Actress Barbie Hsu dies at 48

Taiwan mourns the loss of a beloved actress.

Barbie Hsu, a talented actress, died at 48.

One of biggest stars
Local media indicate that Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, who became famous for her performance in Meteor Garden, died of pneumonia at 48.

Both seasons of the 2001–2002 successful TV series Meteor Garden starred Barbie Hsu, also known as Big S. Meteor Garden’s high school spin on Cinderella was a blockbuster in the 2000s, when Taiwanese dramas and music dominated regional pop culture.

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Barbie Hsu became a Mandarin-speaking superstar after the series’ global success.

It was dubbed into local languages in the Philippines, Indonesia, and Thailand, making her famous outside Taiwan.

She ranked 33rd on Forbes China Celebrity 100 in 2010.

Theories concerning her death
On Sunday, February 2, Barbie Hsu’s ex-husband, Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei, reportedly changed his social media profile image to black, sparking online rumors of her death.

Dee Hsu, Barbie’s younger sister, confirmed the tragic news.

Many thanks for your concern! Our family visited Japan for New Year. Xiyuan, my dearest and kindest sister, died of flu-related pneumonia,” Dee told TVBS News.

The message did not clarify Barbie Hsu’s death time or location. Taiwanese television producer Wang Wei-chung, a close friend of the Hsu family, later told reporters that the family is still in Japan, where Hsu died, and is bringing her body home.

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At 17, Hsu created a pop duo with her sister Dee and became popular. The sisters became TV hosts, but Hsu is most known for playing Shancai in Meteor Garden.

Recently, Barbie Hsu kept a low profile. Her final voice part was in the dubbed Incredibles 2 (2018).

Longtime friend and host Aya Liu posted on Weibo that she met Hsu last month at an event and pledged to meet more often.

“I didn’t think that would be our last gathering,” Liu wrote. “Rest in peace, most beautiful queen.”

Honors pour in
On social media, followers paid tribute to Hsu and her work, which gave joy to many.

“Big S has always been a part of my youth,” remarked a Threads fan of Hsu.

One X user said Meteor Garden raised a generation of Asians. Shancai lives because to Barbie Hsu.”

Barbie Hsu had epilepsy and heart disease, according to the BBC. She had multiple hospitalizations and a life-threatening condition during her son’s delivery.

On February 8, her husband, South Korean singer DJ Koo, will celebrate their third wedding anniversary. Hsu had a 10-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old boy from her previous marriage to businessman Wang Xiaofei.

Please accept my condolences and prayers for your family during this trying time. An early death of a talented young woman who touched everyone. Let her memory shine.