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.

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.

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.