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Taiwanese star Barbie Hsu of Meteor Garden fame dies Taiwanese star Barbie Hsu of Meteor Garden fame dies
(about 1 hour later)
Meteor Garden was dubbed in several languages and made Hsu a big star in AsiaMeteor Garden was dubbed in several languages and made Hsu a big star in Asia
Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu has died from pneumonia after contracting influenza while on a vacation in Japan, local media report. She was 48. Taiwanese actress Barbie Hsu, who shot to fame for starring in the TV series Meteor Garden, has died from pneumonia, local media report. She was 48.
Hsu is one of the biggest names in the Mandarin-speaking world and is best known for starring in the 2001 TV series Meteor Garden. Hsu is one of the biggest names in the Mandarin-speaking world and Meteor Garden made her a big star in countries like the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand after it was dubbed in local languages.
Meteor Garden was dubbed in several languages and made Hsu a big star in the Philippines, Indonesia and Thailand. News of her death triggered an outpouring of grief on social media where fans expressed their shock paid tribute to Hsu for her influence on Asian pop culture.
Her sister, Dee Hsu, confirmed her death to Taiwan's TVBS News on Monday. Her sister, Dee Hsu, confirmed her death to Taiwan's TVBS News on Monday, after rumours of her death swirled over the weekend. She reportedly fell ill while on vacation in Japan.
"During the Lunar New Year, or family came to Japan for vacation. My dearest sister Barbie has unfortunately left us after getting pneumonia, triggered by an influenza," Dee Hsu said in a statement shared by her manager. "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 an influenza," Dee said in a statement shared by her manager.
"I'm thankful to be her sister in this lifetime, taking care of each other ... I will always be grateful to her and remember her." Hsu started in show business at 17 as part of a pop duo with her sister Dee. They went on to become TV hosts, known for their animated style and sense of humour.
Hsu started her career in show business at 17 years old as part of a pop duo with her sister, Dee. The pair went on to become popular hosts, known for their animated style and sense of humour. But it was Meteor Garden, a TV adaptation of a 1990s Japanese manga of the same name, that helped Hsu become a star outside the Mandarin-speaking world.
Rumours of Hsu's death had circulated since Sunday, after a popular Facebook account published a cryptic post claiming that a 48-year-old Taiwanese celebrity had died. Hsu played Shancai, a poor student from a middle class family who attends an elite private school and finds herself entangled in a love web among the heirs of wealthy families.
Confirmation of her death on Monday sent shockwaves among fans, and an triggered an outpouring of sympathy and condolences on social media. Her four male co-stars would later form the Taiwanese boyband F4, which also became one of the most popular Mandopop groups of the 2000s .
Hsu was the top trending topic on Weibo Monday morning. "I can't believe it," reads one comment - echoing hundreds of similar sentiments circulating on Chinese social media. Ken Chu, a member of F4, posted a blank black image on Instagram, as well as a group photo with Hsu. "What a bolt from the blue," he wrote on Weibo.
"She is only 48 years old… this is too sudden," reads another Weibo comment. "This is a little difficult to accept." Meteor Garden captivated Asian audiences before video streaming. In the Philippines alone, a local broadcaster reportedly aired the entire series eight times to satisfy fan demand. Bootleg CD copies of the series were also sold on roadside stalls.
Also trending on Weibo are posts about influenza in Japan. Aside from the series itself, Meteor Garden's theme songs were also translated to local languages and became hits on radio and music video channels.
Hsu has a history of epilepsy and heart disease. She had on previous occasions been hospitalised after experiencing seizures. Two decades since its debut, Meteor Garden's popularity has endured and remakes through the years have attracted new fans. Versions of the series have also been produced in Japan, South Korea, mainland China, and India.
In Meteor Garden, Hsu played Shancai, a poor student from a middle class family who attends an elite private school and finds herself entangled in a love web among the heirs of wealthy families, played by members of the Taiwanese boyband F4. Hsu was the top trending topic on Chinese social media platform Weibo on Monday morning. Posts about influenza in Japan were also trending.
Meteor Garden is based on a 1990s Japanese manga series of the same name. "I can't believe it," read one comment - echoing hundreds of similar sentiments.
The show has continued to attract fans across the region. Following the massive success of the 2001 series, versions of the story have also been produced in Japan, South Korea, mainland China, and India. "She is only 48 years old… this is too sudden," read another Weibo comment. "This is a little difficult to accept."
Her Meteor Garden co-star, Ken Chu, posted a blank black image on Instagram, as well as a group photo with Hsu. "What a shock," he wrote on Weibo. Hsu has a history of epilepsy and heart disease and had been hospitalised on previous occasions due to seizures.
She leaves behind two children with her ex-husband, Chinese businessman Wang Xiaofei, with whom she had an acrimonious split after 10 years together.
She married her current husband, South Korean musician DJ Koo, in 2022. They previously dated in the 1990s.