Barbie Hsu, Taiwanese Star of Meteor Garden, Dies of Flu-Related Illness at 48: Report

The actress is best known for playing the role of Dong Shancai in the 2001 drama ‘Meteor Garden’

Barbie Hsu. Photo: Shang Hongtao/VCG via Getty

Barbie Hsu has reportedly died at the age of 48.

According to local media outlet the Taipei Times, the Taiwanese actress, who played the role of Dong Shancai in the 2001 drama Meteor Garden, died of pneumonia after contracting influenza during a trip to Japan.

“Our whole family came to Japan for a trip, and my dearest and most kindhearted sister Barbie Hsu died of influenza-induced pneumonia and unfortunately left us,” Barbie’s sister and talk show host Dee Hsu said in a statement through an agent.

“I was grateful to be her sister in this life and that we got to care for and spend time with each other. I will always be grateful to her and miss her,” she added, per the outlet.

The date of Barbie’s death has not been confirmed.

PEOPLE has reached out to representatives for Hsu for comment.

Barbie Hsu at the Giorgio Armani store opening in 2013 in Taipei, Taiwan.Visual China Group via Getty

According to the BBC, Barbie — who is also known as Big S — had a history of health challenges that included epilepsy and heart disease. She was also previously hospitalized due to seizures.

The star’s career began at 17 when she and her sister Dee were a pop duo, per the outlet.

Barbie Hsu in China in 2012.Visual China Group via Getty

The siblings then became TV hosts before Barbie reached international stardom as she was cast in the TV show Meteor Garden — a TV adaptation of a 1990s Japanese comic of the same name.

In the show, Barbie played middle-class teenager Dong Shancai, who attended an elite private school and became entangled with the heirs of rich families.

After her time in the series, Barbie went on to star in many more TV shows and movies, such as 2007’s Corner with Love and 2018’s Summer’s Desire.

According to CNN, Barbie retired from entertainment in 2022 after her 2021 divorce from Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei. She then remarried singer and DJ Koo Jun-yup in 2022.

Her last Instagram post, which was posted on Dec. 21, was of her husband performing a DJ set onstage. “Clon forever 🌟🌟🌟DJ KOO你超Cool❤️❤️❤️,” her caption read.

Taipei Times reports that she is survived by her husband and a 10-year-old daughter and an 8-year-old son, whom she shared with her ex-husband Xiaofei.

Meteor Garden star Barbie Hsu dies at 48

Barbie Hsu’s sister confirmed the very sad news.

Barbie Hsu, star of the phenomenal Taiwanese series Meteor Garden, dies of pneumonia on February 3, 2025. She was 48. 
PHOTO/S: Files
Pumanaw na ang sikat na Taiwanese actress na si Barbie Hsu dahil sa pneumonia ngayong Lunes, February 3, 2025.

Siya ay 48.

Kinumpirma ang malungkot na balita ng kapatid ni Barbie, ang talk show host na si Dee Hsu, sa pamamagitan ng kanyang agent.

Nakasaad sa statement na inilabas sa media: “Our whole family came to Japan for a trip, and my dearest and most kindhearted sister Barbie Hsu died of influenza-induced pneumonia and unfortunately left us.”

Dagdag pa ni Dee, “I was grateful to be her sister in this life and that we got to care for and spend time with each other. I will always be grateful to her and miss her!”

METEOR GARDEN

Si Barbie ay sumikat nang husto dahil sa pagganap niya bilang Shan Cai sa phenomenal hit Taiwanese drama series na Meteor Garden noong 2001.

Nakasama niya rito ang tinaguriang F4 na sina Jerry Yan (Dao Ming Xi), Vic Zhou (Hua Ze Lei), Vanness Wu (Mei Zuo), at Ken Chu (Xi Men).

Barbie Hsu (center) with Meteor Garden co-stars Jerry Yan, Vanness Wu, Ken Chu, and Vic Zhou

Naulila ni Barbie Hsu ang kanyang South Korean husband, ang singer na si DJ Koo Jun-yup, at ang kanyang 10-year-old daughter and 8-year-old son mula sa ex-husband na si Wang Xiaofei.