a successful evening after winning album of the year for Man’s Best Friend. She also claimed awards for best female pop artist and best pop album.

Advertisement

Justin Bieber was named best male pop artist.

BTS beat a strong field in the top artist category, including Taylor Swift, Bruno Mars, Bad Bunny and Lady Gaga.

The group also overcame competition from artists such as Harry Styles, Tame Impala and PinkPantheress in the song category.

Advertisement

Despite entering the awards with eight nominations, Taylor Swift — the artist with the most AMA wins in history — left the ceremony without an award.

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Madonna, Shakira and BTS to Headline Historic World Cup Final Half-Time Show

Published

on

Madonna, Shakira and BTS to Headline Historic World Cup Final Half-Time Show

Global music stars Madonna, Shakira and BTS are set to headline the first-ever half-time show at a FIFA World Cup final this summer.

The tournament, co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico, will conclude with the final in MetLife Stadium on 19 July.

The performance is expected to last around 11 minutes, despite speculation the show could extend beyond the standard 15-minute half-time interval allowed under the laws of football.

Advertisement

The introduction of a Super Bowl-style performance marks a major shift for FIFA, with elaborate pre-match entertainment already common at events such as the UEFA Champions League Final.

Last summer’s FIFA Club World Cup final in the US between Chelsea FC and Paris Saint-Germain featured a half-time show lasting more than 24 minutes.

Shakira’s involvement comes shortly after the announcement of her official World Cup anthem Dai Dai, which also features Nigerian music star Burna Boy.

Advertisement

The Colombian singer previously delivered one of football’s most iconic tournament songs with Waka Waka (This Time for Africa) during the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.

Meanwhile, Madonna — often referred to as the “Queen of Pop” — is preparing to release her 15th studio album, Confessions II, on 3 July.

The 67-year-old recently made a surprise appearance during Sabrina Carpenter’s set at the Coachella Valley Music and Arts Festival, where the pair performed Vogue and Like a Prayer together.

Advertisement

BTS, regarded as the best-selling music act in South Korean history with more than 45 million albums sold, are also preparing for a major comeback after a three-year hiatus during which members completed mandatory military service.

The group previously collaborated with Coldplay on the hit single My Universe.

The half-time show is being curated by Coldplay frontman Chris Martin and will support the FIFA Global Citizen Education Fund, which aims to raise $100m for children around the world.

Advertisement

Gianni Infantino previously described the event as “a historic moment for the FIFA World Cup, befitting the biggest sporting event in the world.”

Continue Reading

Entertainment

Coroner Says Investigation Into Liam Payne’s Death Still Awaiting Evidence From Argentina

Published

on

Coroner Says Investigation Into Liam Payne’s Death Still Awaiting Evidence From Argentina

A coroner overseeing the inquest into the death of former One Direction singer Liam Payne has said authorities in the UK are still waiting for additional evidence from Argentina as investigations there continue.

During a pre-inquest review hearing held at Beaconsfield Coroner’s Court on Thursday, senior coroner Crispin Butler said there had been no significant updates since a previous hearing in January 2025.

“We have had no further disclosure of evidence from Argentina via the Foreign, Commonwealth & Development Office,” Butler told the court.

Advertisement

Payne, who was 31, died in October 2024 after falling from a balcony at the Casa Sur Hotel in Buenos Aires.

A post-mortem examination found the singer died from multiple traumas and “internal and external haemorrhage” after falling from the hotel’s third-floor balcony.

The coroner said documentation already received from Argentina had undergone translation and confirmed that relevant material would be shared with Payne’s family, who were not present at the hearing.

Advertisement

Butler added that his understanding was that investigations by authorities in Argentina were still ongoing.

In February last year, an Argentine court dropped criminal negligence charges against three of the five people initially charged in connection with Payne’s death.

Payne rose to global fame as a member of One Direction before launching a successful solo career following the band’s hiatus. He released his debut solo album, LP1, in December 2019.

Advertisement

The inquest proceedings in the UK have now been adjourned until a further pre-inquest review scheduled for 1 December.

Continue Reading

Trending